tamron sp 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

£599/$599

it’s a Relatively pricey option for a dx format

Designed as a wide-angle prime for FX format cameras, the Tamron makes a large and pricey option for use as a standard prime on DX bodies. Still, the focal length is ideal and, like the Tamron 45mm, it combines a useful f/1.8 aperture rating with a 4-stop optical stabilizer. Like the bigger Tamron, this lens features weather-seals and a fluorine coating on its front element.

Build quality is great but the lens feels less solid than the Sigma lenses on test. Tamron and Sigma both sell optional USB docking stations for use with their lenses on test, for fine-tuning and applying firmware updates.

Performance

Despite having a narrower aperture rating than f/1.4 lenses, the Tamron delivers smooth bokeh, which it combines with good sharpness. In our test sample, however, sharpness was a little lacking at apertures of between f/1.8 and f/2.8. In other respects, image quality is impressive, with minimal colour fringing and negligible distortion.

Sharpness

Wide-aperture sharpness isn’t great, but it’s very even across the whole frame.

Fringing

Colour fringing is only slight, on a par with the Sigma 30mm DX format lens on test.

Distortion

As with fringing, the minimal distortion is less noticeable on a DX format camera.

Verdict

Features Build/handling Performance Value for money

Overall

It’s less impressive than Tamron’s 45mm lens for performance and value.