In January of 2020, I published our Tamron 35mm f1.4 lens review. This lens is perhaps one of the absolute most unfortunate launches that I’ve ever seen in my career. It was a lens designed to be used with DSLRs — specifically Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. And honestly, it outperformed so many other 35mm f1.4 lenses on the market at the time. Believe me, I review tons of lenses and I’d still make a claim that the Phoblographer has reviewed the most lenses of any standing publication. Our industry is now at a point where when I get a lens in for review I’d say somethjing like, “Well, it’s a lens and it does its job.” But the Tamron 35mm f1.4 wasn’t just any lens.
At the time, this lens was truly something special and unique. It boasted really nice bokeh, saturated colors that embraced what digital photography really was, and had something even a bit more special. Every time I look back at images I made with that lens, it seems like the photographs almost look like they’re from a medium format camera of some sort. But they’re not. I shot it with the Canon EOS R which had such beautiful output partially due to the fact that it was the same sensor as the 5D Mk IV.
My only problem really with the lens is that it was made for DSLRs in a time when mirrorless was firmly the platform to be on, and that it lacked image stabilization. Truly, that latter problem isn’t one that I’d truly write with my heart. I believe that photographers should learn how to handhold a camera and lens for better stabilization rather than just relying on the technology. Sure, there are folks with conditions where that’s not really possible. But those folks are probably also using tripods instead.
Still when I look back at the output from this lens, I’m in awe of the color output. And only now that I’ve had so much distance from it can I really say what it was. This lens was capable of delivering images that looked like the older Kodak Ektachrome I loved so much. The newer emulsion doesn’t quite do it for me.
I wish Tamron would make this lens for mirrorless cameras today. But in the meantime, you can buy it for a very good price.