lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Apr 28, 2013 13:35:12 GMT -5
I liked Tamron many years ago, much preferred them to Sigma and the other 3rd party lenses. Then I sold all my SLR gear and went compact and eventually digital. Now, I'm finding a lot of cheap Tamron lenses, and appreciating just how good they were. the stabilization does need to be turned off when using a support, but my Pentax K10 doesn't seem to be quite as affected when I forget - which is frequently.
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen on Apr 28, 2013 14:10:40 GMT -5
The IS issue is not limited to the Tamron, I just tried my Leica Hektor F4.5, and the results are the same as Tamron, and the Tamron is just as sharp as the Leica, maybe a touch less contrast. These sharp prime lenses are reaching the resolution of the sensors, which after all have pixels that are larger on the 4/3 sized ones than more compact types. I am beginning to feel the same about 4/3 as half frame, wonderful idea but has it's limits. Cost is all that keeps me from a full frame digital, which in the end are the only ones that come anywhere near film results.
Stephen.
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Stephen
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Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Apr 28, 2013 16:15:53 GMT -5
I dragged out my old test target and film processing gear, and ran off a test of the Tamron on the Periflex, with a different adaptor to the Micro 4/3, alternating with the Hektor, and an Elmar F4.5, and a Russian 135mm f2.8.
Best was the Leica Hektor, but indistinguishable from the Tamron, except at full aperture, where the edge was softer by about 2% cording to the chart. The center was the same, or even better at f8.
The Elmar was softer at full and F8, by a distinct margin, and the Russian F2.8 the last. I have not got a Russian 135/3.5 to test, but they can be excellent if a bit variable. as usual with the USSR. The 2.8 is a bit soft all round.
In my opinion the Tamron out performs the Olympus sensor at F8, it has simply reached the limit of what can be resolved by the Olympus array. But if it fails on anything it is contrast, and that's down to age, when new, these must have a true bargain lens, crackling good performance at a budget price.
When I asked the seller on Ebay if it had the adaptors with it, he said no, it was to be sold as is, it had been destined for the rubbish bin unless it sold!!
Stephen.
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Stephen
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Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Apr 28, 2013 17:01:01 GMT -5
I think this test shot sums it up, it is from one of the tests, blown up to equivalent of about 5000mm+....the house front is 1.11 miles away, (measured by Google earth ruler). This is captured from Window's viewer, by screen grab, not blown up in Photoshop, and it's clearer that way, and it is clear it is at the limit of the Olympus Pen's sensor!! You can make out details inside the glass door way, even the Mirror lens at 1000mm failed to resolve this level of detail, and this is from a 50 year old cheap Japanese lens!! These results are astonishingly good. Stephen.
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Stephen
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Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Apr 28, 2013 17:19:33 GMT -5
Complete comparison shot of the detail against the shot, 1.11 miles away across the River Medway, and hand held at 600 IS0. Tomorrow I'll see if the Tamron 1.77 Tele converter can push it more to see into the porch, or I'll use a 2x times with the 1000mm equivalent Centon mirror! Strictly tripods by then. Stephen.
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Stephen
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Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Apr 29, 2013 10:20:52 GMT -5
The Tamron Converto lens continues to surprise, the shot is with the Tamron Converto teleconverter fitted, a 1.77x type, and it works very well indeed. The focus point is the radio mast in front of the row of houses. This unit is very different to a universal tele converter, it is designed only to function with the 135mm lens, giving 225mm, which is effectively 450mm. Very little fall off at the edges, but of course the real edges that cover a 35mm frame size, are lost to the 4/3 sensor, it is only viewing the centre, the best portion of the image. Stephen
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen on May 2, 2013 10:58:21 GMT -5
Out today at Gillingam, Kent, on the very windy River Medway, the approaches past the Napoleonic Defence Forts and Batteries to The Royal Naval Dockyard, now Medway Maritime Museum. Some shots with the Tamron Lens at 135mm and 225 with 1.77x adaptor, with Olypmpus PM-1 Digital. Reference shot on the Olympus PM-1 28mm equivalent(14mm), general view North along The Strand, towards Hoo village. View out towards the Isle of Grain with the Olympus Zoom lens. Shot with Tamrom 135mm at F8, a boat grounded at low tide on the tidal mudflats. The Napoleonic Fort Hoo is visible at the top, built to defend the approaches to The Royal Naval Dockyard, Chatham. The far bank is about .5 miles away. Same boat, 135mm F8, focused on the red bank marker. The same boat, Tamron 225mm Converto section added, F8.0, focus again on red bank marker. Stuck fast abandoned boat, in the mud flat, it is flooded at high water! 225mm Tamron, F8. Floating Crane at Hoo Islet port, Nr Hoo Fort, 225mm Tamron, F8, at approx .51 miles away. Old rotting Barges on the mud flats looki8ng towards Upchurch. Many were sunk during the war, filled with concrete as river defences, for the Royal Navy Dockyard. 135mm Tamron lens F.8, into the light. Same Medway barges, the view taken with 225mm Tamron Lens converter fitted. Well, I am very pleased with the Tamron lens, it is working very well indeed, as sharp as modern lenses, and in it's day one of the sharpest 135mm independant offered. Even with the 1.77x teleconverter, the performance is quite outstanding. These shots were auto exposure, with lens left at F8, which is at it's sharpest. The small size is just great, very handy indeed, and I will be using the lens regularly this coming summer.....all £8 worth! Stephen.
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Stephen
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Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on May 2, 2013 14:24:42 GMT -5
Finally the Tamron, it's converter section, and a 2x converter, works, but it is the giddy limit at 900mm equivalent. It is obviously beyond the Image Stabilisation to work at this focal length, it is on a Monopod. Image is soft throughout compared to the proper converter added on it's own. Stephen.
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