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Tamron SP 01A, 35-80mm
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:41 pm    Post subject: Tamron SP 01A, 35-80mm Reply with quote
In my continuing reviews of the Tamron SP series, tonight, I present to you another fine specimen in my collection, the Tamron SP 01A, 35-80mm. With exception of the 90mm Tamron 52B macro, the 01A is likely the sharpest of all Tamron SPs. Beautifully crafted, the lens is compact, solidly made, and exceptional optically in almost very-way. It is also a poor man's macro, able to achieve a macro ratio of 1:2.5 at a distance of slightly less than a meter. Tamron has a technology called "continuous focusing" where the zoom ring will automatically turn until properly macro focus has been achieved. There is no macro button to dial or push. The 01A is optically superior at both the wide end, and the telephoto end. Adaptall-2.org's chart show exceptional resolution topping 70,70 lines/mm at both focal length. I find no evidence to contradict this claim. The only possible weakness lies with its ability to shoot into light. As with most of the lens of this era, 01A manifests significant CA when a light source is nearby, and both contrast and sharpness drops dramatically shooting into the sun. I always carefully avoid nearby light source when using this lens.


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
That is a lovely lens. I regret I sold mine in a spur of idiocy.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, it's a great lens and I love your pictures but my copy, at least, suffers a bit too easily from internal reflections and
flaring when pointing near the sun, and the barrel distortion at the wide end is a little too much for me. I always use the
Minolta MD 3.5/35-70 macro on the NEX now - the Tamron 01A is confined to the old DSLR.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kansalliskala wrote:
That is a lovely lens. I regret I sold mine in a spur of idiocy.


Fortunately, this lens is no where as rare as the 24-48mm. You can pick up a decent quality one for less than $100 on US ebay. I have seen it go as low as $45-$50. Very Happy


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 3:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
that's a good walk around lens I have got to say, nice pictures


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kansalliskala wrote:
That is a lovely lens. I regret I sold mine in a spur of idiocy.


Perhaps idiocy. Quite a lot depends on when you sold.

In the last year 01A prices have risen significantly. Seems as if everyone wants one . . . or more. Smile

Can't say as I blame 'em. As the OP has ably demonstrated, it's a special lens. Wink


It's not a 01A, but the 90mm Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 52B/52BB lens is a well-respected lens. Eight or nine years ago I bought mine for ten US dollars, in beautiful condition. Today you cannot touch a nice 52B for ten dollars. People would laugh. Laughing

So it is with the great Tamrons. Prices continue to escalate . . . for the SPs . . . and even for the lesser Tamron MF lenses.

Incidentally, I have no sale plans for my 52B or for my three 01As. It's simply not going to happen. Sale of such wonderful lenses strikes me as imprudent.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
guardian wrote:
kansalliskala wrote:
That is a lovely lens. I regret I sold mine in a spur of idiocy.


Perhaps idiocy. Quite a lot depends on when you sold.

In the last year 01A prices have risen significantly. Seems as if everyone wants one . . . or more. Smile

Can't say as I blame 'em. As the OP has ably demonstrated, it's a special lens. Wink


It's not a 01A, but the 90mm Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 52B/52BB lens is a well-respected lens. Eight or nine years ago I bought mine for ten US dollars, in beautiful condition. Today you cannot touch a nice 52B for ten dollars. People would laugh. Laughing

So it is with the great Tamrons. Prices continue to escalate . . . for the SPs . . . and even for the lesser Tamron MF lenses.

Incidentally, I have no sale plans for my 52B or for my three 01As. It's simply not going to happen. Sale of such wonderful lenses strikes me as imprudent.


Nicely put. Since the introduction of mirror-less 3/4 cameras. Price of the manual lens have risen dramatically. Everyone and their grand mother is now enjoying these old glasses. Incidentally, the raise in ebay price has corresponded to the increased popularity of these forums. Smile

If I were you, I would stock up on old FD glasses. As soon as Canon's EOS-M become a success (it has gone no where so far), price of FD glasses will shoot thru the roof.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
Yes, it's a great lens and I love your pictures but my copy, at least, suffers a bit too easily from internal reflections and
flaring when pointing near the sun, and the barrel distortion at the wide end is a little too much for me. I always use the
Minolta MD 3.5/35-70 macro on the NEX now - the Tamron 01A is confined to the old DSLR.


I have problem with flares with most of the SP lenses on my 550D same the 52A. I have at times made creative use of them however...


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
Yes, it's a great lens and I love your pictures but my copy, at least, suffers a bit too easily from internal reflections and
flaring when pointing near the sun, and the barrel distortion at the wide end is a little too much for me. I always use the
Minolta MD 3.5/35-70 macro on the NEX now - the Tamron 01A is confined to the old DSLR.


While my Minolta is pretty obviously a better lens than my 01a, the one area where I thought there would be a difference was at 35mm and barrel distortion. Much to my surprise, on film at least, the Minolta is just about exactly the same as the Tamron. I have a comparison here somewhere...


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was impressed a lot also when I did try it out, many thanks for these great Tamron reviews!


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
I was impressed a lot also when I did try it out, many thanks for these great Tamron reviews!


Thank you for your kind words. I have two more SP lens I will try to throw up for completeness. Thank you for allowing me to participate in your wonderful forum.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
We need members like you who are willing to share , not just read or just sell and run away.


PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
We need members like you who are willing to share , not just read or just sell and run away.


I agree whole heartedly! Without enthusiasm, without the eye for good photographs - and the lenses that lend themselves to these - where would we be? Looking down the Lomo lens or the sharpness/contrast over everything barrels, that's where. Most tamrons make photographs, especially the adaptalls.


PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
We need members like you who are willing to share , not just read or just sell and run away.


Unfortunately I suffer from an acute case of LBA. I buy too much and not sell enough....


PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
We need members like you who are willing to share , not just read or just sell and run away.


+1000!

drjs wrote:
I have problem with flares with most of the SP lenses on my 550D same the 52A. I have at times made creative use of them however...

What do you make of the original Tamron rubber hood for the 01A? It's so wide it's hardly worthwhile using it, and mine has
lost its original shape and looks like an old battered hat. Have you discovered anything better yet?


PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Peter

I have one in almost mint condition. It is so elastic it pings back into its folded shape at the earliest opportunity. And the lens is still very flare prone even with this hood on. It (the lens) needs something longer than that originally supplied. However, the hood works very well on the 35-70 (09A), my favorite, (along with the 35-210 26A)

Phil P


PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Haha, I knew I would be kicking myself for trading mine yesterday! Why did I have to click on this thread....

I traded mine away for a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II.... in all respects it is a 200 dollar scanner in the condition mine is in, complete with manual, discs, etc.

I never used the lens anyway, it had a tinge of fungus and the girl who sold me my copy of this nice tamron gave it to me in its case, which I forgot to give with the trade, oops... anyway in the case was a washer about the size of a nickel... black in color, she said it fell out of the lens and when I shook the lens lightly I could hear what sounded like loose something... Not sure if thats normal? maybe its good I traded this one away... after hearing these reviews I will have to re-buy a nicer copy to stick in the case I kept! Saw one on ebay a few days ago for 20 bucks. Which is why I traded it Wink

Anyway, OP, have you reviewed the Tamron adaptall 2 bbar 24mm 2.8? I can't find out anything on mine... I see the older version on ebay for like 200 bucks... but havent seen mine as of yet... I got it at an estate sale for next to nothing along with a canon ex-ee and a heck of a story along with a good reason to never go to estate sales by that company ever again, but I digress.
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