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Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 vs Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD

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Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Nikon F (FX)

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Wideangle Prime | Nikon F (FX)

Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 vs Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 for the F(FX) Mount and the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD for the F(FX) Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Zeiss and Tamron.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 18mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 721g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 93mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.14x

Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 450g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 81mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.4x

What type of photography are the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 and Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 and the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairAverage
TravelAverageAverage
StreetAverageExcellent
WeddingFairAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeGoodVery Good
MacroPoorGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 93mm. The Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD with a length of 81mm, is 12mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8's 73mm diameter.

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD weighs 450g, 37% (271g) lighter than the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8's weight of 721g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f2.8D Lens Nikon 24mm f2.8D
46mm
65mm 270g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 14mm f2.8D ED Lens Nikon 14mm f2.8D ED
87mm
87mm 670g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f2D Lens Nikon 35mm f2D
45mm
65mm 205g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 28mm F2.8 Color Skopar SL II Lens Voigtlander 28mm F2.8 Color Skopar SL II
25mm
63mm 180g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G Lens Nikon 35mm f1.8G
72mm
72mm 305g Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 35mm f1.4 Lens Rokinon 35mm f1.4
112mm
63mm 660g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM A
90mm
85mm 665g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm F1.8G ED Lens Nikon 24mm F1.8G ED
83mm
78mm 355g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 and the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 is also available in Canon EF mount.

Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD is also available in Canon EF and Sony Alpha mounts.

Focal Range

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 18mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 27mm.
Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 52.5mm.

Reasons to choose Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 over Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Focal Length - Wide 18mm vs 35mm 17mm Wider coverage
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Diameter 73mm vs 80mm 7mm smaller in diameter

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD over Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 18mm 17mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 450g vs 721g 271g lighter
Length 81mm vs 93mm 12mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.25m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.4x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 and Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Zeiss Milvus 18mm F2.8 vs Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Zeiss Tamron
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX) Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 18mm 35mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour - Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F1.8
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades - 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 10
Optical Groups 12 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.2m
Max Magnification 0.14X 0.4X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method - Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 721g 450g
Diameter 73mm 80mm
Length 93mm 81mm
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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