Balgenbruder's reviews

  • Tamron 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD SP

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharpness across the frame with D810 Color rendition nicely warm Smoother Bokeh than Nikon 1,8G also @ f5.6 Nice balance on the body Affordable TAP in console to adjust the lens Perfect portrait lens
    Significant front focus shift at f1.8 on the D810 Needs to be stopped down to f2.2 then gone no big deal to me. Focus is a bit sluggish, for portraits not a problem but shooting sports is another page.

    The Tamron delivers wonderful portrait pictures.
    Problem is the focus on my D810
    Compared to the Nikon 85mm 1.8G a bit less shots found the target and it took a bit longer.
    Having said this the sharpness across the frame is amazingly constant and blazing sharp already @f2.2
    CAs are extremely low compared to the Nikon.
    Color rendition of the Nikon sometimes pronounces magenta which boosts skin capillars, while the Tamron pleases with a warm yellow orange touch.

    Have a look yourself

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/balgenbruder/29273552165/in/photostream/

    reviewed December 4th, 2016 (purchased for $900)

  • Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 SP

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Better design nicer to hold and operate Focus and VC much snappier and precise Sharpness much better than the previous version when stopped down, especially in the corner. Focus more reliable than previous version - if - corrected properly with TAP Uti
    100 grams more weight Very complex focus shift requires Tamron TAP in console to compensate.

    The new G2 lens has a nice haptic and design, i.e. all buttons are much better to grip and operate.
    The new focus module is now really snappy and the VR operates smoothly hard to notice even.
    The older version you could feel and hear the glass moving around often at VC.
    Bokeh is the same, sharpness is slightly better at 2,8 but gets surprisingly significantly better compared to the older version once stopped down.
    Just a slight stop to 3,2 improves micro contrast and border sharpness dramatically at 70mm.
    For pictures have a look here:
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/balgenbruder/

    I am happy with it so the lens is a keeper for me.
    It is much more compact than the Nikon 24-70 not to argue about the price that is almost half of it.

    reviewed August 27th, 2017 (purchased for $1,600)