Tamron SP 35mm and 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Lenses

Hi,

Kinda surprised there isn't a thread for these lenses yet?--or perhaps I missed it? Anyway, if there's already a thread, feel free to ignore this one.

When I saw the first announcement I only had mild interest since I already owned the Sigma Art 35, which we all know started their revolution in lenses and has extraordinary performance. This Tamron, which is smaller and has IS, can't possibly have better IQ right? Then I read this (linked from the Canon Rumors site):

http://blog.krolop-gerst.com …m-f1-8-di-vc-usd-english/

Dude says the Tamron has even better IQ than the Sigma Art!!! Now that is a surprise! Super interested now. IS on a big aperture lens = out of this world hand-held low-light pictures!

Can't wait to see if that reviewer is correct!

So, you can preorder on BH (only showing the link for the 35mm):
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …700_sp_35mm_f_1​_8_di.html

or Adorama:
http://www.adorama.com …93&cvosrc=affil​iate.64393

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Anyone getting both lenses?

POTN search for "Tamron":

Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 VC and SP 35mm F1.8 VC
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1439282

Just saw this review
https://www.ephotozine​.com …-vc-usd-lens-review-28149
I would like to see it tested on Canon.

I'm debating between the tamron 35 and canon's 35 f/2. I was eyeing the sigma but for twice as much as the canon, I don't know if it's twice as good. I have the old canon 35 f/2 and the focusing has been sticking more and more lately, and while there's instructions online for how to take it apart and fix it, I'm a little nervous too. Especially since it involved soldering and I have no idea how to solder, so.

restinginlove wrote in post #17712453
I'm debating between the tamron 35 and canon's 35 f/2. I was eyeing the sigma but for twice as much as the canon, I don't know if it's twice as good. I have the old canon 35 f/2 and the focusing has been sticking more and more lately, and while there's instructions online for how to take it apart and fix it, I'm a little nervous too. Especially since it involved soldering and I have no idea how to solder, so.

according to the "review" i linked above, the dude thinks the tamron is even sharper than the sigma. i dunno if his testing methods are all that perfect though, but it gives hope. that level of IQ + IS would be killer.

as for soldering, if you're new to it I wouldn't do your first attempt on electronics. the wires and traces are thin and very easily damaged.

Yeah, that's why I'm thinking upgrade over trying to fix it. I think the new canon 35 f/2 with IS supposedly has better image quality over the old version? And looks sharper. I may just be happy with that but I'm really eyeing the tamron with what I've heard so far.

restinginlove wrote in post #17712498
Yeah, that's why I'm thinking upgrade over trying to fix it. I think the new canon 35 f/2 with IS supposedly has better image quality over the old version? And looks sharper. I may just be happy with that but I'm really eyeing the tamron with what I've heard so far.

You've got a tough decision. From everything I've read the 35/2 IS is a good step up from the old 35/2. Many believe at equal apertures the 35/2 IS is close to or matches the 35 Art. If the Tamron is that good too it'll be great for people to have options.

If you need something now, get the Canon though. It's a known very good/excellent option and not all that expensive. The Tamron is an unknown for the time being.

smythie wrote in post #17712748
You've got a tough decision. From everything I've read the 35/2 IS is a good step up from the old 35/2. Many believe at equal apertures the 35/2 IS is close to or matches the 35 Art. If the Tamron is that good too it'll be great for people to have options.

If you need something now, get the Canon though. It's a known very good/excellent option and not all that expensive. The Tamron is an unknown for the time being.

Yep. I like that the tamron is cheaper than the sigma and about the price of the canon (although the canon goes for about $450ish on the used market) but if it's not a whole lot better than the canon, or at all, then I'd be better off with the canon. I use a crop body a lot of the time and like to get DOF though so I shoot wide open a lot, and 1.8 is appealing to me because of that. Obviously 1.4 is too but not $300-425 more than 1.8 and 2.0, haha.

Also, these test shots... drooool. The 45mm looks great too, but I am mostly happy with my non-art sigma 50mm so I probably don't need another in the sameish focal length.

restinginlove wrote in post #17712754
Yep. I like that the tamron is cheaper than the sigma and about the price of the canon (although the canon goes for about $450ish on the used market) but if it's not a whole lot better than the canon, or at all, then I'd be better off with the canon. I use a crop body a lot of the time and like to get DOF though so I shoot wide open a lot, and 1.8 is appealing to me because of that. Obviously 1.4 is too but not $300-425 more than 1.8 and 2.0, haha.

doubt you can tell the dof difference between f/2 and f/1.8.

Likewise, I'm not sure you'll notice much difference between f/2.0 and f/1.8. At that difference in aperture size, it's entirely possible that the Tamron's T number (light transmission index) isn't noticeably better than the Canon's.

E.g. DXOMark's testing indicates T numbers for the following:
- Sigma 35 Art: 1/1.8 (5D2)
- Canon 35/2 IS: 1/2.0 (5D2)
- Canon 35L: 1/1.6 (1Ds3)

I would not be surprised to see that the Tamron doesn't beat the 35/2 IS for light transmission

smythie wrote in post #17712769
Likewise, I'm not sure you'll notice much difference between f/2.0 and f/1.8. At that difference in aperture size, it's entirely possible that the Tamron's T number (light transmission index) isn't noticeably better than the Canon's.

E.g. DXOMark's testing indicates T numbers for the following:
- Sigma 35 Art: 1/1.8 (5D2)
- Canon 35/2 IS: 1/2.0 (5D2)
- Canon 35L: 1/1.6 (1Ds3)

I would not be surprised to see that the Tamron doesn't beat the 35/2 IS for light transmission

wow, i have never seen a lens with a T value actually match its F value before (well, within rounding I assume.) guess canon did a good job on that lens.

I also hate going up to higher ISOs on my rebel t5i so the 1.8 vs 2.0 might make a very small difference in that, but not much. I'm most interested in sharpness and IQ comparisons between the canon f/2 and the tamron as that's what I'd notice the most (that an AF performance, as that's my hugest gripe with my current 35mm) but I haven't really seen any. I may just go for the updated canon, then.

restinginlove wrote in post #17712498
Yeah, that's why I'm thinking upgrade over trying to fix it. I think the new canon 35 f/2 with IS supposedly has better image quality over the old version? And looks sharper. I may just be happy with that but I'm really eyeing the tamron with what I've heard so far.

I have the old and new Canon 35 F2 lenses. A repair to the old lens (iris) ran me $109. You might check with Canon about the costs.
The new lens is sharper on the corners on full frame, but I don't know if you would notice this. Stopped down, the old lens was sharp in the corners. The biggest advantages of the new over the old lens consist of:
Somewhat higher contrast
Better resistance to flare - mich better
Faster and more accurate AF
IS
The bokeh is better on the new lens, especially when you are not quite wide open.
All of this has a practical effect on how sharp your photos come out, but the old lens was very sharp and produced good results.
I read the review at Ephtozone for the Tamron 45 and for the 35 and 45 at Bob Atkins. I don't think that the Tamron is any better than the Canon, but it is hard to tell from the reviews, and there is copy variation. If I didn't already have the Canon F2 IS, I would probably get it. In hindsight, for sure. The Canon is an excellent lens with very fast AF. Of course, it is difficult to tell at this point, since information from users isn't there yet.
Of course, we don't have anything from Canon that competes with the Tamron 45 F1.8 VC, but I am waiting...

Any consensus on these lenses? I keep eyeing the 45mm. I haven't heard much, but I'm wondering if that's just because everyone bought Sigma Arts last year.