After months of research I decided to take a leap and purchase the Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens figuring if I didn’t like it I could just return it or sell it to another fellow photographer. Weeks later it’s still on my camera and I’m starting to love this lens. It gives me a great focal range to play with on photo walks and taking shots of my two kids. Plus it even does a little macro (glee!), it’s not a real 1:1 macro but it’s good enough for now. Best of all when space is an issue I can use this as my walk around lens and not have to worry about changing lenses. My husband will appreciate that because he doesn’t seem to care for my prime lens fixation. Plus I think it’s good to have at least one decent zoom in your bag.
My first test shots were done at the Huntington Library in Pasadena. Here are some of my favorites. I was a little worried about getting a “soft copy” of the lens but this one seems pretty sharp to me.
Ignore Bizzie Boy’s hair. He’s been running from the hair clippers for months now!
Here are some sample macro shots. The first one was at the Huntington Library the 2nd pictures is a rose in our backyard.
I just love how buttery the background is in this picture. It was taken without a tripod which would explain the slight blur. One day I’ll have to invest in a decent tripod or beg and plead for one as a gift. I usually order my lenses online, but I hate waiting for the UPS delivery. So I went to one of the local camera stores Hooper Camera to pick this one up.
Tech Specs
The Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75 f/2.8 XS Di LD lens is currently the most compact and lightest in the history of fast zoom lenses. Its compactness makes it look and feel like an ordinary standard zoom lens, yet provides the versatility that a fast constant maximum aperture offers and will definitely reshape photographic horizons.
Filter Size: 67mm
f/stop range: 2.8-32
minimum focus distance: 13″ cm, over entire zoom range
Magnification: 1:3.9
Zoom: Two-touch
Angle of View: 75 to 32 degrees
Length: 3.6″
Max Diametere: 2.9″
Weight: 1.1 lbs.
Conclusion
I have to admit when I first saw the lens I was surprised by how compact it was, but when comparing it to what I’m usually carrying around (canon 50mm, Sigma 30mm) it’s a lot longer and much heavier. It has taken me some time to adjust to the weight difference.
Overall I am happy with my investment, this is the fastest zoom lens I have worked with which is definitely a high priority because I have some fast moving subjects to capture.
You can find more pictures using the Tamron 28-75 on bizziephotography.com and on my Flickr Page.
What’s in my bag
Canon XS, Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, Sigma 30mm 1.4, Canon 50mm 1.8, Lensbaby Composer.
What’s missing
Canon 50D (60D?), macro lens and speedlite
