Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 § 03 Head to head
Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 vs Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Schneider-Kreuznach 35mm f/1.6 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Tamron 35mm f/1.8 is 64 mm shorter.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 is a 35mm f/1.6 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, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 
Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD 01
Key differences
Why is the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 better than the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.6 vs f/1.8)
Why is the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better than the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6?
- 64 mm shorter (80.4 mm vs 144 mm long)
- Focuses 25 cm closer (0.2 m vs 0.45 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 82 mm)
- Newer design (2015 vs 2014)
02
Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 has the edge: its f/1.6 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 has the edge: its f/1.6 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 has the edge: its f/1.6 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
03
Specification
| Specification | Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 | Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.6 ◆ | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | — | 480 g (16.93 oz) |
| Dimensions | 144 x 85.5 mm | 80.8 x 80.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.45 m (17.72 inches) | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | — | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 10 groups | 10 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2014 | 2015 |
04
Size
- A · Schneider-Kreuznach
- B · Tamron
- 144 × 85.5 mm
- 80.4 × 80.8 mm
The Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 is 64 mm longer than the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD.
05
Sample frames
Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 opens to f/1.6, against f/1.8 on the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which focuses closer, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 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 0.45 m for the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6.
- Do the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 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 Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 has the edge: its f/1.6 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- Is the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 or the Tamron SP 35 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 35 mm f/1.6 has the edge: its f/1.6 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
08