Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Zeiss 35mm f/2 has a smaller filter thread. Tamron 35mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 is a 35mm f/2 prime, and the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is a 35mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 
Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 better than the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
Why is the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2)
- 222 g lighter (480 g vs 702 g)
- Focuses 10 cm closer (0.2 m vs 0.3 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
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Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it is 222 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it is 222 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
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Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 | Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/1.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 702 g (24.76 oz) | 480 g (16.93 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 77 x 83 mm | 80.8 x 80.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | — | 9 |
| Optical construction | 9 elements / 7 groups | 10 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2015 | 2015 |
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Size
- A · Carl
- B · Tamron
- 83 × 77 mm
- 80.4 × 80.8 mm
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 is 3 mm longer and 222 g heavier than the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD.
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Sample frames
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD opens to f/1.8, against f/2 on the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD weighs 480 g, 222 g less than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 (702 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD focuses down to 0.2 m, against 0.3 m for the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2.
- Do the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 and the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD have image stabilization?
- Only the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it is 222 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for travel?
- For travel, the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it is 222 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Meike 35 mm T2.1 Cine
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Nikon Nikkor MF 35 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Mitakon Creator 35 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 vs Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0
- Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM vs Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
- Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
- Nikon Nikkor AF-S 35 mm f/1.8G ED vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
- Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 35 mm f/1.8G vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD