The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens (B&H) is an interesting new option open to Sony photographers. What makes it particularly enticing -- it is half the price of the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM (B&H) and it is nearly half the weight of the Sony lens. It is a much more compact lens, yet still retains that sweet f/2.8 aperture. This all sounds wonderful, but we'll have to balance this against lens sharpness and overall performance first. For those then who need a quick summary for a review -- this lens is really sharp!
The Read more inside...
The 135mm focal length is super for getting more reach than 85mm or 100mm would, but still keeping the lens to a smaller size. While the smaller size is nice, it was the fast aperture was what I really wanted. That the lens is super-sharp is an extra bonus. The Lens Rentals review has this as "This is the sharpest lens we’ve tested. Period." That says something!
The first thing to notice about this lens is the fast f1/.8 aperture. Even though I mostly use a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for events and headshot photography, there are times where I need that Read more inside...
Lens review: sharpness - Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony 85mm f/1.8
Which is the better choice -- the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (affiliate) or the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (affiliate) -- it's a question that comes up regularly in the Sony discussion groups and FB groups. The short answer - you would be very happy with either option. In this review though, we are going to consider the sharpness of both lenses. There is also a link where you can download the RAW files shot of a lens test chart, if you want to have a closer look.
I took photos of the lens test chart in my studio, Read more inside...
One of the pieces of photo gear that I have lusted after ever since the first time I saw it, is the Sony Zeiss 135mm f/1.8 ZA lens (B&H / Amazon). That combination of the Zeiss name tag and the sweet f/1.8 aperture on the telephoto lens, predicted this would be a lens to experience. However, since I mostly shoot Nikon (and also have a small Canon system), and this is a Sony mount, it remained an unrequited love.
Then I had a photographer in Germany, Thomas, asked about doing an personal workshop on flash photography Read more inside...
