Tamron Adaptall-2 35-70mm f/3.5 CF Macro Zoom (17A, 1982-1987)

Tamron Adaptall-2 35-70mm f/3.5
CF Macro Zoom (17A, 1982-1987)

2017.06.09 - Published

2022.08.06 - Re-written, re-uploaded photos

Tamron Adaptall-2
35-70mm f/3.5

CF Macro Zoom

CF = Continuous Focusing into macro mode

Model - 17A
Years Produced - 1982 - 1987
Minimum Focusing - 90cm
Macro - 25cm at 70mm (1:2.8)
Zoom Type - One-Touch (aka 'push-pull zoom')
Filter Thread Ø - 58mm
Hood - #42FH Bayonet Hood

Aperture Run - f/3.5 - f/32

# Diaphragm Blades - 8
Optical Formula - 7 elements, 7 groups
Made in Japan

VERSIONS

35-80mm f/2.8-3.8 (01A, 1979-1985)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/01A.html

35-70mm f/3.5-.5 (09A, 1980-1983)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/09A.html

35-70mm f/3.5 (17A, 1982-1987)

http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/17A.html

https://www.tamron.co.jp/data/a2-lens/17a.htm

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yN4NgZru1gzFokd6A

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Impressions

The Tamron Adaptall-2 35-70mm f/3.5 (17A) looks to have the same appearance with an earlier version (09A). The difference is that the 17A has a constant maximum aperture of f/3.5 across the zoom range.

Tamron made this affordable zoom lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/3.5, and you get a satisfyingly good output wide open, at any focal length.

Macro can be accessed simply by focusing continuously into the macro range instead of fiddling extra rings and switches like with other lenses. You can get as close as 70cm at 35mm, and then 25cm at 70mm. When I am at 35mm, the closest focusing distance is 70mm. If I try to focus closer than that, the lens automatically slides into the 70mm range and end up at 25cm.

The lens is made of plastic, as typical of the time. The plastic used in this lens has a beautiful matte finish and looks anything but cheap.

This lens uses a one-touch design (aka 'push-pull zoom') where the focusing and zooming are combined into a single ring. This is a joy for manual shooters!

This lens has a great reputation. Unfortunately, my copy came with a haze in the middle element that was fixed a little, some haze remains. The result was that it does get somewhat cloudy shooting wide open at f/3.5, but once stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8, you can see why it got its good reputation.

Conclusion: It was sad I'm not able to use this lens more because of its condition, but it was a joy to shoot with. The 2x zoom range of 35mm to 70mm also makes this lens ideal for street photography -- shooting candid portrait, some semi-wide angle shots, and some closeups of objects.