The most common approach to ensure you have all the coverage you need is to use a trinity of zoom lenses. But what if you could drastically reduce the amount of equipment you carry around with one lens?
That's why camera brands, tripod brands, and other accessory brands put so much emphasis on developing specialized “travel gear.” Because there are possibilities. If you are a photographer and your goal is to find unique landscapes and breathtaking views in every place you visit, photograph anything you find interesting, no matter how big or small, no matter how close it is. You should be able to. or far away, regardless of lighting conditions. Unlike most types of photography, which can be taken from the comfort of your home's general areas, the challenge is being able to move around enough while still carrying everything you need. Whether you need to pack all your cameras and lenses in a small carry-on or along with three days' worth of camping gear, the challenge is finding the sweet spot between preparation and efficient packing. It's about finding out.
Traveling with the Trinity zoom lens
For most types of photography, not just travel photography, the most common advice you'll find online is to have a set of three zoom lenses. You'll need to bring a standard zoom lens, an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, and a telephoto lens. Of course, there are endless alternatives to this combination, but usually most of what you need to cover will fit within the range of three zoom lenses. Yes, there are lenses with a wider range of focal lengths, but most of them have limited use in low light or have inconsistent optical performance across focal lengths.
For experienced photographers, or those who know very well what they are photographing, these lenses can be replaced with prime lenses according to the photographer's preference. Personally, I sometimes switch out my 16-35mm ultra-wide-angle zoom for a 20mm f/1.8 prime lens, especially if I anticipate needing a wide-angle lens to photograph night landscapes. Other photographers may work with an all-prime setup or without wide-angle or telephoto lenses at all. The key to finding a reliable lens set is knowing your photography style and the compositional approach you prefer. But for a anxious traveler like me, knowing that I have a Trinity zoom lens in my bag is very reassuring. The downside is that the physical discomfort associated with it is also very high.
How shooting with a 35-150mm lens will change the way you travel
During a recent weekend trip, I experimented with what changing lens sets can offer, and this time I used a relatively new zoom lens option paired with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD. did. Super wide angle lens. To make the impact of this change more obvious, I carried a Sony 20mm f/1.8 G as my ultra-wide lens, knowing full well that I would be keeping it in my bag for most of the trip. I decided to go.
The Tamron 35-150mm definitely offers a unique perspective. I don't particularly shoot wide angle when walking around and exploring new places, so the difference between using 24mm and 35mm as my widest option wasn't that big. Rather, what was more obvious was that the lens' ability to reach his 150mm meant he could reach a wider range, meaning that with a normal lens set he would have to change lenses. Although I usually do this type of shooting during the day, the difference opening up at f/2.8 compared to using the f/4 walkaround lens was visually noticeable. Even if the lens is bulkier and heavier, subjectively the difference doesn't seem that significant compared to what's in the bag you're carrying.
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is widely known for being heavy glass. It weighs 1.165 kilograms (2.6 pounds), is 158 mm (6.2 inches) long, and is 89.2 mm (3.5 inches) thick. As you zoom in, the barrel also stretches, but much of the weight remains at the proximal end. Compared to the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, it is 125 grams heavier than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II (1045g) and 315 grams lighter than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM Version 1 (1480g). It's safe to say that this lens weighs about the same as a typical 70-200mm f/2.8.
However, when considering the difference in firing range, the ranges of standard zoom (24-70mm) and telephoto zoom (70-200mm) intersect significantly. Regardless of other lens options, it would be easy to look at this lens and say it's heavy and bulky. However, coming from the point of view of someone replacing their standard and telephoto zooms with this lens, the lens is heavier, but generally means less gear to carry and a lighter overall weight, as it combines the following features: Two lenses in one.
Specifically, I always travel with an ultra-wide lens, a standard zoom, and a telephoto zoom (unless I know what to expect and which one I don't need). Of course, everyone knows that most of the time the bulk of the weight is contributed by the telephoto lens. A common dilemma when packing is whether to bear the weight or be prepared to miss a shot because the best lens is still at home. Of course, this doesn't apply to all types of photographers. Some people prefer a specific focal length regardless of where they're going, but for someone like me, there may be a lot of benefit from being able to fuse two zoom lenses into his one piece. It will fit.
If that were the case and I ended up using it as a walking lens, the only lenses left in my bag would be ultra-wide angles ranging from 373g (Sony 20mm f/1.8) to 680g It could be the lens. (Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM) For me. My camera lens may be heavy, but the overall weight of my gear is significantly lighter.
In addition to the benefits of this unique range, the Tamron 35-150mm has excellent optical performance. It performs very well at its widest aperture, maintaining great sharpness up to f/11, where it starts to soften slightly.
Shooting with just the 35mm f/2 is a very pleasant experience as you know you don't have to change lenses. Subjectively, it seems to focus very well and accurately when there is enough light, but (although I can't quantify it) it seems to be less capable in very dark situations. Additionally, I like using this lens overall, but my only concern is that it doesn't come with a tripod mount to support front-heavy setups.
What I liked
Unique range with widest aperture of f/2-2.8 Excellent image quality
What I didn't like
Front heavy without tripod mount
You can purchase the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD here.
