The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 for Nikon Z mount has problems

[@thrallingFRglory]

I thoroughly enjoy your eloquent rants! Please don't stop making videos

[@afraidtoglow7259]

Just Bought... it is perfect for me. I use the "stupid function button" for deactivate the flash so I can have a better view of what I need to work with the out-camera flash. I dont mind that much about vignetting, I shoot mostly portraits and that can be worked on post literally with 2 clicks. I found this "problems" normal taking in consideration that this is a NOVEL optic with no comparison in the market. If you want that range with that aperture definitely you will have to sacrifice other stuff... and vignetting and a "stupid function button" are more than OK for me.

[@I922sParkCir]

I have this lens for e-mount. I only have light vignetting and the manual focus has been very smooth. I use it frequently in challenging focus situations. I shoot wedding ceremonies with the Tamron 35-150, and have never accidentally hit the either of the lens function button. Honestly, if you asked me how many there are I would have said just the one on the side. Mine are stiff and require intention to press. What odd difference between the e mount and z mount!

[@williambuford6136]

Do you use a battery grip when you are using this lens?

[@I922sParkCir]

@@williambuford6136 I do. It's a bit more comfortable. Zero issues!

[@fuzzytalz]

I use the Z 24-120/4 S. I love it for being durable, reasonably compact and the images are fantastic throughout the zoom and aperture ranges. It's my favorite one-and-done zoom ever. Good luck in your quest.

[@northofbrandon]

Have this lens and love it. Esp. for video.

[@NCMEDIC216]

How is it in low light

[@aarontharris]

@Robert May -- Fix for focus problem. I just got this lens today and I think I figured out your focusing issue. Are you in AF-C (continuous) ? I found the issue only arises while in AF-C when I am turning the focus ring while NOT pressing the AF-On button. It works great in all other cases I've tested. AF-S Mode + AF-On not pressed = Works great. AF-S Mode + AF-On pressed = Works great. AF-C Mode + AF-On not pressed = Slow. 😥 AF-C Mode + AF-On pressed = Works great. For those that do not MF, you can disable the focus ring in the control menu. For those that do not use the stupid button, you can disable it in the control menu. I hope this helps EDIT: PS - The vignetting is real! Wow. I still love the lens, but I am surprised. I found it to be about 3 stops at the corners!

[@robert_may]

Oh that's super interesting 🤔 You're right that I was testing it in AF-C, as I basically only use AF-C on my Nikon cameras now due to the AF being really solid and customisable. Really weird bug! Thanks for the thorough investigation 😄

[@bluebox303]

I use a Tamron 35-150 (E-mount version) on a ZF with a Megadap ETZ adapter. Manual focus works without issue for me, same as with my Nikkor lenses or even adapted Sony lenses. Sounds like the firmware may have needed to be refreshed or updated.

[@robert_may]

Yeah one of the first things I did was check for a firmware update to see if it was something already fixed. Hopefully it was a copy issue.

[@OkwyUgonweze]

Do you still have the option to assign lens ring to aperture, iso and exposure compensation? Am really eager to know as I have this e mount but all my bodies are now nikon Z bodies.

[@tricky6450]

Good points, the vignetting is quite annoying for a 1800,- lens. If it was half the price then these issues would not be a big issue. For the price it's at i wont expect these kind of issues.

[@NickDelDuca]

I used this lens for over a year when I shot Sony and I don't think I ever once pushed that bottom fn button so I think your theory about the body grip is right. I don't think it will be an issue on the Z8. Also the lens has a USB port and you can tune the focus with software. That might fix your other issue. I also can't say I ever noticed any excessive vignetting with this lens either. Maybe Sony's vignette correction is better? I don't shoot landscapes at all though so maybe that has a bit to do with it as well. Either way I think it's worth the price because it's pretty much tack sharp wide open at every focal length. Can't really ask for much more from a do it all lens. Im going to be buying it for Z mount soon.

[@robert_may]

I did try tweaking the focus settings available in the Tamron utility and none of them seemed to improve the problem, curiously 🤔 And yeah I suspect Sony has better vignetting correction. I’d definitely recommend setting it to High in the Z8/Z9 - it’s basically fine at that setting and more comparable to other lenses I checked, when those are set to Normal.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Have you tried the Z 24-120S? It's f4 which won't suit everyone but mine is my most used lens, great at every aperture with good rendition.

[@robert_may]

I’ve played with one a bit and it did seem good - my only criticism is the lack of optical stabilisation really. Trying to figure out which direction I go in for a longer landscape lens and for which camera system I buy it at the moment, and the 24-120 is definitely an option 🤔 Shame there’s no 70-200 f/4 Z lens yet really, as there’s a rather nice looking one from Panasonic and no real Z equivalent at the moment.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

@@robert_may Yes, I'm in the same position. I'm also getting old now, in my late 60s so weight has become more important. I have always loved shooting long telephoto shots in the mountains. My present landscape kit is Z8 + 14-24 f2.8 S, surprisingly light compared to the old f mount ones and a fabulous lens corner to corner that will also do astro landscapes + the 24-120 f4 which renders so well too. Then my problem starts. Logically I could get a 100-400S but this is getting quite heavy for the mountains and expensive and I couldn't possibly cart around my 180-600 at over 2 kgs either... I actually have been using the AF-P 70-300 f4.5-5.6 E VR on a FTZ adapter. That model is the only 70-300 that's pretty sharp between 200mm and 300mm, excellent vr as well. However, on the 46mp sensor it isn't quite good enough. It's sharper than the Tamron and Sigma 100-400 lenses which I borrowed to try. Not for me. So a lightweight, good quality lens that goes to 300 or 400mm? Nikon have just brought out a super zoom, not really my kind of kit but it's Z mount 28-400 f4-8. It gives f8 from 200 to 400mm ie for me an f8 200-400 lens. It's only 725 grams too! I don't mind f8 for landscape but it depends on the image quality. So a possible solution if one wants to avoid weight and get to 400. PS I find the IBIS enough with the 24-120..

[@robert_may]

@@musiqueetmontagne I'll have to try out that 14-24 at some point - it's one of those lenses I've never stumbled across at trade shows or in shops. I'm just uploading a roundup of the past month's news and talk a bit about the 28-400 in that. Haven't had a chance to try it yet but I'm certainly curious - reviews so far seem to reckon its image quality is rather good 🤔 My main dilemma is whether I go for that on the Z9, which is quite a heavy camera, or if I go for the 28-200 Panasonic lens for L-mount on the S5IIX. Obviously doesn't make it all the way to 400 but I usually find 200 enough for me for landscapes, and it's ridiculously small for a 200mm lens. Z9 is the better camera but if I'm only taking one due to shooting video it's usually the S5IIX so it's a bit of a pain choosing which route to go down 😅 That's good to know about the IBIS on the 24-120 too - I've only tested it in bright situations so it was pretty hard to assess that aspect of it.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

@@robert_may Oh that would be good if you get a hold of a 28-400 to test properly. I would like to know if it's acceptably sharp and has reasonable resolving power on the 46 mp sensor.

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

@@musiqueetmontagne I don't like 28-400, resolution so-so and the lens already f/8 wide open, the contrast is poor, AF is also problematic.

[@TheNanofiber]

I had it for Sony and now for Nikon. It's amazing for weddings, events and engagement sessions and such. Never comes off one of my bodies. I wouldn't use it for travel or everyday cause its too big and heavy but for work it's irreplaceable for me.

[@robert_may]

Yeah I was really hoping it'd be my go-to event lens - it really would be a super convenient lens. What camera body are you using it on? And does yours do the same weird thing with the manual focus? There's certainly no mention of it on the Sony version (and not that many reviews of the Nikon version about)🤔

[@TheNanofiber]

@@robert_may Might be you got a bad copy. I don't manual focus and just tried it on my Z9 and Z8 and I don't see anything weird. The peaking comes very smoothly like you would expect. My Sony version I did use often for video but also never in manual but I would have noticed if there was jumping when i played with it in manual.

[@KidWiz3]

Might be something up with that lens copy, I had a Sony copy and it did focus smoothly. Granted it's also possible they borked a firmware version. Unless they changed it, you can disable the function buttons with the utility app, I had setting 2 as my disabled mode for when I didn't need function stuffs Great video as always!

[@robert_may]

My suspicion is that there's a fault in the Z variant of the firmware, as the vast majority of reviews are of the Sony version and nobody mentioned it. And I can't believe that nobody aside from me would notice that - it's so jarring! I did actually have the function buttons disabled. I was just getting super annoyed at the clicking noise more than anything haha.

[@KidWiz3]

@@robert_may that would make sense for the firmware front. I know what you mean as far as the buttons go, you click it and your brain tells you, "something must have happened," even though nothing happened, but now you're distracted from the moment, haha

[@livejames9374]

Disagree. The 35-150 is awesome.

[@izziereal2010]

I really enjoy this Tamron lens a lot. It's a little heavy, but it's not for those that do not want a heavy camera/lens combination. 35-150mm range is a great focal length range if I want just one lens for a day's shooting for both photos and videos. Video autofocus is fantastic on this Tamron lens and works as good as a Nikon lens. If weight is an issue, the Nikon 24-120mm f4 lens is also great alternative for a lighter, wide to mid telephoto lens. I have both lenses and have experience with both. It's OK for the Nikon 24-120mm lens does not have VR since my Zf has the IBIS and works well with this lens. I'm glad Nikon reaches to 120mm that Canon, Sony, and Panasonic Lenses do not.

[@nicobinder]

This is one of my favourite lenses. I use it 80% of the time

[@heartflame503]

Don't the function buttons have a disable setting ?

[@robert_may]

Yes, but they still make a very annoying clicking noise and I can feel them moving 🙈

[@thinkingape7655]

Interesting, I wonder if these issues are a sole Nikon problem. I use this lens on my Sony A7R4 and it is truly fantastic, but was thinking about getting it for my Nikon bodies. 🤷‍♂️

[@robert_may]

I'd be really interested in knowing how it compares if you do pick it up! I don't think many people have used it on both mounts.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Does it for me sometimes but I just turned the buttons off. Good video tho but I do love the lens. 👍🏻

[@gordonbrown5901]

Can’t you turn off the bottom button in the menus?

[@SummersSnaps]

So it's actually a crop sensor lens 😄 I just watched Petapixels review of the Canon 24-105/2.8 and that thing also seems to vignette strongly throughout the range (the amount of distortion uncorrected, wowzer!). I've been kinda jealous of hearing about the FF lens innovations such as this 35-150 and the 24-105, but it feels like they are cheating a lot with the in camera corrections and that makes the lenses rather niche. I'm not a birder, but I do a lot of event work, I could possibly put up with a lot of the issues from that perspective, but I agree with you about the times you do landscape or something different to portraiture, we get more fussy about the optics in this realm. 35-150 is also an interesting length, I'd have that sitting on one camera and I'd need the other body to have something wider because 35mm is not quite wide enough for event work, so you'd really want to be happy with that 35-150 as it will see the brunt of the work. Yes, it feels like there are not enough actual photographers consulted in the design process today on camera bodies and lenses. I rarely do lens reviews, if I do I stay away from charts and try and point out things that I too have noticed but not seen picked up elsewhere. It's good that you point these things out. And it's really nice to hear you somewhat a little underwhelmed with the Nikon line of lenses and somewhat nostalgic about Fuji glass (it's reassuring to me at least!).

[@KidWiz3]

Worked perfectly in full-frame for me when I had a Sony copy, I haven't tried a Nikon copy yet since changing mounts, but I can't imagine it's any different PetaPixels review of the 24-105 and Canon with the 10-20mm F4 is Canon doing something else. Generally they quote their lenses as 10mm or 24mm after correction, so the distortion isn't an issue. Lens corrections are a bit of a crutch, sure, but it's just as valid as opening Lightroom or Photoshop and making a change. Especially with how sharp the 24-105 is, even considering PetaPixel's opinion of the corners

[@SummersSnaps]

​@@KidWiz3 Well... lens correction in or outside of camera essentially tells us something, be wary of uniformed IQ across the optics. You can flatten out the image but because the optic itself is distorted it means the sharpness on those edges and corners are always going to lack somewhat compared to the center. We can all forgive some vignetting wide open, but when its still existing throughout the aperture range, that is less than ideal (and a symptom of a problem rather than anything else). If we ask ourselves why only until just recently do we have optics like 28-70/2, 24-105/2.8 and 35-150/2-2.8... it's because natively to design such optics (without the heavily reliance of in (or out) camera corrections) basically is the answer. Now I'm not against camera corrections, it just means the applicability of such optics might thwart the useability. Just like Robert is suggesting here, this 35-150 would be fine for portrait work, but not a very pleasing landscape tool. And the 24-105 is probably the same thing, these are great event working optics but landscapers are probably best to look elsewhere (and f4 zooms are usually lighter, more compact and a lot of the work would be tripoded so... do we really need fast optics for that genre)?

[@robert_may]

Yeah I couldn't even bear to sell/trade in that Fujifilm 16-55 f/2.8 as I loved it so much - I gave it to my dad instead, and he likes it just as much as I did 😆 I might just have to go for a 24-70 + 70-200 combo, but it is a shame that there's no other f/2.8 lens that goes to 85mm/100mm like the Tamron does (yet), as I think that's one of the benefits that Fujifilm lens has. It's almost a shame that we don't get more bizarre zooms like the old film days. A 35-85mm would probably do me fine for many things and be pretty compact. But that's one of the reasons why I was so excited for this Tamron lens and quite frustrated when it didn't live up to my expectations. Although really my main complaint is that damn button 🙈

[@SummersSnaps]

@@robert_may My experience to date says that for excellent IQ across the frame you gun for a prime. It's not that zooms can't have high IQ also, but its just super rare to get a zoom to having the SAME IQ throughout its zoom range, same corner and edge performance throughout the range, and the same consistent results throughout the range. The XF50-140 is actually pretty awesome. I know I can shoot this lens at f2.8 at any focal length and not worry about a drop in IQ etc, I wish I could say the same for other zooms. So for me zooms feel 'portrait purposed' (or wildlife), something where the corners and edges are not paramount to the images success. For great landscape results I think primes tend to deliver (or at least the expectation is there).

[@KidWiz3]

@@SummersSnaps I'm admittedly not a for-pay or expert landscape photographer, so I can't speak from that front, and I do see what you mean with IQ concerns as well. I guess my point was more I didn't experience those issues with my Sony copy (to where they affected my work, at least). Granted, Sony's mount is a lot narrower, so it's possible that benefits the lens there, where it doesn't on Z. I'm not actually sure a mount makes that much of a difference, but Nikon seems to be confident it does with wider apertures, so maybe it actually does despite the sensors being the same size? I was always under the impression that the narrower the aperture, the less the difference between edge focus and centre focus would affect the result, but to that same extent, if the goal is to get the entire scene in focus, then consistent focus would still be important. Vignetting is where I think I'd be willing to stand up for the lens on, not that extra editing or tweaking profiles is fun, but I feel like software has come far enough to where it isn't an IQ issue? But again, landscapes aren't my true forte so I'd love to learn how it does? Results to say, I absolutely see your points, and I find them intriguing from what I have learnt in my photography experiences versus how things that don't affect my work, do affect landscapes in ways that I wouldn't have thought of. It's part of what I like so much about this channel, and your willingness to respond in a way that educates me! I'm with Robert in the long run as well, even if it's less extreme than 24-105mm 2.8 or 35-150mm 2-2.8, more quirky lens ranges would be super fun to see! As well as Sigma glass, like said in the vid.

[@borderlands6606]

Lumix is calling you back. Seriously though, the Tamron has a level of vignetting normally associated with the very cheapest Chinese products. If you have to go down a stop to reduce it - and there's still darkening in the corners - you might as well get a slower lens that will be less expensive, physically smaller and optically simpler. As you say, Sigma do some nice bright wide-to-standard and portrait-to-tele zooms. Alternatively, a ubiquitous 24-70 plus a favourite longer prime.

[@robert_may]

Honestly if Panasonic bring out an S1 that’s competitive for wildlife I’d be seriously tempted. For alternatives I might have to consider a 70-200, but they’re usually pretty hefty 🤔

[@jackmccourt6180]

I just picked up my 35-150 to see why I haven't noticed this. I'll be honest I thought I only had the 2 function buttons, I forgot the bottom one even existed lol!. My index finger tends to rest just in front of the button. It's not bothered me so far, but then I have just started using the lens.

[@robert_may]

Haha I think it really depends on hand size and whether you have a vertical grip on the camera. On a Z8 I don't think I'd have noticed it either - it's only on the Z9 that I find the placement super irritating 😆

[@jackmccourt6180]

@@robert_may Yeah its an A7iv I use so that might play into the ergonomics a bit.

[@SulakvelidzeCustom]

I’m shooting z8 with ftz and 500f4g. Just got the 40f2 and for what it costs it’s a horrible lens. It is so soapy - it’s going back. I totally agree that we need sigma art lenses on the z mount and Nikon trinity lenses are weird and feel severely overpriced. I’ve only had some experience with tamron lenses back in the day when I shot canon and back then it was the Skoda in the 90s of the camera world. Now everything that you went through doesn’t bother me at all. Vignetting could be dealt with and buttons can’t be that annoying. Your mf issues are valid if they are across all the lenses but even that doesn’t bother me since I’m not going to use that. This lens seems like the Fuji 16-35 f2.8 aka bag of primes (obviously it’s replicating 24-70f2.8 but the idea is the same). My most used range is right around 35-150 and my most used general lens was 70-200 f2.8… The question is - did it do the bag of primes work for you not concentrating on the issues at hand?

[@paulgtravers]

I was considering this as a general carry around for my Z7ii, will stick with the kit lens for now.

[@johnw.3636]

Because one person said it isn't good enough?

[@paulgtravers]

@@johnw.3636 , no because I have looked at other reviews and handled the lens and determined that this lens doesn’t offer me enough advantages over cost to add to my 24-70 and 70-200.

[@brianmahaney1]

I've been using this lens for my professional photo shoots and recently carried it as my only lens to Scotland. It's a great lens.

[@johnw.3636]

@@brianmahaney1 Nice!

[@CowboyKing]

I got mine on a sale in Germany last week for roughly 1100 pounds. For that money it's a no brainer.

[@HappyHubris]

There are no alternatives unless you are on E Mount. The whole point is an impressive range AND F2.8.

[@maxbembel2962]

There's is one thing I find puzzling. You sound disappointed that the Nikon lenses don't have Image Stabilization - but that's one of the Z Systems selling points, isn't it? The IBIS rendesr lens IS redundant so they can be lighter and smaller. In theory at least.

[@robert_may]

Yeah to be fair the Z9’s IBIS is impressive, but the same is true of the S5IIX and it’s even better when the lens is optically stabilised too! It’s particularly evident in video - will try to do a comparison at some point 😀

[@maxbembel2962]

I do have a few lenses that have IS, when I use them in my Z8 the IBIS gets deactivated. Afaik Nikon utilizes only one stabilizer at any given time. Combining both would be a great firmware update tho! :-) @@robert_may

[@johnbanks9392]

On my Z9 I can hand hold my 24-120 at 120mm 1/4s and get super sharp images, there's no need for OIS.

[@robert_may]

The difference though is that with OIS it's pretty easy to get into multi-second exposures on other platforms like Panasonic and Canon. Nikon's IBIS is really solid, but with stabilised lenses it could be even better, and it's a bit of a weird gap compared to some of the other platforms. If I had to guess though, I would think Nikon left it out in order to focus entirely on the optics configuration - I have had image quality issues with OIS in some lenses, so perhaps that's a reason why they've skipped it from a lot of lenses 🤔

[@davidlawrence7540]

Nikon z 24-200mm?

[@KidWiz3]

Even at F4 that would be such a winner, truly would replace both "trinity" lenses like the Tamron can't quite

[@robert_may]

Yeah this one might be on the shortlist of potential replacements!

[@timothyradigan3531]

I'm not seeing that issue at all. Agree to disagree. Is it the best lense, no. But it's up there for sure.

[@michaltopas]

Tamron 35-150mm 2,8-4 for F-Mount. With FTZ. It´s sharp, good VR - a slow yet reliable AF. It´s cheap and with my Z7 perfect as a walkaround and portrait lens. Not perfect, but good enough for me in that focal range.

[@Fgoogle-w7w]

Anyone can say anything more about vignieting ? Sounds very bad to me and I was about to buy it. Maybe it is an F-mount ? Can it be the reason ?

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

I don't particularly like Nikon lens lineup. I have a number of e-mount lenses I used on my Sony cameras and adapt them on Nikon. It has its own set of problems, but at least I get the lenses I want.

[@tedk2814]

All I can say is WOW!! Amazing insight into Mr. May's psych. He must have been just a miserable and tormented soul since using Nikon lenses. And also he seems to be aghast that other You tube reviewers have missed these glaring short comings of Nikon Lens. Yes, the ones with 1.2 million subs . He must have gotten up that morning as said "Today, I am going to insult all of the people using and reviewing Nikon gear, They obviously missed reporting on all these issues. I was able to easily and quite rightly report on the failings of Nikon engineers and the photography gear they design." Mr May also complains about issues then goes on to say in the next sentence he never uses that function anyhowl.....but hey, since I'm on a roll here why not complain about it ? I am not a wealthy person, there are so many thing's I would like but simply can't afford, I don't feel the need to publicly belittle them, I feel the need to get a better job that pays more. Why dont you just switch gear to the one that you gave as an example and be done with it? I can't help but believe you would be a much happier person and enjoy photography and life to it's fullest.

[@marknathan7744]

surely you could disable it in the tamron software cant you? I wouldn't buy this lens it is too large and heavy better as f2.8 constant.

[@robert_may]

Yeah but the button is just physically irritating even if it's not enabled 😅 I don't mind a variable aperture lens, but yeah agreed it'd probably have been somewhat more compact as a constant f/2.8.

[@RRRCCCDDD]

I was about to purchase the lens. I was very unsure of it having had issues from some of their F mounted lenses. This vid sealed it for me. I will pass. Thank you for this.

[@igg5589]

What about assigning "no function" to that function button and have a preset to correct vignetting in software. Looks like clickbait video name for good, but overpriced lens :)

[@tedk2814]

I simply don't think Mr. May wants a solution to the "stupid buttons" problem. To have a solution would mean he would have no video.

[@luka_III]

Spoiled by return policies...

[@frankartale1026]

16 minutes of talking about the same issue. Bro... seriously

[@robert_may]

It's my gift to you

[@HowILove]

you can get a foot btw

[@strippedlist]

Oh Jesus, you are the only one complaining about this lens

[@robert_may]

Always knew I was special

[@refuztosay9454]

I bought one off brand lens early in my Nikon shooting life. A 120-300 f2.8 sigma. Never again did I buy a non-Nikon lens. Cry once I think they say. What a turd this lens is for over $1000!

[@bruceghent5703]

All you do is rant and make money from it. Ranting all the way to the bank. 😂

[@robert_may]

lol yeah I'm swimming in cash like Scrooge McDuck. KZbin stats put the current lifetime revenue from this video at £24, and it cost me £10 to return the lens. I'll stick it in my Matchbox Lamborghini fund.

[@mofi3641]

..maybe just change your brand... or just buy used sony stuff - this is so cheap...cheap...cheap...

[@intrinsicimagery]

Fussy.

[@roybixby6135]

Nikons own 24-120 Z lens is superior in almost every way (and its cheaper). As a studio shooter I really dont like variable apterure lenses ... 🦘