Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Lens for Nikon F Mount Test Results

DxOMark published their test results for the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD standart prime lens for Nikon F mount which is currently priced for $599 – Amazon | B&H | Adorama.

Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD test results shows the lens score of 41 points and showed exceptional performance on Nikon DSLRs. The lens tested on the 36-megapixel full-frame Nikon D810 DSLR camera.

According to DxOMark test, the lens has very high sharpness even wide open, and with only minor field curvature, it is sharp right out to the corners. Stopping down only slightly improves sharpness in the centers, with most gains made in the outer field. See the test result below:

Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens for Nikon F mount tested at DxOMark: “serious contender”

Against the high-speed Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM Art, the new Tamron performs at a similar level, but bear in mind that the Sigma is a faster f/1.4 lens and carries a $300 or so premium. Still, from the initial aperture through to f/4, the Tamron is ahead in sharpness, at least from mid-field to the corners on account of the Sigma’s slight astigmatism. The Sigma has slightly higher peak sharpness (at f/2.0), but it doesn’t match the Tamron for uniformity until f/8–f/11. Nikon’s relatively new 35mm f1.8 G ED is no slouch either, but it trails the Tamron wide-open in the outer zones with some field curvature and high levels of chromatic aberration. Stopped down, the Nikkor performs well, with sharpness practically matching the Tamron at every aperture; however, the performance is marred somewhat by a ring of chromatic aberration that persists through to f/16.

Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD  versus Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A versus Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED

From DxOMark conclusion:

The Tamron 35mm f1.8 comes close to matching the Sigma 35mm f1.4 in terms of sharpness, and even surpasses it in uniformity at wider apertures, and has lower distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration. At $600, it’s comfortably more accessible than the Sigma (although you do give up three-quarters of a T-stop); indeed, it’s around the same price as the Nikon 35mm f1.8G ED that it outperforms, particularly with regard to control of chromatic aberration. Add optical stabilization, and the Tamron looks like an attractive option.

The Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is a stabilised, moisture-resistant moderate wide-angle lens for full-frame SLR cameras, featuring a minimum focus distance of 0.2m and a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2.5. The optical formula comprises 10 elements in 9 groups, including two moulded glass aspherical elements, a low-dispersion and an extra-low-dispersion element; as well as an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades.