Digital Camera World Verdict
Like middle-aged spread but in a good way, the new Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD prime commemorates 40 years of Tamron SP (Super Performance) lenses, and is fittingly fatter and heavier than its predecessor. That’s because the aperture rating goes wider, from f/1.8 to f/1.4, and the new lens is designed from the ground up to deliver optimum image quality and performance, with no compromise. Does it succeed? Yes, absolutely.
Pros
- +
Fast f/1.4 aperture rating
- +
Superb build and image quality
- +
Rapid, highly accurate autofocus
Cons
- -
A bit hefty for a 35mm f/1.4 lens
- -
No optical stabilization
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Compared with the large array of Sigma f/1.4 Art prime lenses in a wealth of focal lengths, as well as own-brand f/1.4 lenses from Canon and Nikon, Tamron has looked a step behind, or at least two-thirds of an f/stop. Instead, the company launched slower f/1.8 35mm, 45mm and 85mm primes which were typically smaller and lighter, with the useful addition of Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Correction) optical stabilization. In contrast, the new Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD lens goes large on aperture rating and all-round performance.
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Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD: Specs
Mount: Nikon F or Canon EF
Lens construction: 14 elements in 10 groups
Angle of view: 63 degrees
Diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum aperture: f/16
Minimum focusing distance: 0.3m
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.2x
Filter size: 72mm
Dimensions: 81x105mm
Weight: 815g (C) 805g (N)
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD: Build and handling
Something a bit special, Tamron’s new 35mm f/1.4 for full-frame Canon and Nikon DSLRs has been designed as the ‘ultimate’ lens to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the ‘SP’ (Super Performance) line-up. As such, it has a robust pro-grade barrel and mount, complete with weather-seals, and feast of exotic glassware.
The optical path is based on 14 elements in 10 groups, and includes three moulded glass aspherical elements and four LC (Low Dispersion) elements. High-end coatings include nano-structure BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) for enhanced light transmission and reduced ghosting and flare, plus a newly developed fluorine-based coating for repelling grease and moisture, as well as to enable easier cleaning.
Unlike the stepping motor-based autofocus systems in many recent lenses, Tamron has stuck with a more conventional ring-type ultrasonic system. Advantages include a mechanical rather than electronically coupled focus ring, which is large, operates with smooth precision, and is available full-time for manual focusing or autofocus override. The autofocus system also incorporates a new DR (Dynamic Rolling-cam) mechanism designed specifically for the lens, which enables rapid focusing despite the relatively heavy, large-diameter elements required for the wider f/1.4 aperture rating.
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD: Performance
As promised, autofocus is very fast yet whisper-quiet. In our tests, it also proved to be highly accurate with excellent consistency. Sharpness and contrast are excellent, even wide-open at f/1.4, where corner-sharpness is particularly impressive, given the wide aperture rating. Vignetting is clearly noticeable but becomes much less apparent when stopping down a little to f/1.8.
Lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations are both very well controlled, so color fringing isn’t an issue. Similarly, distortion is of a very low order and even architectural shots rarely need any correction. We wouldn’t usually pass comment on bokeh for a wide-angle 35mm lens but the close minimum focus distance and large aperture give you the option to isolate close foreground objects against a blurred background. Defocused areas look smooth and dreamy.
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD: Lab tests
Sharpness
Corner-sharpness is particularly good when shooting wide-open, for a 35mm lens with such a fast aperture rating.
Fringing
Levels of lateral chromatic aberration are very minimal even in the extreme corners, throughout the aperture range.
Distortion: -1.2
There’s only very minor barrel distortion, which is also very uniform in nature and easy to correct.
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD: Verdict
Canon’s EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is a peach of a lens but is very pricey at £1,629/$1,799, while Nikon’s AF-S 35mm f/1.4 G costs almost as much. This Tamron lens sells for less than two-thirds of the price, yet more than matches the own-brand camera manufacturers’ offerings in terms of handling, image quality and all-round performance. It’s a little more expensive than the competing Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, which is also a star performer, but the Tamron’s bokeh is a little smoother.
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