Verdict: A member of Tamron’s SP (superior performance) family, this 35mm features a fast aperture of f/1.8 and a focal length which gives it a superb level of versatility. It’s a little bulky, though a reasonable weight. The USD motor makes auto-focus quick and accurate.
The lens is very well-constructed – if a little bulky – and weighs a reasonable 480g. Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilisation is included, perfect for shooting handheld in challenging light. It also features a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) motor, making autofocus quick, quiet and accurate.
At the centre, images are impressively sharp at f/1.8. This falls off at the corners, but images become brilliantly sharp by f/5.6 where they display excellent quality across the frame. Vignetting is also noticeable at the widest aperture, though there is hardly any chromatic aberration visible at all. The minimum focusing distance of 20cm means you can get up close to your subjects for some very creative shots.
Overall, this is a very capable lens that will serve you incredibly well.
Pros
IS
Versatile
Silent autofocus
Cons
Vignette at wide apertures
Softer edges at f/1.4
A bit bulky
Want to see more lenses? We've rounded up 10 of the best wide-aperture lenses for under £1000.
Spec
Max aperture: f/1.8
Min aperture: f/16
Elements/groups: 10/9
Min focus distance: 20cm
DxL: 80x81mm
Weight: 480g
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Kirk Schwarz is a tech-addicted photographer with over a decade's experience; Kirk’s used to putting new gear through extreme field testing. He's previously written for Practical Photography.