I will be able to’t take note the ultimate time there used to be a game-changing piece of drugs for pictures at Walt Disney International, Disneyland, and the opposite parks. The Nikon D600, Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Sony RX100, or probably the most leading edge ultra-wides. All of the ones cameras and lenses are over a decade previous, so it’s been some time.
For the vast majority of you, the game-changer is most likely the software you’re the usage of to learn this–probably the most iPhones or Androids, or whichever telephone you utilize. Those units have actually bridged the space and made maximum level & shoot cameras out of date. They’re these days running on killing enthusiast-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. That tough little pc in my pocket is ceaselessly the one digicam I’m sporting.
Images has been democratized to any such level that it’s uncommon for me to publish about tools. In most cases simply as soon as in keeping with 12 months in my annual ‘What’s in My Digicam Bag’ publish, or even that garners little hobby as in comparison to a decade in the past. It’s in reality been goodbye that the vast majority of you might be most likely not right here for the pictures…and even know that I’m a photographer. I’d be mendacity if I stated inquiries about my digicam bag have been nonetheless not unusual–they most likely don’t crack the highest 100 of questions we’re requested through readers.
Nonetheless, I do nonetheless put a large number of effort and time into pictures. Smartly, a minimum of the “taking pictures” a part of issues. For me, there’s super enjoyment within the ritual of pictures itself. I really like getting up prior to dawn, working round at sundown chasing that fleeting mild, or staying till the sour finish of the evening in Magic Kingdom because the park clears out. I don’t specifically know why, however I in finding peace within the pictures procedure, and extra hooked up to the arena round me. I believe maximum alive at those occasions, even if I’m lifeless drained.
I will not say the similar about modifying pictures–I already spend an excessive amount of sitting on the pc. I nonetheless have tens of 1000’s of pictures sitting on exhausting drives, utterly untouched, from ultimate 12 months. The one ones I’ve controlled to get processed persistently are the ones of Megatron, who has additionally been the catalyst for large adjustments to my pictures taste.
Nonetheless, ultimate September (14 months in the past, now not 2 months in the past) I came upon a new-to-me lens that I may just now not withstand sharing, because it’s been an enormous game-changer and bag-lightener for my pictures at Walt Disney International, Disneyland and whilst touring the world over…
My new favourite lens for Disney or go back and forth pictures is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 for Nikon. (There’s additionally a type for Sony that’s inexplicably more economical.)
Despite the fact that I do know this evaluate gained’t garner 5% of the hobby as a menu replace at Tony’s The town Sq., I simply felt pressured to percentage. Partially as a result of, not like Tony’s The town Sq., I really like this lens. Additionally partly since the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is on sale for 15% off. (It’s even more economical for Sony, however that cut price is by some means extra commonplace–it’s simply inexpensive for that mount.)
It’s nonetheless a long way from an affordable lens, however given what it compares to and probably replaces on your digicam bag, this lens gives super bang-for-buck. But when for some explanation why that is nonetheless too dear, chances are you’ll imagine the Rokinon 35-150mm f/2-2.8. That lens is both the most important accident ever, or it’s a reverse-engineered knock-off of this one. (Be aware: I’ve now not used the Rokinon, so this isn’t a product endorsement–simply mentioning one thing suspiciously an identical and less expensive.)
As all the time, we earn fee in your purchases from Amazon, however that doesn’t affect product suggestions. This gem of a lens is being really helpful as it’s a fantastic buy even at complete value, and a excellent deal at $1,700.
Why this lens is a doable game-changer could be glaring to photographers simply in its identify. The 35-150mm zoom vary coupled with a variable aperture of f/2-2.8. The ones are numbers that generally don’t pass in combination, so I used to be in an instant incredulous about this lens. Would it not be but any other jack of all trades, grasp of none 3rd birthday celebration lens?
The explanation I discovered the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 within the first position is as a result of I used to be in search of a substitute for my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8. A lens I really like however, if I’m being fair, that I’ve “outgrown.” You can not elevate each diapers and that lens–it simply isn’t imaginable. (Sorry, I don’t make the principles.)
Even the diaper-less amongst you will have an identical misgivings in regards to the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. It’s heavy, massive, and 70mm ceaselessly too lengthy for plenty of scenarios. Because of this, you additionally wish to pair that with a 24-70mm lens or 35mm top and most likely a 2d digicam.
This may sound like overkill for many Disney pictures lovers, however one explicit situation the place it comes up ceaselessly is parade pictures. I had ceaselessly carried two cameras with that setup for Pageant of Fable, Boo to You, Mickey’s As soon as Upon a Christmastime Parade, and so forth.
My purpose with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 used to be to interchange my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8.
I stopped up changing that lens, in addition to my 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8, and 85mm f/1.8. In equity, it’s now not an entire or splendid alternative for all of the ones lenses–nor used to be I sporting all 4 each unmarried time we went to the parks. However I did ceaselessly pack all of them in my bag “simply in case” prior to journeys, with 2-3 of them sitting within the lodge. More often than not, particularly post-baby, I opted for the Nikon 14-30mm, Nikon 28-300mm and both the 35 or 50mm top and known as that “excellent sufficient.” (That super-zoom used to be now not excellent sufficient.)
Now, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is on my digicam the huge majority of the time. For during the last 12 months, it’s been one in every of handiest two lenses I’ve carried, in conjunction with the Nikon 14-30mm f/4. For me, those two lenses are the very best partners, an ultra-wide for landscapes the place quicker apertures aren’t essential plus a workhorse zoom that covers nearly the whole thing else.
It must pass with out announcing given the cost, however the Tamron 35-150mm isn’t for everybody. This lens is sizable, and heavier than it seems to be. (The picture above used to be now not shot with the Tamron, however to turn it slung to my aspect.)
In my opinion, I don’t view this as an actual detrimental. It’s lighter and smaller than the 70-200mm f/2.8 on my own, and noticeably so. Whilst I would like much less weight, I’m now not anticipating miracles–because of the regulations of physics or no matter, each measurement or weight lower is a compromise.
What I really like in regards to the Tamron 35-150mm is its skilled construct high quality, heft, and stability. To touch, it rings a bell in my memory of a Sigma Artwork lens, which may be very a lot prime reward. Fortunately, it doesn’t really feel plasticy or like a toy lens, and I’ll fortunately take the additional weight for a harder and harder lens–particularly as somebody who travels and punishes my tools. It’s rugged and completely weather-sealed, and I’ve already put the Tamron via its paces capturing in numerous prerequisites.
With that stated, I’ve to recognize that the most important grievance that I’ve observed in regards to the Tamron 35-150mm is its weight (2.6 kilos or 1,165 g). Many say that is too heavy for go back and forth, however once more, it’s a lot lighter than the 70-200 on my own, and surely lighter than the 2-3 lenses it replaces. It considerably lightened my digicam bag and, frankly, I combat to look the cheap comparability that makes this the heavier possibility. To each and every their very own, despite the fact that.
As discussed above, the Tamron begins at f/2 at 35mm, rivaling my primes via 50mm. On the lengthy finish, it’s nonetheless an improbable f/2.8. The drop-down happens steadily, now not hitting f/2.8 till 135mm. This provides a variety of room to paintings in harder lighting fixtures prerequisites and play with the intensity of box in ingenious tactics, whilst making an allowance for quicker shutter speeds or decrease ISOs.
Probably the most tough situation during which I shoot is darkish rides, and the Tamron carried out admirably in the ones. It’s the primary time I’ve ever been in a position to shoot extensive scenes and tightly-framed Audio Animatronics at the identical ride-through. That is particularly helpful in the case of fashionable sights that you simply’ll handiest do as soon as.
The Tamron 35-150mm used to be additionally superb on Mystic Manor, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, Frozen Ever After (each variations), Haunted Mansion Vacation, or even display scenes on Giant Grizzly Runaway Mountain Runaway Mine Automobiles (a curler coaster). I want I might’ve had this lens again when Fable Springs opened. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is, with out query, the most productive unmarried darkish journey lens in the marketplace.
My handiest minor quibble used to be that once in a while the autofocus used to be sluggish to take care of on darkish rides when temporarily zooming from the extensive finish of the variability to the lengthy finish. In equity, that is a minimum of in part a byproduct of the tough instances. It’s darkish, I’m shifting, and zooming temporarily. The typical wedding ceremony or go back and forth photographer isn’t going to be doing this stuff.
In non-dark journey situations, the autofocus used to be splendid. It makes use of Tamron’s VXD or “Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Pressure,” which is the corporate’s proprietary ultrasonic power. You realize if one thing has a posh identify, it should be excellent. And it’s.
Focusing is rapid and snappy all over maximum use instances, however nonetheless a half-step in the back of the pro-grade Nikons. The point of interest motor is quiet–I’d even name it silent, however once more, I’m now not a marriage photographer capturing in church buildings.
One in all my pre-purchase fears in regards to the Tamron 35-150mm used to be that its symbol high quality can be noticeably worse than the lenses it’d be changing. I used to be stunned that, for essentially the most phase, it carried out on par with they all. Perhaps a half-step in the back of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 and Nikon 70-200mm on the lengthy finish, however slightly noticeable. The ones also are top-tier lenses–the sharpest in my bag.
Extensive open, the Tamron is terribly sharp at 35mm, and nonetheless very sharp till round 135mm. Zoomed all of the method, I discovered it to be excellent. However once more, all of that is extensive open. Prevent it all the way down to f/4 or so and it’s near-perfect. If you happen to’re capturing at f/8, it’s going to be not possible to tell apart this from the pro-grade Nikons and even the Sigma Arts.
As a “actual global” photographer who’s capturing precise topics–now not lab charts–I discovered the sharpness and symbol high quality of the Tamron to be near-perfect, particularly taking into consideration the apertures. There’s some vignetting and edge softness, however I’m including synthetic vignettes to 95% of pictures in publish, so I couldn’t care much less about this.
Bokeh is extremely subjective, however I discovered the out-of-focus space the Tamron produces to be excellent sufficient. It’s now not gorgeous and buttery just like the Sigma 35mm (a lens I’ve saved in my bag via thick and skinny because it used to be first launched as a result of not anything has ever crowned it for me), but it surely’s nearly similar to the Nikon 70-200.
The bokeh is easy and fulfilling to the attention, for essentially the most phase. The only doable exception is that it might tackle an onion-ring high quality if the background (or foreground) has vivid issues of sunshine. Since a large number of my pictures in the previous few months has revolved across the vacation season, I realized this infrequently when capturing Christmas lighting fixtures.
This isn’t one thing that bothers me, and I don’t even actually suppose it’s all that noticeable in those pictures. However I do know some photographers are very specific about this. Nonetheless miles higher than my Nikon 28-300mm and every other all-in-one lenses I’ve prior to now used, and through a large margin.
I’ve additionally observed lawsuits about flare, however I really like that and the sunbursts the Tamron produces. That is any other subjective factor, and in truth, I handiest need a lens to keep an eye on flare such a lot. I like to purposefully introduce flare in pictures, and suppose that is an underrated ingenious utility of lenses.
I believe likewise about shallow intensity of box in panorama pictures to offer attention-grabbing intensity. Ditto the nice and cozy glow that capturing at f/2 with the solar fairly out of body can give. The Tamron is a lens with persona, which is a large take a look at within the strengths column for me. Persona is once in a while lacking from the pro-grade Nikons, which attempt for technical perfection above all else.
However once more, I’m a “actual global” photographer and now not somebody who evaluations lenses through taking footage of charts in a lab. If that’s your most well-liked use case, this evaluate used to be most likely a waste of your time.
In the long run, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is definitely my favourite do-it-all lens for Disney pictures. This evaluate handiest scratches the outside of its doable use-cases. Need a extensive picture of all of your meals unfold but in addition a cupcake close-up? The Tamron’s were given you lined. Hand held evening landscapes? This does the trick. Footage shot among a crowd? The shallow intensity of box blurs faces conveniently.
In all probability the most productive endorsement of this lens is how a lot I’ve used it. Since buying the Tamron, it and the Nikon 14-30mm were the one lenses in my bag nearly all of time. Right through the ultimate ~14 months, I’ve used the Tamron for over 75% of pictures–for a complete of over 30,000 pictures.
That would possibly not appear vital, however previous to this, the Nikon 14-30mm used to be my most-used lens, accounting for (conservatively) over 60% of my pictures. The following very best lens used to be the Nikon 24-200mm, which slightly cracked 20%. Not one of the primes or 70-200mm broke the ten% barrier, in large part because of weight or inconvenience.
Once more, issues have modified now that we’ve got a daughter, however I’m guessing a lot of you even have children–or don’t need to lug round a half-dozen lenses for different causes. Even if I’ve long gone alone to Mickey’s No longer So Horrifying Halloween Birthday celebration, I’ve used this so much. Likewise, there were sizzling summer time days once I’ve long gone with out a digicam bag in any respect and simply carried this lens. Now that used to be an actual game-changer within the Florida warmth and humidity!
It’s to the purpose that there were a few whole days when the Tamron 35-150mm didn’t depart my digicam. That’s one thing that might’ve been remarkable prior to now, as I couldn’t fathom now not the usage of my ultra-wide. I’ve been past glad with this lens, and it has reinvigorated my pictures, enabling me to take ingenious pictures, on a regular basis ones, and extra.
The Tamron could also be already proving implausible for an excessively cell infant, which is my favourite use for it of all. Significantly, that’s some of the difficult form of pictures I do now, and the zoom vary plus with the snappy autofocus and aperture way I’m now not lacking the ones valuable pictures. Because of this on my own, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is definitely value it, even at complete value. It’s now not splendid, however I’m in truth stunned at simply how few compromises it makes.
Listed below are extra pictures I’ve shot with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 if you wish to have extra convincing:
That’s a long way from an exhaustive roundup of pictures. Anything else new from the ultimate year-plus that’s now not an extremely extensive perspective used to be captured with the Tamron 35-150mm. There hasn’t been a unmarried day once I’ve carried every other telephoto or all-in-one lens (which means maximum of my pictures of Starlight, Epic Universe, and so forth. were with this lens).
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 isn’t splendid, however I’m in truth stunned at simply how few compromises it makes. It earns my very best advice after over twelve months of nonstop utilization in numerous instances.
If you need extra in-depth evaluations of a broader number of apparatus, the most productive position to start out is Tom’s Final Disney Parks Images Information, which covers numerous subjects from hyperlinks to tutorials, pointers, and tips to suggestions for level & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and extra. (Many of those are lovely previous and haven’t been up to date shortly, however the underlying concepts and rules nonetheless follow.)
Your Ideas
Have you ever shot with the Tamron 35-150mm? What do you bring to mind this lens? Interesting to you, or is the theory of an all-in-one boring to you? What’s in your digicam bag? Any questions? Listening to comments from different photographers is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
