The Phoblographer

When we reviewed the Panasonic S5 a while back, we were genuinely surprised. We didn’t think Panasonic knew how to make a smaller full-frame camera. But in truth, they did it. In fact, they made it smaller than the Panasonic GH5. And now, it’s enjoying a solid rebate of $300 off. This rebate lasts only until December 4th, so you’ll have to act soon. The Panasonic S5 is incredibly well weather-sealed and also the only full-frame camera with Live Composite built-in. That means it’s also legitimately one of the best full-frame cameras for astrophotography. In fact, you should dive into our review to see for yourself.

The Phoblographer’s Cheap Photo deals posts are designed to focus on giving you some of the best deals on photography gear we find. We spend a literal business day sometimes researching the most attractive camera deals, lens price drops, and all other sales we can find. Some of the gear is brand. But other times we’ll serve you used or refurbished products at good prices. Our Cheap Photo deals are different from the Phoblographer’s thoroughly researched Feature Roundups. If we’ve tested a unit, we may link to our reviews and coverage in our Cheap Photo roundups. With our feature roundups, we’re guaranteed to have used the product — often exhaustively. The site may receive affiliate commission payments if you make a purchase. These help us keep the staff fairly compensated, the server bill paid, and us continually delivering content.

Trust me when I say that I can finally breathe a sigh of relief for a very large project that we’ve been working on. And today, we’re announcing the brand new Phoblographer app on iOS, iPadOS, and Android. On there, we’re showcasing a pivotal step in the future of our organization. We’ve been listening to readers, and carefully incorporating your feedback into this design. Plus, there’s even more to come!

You can view this article and much more with minimal ads in our brand new app for iOS, iPadOS, and Android.

The new Phoblographer app does a bunch of great things that our current website doesn’t.

You’ll get the search bar, something that our current mobile website doesn’t have.

Minimal banner ads. We know you hate them, but it helps the site pay ethical and fair wages. A more robust, completely banner ad-free membership program is coming for a minimal payment.

Folks who’ve been complaining about how our website renders on tablets now have a viable way of taking in the content. We think you’ll really enjoy it.

Push notifications letting you know about some of our popular and latest stories.

A smooth, and incredibly speedy interface

All the educational content, product recommendations, opinions, reviews, and photographer spotlights you want in one spot.

Simple navigation at various points on the app’s interface.

Swipe through stories with ease!

Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

Most of the site’s audience read our content on mobile. And so this is where we’re focusing most of the attention. That’s been the trend for the past few years; and it just makes sense. Sometimes you don’t want to read our website on your work computer. And in the pandemic, a lot of people got burned out ooking at a desktop screen all day. So focusing this evolution on mobile is the obvious choice for us. Our desktop website will be seeing a few changes in the future. But for the most part, we’d like you to curl up with your favorite beverage, a pastry, and treat yourself to our better interface through the app.

Go download the brand new Phoblographer app on iOS, iPadOS, and Android. We’ve been working on this for a long time, and we think you’re really going to like it.

We’re streaming daily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and Spotify!

Two years after bursting into the Full Frame mirrorless market, Nikon is polishing its first draft with a second generation. At first glance, the Nikon Z6 II is a look-alike of the original mid-range mirrorless. But, Nikon is making some important strides towards addressing the wish list that the first didn’t quite fulfill. The Nikon Z6 II adds dual card slots and improves the autofocus. It even adds dual processors for a faster burst mode and larger buffer.

A Nikonian myself for more than a decade, I eagerly tested out that first-generation and loved the sharp images and lightweight design. But I actually bought the D850, one of Nikon’s top DSLRs, after the Z6 and Z7 were announced. As a wedding photographer, I didn’t have enough confidence in the low light autofocus to take the camera out on a dance floor. Now, Nikon has put some effort into enhancing that autofocus, but, is it enough, or too little too late?

Editor’s Note: We’ve updated this post as of November 2021.

Table of Contents

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Gear Used

Nikon Z6 II Tech Specs

Ergonomics

Nikon Z6 II Build Quality

Ease of Use

Learning Curve

Speed

Stabilization

Autofocus

Metering

Image Quality

JPEGs

RAW File Versatility

High ISO Output

Extra Image Samples – JPEG

Extra Image Samples – Edited RAW

Conclusions

Likes

Dislikes

Pros and Cons

Pros

Solid image quality

Fast shooting with dual processors

Dual card slots

New AF modes

Image stabilization

Better, but not perfect, low light autofocus

Cons

Autofocus is better but slower than the competition

No light-up buttons

Front exposure dial easy to bump

Gear Used

I used the Nikon Z6 II with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f2.8 lens. I also carried the camera with the new Wandrd Sling and Wandrd Wrist straps.

Nikon Z6 II Tech Specs

Adapted from Adorama’s list of specifications:

Sensor: 24.5 MP full frame CMOS

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis

ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 204800)

Continuous Shooting: Up to 14 fps at 24.5 MP for up to 124 Frames in 12-bit RAW and single point AF, or 10 fps with 14-bit RAW

Video Recording Modes: H.264/MOV/MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit; UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p; Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p

Autofocus Points: Phase Detection: 273

Viewfinder Type: Electronic, 0.5”, 3,690,000 Dot, Approx. 0.8x magnification

Monitor: 3.2,” 2,100,000 Dot, Tilting Touchscreen LCD

Built-In Flash: No

Maximum Sync Speed: 1/200 Second

Dual Memory Card Slots: CFexpress Type B / XQD and SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)

Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Battery: 1x EN-EL15c Rechargeable Lithium-Ion

Dimensions: 5.3 x 4 x 2.8″ (134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm)

Weight: 1.4 lbs.

Ergonomics

Little has changed on the body from the first generation to the second except for the much-needed move to two card slots. As a photographer accustomed to working with Nikon’s DSLRs, I love the camera’s look and feel overall. But, there are a few tweaks I would have loved to see.

Weighing 20.7 ounces, the Z6 II offers less real estate for physical controls compared to a DSLR. But, for the most part, Nikon made the right choices fitting most options in. The camera’s top still houses a secondary LCD screen, a mode dial, and dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, ISO, and video. The body lacks a built-in flash, but hot shoe flashes are the better option anyway.

Despite the smaller size, the grip is still fairly substantial. Two control wheels flank the front and back of the grip. Two function buttons sit near the lens mount, within easy reach of that grip, at the front of the camera.

The grip is comfortable for a mirrorless camera. But, the exposure dial up top gave me some trouble. The grip isn’t quite as tall as the one on my D850. And the curve that keeps my middle finger underneath the control wheel isn’t as substantial. Those two issues made it easy to turn the dial without realizing it. With gloves on, ...

On this week’s episode of Inside The Photographer’s Mind, we’re joined by the founder of Black Women Photographers, Polly Irungu.

Polly came on the show to discuss the rapid rise of the organization, one that currently has over 1000 active members. It’s helping photographers get paid work and also funding them to pursue their careers. Listen about it and more on this week’s show.

Links:

https://www.thephoblographer.com/

Poly Irungu

https://blackwomenphotographers.com/

https://www.pollyirungu.com/

Tamron has cranked up the innovation game really high this time around. The Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD does so much that I’m sure other brands will need to study it. While Sigma creates the same things and fumbles around with anything but image quality, Tamron is killing it. This is the world’s only 35-150mm that starts at f2 and ends at f2.8. It’s weather-sealed, and so too is the USB port built into it for updating the firmware. If you’re a Sony shooter, this could honestly be the only lens you need in your camera bag. This statement is coming from a long-time “prime lens only” photographer. Tamron is seriously making me think differently here.

Editor’s Note: A little while back, we did some sponsored content that involved this lens. Here’s a link to that exact piece. However, this article is our independent review. We’ve used some images from the sponsored shoot that we did because, well, they’re lovely photos! No expenses were paid for by Tamron. And again, this review is not sponsored in any way or form. Our words here reflect authentic thoughts. For what it’s worth, this genuinely is one of the most innovative lenses on the market. This article is also being written by the founder and Editor in Chief of this website. Advertisers know they’re not allowed to touch our reviews, except for factual inaccuracies. For the record, we’re rarely wrong.

Table of Contents

Too Long, Didn’t Read

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Gear Used

Tech Specs

Innovations

Ergonomics

Build Quality

Ease of Use

Autofocus

Image Quality

Bokeh

Color Rendition

Lens Character

Sharpness

Extra Image Samples

Unedited

Edited

Conclusions

Likes

Dislikes

Too Long, Didn’t Read

When you first hold the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD, you realize that it’s the most solid lens they’ve made for mirrorless cameras so far. It focuses incredibly fast and offers innovations that other lenses really don’t. This is a perfect lens for anyone that shoots portraits, events, landscapes, photojournalism, etc. If you’re a working photographer shooting with Sony, this is arguably the only lens you need.

When you first hold the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD, you realize it’s the most solid lens they’ve made for mirrorless cameras so far. It focuses incredibly fast and offers innovations that other lenses don’t. This is a perfect lens for anyone who shoots portraits, events, landscapes, photojournalism, etc. If you’re a working photographer shooting with Sony, this is arguably the only lens you need.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Beautiful image quality

Works with Sony’s autofocus algorithms on the Sony a1

Weather sealing

One of Tamron’s most solidly built lenses to date

One of Tamron’s most solidly built lenses to date.

Integrated USB port

Lightweight for what this is; a very innovative lens

Feels great in the hands

F2 aperture to start is nice!

Works very well on older Sony cameras if you’re on the appropriate autofocusing type.

Works very well on older Sony cameras if you’re using the appropriate autofocusing type

Can do pretty well in continuous autofocus

I adore that this isn’t one of Tamron’s sharpest lenses because it means that I don’t have to spend a ton of time retouching every pore out.

I adore that this isn’t one of Tamron’s sharpest lenses because it means that I don’t have to spend a ton of time retouching every pore

$1,899 isn’t too bad of a price.

$1,899 isn’t too bad of a price

Cons

Slower to focus on moving subjects with the a7r III, but not by much. It’s noticeable if you’re a seasoned and trained reviewer. Make sure you’re using the appropriate focusing type.

A tad heavy.

A tad heavy

Someone is bound to complain about the lack of image stabilization. But I’d argue to hold the damn lens correctly in the first place and control their breathing.

Someone is bound to complain about the lack of image stabilization. But I’d argue with them to hold the damn lens correctly in the first place and control their breathing.

Gear Used

We tested the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III ...

The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD could be the best lens for APS-C cameras ever made.

When the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD was announced, I immediately questioned the name. Why would you have such a long name? No one will remember it! And it’s terrible for SEO! But that aside, it proved to be a fantastic lens. I’m inclined to call it the best lens Tamron or anyone has made for APS-C cameras. Inspired by their old 28-105mm f2.8 for DSLRs, this lens takes things further. In fact, I’d argue that it’s the only lens you need for APS-C Sony E mount cameras. And I really, really hope that can bring it to Fujifilm and others. Before you go on, know that this is the best lens you can get for APS-C cameras.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Small

Weather sealed

Under $1,000

Image stabilized

Basically a 24-105mm at f2.8

Lightweight

Cons

Tamron is a beautiful diamond being wasted on the sad Ringpop that is the Sony APS-C camera system.

What’s Innovative About This?

The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is the full-frame equivalent of a 26-105mm f2.8 lens. The depth of field will be around f4.2 in full-frame too. But the light gathering and true aperture will still be f2.8. This is the first time we’ve ever gotten a lens like this. Add onto all this the vibration compensation, sharp optics, and weather sealing features. Then realize that it’s under $1,000. To me, this sounds like a no-brainer.

It’s a truly usable large range that photographers can use with confidence every day. Sigma has their 18-35mm f1.8 lens, but it’s not as useable a range as this Tamron offering. For what it’s worth, I think this lens is wasted on E Mount. Everyone fawns over the company’s full-frame cameras. It would be much better suited to the Fujifilm X series. It could also even make the Nikon Z50 seem more useful.

Gear Used

We tested the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD on the Sony a6600. We also used it with Profoto lighting.

Tech Specs

Specs are taken from AlphaShooters

Lens construction: 16 elements in 12 groupsAngle of view (APS-C): 79゜55′-23゜00′Number of diaphragm blades: 9（Rounded diaphragm）Minimum aperture: F22Minimum focusing distance: 0.19m (7.5 in) (WIDE) / 0.39m (15.4 in) (TELE)Maximum magnification ratio: 1:4.8 (WIDE) / 1:5.2 (TELE)Filter size: φ67mmDiameter: 74.6mmLength: 119.3mm (4.7 in)Weight: 525g (18.5oz)Accessories: Flower-shaped hood, Lens caps included

Ergonomics

The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a moderately sized lens. I say this because it depends a lot on the situation you’re in. But overall, it’s simple to use thanks to the construction. You can see above that the only controls are a large zoom ring and a small focusing ring.

The exterior is made of plastic. However, the lens doesn’t feel like a bad, plasticky lens. It’s a ways better than anything Rokinon has made.

When fully zoomed in, the lens also doesn’t become much larger than it is. And that’s really great for real-life use. Of course, that also means that it isn’t an internally zooming lens.

Build Quality

Make no mistake; the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a massive lens for an APS-C camera. But overall, it’s still smaller than a Canon 50mm f1.2 RF prime lens. It’s also far lighter. The lens is built solidly. It’s a plastic body that doesn’t feel cheap at all. Tamron is a specialist at constructing lenses like this. There are also nice rubber rings for grip.

Of course, this lens is also weather-resistant. We’re confident that it will outlast the Sony bodies it was designed for. Overall, this lens is built to be the only one you need. It’s lightweight and fairly small. Stuff it into a camera bag slot, and you’ll be good to go.

Again, Tamron has built one of the most perfect lenses for APS-C cameras. It’s again a shame it’s being wasted on a format that I don’t think sees its future in APS-C.

Ease of Use

Slap the lens on the camera, point, focus, and shoot. That’s all there is to it. The lens has vibration compensation built-in, which translates into better ...

If you’re like me, you’re infatuated with Leica cameras and lenses. They’ve got something completely different that the rest of the industry doesn’t have. And if you shoot with one consistently, it will change the way you approach subjects and scenes. With that said, we’ve reviewed a ton of Leica M lenses. So we dove into our Reviews Index to find some of the most popular. And lucky for you, we’ve reviewed them! Check this out!

This piece is presented in partnership with Leica. We’ve independently and ethically reviewed all the products in this round-up already without sponsorship. And we worked with them to recommend a few key gems to you.

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear that we’ve fully reviewed. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Pro Tips on Using Popular Leica Lenses

Here are some pro tips on using the most popular Leica lenses:

The most popular Leica lenses are M-mount, obviously. They’re some of the most unique lens offerings on the current photography market.

The great thing about these lenses is the metal build quality, small size, and light weight. Coupled with a rangefinder, they’ll be wonderful as they’re not too large.

Give these lenses more life by using an adapter to put them on something like the Leica SL2-S.

Zone focusing is key with the most popular Leica lenses. Give it a try. You’ll see it can outdo most autofocus performance on the market.

When in doubt, shoot at 5 feet away at f8 and just be there.

Leica 35mm f2 Summicron-M ASPH

Tech Specs

Diagonal angle of view: 63 °

Working range: 0.7 m to infinity

Biggest scale: 1: 17.4

Number of lenses/groups: 7/5

Length 1: 35.7 mm

Weight 1: 252 g

Lens hood: can be screwed on

Filter/filter thread: E39

Made in Portugal

In our review, we state:

“With the Leica 35mm f2 ASPH Summicron, you’re getting solid image quality for a pretty affordable Leica price point. For the photographer that is bound to stop the lens down and use it anywhere at around f5.6 or so, you’re going to get solid results consistently.”

Buy Now

Leica 50mm f2 Summicron-M ASPH

Tech Specs

Diagonal picture angle: 47 °

Working range: 0.7 m to infinity

Largest scale: 1: 11.5

Number of lenses/groups: 6/4

Length 1: 43.5 mm

Weight 1: 240g

Lens hood: Pull-out

Filter/filter thread: E39

Made in Germany

In our review, we state:

“The Leica 50mm f2 Summicron M is a stunning beauty in the image quality department. If you’re a pixel peeper, you’ll probably be impressed here. But honestly, this site was designed for folks who don’t pixel peep. Instead, you’ll appreciate how sharp it is without using tricks like contrast or saturation to make it appear sharper than it really is. Sharpness isn’t everything, though. The bokeh is smooth. The colors are beautiful. And, of course, there’s lens character.”

Buy Now

Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Tech Specs

Diagonal angle of view: 63 °

Working range: 0.7 m to infinity

Biggest scale: 1: 17.4

Number of lenses/groups: 9/5

Length 1: 46 mm

Weight 1: 320g

Lens hood: can be screwed on

Filter/filter thread: E46

Made in Germany

In our review, we state:

“The Leica 35mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH is beautiful in so many ways. The contrast isn’t that high, but the colors are very saturated, so it might seem otherwise. The lens is sharp overall. Plus, there’s nice bokeh. It’s hard to find a flaw with the image quality from this lens.”

Buy Now

Since using their 200mm years ago, I’ve always wished for better lenses for nature and landscape photography with Fujifilm cameras. And luckily, the pandemic gave them to us. People were stuck inside or socially distancing. Birding, landscape photography, and nature photography became popular. Passionate photographers took up these wonderful lenses and shot photos. If you’re looking to go for a hike or heading out to the woods, the new Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD could be the perfect lens for you.

This piece is presented in partnership with Tamron. We’ve independently and ethically reviewed all the products in this post already without sponsorship. And we worked with them to recommend a few key gems to you.

Table of Contents

The Tech Specs

The Magic of Velvia and Classic Chrome

Easy Landscape Photography for Fujifilm Cameras

Birding? Insects? Nature Photography is Very Possible!

Birding? Insects? Nature Photography Is Very Possible!

The Tech Specs

Tamron lists the following specifications for the 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III:

Model: B061

Focal Length: 18-300mm

Maximum Aperture: F3.5-6.3

Angle of View: (diagonal) 77°24′- 5°30’ (for APS-C frame mirrorless format)

Optical Construction: 19 elements in 15 groups

Minimum Object Distance: 0.15m (5.9 in) (WIDE) / 0.99m (39 in) (TELE)

Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2 (WIDE) / 1:4 (TELE)

Filter Size: φ67mm

Maximum Diameter: φ75.5mm

Length: 125.6mm / 4.9 in (Sony); 125.8mm / 5 in (FUJIFILM)

Weight: 620g / 21.9 oz (Sony / FUJIFILM)

Aperture Blades: 7 (circular diaphragm)

Minimum Aperture F22-40

Standard Accessory Flower-shaped hood, Lens caps

Mount: Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X-mount

$699

For lots of photographers, the Fujifilm X-series isn’t really what you’d think of for nature and landscapes. But the new Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD changes that. Going on a hike? Well, you’ve got a lens that can do everything. Want to photograph birds? Well, we did it with this lens. But this lens was also positively incredible to photograph fall landscapes with.

The Magic of Velvia and Classic Chrome

“Do it in post-production” is what they all say. But we say no! During the pandemic, we all spent more than enough of our lives in front of computers in zoom meetings and looking at spreadsheets. Why do we have to continue? Why can’t we just enjoy what the cameras give us instead? Well, the Fujifilm system perfectly embodies that philosophy. So let’s think about this. What were those wonderful photos that you’ve seen in all the magazines shot on? A lot of them were probably Velvia or a Chrome film of some sort.

So why not combine the Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD with the Classic Chrome and Velvia film simulations? It worked for us, and we loved what the combo did together!

Easy Landscape Photography for Fujifilm Cameras

With the Fujifilm camera system, you’re inclined to want to use prime lenses. But a zoom is incredibly handy. This lens is seriously one of the best zoom lenses (if not the best) we’ve used for Fuji. Always remember that you’re going to end up stopping the lens down and you don’t always need to shoot wide. If you shoot wide, go for a different angle. And otherwise, use the 16.6X focal length range on the Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD as a composition tool.

Of course, Fujifilm has some good zoom lenses. But there’s nothing with the utility of the Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD at all. Here are some tips:

Shoot in Velvia mode and don’t look back.

Try to find abstract things to photograph.

Look for contrasty light. Lots of landscape photography is low-contrast, and therefore HDR. But with Tamron lenses, the colors are so vivid and contrasty. You’ve got an opportunity to embrace something totally different.

There’s nothing wrong with backlighting your subjects. Typically you’d sometimes nerf the highlights. But the Fujifilm system has a Color Chrome Blue FX setting that emphasizes the blues in just such a situation. Plus you can also increas...

There are a bunch of options when it comes to choosing a Sony FE 85mm Lens. In fact, there are more options than ever before. You can use them for portrait photography, street photography, sports, etc. Passionate photographers can reach for a higher end, premium lens or something a tad more mediocre. It all depends on your budget. Check out our guide to choosing a Sony FE 85mm Lens. And if you’re inclined, also take a look at our Sony FE Lens Guide and our Reviews Index.

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Table of Contents

Pro Tips on Selecting the Right Sony FE 85mm Lens

Rokinon 85mm f1.4 AF FE

Sony 85mm f1.8 FE

Sony Zeiss 85mm f1.8 Batis

Zeiss 85mm f2.4 Loxia

Sony 85mm f1.4 G Master

Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art

Pro Tips on Selecting the Right Sony FE 85mm Lens

Here are some pro tips on getting the perfect Sony FE 85mm Lens:

Editor in Chief Chris Gampat owns the 85mm f1.8. For him, it’s the perfect balance. He reasons that no one will be able to tell the difference between that lens, the G Master, and the others out there.

Photographing people? Well, a Sony FE 85mm lens should be used with face detection, which makes it so much simpler.

The 85mm focal length is surprisingly good for street photography.

The Sony FE 85mm Lens, no matter which one, is pretty clinical. So if you want something with more character, consider the variety of other options out there.

Rokinon 85mm f1.4 AF FE

In our review, we said:

“The Rokinon 85mm f1.4 AF FE really excels in terms of image quality. Where Sony produces a very saturated look, the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 AF FE somehow or another is muted but still gorgeous.”

Buy now: $599

Sony 85mm f1.8 FE

In our review, we said:

“It’s sharp, has less saturated colors (only the Loxia is less saturated than this), focuses pretty well with most cameras (the Batis is fastest) and it has weather resistance. But it’s also small and offered at a pretty affordable price point.”

Buy now: $598

Sony Zeiss 85mm f1.8 Batis

In our review, we said:

“There isn’t a single major problem with this lens, and it shares characteristics with many others out there (with the exception of the Zeiss 135mm f2 which has Micro Contrast). You won’t be as excited about the images straight out of the camera, but this lens will help set you up for beautiful photos that your clients will really fall for.“

Buy now: $1,199

Zeiss 85mm f2.4 Loxia

Inour review, we said:

“While still being sharp and contrasty, the Zeiss 85mm f2.4 Loxia lens enjoys fantastic image quality with wonderful focus falloff, great bokeh, sharpness, etc. Plus it’s got great color. You can’t beat it if you’re going for a different look with an 85mm equivalent lens.”

Buy now: $874.95

Sony 85mm f1.4 G Master

In our review, we said:

“This lens has fantastic sharpness, class-leading bokeh, good construction, weather sealing, fast autofocus performance, and lots to offer the high-end Sony shooter. You couldn’t honestly ask for anything more.”

Buy now: $1,798

Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art

In our review, we said:

“The Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art offers tremendous value for just $1,199. It retains the excellent image quality of its predecessor while addressing many of its shortcomings. It’s smaller, lighter, and features markedly improved autofocus performance. In fact, this lens performs on par with the highly-rated Sony 85mm G Master.”

Buy now: $1,149

I’ve been a Fuji shooter for a long time. In fact, the X series system is teetering on being a decade old. For years, the staff and I have far preferred their prime lenses. And from what we know of the lenses you folks buy, so have you! But this year, things changed. A lens came out for Fujifilm that majorly altered things. The Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD arrived and things changed a lot. Now, Fujifilm users have a fantastic, all-in-one lens that can do everything they need. Taking a vacation soon? Well, you might want to have a look at the perfect zoom lens for Fujifilm cameras.

This piece is presented in partnership with TAMRON. We’ve independently and ethically reviewed all the products in this post already without sponsorship. And we worked with them to recommend a few key gems to you.

The Stats

Here are some important tech specs from our review:

Model: B061

Focal Length: 18-300mm

Maximum Aperture: F3.5-6.3

Angle of View: (diagonal) 77°24′- 5°30’ (for APS-C frame mirrorless format)

Optical Construction: 19 elements in 15 groups

Minimum Object Distance: 0.15m (5.9 in) (WIDE) / 0.99m (39 in) (TELE)

Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2 (WIDE) / 1:4 (TELE)

Filter Size: φ67mm

Maximum Diameter: φ75.5mm

Length: 125.6mm / 4.9 in (Sony); 125.8mm / 5 in (FUJIFILM)

Weight: 620g / 21.9 oz (Sony / FUJIFILM)

Aperture Blades: 7 (circular diaphragm)

Minimum Aperture F22-40

Standard Accessory Flower-shaped hood, Lens caps

Mount: Sony E-mount, FUJIFILM X-mount

$699

Let’s face it; Fujifilm photographers are pretty discerning. For the most part, they have a lot of experience in photography. They care about retro aesthetics. And best of all, they can create a great photo with anything you put in their hands. Folks that scoff at all-in-one lenses these days are making excuses or arguing a moot point. As cameras have gotten better, so too have lenses. And in this lens body, Tamron made a 28-450mm lens equivalent. Plus, there’s vibration compensation to cater to your shaking hands. And if you plan on traveling this winter, you’ll need it.

Specifically, if you’re a Fujifilm X Pro series camera user, you’ll probably really adore the new Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD. It’s fast, accurate, weather-sealed, and provides loads of image stabilization. In fact, we like it a lot on this camera body. The entire package is nice and small!

The Functional Range

The Fujifilm camera system took a major step forward with the introduction of this lens. They’ve had a few zoom lenses, but other reviewers and I agree they lacked magic. The feeling of them is surely great. But the new Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is something different. It doesn’t necessarily feel like a prime lens, but it’s just as lightweight while being weather-sealed. Most of all, it’s fairly small. We’ve stuffed it into smaller camera bags with ease.

Do you Photowalk often? Well, this is a lens that lets you shoot day to night with little issue. At slower apertures, you can rely on the image stabilization. When you’re walking around, you can shoot with ease and the reassurance that you’re going to get the shot. Raise your ISO all you’d like. After all, this is Fujifilm! Embrace the film simulations and you’ll fall in love with the convenient range.

To prove this, I took the Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD out at night in NYC. After the pandemic, I decided it was the perfect time to be a winter tourist in my own city. There’s so much this can offer:

Capture a photo of your NY hot dog

Iconic buildings and architecture are no challenge

Street photography is amazingly easy

Neon colors will pop when using the right Fujifilm Film simulation

Handheld long exposures

Selfies never looked better!

Acros, Astia, Classic Chrome, and Classic Negative will tug at your heart’s strings.

Let’s dive in further!

Over One-Second Exposures Handheld? Yes, Please!

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