This is the perfect lens, when I chose to go full frame I was really tempted to go with the Panasonic S5 just because of their 20-60mm lens, and that is only a f3.5-5.6 aperture, I just sold my Tamron 17-28mm and putting an order on this one, I expect it to be on my camera 90% of the time. For personal and professional use.
I think a lot of people are going to pick up this lens. The price is absurd for what it offers... But that form factor! It's like near 85/1.8 size. This lens couldn't be more perfect for the A7c especially. I would disagree that 20 vs 16 isn't a big difference. 4mm is disposable at longer lengths (70 vs 75 becomes quite similar), but at wider focal lengths 4mm is a much more significant change in FOV. But yeah, minor quibble. Solid review!
I wasn't trying to imply that the 4mm fov loss wasn't significant at this focal length limit but that the target customer for this lens likely doesn't need that 4mm enough to make this a bad choice. But you're right that 4mm at 16-20 is more significant than 4 at 40-36. That's is for the compliment on the review!
Dave, thank you for this excellent and practical review. I agree, you have to look really hard these days to find a bad lens. I am all in on Tamron for my Sony A7RIV. I have the 17-28 and thinking of letting it go in favor of the 20-40. I am not shooting at 17mm much anyway due to distortion. The 40mm comes in handy in more situations vs. 28mm. Tamron is giving us too many choices!!
@@davetriesthis I chose Sony because of access to Tamron lenses. I have five of their most recent lenses and love them for the quality they give me. The 70-180 is my favorite by far. The sharpness is off the charts. I am working on a project that requires wide open apertures and I have no hesitation shooting the 70-180 wide open throughout the zoom range .The images are just as sharp at f2.8 as they are at f5.6 or f8. The only difference being the bokeh which is what I want by shooting at f2.8
Well you have that extra portion of a stop so that gets a bit more light. I haven't used that 20mm so I'm not sure about things like edge sharpness though. If you have to stop that down one stop to reduce edge blur and vignette then the tamron is better.
This lens has been plugged in to my kit and is used alongside either the 50-400 or the 35-150 f/2-2.8. Between those 3 pieces, I have a nearly flawless kit. I use the megadap ETZ21 so I often have the 35-150 on my Z6 while swapping the other two on the A7III. Brilliant.
I own 17-28, and it is a very good lens. I'd like this tamron but i've tried for few shot (not enough to test) and it seems to be not sharp at 40mm f/2.8 in the midframe. 17-28 and 35-150 are in another class lens (better). what do you feel about?
@@lorenzo4262 already done paid gigs with the 20-40, one of which was an introspective on an old office building. I can only speak for my copy but even wide open (which had to be done a fair amount as we were not allowed tripods or ancillary lighting), the lens is sharp and well corrected/easily corrected. I have used it for OFC portrait work, landscapes, etc. I prefer its overall look to the 17-28 but that is obviously just my preference. Personally looking forward to whatever might come next.
@@lorenzo4262 I haven't seen any softness in the middle. I'll look more. Which camera are you using btw? Wouldn't affect sharpness unless it's af but it's good for me to know to try. What distance were you shooting at?
I tried it at all focal lengths and aperture settings but I'll go test some high detailed subjects at 40mm f/2.8. What focal length did your issues start? Only at 40mm or slightly wider too?
I didn't do a lot since the close focus isn't as good as dedicated macro lenses but I can. Anything in particular you'd like to see? I can make a short.
@@davetriesthis Many Tamron lenses have quite close minimal focus distance. Opening new perspectives to owner. 20mm F2.8 is almost macro lens. I has 1:2 magnification. This lens is around 1:4 what can be useful. Bokeh is great this way as well. Maybe some leaves or mushroom showing sharpness in the center and out of focus transition and areas.
First time seeing your channel. Love your honesty and laid back approach. No comedy or frills. Love it. Love the lens as well.
Thanks! I try to be funny when it's on topic (see my video of the xt5 for example) but I don't like to be funny to waste peoples time.
This is the perfect lens, when I chose to go full frame I was really tempted to go with the Panasonic S5 just because of their 20-60mm lens, and that is only a f3.5-5.6 aperture, I just sold my Tamron 17-28mm and putting an order on this one, I expect it to be on my camera 90% of the time. For personal and professional use.
It's a great lens indeed.
I was in the same boat but have just bought the 20-40 to pair with my A9.
I’m pairing this with my Tamron 35-150 2-2.8. The 35-150 is next level!
It's crazy how good some lenses are these days.
Great review! I came over from Reddit and this helped a lot. Really considering adding this to complement my 35-150.
It's a great lens. I highly recommend it. And thanks for the compliment on the review!
I think a lot of people are going to pick up this lens. The price is absurd for what it offers... But that form factor! It's like near 85/1.8 size. This lens couldn't be more perfect for the A7c especially.
I would disagree that 20 vs 16 isn't a big difference. 4mm is disposable at longer lengths (70 vs 75 becomes quite similar), but at wider focal lengths 4mm is a much more significant change in FOV.
But yeah, minor quibble. Solid review!
I wasn't trying to imply that the 4mm fov loss wasn't significant at this focal length limit but that the target customer for this lens likely doesn't need that 4mm enough to make this a bad choice. But you're right that 4mm at 16-20 is more significant than 4 at 40-36. That's is for the compliment on the review!
Dave, thank you for this excellent and practical review. I agree, you have to look really hard these days to find a bad lens. I am all in on Tamron for my Sony A7RIV. I have the 17-28 and thinking of letting it go in favor of the 20-40. I am not shooting at 17mm much anyway due to distortion. The 40mm comes in handy in more situations vs. 28mm. Tamron is giving us too many choices!!
It's crazy how good Tamron lenses are getting.
@@davetriesthis I chose Sony because of access to Tamron lenses. I have five of their most recent lenses and love them for the quality they give me. The 70-180 is my favorite by far. The sharpness is off the charts. I am working on a project that requires wide open apertures and I have no hesitation shooting the 70-180 wide open throughout the zoom range .The images are just as sharp at f2.8 as they are at f5.6 or f8. The only difference being the bokeh which is what I want by shooting at f2.8
Good content, I was thinking of buying one, thanks for the good explanation
That is a great photojournalist's lens. I have an old Nikon 20-35mm.
Yup. I guess I should have mentioned PJ use but there are so few of those left.
I do need this lens. I need all the lenses.
Well at least for you my review is accurate.
@Mark, I was about to ask you to make a review about this new marvel,,, and here you are scavenging around just like me 🤣🤣
@@AmitKumar-oq6qu no one sends me anything 🤣
I will buy this lens after I buy the BenQ SW270C or similar Adobe RGB monitor for photo editing and printing. Both are for sale at around $700.
Was that Gord from camera labs?
It was indeed. One of our coffee chats when he's in town for an event. Gordon is one of my favorite people in the world.
I bought it and paired it with a laowa 15mm F2. Haven't received both. I Hope I made a good choice...thanks for the video !
Sounds like a good choice to me. Would love to see some shots when you have then
Just ordered mine!
Awesome!!!
nice vid man! subbed up!
Thanks much!!
This will be a good fit for my tamronn 35-150. I'm using sony zeiss 16-45 f4 and is considering changing that out.
Well the optics on that lens are great but it's an aging design for sure.
Opinion of this against the Sony 20mm 1.8 for low light and landscape? Trying to make that decision.
Well you have that extra portion of a stop so that gets a bit more light. I haven't used that 20mm so I'm not sure about things like edge sharpness though. If you have to stop that down one stop to reduce edge blur and vignette then the tamron is better.
This lens has been plugged in to my kit and is used alongside either the 50-400 or the 35-150 f/2-2.8. Between those 3 pieces, I have a nearly flawless kit. I use the megadap ETZ21 so I often have the 35-150 on my Z6 while swapping the other two on the A7III. Brilliant.
That does sound like a great kit. The 50-400 is pretty amazing right?
@@davetriesthis it's like they made a lens just for me 😂
I own 17-28, and it is a very good lens. I'd like this tamron but i've tried for few shot (not enough to test) and it seems to be not sharp at 40mm f/2.8 in the midframe.
17-28 and 35-150 are in another class lens (better). what do you feel about?
@@lorenzo4262 already done paid gigs with the 20-40, one of which was an introspective on an old office building. I can only speak for my copy but even wide open (which had to be done a fair amount as we were not allowed tripods or ancillary lighting), the lens is sharp and well corrected/easily corrected. I have used it for OFC portrait work, landscapes, etc. I prefer its overall look to the 17-28 but that is obviously just my preference. Personally looking forward to whatever might come next.
@@lorenzo4262 I haven't seen any softness in the middle. I'll look more. Which camera are you using btw? Wouldn't affect sharpness unless it's af but it's good for me to know to try. What distance were you shooting at?
Are you sure is sharp in the midframe at 40mm f/2.8?
I tried it at all focal lengths and aperture settings but I'll go test some high detailed subjects at 40mm f/2.8. What focal length did your issues start? Only at 40mm or slightly wider too?
Are you in Long Island by any chance?
Rockland.
Any close focus test?
I didn't do a lot since the close focus isn't as good as dedicated macro lenses but I can. Anything in particular you'd like to see? I can make a short.
@@davetriesthis Many Tamron lenses have quite close minimal focus distance. Opening new perspectives to owner. 20mm F2.8 is almost macro lens. I has 1:2 magnification. This lens is around 1:4 what can be useful. Bokeh is great this way as well. Maybe some leaves or mushroom showing sharpness in the center and out of focus transition and areas.
Why weird ? For years I had the canon 17-40 f4 and loved it.
I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to.
So close to being the first comment. Yet so far away. Thanks for the review.
There's always next video! :)
they should have made it 20-43mm..
Why not 19-39? :)
@@davetriesthis maybe for historical reasons that wouldn't sell well
I'd rather wait for Tamron 20-200 lens for my vlogging needs.
Solid decision.
My poor wallet. I need to stop buying lenses
Stop buying food instead.
Same....I'm in financial crisis 😥🤣🤣
it would be genius if it was f2, now I dont see the point with it
Sure but an f2 zoom lens would be bigger, heavier and a lot more expensive. I don't think most landscape need the stop