Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD review - Vignetting

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Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

16 October 2015

Arkadiusz Olech

8. Vignetting

First let’s check how the tested Tamron 1.8/45 manages in this category attached to the Nikon D7000 with a smaller sensor – appropriate thumbnails are presented below.

Nikon D7000, f/1.8	Nikon D7000, f/2.0

Even without precise numbers it is clear there are no problems almost at all. At the maximum relative aperture the vignetting level reaches just 16% (−0.50 EV) and then it decreases to 12% (−0.37 EV) on stopping down the aperture to f/2.0. By f/2.8 there is practically no vignetting as its level reaches just 6% (−0.19 EV).

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During the launch of two new Tamrons there were declarations that even on full frame the vignetting would be low. It’s time for the reality check.

Nikon D3x, f/1.8	Nikon D3x, f/2.0

Nikon D3x, f/2.8	Nikon D3x, f/4.0

At the maximum relative aperture the brightness loss in the frame corners amounts to 35% (−1.24 EV). It’s a lot but, if you compare it to the results of the rivals of this class, the performance of the Tamron might be perceived in a different light. For example the Nikkor 1.8/35G had the vignetting level of 46% and the Canon’s 2/35 IS light fall-off increased to a monstrous value of 66% - mind you the Canon is slower than the Tamron! The Tamron was also able to defeat the faster Sigma which, by f/2.0, got a result of 44% so higher than that of the Tamron by f/1.8. It seems the producer kept their word – the vignetting correction of the tested lens was taken care of quite well and the Tamron was able to outperform its competitors in this category.

We should add that by f/2.0 the tested lens reached a result of 29% (−0.99 EV) and by f/2.8 the vignetting amounted to 19% (−0.61 EV). By f/4.0 and by f/5.6 the vignetting level remained the same, getting to 14% (−0.44 EV).