Quick report about this lens : I paid 365€ for the lens new, with the goal to replace my 14-42 kit lens with something better, plus I always wanted a huge zoom. So this lens is lighweight, with huge zoom range, very well made with metal and high quality plastics construction. On the other hand it's not fast not stabilised (!) flares quite a bit, and not super sharp at 150mm. But this paired whith a 20mm f1.7 will make a very good travel combo.
Picture samples soc GH3:
Maximum zoom range in video with ex tele mode :
So far so good, i'll put it to test next week in korea ;)
Test footage, I really like this lens, I had my samyangs and 20mm in the bag but did not even think about getting them out! Olympus users, for the price I would not hesitate. For panasonic users the lack of stabilisation is quite an issue, it is quite hard to get good footage without some kind of stabilisation dervice.
Available for $460 at
3 month review and samples update. I used this lens on and off, I was really close to selling it at some point because of : -Speed -Lack of IS But then there is not many alternatives, especially in this price range. This lens is very well built, compact, quite sharp and has good AF performance on my GH3 (much better than my 20mmf1.7). I would like to compare it to a Panasonic 14-140 IS...
As I also got myself a "big boy" oldie Tokina atx-pro 80-200 f2.8 and I have been runing some tests of course : -at 150mm f5.6 the tamron is much sharper, more contrast and punchy colors but has also a lot more vignette. -at F8 things even out with maybe a little more sharpness from the Tokina but still better colors from the Tamron.
Comparaison : https://flic.kr/p/uxnkNb
F5.6 Tamron https://flic.kr/p/uzUMR4 Tokina https://flic.kr/p/uxnns3
F8 Tamron https://flic.kr/p/ui6B7A Tokina https://flic.kr/p/uzG568
Overall for a lightweight kit, the Tamron and the pana 20mm does it all. As I sad before, this lens is perfect for Olympus users with the IBIS!
Hi! Could you please tell me, if the focus system is mechanical i.e. usable for repeatable follow focus operations?
Thanks!
Nope, all electronic focus by wire and it sucks for video or even serious photo manual work: -Different focus sensibility for different focal length -non repeatable movement -no stops -super sensitive at long focals
But all around this lens is quite good, and a real no brainer on a olympus (after 6months of ownership)
Allright. Thank you for your quick reply. I stumbled on one store which offered this lens as a kit with a GH4 for a reasonable price, so I had to ask.
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