Walkaround zoom lens?

Alternate Internet ID · Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 253 Location: UK

I've got various trips coming up this year and wondered if there were any recommendations for a small, light zoom that would cover most outdoor daylight situations.
Apart from kit lenses (and a Sigma upgrade I bought a while back) I've no real experience with zooms.
I was hoping for something small and light like the plastic Canon FD 35-70mm that reached a little further - maybe to 135mm.
Does such a thing exist?

I've noticed there's a Tamron AD2 35-135mm and even a SP 35-210mm but they look like they could be pretty heavy - anybody with experience with these?

drjs · Joined: 25 Feb 2013 Posts: 484 Location: USA

What camera is this for? For crop 1.6 sensor, I would recommend Tamron 24-48 SP or Tamron 35-80 SP.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Top of my list is the superb Minolta Rokkor 35-70 / 3.5, closely followed by the Tamron BBAR 35-70 / 3.5 - but use a hood with the Tamron !
If I want to travel light, the Rokkor is my 'go to' lens. If I want a bit more length in a zoom I go for the Tamron BBAR 85-210 / 4.5, which is a lens that amazes me every time I use it. Personally, I rate it better than the Vivitar Series 1, 70-210 ( which I've got two of )

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

The Tamron SP 35-210 is really heavy and long, so it depends what body you are fixing it to. I actually used an AF Tamron SP 28-75/2.8 on my 6D in Oz, it's light and small (relatively). Shame it's a boring AF lens! Laughing

One you might want to look at is the Tamron SP 28-135 although I've never used (a working) one.

Alternate Internet ID · Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 253 Location: UK

Sorry, should have posted more details!

I was hoping not to take the 60D and travel light with a Samsung NX10, so 1.6 crop and it's fairly small so that's why I was looking at a light zoom.

In an ideal world I'd want 28-105 or 135 all wrapped up in a small plastic body like the Canon FD 35-70mm but I guess that isn't going to happen!

Alternatively I could stick with the NX 20-50mm and opt to take a longer prime.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I use the 35-70 zooms a lot on the NEX, it's a great length with the crop factor.

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

*****the plastic Canon FD 35-70mm****

If you are thinking of the cheap consumer version...........it's not a POS but there are better lenses.

Bille · Joined: 03 Jan 2013 Posts: 381

WolverineX · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject:

rokkor or nikkor 35-105mm/3.5-4.5

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

bruzzo · Joined: 05 Jul 2012 Posts: 153

Just to throw some more options, if you already have a "working lens" on your Canon system, you can use it on your mirrorless NX10 as well. By "working lens" I mean those wide-to-normal zoom lenses that are fast and easy to get clear and sharp enough photos for work and everyday use. Some great examples would be the 24-70mm 2.8, 28-70mm 2.8, Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, etc. If you have one of those, why not share and use it on your NX10 as well then you don't have to spend extra money, well except buy an adapter if you don't have one.

I don't know about the 24-70 2.8/4s they are all out of my budget, but I do have the Tamron 28-75/2.8 with my Nikon system. It's the older version with aperture ring which is good for mirrorless. It's a little bigger than the MD 35-70/3.5 but is around the same weight I guess. I've tried both the Tamron 28-75/2.8 and the MD 35-70/3.5 on trips and I like both. But perhaps because all these trips are personal family purpose which involve a lot of group photos (at least 4-5 ppl) and indoor photos, I prefer the Tamron 28-75/2.8 which is a bit wider and faster. I heard the Tokina 28-70/2.6-2.8 is great as well.

Cons with these lenses: Sometimes still not wide enough for landscapes and architecture (on apsc), and not long enough for telephoto shots.
In this case maybe if you already have a Tamron/Sigma 28-200 or 28-300 in your Canon system, this is the cheapest solution you just need to buy an adapter. I think both have aperture rings depending on versions, but the 28-200 is lighter and smaller. And then bring a wide zoom like a 17 or 19-35.

I heard Tamron has 35-70, 35-105, and 35-135. The Rokkor also has this range of lenses but are harder to find?

Alternate Internet ID · Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 253 Location: UK

Thanks for the suggestions. Very Happy

Just got to hit the charity shops, auctions and internet to see what I can find now.

A colleague at work has a Canon FD 35-105 f/3.5 for sale, so hopefully I can give that a try at some point.

buerokratiehasser · Joined: 12 Jun 2011 Posts: 470

yeah for M-AF i'd recommend the minolta af 35-105, it's not the best prime but very plasticky-light (the 2nd version). Just sayin. your problem not to use m-af :>
Problem, you'd really need full frame, maybe couple with a nice Dynax 4 or 5? that's pretty plasticky too (people hated them because of that)

maybe you can get a sigma 24-70 UC for your mount, but you'd have to take care to get the right "Leica-rumor" one. seems to come with exakta etc. brands too. typical sigma UC look, 52ø

Tervueren · Expire: 2014-11-08

Problem is most legacy glass was made for when men were men Laughing

, if I was you I'd stick with the Samsung + prime

Basilisk · Joined: 21 Mar 2013 Posts: 356 Location: UK

"normal" legacy zooms on a crop sensor become "long", and shorter manual zooms that cover the 35 mm image circle are a lot bigger than a modern crop sensor zoom needs to be - especially if you are looking at f2.8 lenses. This is an area where the modern kit zoom is likely to win on size, without a serious quality penalty (zoom technology has probably improved more than prime technology). If you want faster lenses with better bokeh in this range, throw a couple of MF primes in the bag.

I am just revisiting my Tamron SP AD2 35-105 f2.8 zoom on my NEX5N, and it is looking promising. Not really a lightweight option though, and quite difficult to find.

Alternate Internet ID · Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 253 Location: UK