I had a Tamron 28-105/2.8 for a few months before I traded it for the Zuiko
35-80/2.8. I had no complaints on the image quality of the Tamron, it was
top-notch. And the extra range over the Zuiko on both ends was very nice.
What I didn't like about the Tamron was it's handling. 1) I felt that it
got too big when zoomed out. It's an 82mm filtered lens. With the tulip
hood, I felt like I had far too much lens in my hand for normal situations.
I got several comments when I used it in photo-journalistic and close-in
situations like: "Wow, look at that thing!". 2) Also, it was obviously
designed as an AF lens, so the focusing ring is relatively tiny compared to
the zoom-control ring. I didn't like this and I also didn't like the feel
of the focusing or zooming. 3) Perhaps I'm just a metal-lens guy, but I
was a bit put-off by all the polycarbonate.
I too used it with an OM-4t and a MD2, which IMO you pretty much had to in
order to get any reasonable handling. I also frequently used a BG2, which
made for a huge rig.
Also, if I remember right, it focuses in a reverse direction from the
Zuiko, but I may be wrong on that one.
I think I've got some test shots that I did against Zuiko primes in my
slide files somewhere. I'll dig them up if I get time. The net was it was
almost indistinguishable from my primes, except the 90/2.
Skip
Original Message:
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I've got a Tamron 28-105/2.8. I really, really like this lens. It's the
same speed as that so-called "holy grail" of Zuikos, the 35-80/2.8, but it
goes both wider and longer. It's sharp as a tack, has fine bokeh, and I
consider it a marvel of modern optics. As I have said, all things
considered, I would rather have the Tamron than the Zuiko if I couldn't
have but one.
So why did I bid on the Zuiko? Because nobody said I couldn't have but
one! And I sniped it for a few dollars less than the price of the Tamron.
Now I can compare the two, and I promise some rigorous, objective testing.
I'll have a report in a few weeks. See:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1377164437&rd=1
Har, har, hearty har, har!
Walt
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