|
Read More
|
Since buying the new Sony A7C camera in early August, I have been researching on acquiring a new lens to pair with the new body.
Basically, I needed a lens that can do portraits, I needed a wide shot lens (for crowd scenes), and I needed the ability to zoom in for details. I can buy three different lenses, or I can get something called an “all-in-one” lens. The trade off for getting an all-in-one vs a specialized lens is that often the all-in-one don’t offer the fastest or sharpest images.
After much considerations, I decided to put my chips in a Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 lens, a fairly new-ish Full Frame lens that came out in June 2020.
I’ll go over some of the positive. First of all, the price is fantastic. It retails for $729, which is still almost half the price of similar offering from Sony. There is a reason for the affordable price, which I’ll address in the negative section.
Second, the lens is very quiet, thanks to Tamron’s own RXD Motor (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) technology. Since there’s literally no sounds coming from the lens – this is suitable for video filming. I’ve own older Sony lenses that produces great stills, but its auto-focusing motor is so loud that you cannot use it to record videos.
Also, there is a physical lock button, if you prefer to set the lens at a certain length or if you’re traveling and doesn’t want the lens to extend accidentally.
The range of 28mm to 200mm is very versatile. You can get great close-up “macro” shots as seen in this He-Man toy. You notice the tiny dust particles at this close range.
Many critics said that the lens is small and light, perfect for travel… I wasn’t used to the weight. The lens actually weighs more than my Sony a7c, at 1.27lbs and 1.1lbs respectively. However, when you compare it to other similar lenses, the Tamron is actually considered light and small.
Starting at F2.8, Tamron boasts that it’s the first lens of this type to offer this small number. The lower the F number, the better it performs in low light. That number might not mean anything to you, if you always shoot in good light.
Now, I’ll address the negative. This lens does not have stabilization. Sony puts stabilization (called OSS) in all their lenses, but that drives their prices up. Tamron’s stabilization system called VC (Vibration Compensation Mechanism), however, they decided to forgo with it on this 28-200mm lens. I don’t blame Tamron for this decision, considering if adding VC to the lens meant that the product is much heavier and costs above $1,000 … then I stand behind this decision to leave out VC on this lens.
On older Sony cameras (anything with a III or less), you might want to look at lenses with OSS or VC… however, on newer cameras, such as my a7c, which has built-in body stabilization, it shouldn’t be such a big problem.
While the lens is “Moisture-Resistant” and coated with Fluorine, it’s not water proof or water resistant or has weather sealing. I wouldn’t recommend shooting in the rain.
Other than that, I think the good outweighs the bad. Particularly, for the price. If the lens costs just as much as Sony or Sigma, then I would be more vocals about the negative. So far, from what I’ve experience using the lens, I think it has a good price for what it offers. It’s possible that if or when Tamron releases a newer version, this 28-200mm may even be cheaper. If you don’t need the lens right away, I would wait for a sale or buy it used. I’ve seen it sold for $650, so you can find a bargain, if you look around.
Basically, I needed a lens that can do portraits, I needed a wide shot lens (for crowd scenes), and I needed the ability to zoom in for details. I can buy three different lenses, or I can get something called an “all-in-one” lens. The trade off for getting an all-in-one vs a specialized lens is that often the all-in-one don’t offer the fastest or sharpest images.
After much considerations, I decided to put my chips in a Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 lens, a fairly new-ish Full Frame lens that came out in June 2020.
I’ll go over some of the positive. First of all, the price is fantastic. It retails for $729, which is still almost half the price of similar offering from Sony. There is a reason for the affordable price, which I’ll address in the negative section.
Second, the lens is very quiet, thanks to Tamron’s own RXD Motor (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) technology. Since there’s literally no sounds coming from the lens – this is suitable for video filming. I’ve own older Sony lenses that produces great stills, but its auto-focusing motor is so loud that you cannot use it to record videos.
Also, there is a physical lock button, if you prefer to set the lens at a certain length or if you’re traveling and doesn’t want the lens to extend accidentally.
|
He-Man
|
Many critics said that the lens is small and light, perfect for travel… I wasn’t used to the weight. The lens actually weighs more than my Sony a7c, at 1.27lbs and 1.1lbs respectively. However, when you compare it to other similar lenses, the Tamron is actually considered light and small.
Starting at F2.8, Tamron boasts that it’s the first lens of this type to offer this small number. The lower the F number, the better it performs in low light. That number might not mean anything to you, if you always shoot in good light.
Now, I’ll address the negative. This lens does not have stabilization. Sony puts stabilization (called OSS) in all their lenses, but that drives their prices up. Tamron’s stabilization system called VC (Vibration Compensation Mechanism), however, they decided to forgo with it on this 28-200mm lens. I don’t blame Tamron for this decision, considering if adding VC to the lens meant that the product is much heavier and costs above $1,000 … then I stand behind this decision to leave out VC on this lens.
On older Sony cameras (anything with a III or less), you might want to look at lenses with OSS or VC… however, on newer cameras, such as my a7c, which has built-in body stabilization, it shouldn’t be such a big problem.
While the lens is “Moisture-Resistant” and coated with Fluorine, it’s not water proof or water resistant or has weather sealing. I wouldn’t recommend shooting in the rain.
Other than that, I think the good outweighs the bad. Particularly, for the price. If the lens costs just as much as Sony or Sigma, then I would be more vocals about the negative. So far, from what I’ve experience using the lens, I think it has a good price for what it offers. It’s possible that if or when Tamron releases a newer version, this 28-200mm may even be cheaper. If you don’t need the lens right away, I would wait for a sale or buy it used. I’ve seen it sold for $650, so you can find a bargain, if you look around.
28mm and 200mm from Tamron |
| vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic |
Comments