The resolution chart of the Tamron 14-150mm lens.
The newest Micro Four Thirds lens is the Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5,8 zoom lens. And the first site reviewing the lens is the spanish DSLR magazine (google translation here). These are their findigs:
– resolution is high in the center but just average in the corner.
– chromatic aberrations are very low in the center but visible in the corner.
– Vignetting and Distortion are well controlled.
The lens doesn’t deliver a top quality results but the performance is well-balanced and if you consider the price it’s actually a very good lens for the money.
The lens can be purchased in many stores like for example here on [shoplink 47166 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
23 Responses
save yourself time and Panny 14-140 II, outstanding optics up there with the best of primes. A true engineering marvel.
Yeah, a true engineering marvel with shutter shock issue, not yet addressed yet on pretty much all pana bodies.
Then use the Oly 14-150mm lens which is also very good, especially if you are an Olympus user. For Panasonic users the, Panasonic lenses are the best, they all have distortion, aeration falloff etc corrections on the camera + DFD from GH4 up and next.
This Tamron is an over overpriced lens from a third party manufacturer. They must priced it half of that if they what to sell any.
But they will figure this in the end, because the where greedy.
It’s priced at £389 in the UK, around £100 less than the Panasonic/Olympus versions, this price will drop some as it’s only just come into stock.
Seems reasonable to me.
To me it dos not seem so, other feel the same.
I am contemplating this lens but would love some advice. Im a new oly user with a EM1 and the F2.8 kit lens. Would love an all-in-one lens for travel purposes. Can anyone say why I shouldnt buy this (im a novice). I had a play with one in the weekend and my impresions were as follows.
1) Build better than the Oly and about the same as the pana (metal construction)
2) Zoom is very smooth and AF was about the same as the pana
3) Optical quality better than the oly but not as good as the pana
4) 15% cheaper than the panasonic
So since I have in body IS i dont really see the reason to spend extra dollars on the pana. The pana does have a better MOD but I think I can live with it.
Looking forward to your opinions
I couldnt agree more… the Panny 14-140 ii is my favourite lens… outstanding rendition & so compact.. i have all the fast primes but this is a real beauty.
I love mine – it’s my no.1 goto lens – but “optics up there with the best of primes” sounds over the top. do you have any reviews/links to substantiate this? All reviews I read thus far say it was a small but not-negligible improvement over the first version and Oly 14-150 optically. But none suggested anything like being in prime territory.
A true marketing marvel, to be sure… Value is for the dump, as usual.
Mm. I’m so not a fan of the shiny plastic look. Makes the system look like the toy that critics are always calling it. Why can’t anyone in m43 land design robust-looking lenses.
Want real lenses? Try these.
http://voigtlaender.com/
Amen! 🙂
Why did they cop out with the umlaut in that URL? Disappointed.
Lol….Like the EM1 is a good looking camera. Maybe its the most ugly camera ever made. EM5 looks better but remains a toy camera for PS lovers.
Shut up, Chris.
oly 12-40 looks pretty manly in person. lots of metal and ridged surfaces.
For $800 Canadian on eBay, no, that’s damn poor value for money, IMHO.
Ok it is not like the Purists say a “Real Lens” – it is a zoom lens and most know that there will be some compromises compared to a Prime Lens – but then it is not a single focal length lens –
Yes there are better lenses out there that also cost a lot more – I do not think it is fair to compare it to the Leica 42.5 F1.2 lens – so lets talk about direct competition that is in the price range –
the Panasonic 14-150 model comes to mind – and yes it is a zoom with a similar focal range and light gathering and it does have AF –
I do have the APS-C counterpart of the Tamron – the Emount – as well as the Pansonic 14-150
To me all three are quite similar in IQ – the older Panasonic 14-150 is a lot heavier and starts at F4.0 – and so heavy I would not recommend it – defeats the purpose of M43 and not for sale in most places anyway –
There is a $200 price difference the Tamron being cheaper – so I think it is a point of you get what you pay for – the Panasonic to me is build better and has a better manual zoom movement – I think the Panasonic might also be a bit better/faster in AF –
I have had issues with my Tamron on my NEX5n/NEX7 bodies, especially the NEX7 where the camera will freeze – I have not experienced that with any other lens I have and I have many –
I did even send it back to Tamron – twice with them giving me a brand new one – and same issue – I have latest firmware on both NEX’s and same issue does not happen with any other lenses on the NEX’s – so not sure if problem lays with Sony or Tamron as far as marrying them together –
The 14-150 focal range is very attractive and gives the ability to not have to change lenses or have more than one body – but with of course compromise, although in good light nothing much that cannot be corrected in software –
Of course it is not an F2.8 zoom so will not be as practical in lower light –
I would personaly opt for the Panasonic 14-150 with a better built and a bit faster AF and with built in IS – as one with a Olympus body could opt for the Olympus 14-150 which is around $600 like the Tamron still and lighter but has no IS – Personally I think the Panasonic has the best IQ and AF of the three – but if money is tight or one has an Olympus then the Olympus makes most sense. So not sure why Tamron finally came out with this lens as we already have two other two choice from – would have been nice to see them come out with a 7-14mm competitor
outstanding optics up there with the best of primes. A true engineering marvel.
http://radyabkhodro.net/
Spam!
Unfortunately, it was to be expected: another weak lens for a zoom range that would deserve something better, the more so since the Panasonic and Olympus MFT superzooms aren’t really good, either. As things are, I will have to keep my Panasonic/Leica 14-150mm FT superzoom when I make the switch to the E-M1. I’d gladly change to a smaller superzoom, too, but not if I have to sacrifice image quality.
Review of the lens in finnish.
http://sulantoblog.fi/tamron-14-150-mm-f3-5-5-6-di-iii-mft-kokeilussa/
Seems to consider it better than panasonic and olympus super zoom.
Pros/cons:
+ Small size, build quality, image quality
– Sometimes AF misses, smallish apertures
Better to wait for a comparison review against the olympus and panasonic offerings. Especially with vignetting and sharpness.
The 14-150 from Olympus has high vignetting on both ends of the zoom range, just like the 40-150 from Olympus. I see this immediately on my photo’s.