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Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Image Gallery

Dustin Abbott

April 29th, 2016

A Virtuoso?

There was definitely some excitement when Tamron released first the 35mm f/1.8 VC and 45mm f/1.8 VC prime lenses, which they then followed with the 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro VC lens.  But probably the biggest stir of anticipation has been in advance of the new Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens.  85mm is an incredibly important focal length, and perhaps the most desirable portrait length.  This lens is a big deal for Tamron, particularly since there is a vast hole between the relatively affordable Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM and any of the other 85mm options.  The Tamron brings a much more professional grade of image and build quality while adding a killer app of the first image stabilizer in a lens like this.  It still undercuts the competition in price, too.  Follow along with me as I review this lens with high hopes for it being another stellar entry in the exciting new SP prime line from Tamron.

Images of the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 VC

Images by the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 VC

Gear Used:

Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera (Body Only)
Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD  In Canada (Use code AMPLIS52016DA to get 5% off)
Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD United States and World
Adobe Lightroom CC Software for Mac and Windows (Boxed Version)
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Alien Skin Exposure X (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)

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13 thoughts on “Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Image Gallery

  1. I wish Tamron had an adapter for Sony E mount like Sigma so we could keep features like Eye AF..would make this 85mm such a great alternative.

  2. Dustin Abbott says:

    The lens will come in a Sony mount – is there an A mount to E mount adapter?

  3. Yes there is, I use the LAEA3 with my Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 and 15-30mm but you do not keep the fancier AF features like continuous Eye AF unfortunately. The sigma is the only adapter currently that keeps this although reports are all over the place from people loving it to people that say the adapter sucks so we have to wait a bit longer on it.

  4. Dustin Abbott says:

    I wasn’t aware that Sigma made a specific adapter like that. Smart.

  5. Matt Birmingham says:

    Well Dustin…it’s not the Zeiss Otus 85mm f1.4 or the Zeiss Milvus 85mm f1.4, but it sure looks like a stellar performer. Fills in a current big gap for Canon shooters. And with autofocus, VC, and the new calibrating tool Tamron has introduced…I would say, a winner. It looks like flare is exceedingly well controlled in this lens as well as coma. You should try a little astro with it. I know it’s not the usual focal length for that kind of work but I would be interested to see how it does. Thanks. Love the shot of the beaver dam. And the portraits. Great rendering of the OOF areas. Amazing Bokeh. Pretty compelling lens, especially when you consider build quality and the price point. Interested in your review.

  6. revabbott says:

    Matt, you’ve summed things up pretty well. I’ll just say that I’m liking it well enough that I’m strongly considering an add to my own kit.

  7. Nadav Biran says:

    In-depth review with great samples. I had the chance to test this long waited lens myself and what I find absent in this review is the VC performance in video mode, which is absolutely useless. For my work that’s a deal breaker and doesn’t worth the weight of the lens.

  8. Dustin Abbott says:

    Nadav, would you mind expanding on what you mean by “useless”? I tend to use something a like a Glidecam if I do video work, so I’m interested in what you mean. My reviews are more stills oriented by nature as I am more a photographer than videographer.

  9. Nadav Biran says:

    Dustin, Since I figured out you’re more stills oriented I thought adding this comment is important. I mostly shoot video with DSLR equipment and work only with stabilized lenses. With VC “ON” the shakes and “Jello” effect are still very noticeable, especially horizontally and the handheld image looks like there’s no stabilization system at all. With Canon 24-105mm or 100mm f/2.8 macro (same weight, both IS) I’m quite sure you will get better results on focal 100mm than the Tamron.

  10. revabbott says:

    Interesting. Thanks for the feedback.

  11. Jung Oh says:

    I really enjoyed all your reviews. that provide great and very detail information and so useful who need some input from expert like you. Among many sites, yours are seriously considered to determine to buy or not. Thank you very much.

  12. revabbott says:

    Jung, that is really nice feedback. Thank you for your kind words!

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