7D with Tamron 18-200...SURPRISED! at DVinfo.net

Carlo Zanella · July 12th, 2010, 04:06 PM

A couple of weeks ago I did a shoot at a local SPA in Santa Fe, NM. As usual, I brought the 7D with the lens I use all the time, the Tamron 17-50, no VC. I also thought to bring the brand new Tamron 18-200, just in case, Since it was an all indoor shoot, I thought I would just use the 17-50, faster, and 2.8 through the focal range. Well, at the end of the day, the lens I used the most was the $230 at BH 18-200. Being quite a bit dark than the other lens (especially if you start using the zoom) I had to compensate with some lighting and higher ISO on the 7D, but the picture, when I went back to the studio, looked great.
With the ISO I NEVER had to go over 1000 (and I never would).
Lighting consisted in only one 1K halogen softbox plus a Litepanesl Micropro with 3.2K filter.
IMO, that cheap lens can deliver a great sharp picture most of the time. Not for every use, of course, but a no brainer for the price. And, by the way, I got the $60 rebate from Tamron just over a month from the purchase date (unlike other vendors...)

This is the spot that was produced with that lens.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

Paul Frederick · July 12th, 2010, 05:07 PM

Looks fantastic! I'm in desperate need of a longer lens (the kit lens 135mm being my longest). I will seriously consider this now after this excellent example of what it can do.

Carlo Zanella · July 12th, 2010, 07:14 PM

Thank you Frederick! I think you can not go wrong with the purchase of this lens. Remember, focus ring travel is very short, annoying to somebody, lens is NOT weather resistant...bla...bla...bla...But, for the price, it can do GREAT stuff. It's not a lot of money. You can use it, make the best of it, and then move on to a better lens if you feel you need it.

Best regards.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

Kelly Langerak · July 13th, 2010, 10:13 PM

Nice video!

Do you have issues with the lens shaking when focusing? Good for production but probably not for weddings?

Thanks.

Chuck Spaulding · July 14th, 2010, 11:13 AM

Another great video, although I had to stop at the acupuncture...

That's great to hear about that lens I'm always looking for good inexpensive alternatives. Another lens in this price category that should be considered is the Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6. This lens also has surprisingly good IS so there are few, if any, shaking issues. However, the IS is loud so you can't use on camera audio with this lens.

Always a trade-off...

Nice work Carlo.

Carlo Zanella · July 14th, 2010, 06:44 PM

Thank you Kelly and Chuck for you kind comments and suggestions. Kelly, I use that lens with a FF that Indifocus built for us with height, width, and rail position adjustable indipendently. It works great and have had no issues with the lens focus shaking.

Chuck, the model was trembling before the "treatment" ...She also had an EX1 facing down straight at her face (we use the OX55 tripod from Manfrotto in a orizontal position). However at the end she was surprised at how NOT painful that experience was! I was happier behind the cameras though...
If you want to see great footage of Italy's Dolomites and the Umbria region (near Tuscany), watch the episode 8 of the Santa Fe TV Show. It's all shot with and EX1, GoPro, and Lumix GH1. 7D didn't make it...If not demanding too much from the GH1, it can hold up quite well to the EX and 7D! Amazing.

Thank you all!!

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

Chuck Spaulding · July 15th, 2010, 03:07 PM

Wow Carlo, you sure packed a lot of great stuff in episode 8. Very nice.

Well done. How many people do you work with?

Chris Westerstrom · July 15th, 2010, 04:59 PM

I am flat out amazed at your work. Bravo

Carlo Zanella · July 16th, 2010, 11:40 AM

Thank you Chuck & Chris!
In Italy, for cost reasons, most of the footage was shot with a 2 people crew (sometimes we had assistants - especially in the Dolomites, but mainly to lug stuff up the hill). Locally, our crew varies in number, but the core of our crew is three GOOD people.

Carlo Zanella
The Santa Fe TV Show

July 12th, 2010, 04:06 PM	#1
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	7D with Tamron 18-200...SURPRISED! A couple of weeks ago I did a shoot at a local SPA in Santa Fe, NM. As usual, I brought the 7D with the lens I use all the time, the Tamron 17-50, no VC. I also thought to bring the brand new Tamron 18-200, just in case, Since it was an all indoor shoot, I thought I would just use the 17-50, faster, and 2.8 through the focal range. Well, at the end of the day, the lens I used the most was the $230 at BH 18-200. Being quite a bit dark than the other lens (especially if you start using the zoom) I had to compensate with some lighting and higher ISO on the 7D, but the picture, when I went back to the studio, looked great. With the ISO I NEVER had to go over 1000 (and I never would). Lighting consisted in only one 1K halogen softbox plus a Litepanesl Micropro with 3.2K filter. IMO, that cheap lens can deliver a great sharp picture most of the time. Not for every use, of course, but a no brainer for the price. And, by the way, I got the $60 rebate from Tamron just over a month from the purchase date (unlike other vendors...) This is the spot that was produced with that lens. Santa Fe Bliss Commercial on Vimeo Carlo Zanella The Santa Fe TV Show

July 12th, 2010, 05:07 PM	#2
Paul Frederick Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: WestChazy, NY Posts: 291	Looks fantastic! I'm in desperate need of a longer lens (the kit lens 135mm being my longest). I will seriously consider this now after this excellent example of what it can do. __________________ www.paulfrederickproductions.com

July 14th, 2010, 06:44 PM	#6
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	No shake problems with FF Thank you Kelly and Chuck for you kind comments and suggestions. Kelly, I use that lens with a FF that Indifocus built for us with height, width, and rail position adjustable indipendently. It works great and have had no issues with the lens focus shaking. Chuck, the model was trembling before the "treatment" ...She also had an EX1 facing down straight at her face (we use the OX55 tripod from Manfrotto in a orizontal position). However at the end she was surprised at how NOT painful that experience was! I was happier behind the cameras though... If you want to see great footage of Italy's Dolomites and the Umbria region (near Tuscany), watch the episode 8 of the Santa Fe TV Show. It's all shot with and EX1, GoPro, and Lumix GH1. 7D didn't make it...If not demanding too much from the GH1, it can hold up quite well to the EX and 7D! Amazing. Thank you all!! Carlo Zanella The Santa Fe TV Show

July 12th, 2010, 07:14 PM	#3
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	Thank you Frederick! I think you can not go wrong with the purchase of this lens. Remember, focus ring travel is very short, annoying to somebody, lens is NOT weather resistant...bla...bla...bla...But, for the price, it can do GREAT stuff. It's not a lot of money. You can use it, make the best of it, and then move on to a better lens if you feel you need it. Best regards. Carlo Zanella The Santa Fe TV Show

July 13th, 2010, 10:13 PM	#4
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Nice video! Do you have issues with the lens shaking when focusing? Good for production but probably not for weddings? Thanks.

July 14th, 2010, 11:13 AM	#5
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,104	Another great video, although I had to stop at the acupuncture... That's great to hear about that lens I'm always looking for good inexpensive alternatives. Another lens in this price category that should be considered is the Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6. This lens also has surprisingly good IS so there are few, if any, shaking issues. However, the IS is loud so you can't use on camera audio with this lens. Always a trade-off... Nice work Carlo.

July 15th, 2010, 03:07 PM	#7
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,104	Wow Carlo, you sure packed a lot of great stuff in episode 8. Very nice. Well done. How many people do you work with?

July 15th, 2010, 04:59 PM	#8
Chris Westerstrom Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Posts: 259	I am flat out amazed at your work. Bravo

July 16th, 2010, 11:40 AM	#9
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	Thank you Chuck & Chris! In Italy, for cost reasons, most of the footage was shot with a 2 people crew (sometimes we had assistants - especially in the Dolomites, but mainly to lug stuff up the hill). Locally, our crew varies in number, but the core of our crew is three GOOD people. Carlo Zanella The Santa Fe TV Show