Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD vs Canon 50mm F1.8 MkII

Right, this is a quick test of the Tamron PZD and Canon 50mm f1.8 Mk II. The aim of the test is to show how surprisingly well the Tamron compares at close-up photography.

Everybody knows that the Tamron is not the sharpest lens in the bunch especially at full zoom, but, I am of the opinion that in a real life situation the Tamron fares good enough. In any case to a level that it produces respectable enough images and coupled with its excellent vibration control, you will end up with more "keepers".

Now, the Canon is not a close up lens, but it is legendary for its sharpness (keep in mind its price). So, it would have been an unfair comparison because the Canon cannot focus as close as the Tamron. This is easily solved with a set of diopters (close-up filters). Sure, this may drop the sharpness slightly, but I still think this offers an interesting comparison. At least one worthy of a blog entry :-)

One observation I need to enforce, even though the results obtained with the Canon were very pleasing indeed, I had far more images out of focus using this lens today, do to camera movement and tiny depth of field, than compared to the Tamron.

Below the original, full sized images. Both taken hand held. Oh, and no PP done at all.

Tamron full size:

Canon 600D, Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD. Focal length 270mm, Exposure 1/250sec at f11, ISO 400, Focus auto, VC on, Flash none, Filter UV.

Canon full size:

Canon 600D, Canon 50mm f1.8 Mk II. Focal length 50mm, Exposure 1/200sec at f16, ISO 400, Focus auto, Flash none, Filter UV.

Tamron 100% crop:

Canon 600D, Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD. Focal length 270mm, Exposure 1/250sec at f11, ISO 400, Focus auto, VC on, Flash none, Filter UV.

Canon 100% crop:

Canon 600D, Canon 50mm f1.8 Mk II. Focal length 50mm, Exposure 1/200sec at f16, ISO 400, Focus auto, Flash none, Filter UV.

Posted in: Canon 50mm f1.8 MkII, Canon 600D, Closeup, Diopter, Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 VC PZD