Zoom Lens Review

Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8: The One Zoom That Might Replace Half Your Bag
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Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8: The One Zoom That Might Replace Half Your Bag

I have a spreadsheet. It has every budget and mid-range lens I’ve tested going back three years, with columns for sharpness, bokeh quality, autofocus speed, filter size, and whether I’d actually buy it again. Most lenses end up somewhere in the “solid but forgettable” category. Every once in a while one shows up that makes me rethink a whole column. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is one of those lenses, and not in an obvious way.

The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Is the One Lens I'd Tell APS-C Shooters to Buy First
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The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Is the One Lens I'd Tell APS-C Shooters to Buy First

I’ve tested a lot of lenses in the sub-$500 range. I keep a running spreadsheet, which yes, my friends think is unhinged, but it’s saved me from buying garbage more times than I can count. The question I get most often from newer shooters is some version of: “What’s the one lens I should own?” It’s a fair question, and for APS-C users it’s actually answerable. The problem is that most “do-it-all” zoom lenses either sacrifice aperture or image quality to hit a price point, and you end up with something that’s fine but never great.