Hands-On Review: New Tamron 24mm and 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 E-Mount Lenses

Allan Weitz (Click here) tested the new Tamron 24mm and 35mm FE lenses and concluded:

As the accompanying photographs clearly illustrate, the close-focusing ability of these wide-angle lenses greatly expands the creative possibilities of whatever your subject matter may be. Both display a bit of vignetting at wide aperture, which diminishes as you stop the lens down toward f/8. And while these f/2.8 lenses may not be speed queens, they are sharp—very sharp. Autofocusing was fast and accurate, though in my opinion, a bit noisy for video applications. This might prove to be a deal breaker for potential video-oriented consumers.

Dan Watson also tested the new lenses:

All links to the new Tamron FE primes:
Tamron 20mm  f/2.8 at Adorama, FocusCamera and BHphoto.
Tamron 24mm  f/2.8 at Adorama, FocusCamera and BHphoto.
Tamron 35mm  f/2.8 at Adorama, FocusCamera and BHphoto.

Here are the best lenses to maximise the potential of the Sony A7RIV

Marc Alhadeff made this graph showing the best lenses to achieve maximum sharpness for your Sony A7rIV. Marc is known for making a ton of FE lens reviews and is one of the few that can therefore give you this complete overview!

The very best you can get are:

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM at Bhphoto. Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Zeiss 5omm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 FE at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 400mm GM at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 600mm FE GM in USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.

So technically speaking the best lens I do own is the Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE…maybe it’s time for me to consider to get at least one lens of the top pool :)

Phillip Reeve reviews the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2.0 FE: ” It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling”

This very sharp little lens is in Stock for the first time via BHphoto.

Phillip Reeve tested the new lens and is very impressed by its performance:

The Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar is among the optically most perfect lenses on the market right now. Not only does it show excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame from f/2, it also lives up to the APO-label and corrects CA to a degree where it is a no issue even in demanding images. Bokeh is well above average for a 50mm lens. Distortion is another non issue and flare resistance among the best in class. Other lenses have a little smoother bokeh but most of the time the 2/50 APO’s bokeh is unobtrusive. The only thing that is average about the APO-Lanthar is its vignetting which is a small price to pay for this level of performance and compact size.

But the Voigtlander 2/50 APO doesn’t only deliver an impressive optical performance, it also is one of the most pleasant to handle lenses I have ever used thanks to a relatively small size, well thought out design and excellent mechanics. I only wished Cosina had also added weather sealing since Sony camera’s have improved a lot in this regard and any other lens in its price class offers it.

The designers of the Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar are right to be proud of it. It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling. For such a high performing lens the price is very reasonable but of course still high for a 2/50 lens.

Sounds impressive….now I want to test one too!

Sigma 24-70mm reviews by Jason Vong and CameraLabs: “clearly earns a recommendation”


Screengrab from Jason Vong’s video

CameraLabs posted the full Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 FE review and concludes:

The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is a viable alternative to the original 24-70mm f2.8 lenses from Sony and Panasonic – not to mention Canon and Nikon, should Sigma develop RF and Z-mount versions. Although the lens comes at a much lower price Sigma has designed it well: The lens is sharp within the APS-C image-circle, has no longitudinal color aberrations, shows little veiling glare in contra-light situations, and has a reliable autofocus. Unfortunately the Sigma becomes gradually softer at closer focusing distances right down to pretty mushy results at minimum object distance. This may make the lens miss out on our top award, but it still clearly earns a recommendation.

Good points:

  • Constant f2.8 focal ratio.
  • Sharp and contrasty in the APS-C image circle.
  • Good black levels in contra-light situations.
  • Reliable AF operation
  • Can swap mounts (at a cost) between Sony E and Leica L-mount.

Bad points:

  • Field curvature and softer performance at closer distances.

Sigma 24-70mm FE lens at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Calumet DE, FocusCamera. WexUK

And this is Jason Vong’s take on the new lens:

Size comparison between the new Sigma 24-70mm FE, Sony GM and Tamron zooms

Asobinet posted this accurate size comparison between the new Sigma 24-70mm FE, Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 FE zoom lenses. We finally have some nice choices :)

Sigma 24-70mm FE lens at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Calumet DE, FocusCamera. WexUK
Sony 24-70mm GM lens is at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Tamron 28-75mm lens at at Amazon, Bhphoto, FocusCamera, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR.