Tamron Adaptall Zoom 38-100mm f/3.5 aka "The Lens" (Model 'CZ-38M')

Tamron Adaptall Zoom 38-100mm f/3.5
aka "The Lens" (Model 'CZ-38M')

2017.09.10 - First published

2022.07.31 - Re-written

Tamron Adaptall Zoom

38-100mm f/3.5

"The Lens"

Model# - SZ38 (1973-1976), CZ38M (1976-1978)

The lens being featured here is model 'CZ38M'.

Years Produced - 1976-1978

Focal Range - 38mm to 100mm

Zoom Type - Varifocal

Minimum Focusing - 1.5 meters

Macro - 20cm (38mm), 80cm (100mm)

Filter Thread Ø - 67mm

Aperture Run - f/3.5 - f/22 (6 blades)

#Diaphragm Blades - 6 (Auto/Manual diaphragm)

Optical Formula - 13 elements, 10 groups

Coating - Broad Band Anti Reflective Multicoating

Made in Japan

Using genuine Adaptall adapter enables 'auto' diaphragm.

Third party adapters makes the lens into 'manual' diaphragm.

Product Page:

www.tamron.co.jp/data/old-lens/cz38m.htm

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nF94QcG9mzJBTXT1A

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Impressions

History

This was being marketed as versatile all-around zoom that has a range of wide angle, normal, telephoto, and macro. This lens was engineered by Tamron for the highest optical quality of the time, and to have a constant maximum aperture of f/3.5 at any focal length. Tamron marketed it as "THE Lens". Unfortunately, it was only in production for two years and is rare  to find nowadays. I guess I'm lucky! The version being featured here is the second one from 1976 (model 'CZ38M') and was mentioned in forums as the superior one.

Build Quality

This lens is heavy and built like a tank. It's made of pure metal with no plastics, and also looks like a stylish work of art. One can accidentally drop it to the ground and leave a crack on the floor while the lens still has no dents. But this could be a disadvantage too. People have been used to plastic lightweight lenses since the boom of AF lenses in the 1980s. It is very heavy by today's standards, but the weight also acts as its own stabilizer when shooting handheld. And speaking of handheld...  is the only way to shoot, it doesn't have a tripod collar and is too heavy to mount on a tripod. The lens would be front-heavy on a big DSLR, but it's even more awkward when combined with a small mirrorless camera.   

The minimum focusing distance of this lens is 1.5 meters, which is the distance one usually shoots with when doing portraits. There is an option to focus closer to 20cm (38mm) or 80cm (100mm) by activating the macro switch and twisting that extra ring (it acts like a built-in extension tube). This can be a hassle, maybe that's why they later created those CF or 'continuous focusing' zooms. The macro magnification only goes down to 1:4 like your typical kit lens.

Image Quality

The lens is surprisingly sharp wide open at f/3.5, whether shooting at 38mm or 100mm. This is a proof that they really engineered this lens to the highest standards of the time. The BBAR multicoating on the lens elements helps to control flare and backlight well. Unlike modern lenses, flares or backlight are rendered in such a way that the image glows and looks alive or dreamy. No noticeable color fringing as well when shooting wide open. The colors are good without appearing too punchy, the contrast could appear okay to soft, which is also fine and maybe even preferred. 

The overall effect you get with shooting with this lens is a pleasing 'vintage' character. I like how this lens is sharp but not macro lens sharp, renders skin as if it can erase pores and wrinkles, making it a good portrait lens. I did notice that at 100mm, it produces a bonus 'swirly bokeh' effect. 

This telephoto zoom uses two rings instead of one single ring that combines the zooming and focusing into one. Remember that this lens can only be shot handheld, so can you imagine trying to tinker on the zoom, and afterward, re-adjust the focus, because this lens is also a 'varifocal' zoom. 

Adaptability

Adaptall lenses can be easily adapted to DSLR and mirrorless cameras with the right adapter. Tamron's Adaptall lenses had adapters that came in the popular lens mounts of the time -- Canon FD, Konica, Minolta SR and AF, Nikon F, Pentak K and M42, Olympus OM, among others. Genuine Adaptall adapters can be expensive, but it enables 'auto diaphragm' when used with the camera. Third party Adaptall adapters from China are much cheaper, but that means that the lens become 'manual stop down' diaphragm. It means that the blades close corresponding to the f-stop on the lens.

Conclusion

The Tamron Adaptall Zoom 38-100mm f/3.5 is collector's item and also a versatile all around zoom with constant f/3.5 aperture. The lens is sharp wide open and at any focal length, with pleasing colors and contrast. I wouldn't say macro lens sharp, and prime lenses could be sharper, but the strength of this lens is for shooting portrait and some other stuff. Too bad Tamron only produced a few of these across two years, this lens needs more love!

How to read the distance at 38mm.

How to read the distance at 100mm.

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Samples

Tamron Adaptall 38-100mm f/3.5 (CZ-38M)

Shot with Nikon D5200

Indoor shots at f/3.5

Outdoor shots at f/8 to f/22

All of the photo samples here

are straight from the camera.

These are unedited/uncorrected

so you can see the actual image quality.

MACRO

BACKLIGHT

OUTDOOR SCENES

PORTRAIT

These are my self portraits using this beautiful Tamron lens. Some of my shots appear blurry because they were out of focus. The ones that are in focus show the sharpness at f/3.5 -- sharp without being too sharp, making it a lens I'd love to shoot with for portrait.

38mm

38mm

55mm

70mm

100mm

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Further Reading

Lens Info
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.tamron.co.jp/data/old-lens/cz38m.htm

www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-adaptall-38-100mm-f3-5-cz-38m.html

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