XF16-80mm vs. XF18-135mm for travel/landscape/architecture photography

Aztrodog1 wrote:

I did not find two copies of the Tamron better than my 18-135mm, actually quite the opposite. I had an early release one from last year and a replacement that arrived in January.

Wow lucky you got to try 2 copies!

I was lured by the range and encouraged by the pre-release positive reviews. For weekend getaways I always pack my 18-135mm and 23mm f/1.4 prime. That combo has worked great, but at times I want or need more reach so I throw in my 55-200mm or worse, 100-400mm. So the 18-300mm sounded like an ideal range for my needs, provided it was close to my 18-135mm. Many reviews had the Tamron pegged as far superior to Fuji’s punching bag zoom.

I haven't seen any reviews comparing them.

In my opinion and solely based on the two samples I had, the Tamron is okay (at best) IF

1- You have a lot of light on the long end. VR is not as good as Fuji’s OIS so expect a high percentage of keepers.

That is true...but are you saying at 135 or 300?

2 - Don’t want to crop too much, as softness and other flaws become obvious

I don't think you would need to crop too much with that reach?

3- Don’t care about corners

Corners are good once stopped down?

4- Always land what anchors your composition in the center

You could do that too if shooting wide open.

5- Willing to experience to find the sweet range of your particular sample.

Yes true well no surprise it's great at the middle focal lengths 35-150.

6- Don’t want a morning to night lens. With the Fuji one can still get decent low light photos (indoors and night). Not the case with the Tamron, missed photos even at 18mm and wide open.

Yes it's not a fast lens but the 16-80mm needs to be stopped down and I'm assuming the same for 18-135. A tripod would be required generally.

7- Enjoy having to shoot at f/8 - f/14

I'd say f8-f11 at the most...again that would apply to the Fujis too right or is the 18-135 excellent wide open?

They say zooms are a compromise, I guess the Tamron given its range just comes with more of them. So like I said in a review at another site, “Not for me”. I will stick with my 18-135mm as my Jack of all trades until the next wonder zoom debuts.
Good luck with your decision.

Angel

Well good at least you got to try it..I never tried the 18-135.