The Most Underrated Lens for Sony Cameras

[@JoeMustang99]

I use this 20-40 Tamron lens in combination with the 35-150 Tamron on an A1. Great pair of lenses for events, and just enough overlap to minimize lens swaps.

[@tombuck]

Sounds like a great combo!

[@MrSka7cis]

That is going to be my same combo! I am just waiting for the 35-150!

[@kimtrickster52]

I think the crop factor for sony is 1.5x instead of 1.6x as in cannon. And yes, this lens is also my most used one. Much lighter and much cheaper. And the focal length is more suitable for my use than 16-35 😊

i had it and i think it is incredible :) overall if you get the 20 40 and the 35 150 this is a way better combo than the typical 24-70 and 70-200 especially for weddings a few millimeters more on the wide end make such a big difference

[@Nathan_Lundstrom]

I have a 70-200 2.8 Mk1, a 35 1.4GM, and the Viltrox 20 2.8. I picked up the Viltrox because I constantly wanted something wider than 35 as an option…seeing you and Gerald talk about this 20-40 has got me thinking about minimizing my kit to just two lenses!

[@tombuck]

It could likely replace the Viltrox and add some versatility there, but it might be tough to lose 1.4 on the 35 😬

[@N0rdman]

Already back in the Minolta period and especially the Konica Minolta period, many of the Konica Minolta lenses were rebranded Tamron lenses. And this was by no means an uncommon practice, many lenses were made by third party lens manufacturers and rebranded as other brands. It makes sense as developing the manufacturing capacity is expensive and if you like Minolta were one of the few optical glass manufacturers already selling optical glass to other third party manufacturers as well as major camera brands, you often bought parts of your lenses from other specialized manufacturers, like lens tubes from Chinon. Chinon sold lens tubes to most manufacturers and also made lenses for themselves as well sold them to other lens manufacturers or rebranded as something else. It would make sense for Sony, that already bought the Konica Minolta camera division to buy a major stake of a third party lens manufacturer as they could diverse the cost with their longer production series, making a lens and with adaption selling it for a lower price to Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and their mount. Suddenly that expensive production line is making four times as much profit as if Sony had just made them for their own mount. Behold the beauty of mass production!

[@johngreenwood9247]

The Tamron 20-40mm is an excellent lens. Having had experience with both the Sony 24-105 & 20-70 lenses, as a general purpose walk-about lens, I much prefer the lighter & brighter Tamron lens. There's nothing much wrong with either Sony lenses in the focal lengths they cover, but they are significantly more expensive and they (like many Sigma alternatives) may offer a better tactile quality & some additional controls. However any improvement in the overall images produced are minimal, and whereas the ergonomics and focussing speed may in some circumstances be judged to be superior does not make up for the size & weight disadvantage.

[@tombuck]

A friend actually just gave me a 24-70 (very lucky, I know) and it's a phenomenal lens, but yikes is it heavy! The Tamron is just so practical in so many ways.

[@TheNewArtSchool]

Great video! If budget is an issue, the EF 16-40 f/4 is around $350 (second-hand)

[@RetroBreak]

It's my main lens! I got it earlier this year and it replaced my Sony 24-105 OSS F4 , I love it! So much smaller and lighter and the 2.8 is nice! Looking forward to taking it around some shows later this year!

[@tombuck]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@randallbrander8157]

I am trying a F2.8 and f4 on two cameras now in my Family Room and the picture quality is excellent. Just make sure there is proper lighting to reduce noise.

[@tombuck]

Proper lighting can solve many issues! Great to see you Randall!

[@randallbrander8157]

@@tombuck I've been busy but watching the videos from both of you on the Rewind. Cheers!

[@CamcorderHomeVideos]

I got a Sony A100 with an 18-200 mm F3.5-6.3 lens. The camera is in what the seller described as "near-mint" condition, but I'd say it looks to be in mint condition. The camera was just $95. The lens is also in _very_ good condition, and I got it off of eBay for only $93.99. I may get a vintage 50mm f/1.4 AF lens just for portraits and low light photos. I have a 4K 60fps 10-bit camcorder, but I can only extract photos from existing video frames, so having even a budget photo camera with a good zoom is nice. I'm waiting on my CF card, but I'm excited to check out the photos taken with the APS-C CCD sensor!

[@Mindfulbanterofficial]

New studio setup is doing wellllll in these new videos 🎉🎉🎉 another great video thank you

[@tombuck]

Thanks so much! Feels like things are getting dialed in now.

[@LaughLinesAndLifeLessons]

Sorry to bug you. I don't even know if you'll see this but I'm scrolling through all your videos looking for ones where you might rate cameras? I trusted you on the Elgato Prompter - it changed my world. I freakin LOVE that thing! Now I'm trying to up my production game (yeah, I got 200 subs last week and I'm gettin' cocky! 😂🤣😆) and I love how your videos look and I know you'd have a good starter? I have an elgato facecam now and it just looks blurry to me. I appreciate your time. If anyone else has advice, I'd love that too! I'm out of my realm and trying to learn.

[@tombuck]

Thanks for the kind words- so happy you're enjoying the prompter! And congrats on 200 subs! That's honestly a major milestone and you do deserve to celebrate a bit. If you're looking to upgrade from a webcam/phone, the most affordable camera I recommend is the Sony ZV-E10. It's excellent quality and comes with a decent starter lens. If you want, you can upgrade the lens to a Sigma 16mm 1.4 and it'll look quite similar to my setup here. I'm hoping to borrow a ZV-E10 soon so that I can make some dedicated videos about it 👍

[@LaughLinesAndLifeLessons]

@@tombuck I'm kind of fangirling right now. Thanks for writing me back - and thanks for the advice! I appreciate you and your content! SO MUCH!

[@theastuteangler]

3:25 "but while we're talking about focus switches, let's now SWITCH OUR FOCUS" has the same energy as: "If you can balance a tack hammer on your head, you can head off your foes with a balanced attack!"

[@PiecesofVinyl]

This is my main lens for everyday use - I also use it a ton for freelance event work. Now that I have the A7C2 - it is even more amazing - with the ability to crop and the ability to still have Eye AF in clear image Zoom - which is just amazing - makes this lens a 20-80. And I still crop with it in Photo mode as well since it's still 16MP and it's a 60mm at that point.

[@tombuck]

Definitely an incredible event lens! Glad you’re also liking it. 😎

[@danielschaller-digitalcrealab]

I didn't know that Sony was a main shareholder in Tamron. That maybe explain why both Sony and Tamron have the zoom ring the wrong way around (at least to me coming from Canon), but that aside I have the 20-40, most probably because you talked about it and indeed, love it

[@tombuck]

I'm still adjusting to the zoom ring direction thing! Canon's way just feels "right" 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@danielschaller-digitalcrealab]

@@tombuck absolutely, and Sigma does it right too… 😀

[@Mohajerhub]

I remember Rebel xt/400D but I bought a 40D instead 😁 I also had the same impression about cameras and lenses until I got a Canon 70-200 f4 L lens to realize how bad my kit lens was! I also got my first Tamron a year ago and it's now my primary lens. I'll check this lens out too. Thanks for the video.

[@tombuck]

I thought my 18-55 kit lens was all I'd ever need! And to be fair, it's not a bad lens (especially for the time), but year, as soon as I got something as simple as the nifty fifty it really showed me how wrong I was 😅

[@ImpressiveTony]

YES! Finally, the Tamron 20-40 gets the recognition it deserves. I've been using this as my main lens since it came out. If you're up for it, I'd love to see a comparison between it and the Sony 24-50 that recently came out. :)

[@tombuck]

The 24-50 seems neat, but I’d personally prefer 20 vs 24 for a zoom like this and the price is so dang high in comparison!

[@PierGiorgioZuccaro]

I have been using this 2040 lens in combo with the Tamron 35150 since July of this year between the A7r5 and A9, the only real flaw is that it doesn't maintain focus with the zoom, if you change the AF it has to be repositioned and for especially close-up actions it's a problem, a shame for the rest I was surprised by its good performance compared to other much more "famous/famous" and expensive lenses.

[@schultzeworks]

Your b-roll looks awesome, Tom! Are you recording at 60 or 120 FPS and then using 30 FPS playback to stabilize? Gorgeous.

[@tombuck]

Thank you! It's usually 120fps handheld and then stabilized in Final Cut 👍

[@mattliller]

It’s interesting to me how Tamron overlaps their focal ranges. I have the Tamron 17-28 and 28-75 (and 70-180), which are my 2 most used lenses, and it’s odd to me that they also make the 20-40. Further adding to the lens confusion you note in the opening.

[@tombuck]

Yeah, it can definitely be overwhelming and confusing! But I appreciate Tamron offering nontraditional focal lengths. There are only so many 16-35 and 24-70 lenses that need to be out there 😅

[@randallbrander8157]

I want an All-in-One Zoom Lens that is pancake size that is sharp with no vignetting but has manual focusing and aperture control ring. Question I am asking why DX lenses are usually 16-50mm and the Full Frame lenses either 14-24, 16-35 and not extended to 50 or 60? Probably too heavy? Cheers!

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

This is also my favorite lens and probably one of the hardest reasons for me not to go back to Panasonic in the future. So versatile for many use cases. Now I just need a A7iv to get that extra reach when I need it.

[@tombuck]

I definitely want to add some more Tamrons to my lineup after using this one.

[@TLDR_filmmaker]

@@tombuck My other lens is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 between these two lenses it covers a lot of what I need for various projects. Rumor has it Tamron is working on a 25-50mm f/2.0 and a 70-130mm f/2.0.

[@talktothemicrophone5731]

2:35-2:41 Tamron Pun. Tom you end with ‘ok’ -The comic delivery is gold. Btw-I feel a great channeling of Paul Rudd. -Awesome channel.

[@tombuck]

This is high praise and I will accept it. 😁

[@PaulFeinberg]

It always makes me happy to see a back to the future time machine Delorean in the b-roll. Great thoughts. I love my 16-35mm GM gen 1. Got such a good deal used so works (still is a big boy). It’s Sigma 16-28…28mm not 26 😅

[@tombuck]

Yeah, total brain fart there...if only I could go back in time to fix it 🤔

[@PaulFeinberg]

@@tombuck great Scott!

[@schultzeworks]

Another fantastic 'overview' ---- as opposed to 'technical review' -- which I find far more useful. I've got what I think is another very cool lens on my 'to buy' list and want to bring it to your attention > TAMRON 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD for Sony E Mount. This should be good for sports / nature / dogs. Not sure if you've 'overviewed' it yet, but you might consider it. 😁👍

[@EwenBell]

Huge agree. This is such a great little lens and delivers great images. I took one to the Himalayas last year and just loved it in spite of my snobbery for fast primes :)

[@kylemckenna]

I recently got the sigma 28-70 f/2.8 for my a7iv and LOVE IT! I also have never bought a g master lens because I can do client work with a 50mm f/1.4 i got off amazon for $400 lol.

[@Fostit]

2:35 I see what you did there buddy, that's good stuff

[@bradl2636]

A fabulous lens indeed. I have the Sony 20/1.8 and Voigtlander 40/1.2 as primes to bracket this range. The Voigtlander 28/2 Ultron hits the middle.

[@Keilikeramen]

I have 35-150 and 50-400 tamron and I think no brainer to get 20-40 tamron but I already have 20 1.8g and not sure to get 35gm instead😢

[@tombuck]

So many choices! No wrong options, really. But a benefit of the Tamron is that it's less expensive than the GM and still very light and compact. Definitely a good choice for taking lots of places that you might not want to bring your most expensive gear.

[@Romafedorov]

I was debating between this lens, the Sony 24-50, and the 20-70 f4, and eventually settled on the 20-70 f4. Yes, it's an f4 lens, but it works much better with Sony cameras in terms of stabilization. It's sharper than the Tamron and has a more versatile focal length than the 20-40 and 24-50. I highly recommend the 20-70 f4; it's one of the best zoom lenses I've ever used!

[@AlChered]

Double it!

[@RogerAVHansen]

I’ve been thinking about selling my tamron 17-28mm and then getting this 20-40mm instead. Think it’s a more versatile focal range 😊

[@tombuck]

The extra reach really comes in handy!

[@PawFromTheBroons]

10:53 The name of that mic is the Peter Lindgren. Coming all the way from northern Europe, to sway you from XLR handles...

[@tombuck]

Yep! That's what sold me on it!

[@Arro]

This was a great video in general, but gonna be honest, I pressed the thumbs up video once the epic puns started rolling.

[@tombuck]

I am ok with this.

[@Criticalhitkoala]

This lens has been an amazing Gimbal lens for us for weddings. Sometimes I did wish it was a 17-40 2.8 because we cover South Asian weddings so during things like the door pooja after the baraat it gets SUPER cramped, but for 95% of our day this lens is outstanding.

[@maruwaanmoses]

Same here. Wish it was just like 2-3mm wider

[@DarkPa1adin]

My wishlist for A7V is that it will have fully magnesium body and with the articulating tilt screen and evf like A7RV.

[@tombuck]

That new screen is pretty nifty!

[@AJCoReTV]

I have the 17-28 vlog… but for handheld vlog I now use the APSC 10-18mm 2.8 sigma @ 12mm.. $500 🎉

[@AudioHotline]

I have almost bought this lens several times since using this at NAB! 😂

[@tombuck]

I always loved it, but NAB 100% sold me on its versatility.

[@ItsRyukin]

5:35 This is what a good autofocusing system should’ve be. And my camcorder also doesn’t make any focusing noises too! 😅

[@kevinheg8814]

I’m thinking of replace my 17-28 and 28-75 G2 with this lens. But on the Sony A7IV there is the crop at 4K60 and than 30mm is the widest. And also lose 35mm on the long end. 😩

[@tombuck]

Definitely gotta find what works for you! I personally haven't found the a7IV's crop to be an issue, but if you want the wides possible lens then yeah, the 17 is probably a good one to stick with.

[@chrisw443]

Sounds like a good option.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke! ☕️

[@tombuck]

Thanks! This really is such an awesome lens.

[@marknathan7744]

surely its 1.5x crop in crop mode which makes it 30-60mm only canon has 1.6x crop when shooting apsc.

[@AzriAyob-i8z]

How does this lens compared to 24-50 from Sony?

[@tombuck]

I haven't used the Sony, so I can't say specifically, but the higher price of the Sony along with 24 being as wide as it can go just made me not interested in it. I do think the Tamron is a better overall value if you don't NEED 50mm.

[@AzriAyob-i8z]

@@tombuck thanks for the reply! I have decided to go with Tamron 😁

[@Princeton_James]

Ive heard others prefer the Sony 16-35f4 over this. Yuck. I sold my Sony 16-35. This Tamron is so good. Ill buy another one if i find a good deal. Perfect walk around.

[@tombuck]

I would choose this over an f4 all day everyday! Could be different if you shoot mostly outdoors though. It's funny because at this point Sony's lenses aren't keeping me in their system, but I think the Tamron lineup might be what does it!

[@AJCoReTV]

1st

[@lighthousephoto7143]

2:37 LOL just bathing in the cringe. Kudos.

[@A.Edilbi]

@2:35 I cringed here ngl

[@jeremyhubbell]

FFS @Sony. Can you please get one of your staunchest, yet clearly miffed supporters a new 24mm GM lens? No more of this Mickey Mouse BS. Y'all charging Nordstrom prices but providing Dollar General customer service. (Sorry DG)

[@tombuck]

😅 Mine died again and is now in for repair for the 3rd time. They did give me a loaner though, which is very helpful since I use it all the time! We'll see what happens. If it's not something they'll repair or replace I'll likely go with the Sigma 24 as a replacements, even though it doesn't work with focus breathing compensation.

[@mattwruff]

Yeah 35K in lens and 10K in Camera. I like Tamron but I have the Sony GM 16-35 $$$$$. I still manly still don't like Prime. For general work the Tamron 35-150 is my PRIME lens. Yes I have my Fujinon MK for when I need a Cine lens.

[@tombuck]

Yep, lenses can definitely make a bigger overall impact than the actual camera in many situations!

[@ROBOTRIX_eu]