Having a versatile lens that adapts to multiple shooting scenarios can make your work simpler and more enjoyable. Whether you're capturing street scenes, portraits, or lifestyle shots, a lens that balances functionality with image quality is invaluable.
Coming to you from Samuel Bassett of Optical Wander, this informative video highlights the features and benefits of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens. Bassett explains how its focal range allows him to shoot everything from wide angle scenes at 35mm to detailed, compressed images at 150mm. The lens offers a fast aperture range of f/2 to f/2.8, making it suitable for low-light situations and producing beautifully blurred backgrounds. Bassett emphasizes the value of having one lens that covers such a wide range, eliminating the need to carry multiple primes while maintaining solid image quality.
While prime lenses are often sharper, Bassett points out the creative flexibility this zoom provides. With a single lens, he can shift between shooting wide environmental portraits and tightly framed architectural details. This adaptability makes it a practical choice for street photography, where you might encounter a variety of compositions in a short span of time. It’s a lens that doesn’t box you into one style or genre, freeing you to focus on capturing the moment.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 35 to 150mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2 to f/2.8
- Lens Mount: Sony E, Nikon Z
- Minimum Focus Distance: 13" / 33 cm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
- Filter Size: 82mm
- Weight: 2.6 lb / 1165 g
Bassett takes you through the challenges and advantages of using this lens. One drawback he mentions is that it’s not an internal zoom, which means the barrel extends as you adjust the focal length. This might make the lens feel slightly less balanced when shooting handheld. However, the trade-off is the incredible versatility of the focal range. Another consideration is its weight—it’s not a lightweight lens, but it’s comparable to a 70-200mm lens and still manageable for most outings.
During a walk through London’s Embankment, Bassett demonstrates the lens in action. He captures everything from architectural shots of The Shard to candid moments on the streets, often shooting handheld with impressive results. The lens’s ability to compress backgrounds at 150mm creates a cinematic effect, while its f/2 aperture allows for striking subject isolation. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bassett.
The advantages mentioned - zoom range and large aperture - apply equally to Samyang's 35-150/2.0-2.8. A lot of reviews of the Tamron seem to ignore the existence of the Samyang entirely, which is a shame, because the Samyang is typically 30% cheaper and very similar in performance.
I've been using the Samyang for event work for over a year now. Earlier this month, I covered a 4-day conference at a large hotel, and 85% of my 11,394 photos were made with this lens, 97% without flash. That is a radical shift from the days when I'd use a bag of primes with three bodies and lots of off-camera flash. Of course, modern sensors and noise reduction get a lot of credit, too, but these two 35-150s really are an event shooter's best friends.