Tamron Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5 CF Tele Macro BBAR MC (Model 20A, 1980-1984)

Tamron Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5
CF Tele Macro BBAR MC
(Model 20A, 1980-1984)

2017.12.08 - Published

2022.08.05 - Re-written and re-uploaded

Tamron Adaptall-2

70-150mm f/3.5

CF Tele Macro BBAR-MC

Nomenclature...

CF = Continuous Focusing

BBAR MC = Broad Band Anti Reflective Multi Coating

Model - 20A

Years Produced - 1980 - 1984

Minimum Focusing - 0.7 meters

Macro - 1:3

Zoom Type - One-touch aka 'push-pull zoom'

Filter Thread Ø - 49mm

Maximum Aperture - f/3.5 (70mm, 150mm)

Aperture Run - f/3.5 - f/32

# Diaphragm Blades - 8

Optical Formula - 13 elements, 10 groups

Built-in retractable lens hood

Made in Japan

VERSIONS...

Adaptall 70-150mm f/3.8 (CZ-715, 1976-1978)

https://www-tamron-co-jp.translate.goog/data/old-lens/cz715.htm?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Adaptall 70-150mm f/3.5 (CZ-150, 1976-1978)

https://www-tamron-co-jp.translate.goog/data/old-lens/cz150.htm?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Adaptall 70-150mm f/3.5 Macro (QZ-150M, 1978-1980)

https://www-tamron-co-jp.translate.goog/data/old-lens/qz150m.htm?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5 (02A, 1979-1980)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/02A.html

Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5 Macro (20A, 1980-1984)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/20A.html

Adaptall-2 SP 70-150mm f/2.8 SOFT (51A, 1979-1983)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/51A.html

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tq6GzTWSM48gwJP89

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Impressions

The Tamron Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5 CF Tele Macro (20A) is a telephoto zoom lens with constant maximum aperture of f/3.5 across the whole range. It can focus down to 0.7 meters across the whole range, with no extra switches required to access macro. What sets this model '20A' apart from other versions, is the macro ability. The other versions can only focus as close as 1.5 meters, that is a big difference!

This medium range telephoto zoom has a tiny and lightweight body that makes it an attractive choice to travel with. Unlike the bigger siblings, which I'd rather leave at home. With only a 2x zoom range, the lens may find perfect use for portraiture, candid shots, and closeups. You can't rely on it to reach wildlife and sports subjects.

I owned two copies of this lens, there seems to be a variation with the coatings as the colors are different. One of them appears to produce slightly warmer colors, but overall, you won't notice the difference.

Sharpness at f/3.5 is okay from 70mm to 135mm, but I notice it gets soft glow at 150mm, which disappears by f/8. It becomes razor sharp by f/5.6 and f/8. With 8 diaphragm blades, you get beautiful almost rounded bokeh balls in the background.

In case you may not know... 70-150mm f/3.5 lenses were pretty common around the 1970s, they're fun to have because of the constant f/3.5 aperture and their tiny lightweight form. The advantage this Tamron lens has is the ability to focus as close as 70cm (others usually just 1.5 meters), and it can be macro lens sharp stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8.

Conclusion: I have owned other Tamron Adaptall tele-zooms that can be sharper than this. What I love about the Tamron Adaptall-2 70-150mm f/3.5 (20A) is that it is tiny and can focus as close as 70cm. With that said, I'd rather leave my other lenses at home.