Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.4 Di USD review - Introduction

Have you rated your lenses yet?

Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.4 Di USD

20 November 2019

Arkadiusz Olech

1. Introduction

In 2012 Sigma decided to remodel completely their line of lenses; they intended to enter a higher quality level in optical, and mechanical aspects while offering a more solid, modern design. Their first Art line model, namely the Sigma A 35 mm f/1.4 DG HSM, was the beginning of that trend. One year and a half later the Sigma A 50 mm f/1.4 DG HSM was shown and in 2015 the 1.4/24 and 1.4/20 models hit the shelves. In 2016 the Sigma A 85 mm f/1.4 DG HSM was presented and in 2018 the company released the unique A 105 mm f/1.4 DG HSM instrument.

Tamron, the most serious Sigma rival in the group of third-party producers, couldn't leave that kind of offensive without answer. Their response was similar to some extent – a completely new line of lenses in stylish, new, solid barrels. Still, there were differences. Instead of producing very fast f/1.4 lenses without optical stabilization Tamron decided to launch a bit slower but stabilized f/1.8 models. In 2015 we were shown the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD and the SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD; less than a year later the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD hit the shelves.

In the following years Tamron focused more on production of zoom lenses. Those who hoped their line of primes would be enlarged by such models as the 1.8/105 VC or the 1.8/24 VC waited in vain because Tamron surprised all by announcing in June 2019 the launch of the SP 35 mm f/1.4 Di USD model

Please Support Us

If you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - advertisement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Does it mean that their line of stabilized primes will be developped further and, from now on, instead of f/1.8 models we are going to see more f/1.4 devices? Who knows. Our main task is not foretelling the future but testing what is already available on the market.

We would like to thank the Focus Nordic company, the sole distributor for Tamron devices in Poland, for lending us one specimen of the lens which we used in our test. You are also invited to get acquainted with our test procedure, described in the article "How do we test lenses?" If you feel it’s still not enough, please go to our FAQ section where you can find some further explanation.