Tamron’s first E-mount lens was the 28-75mm 2.8. Compared to the 24-70mm 2.8 lenses Tamron decided to give up a bit of zoom range to realize an affordable and compact yet fast standard zoom.
This 17-28mm 2.8 shares these qualities on paper, so let us see if the optical performance can keep up with our expectations.
Last update 07/25/19: Sharpness Close, Focus Shift, Alternatives, Pro/Con table added
This lens costs $449. It’s a 100mm f2.8 macro, which focuses down to twice life-size. A feat no other lens in its class achieves. It also focuses to infinity. It claims to be apochromatic. How good can it be? Is it, as some suspected when they first heard about it, good for macro but only an emergency lens for infinity use? Or is it the deal of the century? I’m afraid I’m going to make you read further if you want to find out!
UPDATE at the end I have some info which might make the lens more attractive than most of my review suggests.
Continue reading Laowa 100mm f2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2x: A review
The Voigtlander 1.4/21 is a relatively compact super fast lens for the Sony FE system. In this review I evaluate it’s performance in a wide range of scenarios.
Most images in this review can be found in full resolution in my Voigtlander 1.4/21mm flickr set.
| Diameter | 70.5 mm |
| Length | 79.5 mm |
| Filter Thread | 62 mm |
| Weight (no hood, no caps) | 539 g |
| Max. Magnification | 1:7 |
| Close Focusing Distance from the sensor | 0.25 m |
| Number of aperture blades | 12 |
| Elements/ Groups | 13/11 |
The Voigtlander 1.4/21 sells for $1199 at CameraQuest | Amazon.com or B&H. 1399€ at ebay.de or ebay.co.uk (affiliate links). If you purchase the lens through one of these affiliate-links I get a small compensation with no additional cost to you.
Changelog
The Voigtlander 3.5/21 is a tiny, relatively affordable, manual focus lens for the Sony FE system. In this review I evaluate it’s performance.
You can find most images shown in this image in full resolution in this album.
| Diameter | 63 mm |
| Length | 40 mm |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm |
| Weight | 230 g |
| Max. Magnification | |
| Close Focusing Distance from the sensor | 0.2 m |
| Number of aperture blades | 10 |
| Elements/ Groups | 9/8 |
The Voigtlander 3.5/21 sells for $699 at CameraQuest, B&H or amazon.com.749€ at ebay.de (affiliate links). If you purchase the lens through one of these affiliate-links I get a small compensation with no additional cost to you.
Changelog
The Zeiss Batis 1.8/85mm lens has generated less excitement than any other Batis. Perhaps because it falls between the stools of two competitors: the excellent and cheaper Sony 1.8/85, and the Sony G Master 1.4/85. People think if you don’t want the GM lens, with it’s beautiful bokeh and low mechanical vignetting, you should maximise your savings get the Sony.
Often in the introduction to reviews we write teasers – Is this true? Read on to find out!! No teaser here. It’s not true. By all means get the Sony if you aren’t up for the added cost of the Batis. But the Batis is a great lens, worth the price if you can easily afford it and are looking for an all-rounder. Now for the teaser: read on to find out why.
