A professional photographer is one that makes more of their taxable income from photography that’s been contracted to them. In most cases, they don’t have a lot of money to spend. Luckily, Tamron has been making pretty exceptional lenses for mirrorless cameras for several years now. And more than any other third-party brand, we tend to throw our weight behind them. So here are the best budget zoom lenses for professional photographers. Know that we’ve reviewed all of these, too.

This article is presented in partnership with Tamron.

How We Test and Choose the Best Budget Zoom Lenses for Professional Photographers

• The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
• If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
• When we test lenses, we’ve got various things in mind. First off, we consider who might want to buy the lens and what they might do with it. With that in mind, we try to tackle at least three genres of photography with that lens in a variety of situations. If the lens has weather resistance, then we’ll test it accordingly with a weather-resistant camera. We also test the autofocus of the lens in continuous mode, single mode, with exposure preview effects, without those effects, and then with all the major image quality parameters. These days, no one really makes a bad lens — but some are far better than others.
• In this specific roundup, we’re basing our findings on the reviews that we’ve done. We’re choosing a favorite, but we’re also giving photographers a bunch of others that they might like, depending on how they shoot.

Our Choice for the Best Budget Zoom Lens for Professional Photographers: Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD

It’s really nearly impossible to beat this thing. For several photographers, the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD is the only lens they need. Available for both Sony FE and Nikon Z mount, it gives professional photographers the most frequently used focal lengths in just one lens. Tamron packed sharp image quality, speedy autofocus, superior build quality, and other cool features including a built-in USB port to update the firmware and customize the lens for your still of video shooting style. And that firmware tells a story since the lens has been optimized to be faster focusing at least once.

Tech Specs

These specs are borrowed from the Lensrentals listing

Specifications

What We Think

In our review, we state:

“The first time Tamron’s colors really hit me was when they came out with their 35mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 for DSLR cameras. The colors from the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD hit me pretty much as hard, but the colors here are a bit more muted. I adore that. And it’s also so much more important for anyone shooting portraits.”

Other Great Options for the Best Budget Zoom Lenses for Professional Photographers

It’s pretty universally decided that most photographers will do well with the Tamron 35-150mm. But what if you shoot other camera formats or subjects? Well, then we’ve got you covered with these two lenses.

TAMRON 17-70MM F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD: Great for Fujifilm X (and Sony E-mount, too)

In our review, we state:

“In terms of autofocus, this lens can surely hold its own with nearly anything that Fujifilm makes. And that’s wonderful to know! In fact, I’d rate it along the lines of the new Fujifilm LM lenses. That means that it’s faster than most of the older glass out there.“

TAMRON 150-500MM F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD: Great for Fujifilm, Nikon, and Sony

In our review we state:

“The Nikon Z mount has been working very closely with Tamron recently. In the case of the Tamron 150-500mm lens, it’s now available for the system. This lens has some of Tamron’s highest-end technology inside of it — like the autofocus motors and the optics. For what it’s worth, it performs admirably on the Nikon z9.“

Using This Guide to the Best Budget Zoom Lenses for Professional Photographers

If you’re considering purchasing anything from this list of the best budget zoom lenses for professional photographers, know the following:

• This is a sponsored roundup. But any professional will tell you that Tamron makes the best budget zoom lenses for the pros. The image quality, autofocus performance, price, and overall quality are there like no other lenses on the market.
• Originally, these lenses were available only for the Sony E mount. But that has since expanded. Perhaps more mounts will be covered in the future.
• Tamron is partially owned by Sony, so the autofocus performance is typically better with them than it is with other 3rd party options.
• Tamron’s zooms are often better than Fujifilm’s own.
• Nikon rebadges many of Tamron’s own lenses after making some external updates to them. But if you’re looking to save money, get the available Tamron lens.
• Our Editor in Chief owns three Tamron lenses for the Sony E mount. In fact, they’re the only zoom lenses he owns, and he’s famous for never wanting to use zooms.
• All of these lenses offer some of the best weather resistance on the market.

Picking the Right One For You

If you’re still a bit confused as to the right lens for you, here are some questions to ask yourself

• What’s your budget?
• How will you use the product?
• What lighting situations are you in, and how will that affect what you’re doing? Our reviews hyperlinked in this article can help with that.
• Are you traveling a lot with it?
• Will you be using it in a situation that’s a bit rougher?
• Who else uses this product? How are they using it?
• What’s so appealing about this product that I can’t get from what I have already or something else?
• When will I really have time to use this product?
• Where will I bring this product?
• How will this product help bring me joy and joy in my photography?

These are just a few of the questions that we ask ourselves, but we think that you should ask yourself these for sure.

For over 15 years, Capture magazine has been on a mission to help discover Australasia’s very best emerging talent. Our 16th annual photo competition, Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2024, celebrates the artistry of an amazing array of talented up-and-coming photographers.

We classify emerging as amateurs and photographers with less than four years’ professional photography experience.

The competition includes eight portfolio categories: Architecture, Animal, Art, Black & White, Documentary, Landscape, Portrait and Travel. Photographers are required to submit a series of three images (five in the case of the Documentary category) to create a cohesive portfolio. There’s also a Single Shot category. 

In 2024 the total prize pool for Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers is valued at more than $25,000, including $9,000 in cash prizes. Click here for more details.

Entries close 17 March 2024, but if you enter before 11.59pm this Sunday night (17 December) you save $10 with the Early Bird entry rate.

The categories are:

• PORTRAIT (3 images)
• LANDSCAPE (3 images)
• ANIMAL (3 images)
• ART (3 images)
• BLACK & WHITE (3 images)
• DOCUMENTARY (5 images)
• ARCHITECTURE (3 images)
• TRAVEL (3 images)
• SINGLE SHOT (1 image)

In the portfolio categories entrants should aim to submit images that relate to each other on some level, whether it be narratively, aesthetically or thematically.

You can find tips from our judges on how to improve your chances in the competition here. 

You can enter images created on or after 1 January 2021.
However, you cannot enter images that have previously been entered in Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers.

Winners, runners-up, and top-ranked portfolios will be revealed in the Winter 2024 edition of Capture magazine (available in mid-June 2024). A simultaneous announcement will be made at www.capturemag.com.au. Also in June, Winners, Runners-up, Top 10, Top 20, Top 30 (larger categories), Highly Commended, and Commended photographers will be notified via e-mail of their placing in the competition, and will also receive an award badge that they can publish online and on social media.

Pricing and deadlines:

Early Bird: $25 (September 2023 to Sunday 17 December 2023)

Standard: $35 (18 December 2023 to Wednesday 25 February 2024)

Last Minute: $45 (26 February 2023 to Sunday 17 March 2024)

Entries close: 11.59PM AEDT, 11.59pm AEDT Sunday 17 March 2024.

Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers will be judged by a panel of leading photographers from Australia and around the world. The 2024 judging panel will be announced in January 2024. You can see the judging panel for Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2023 here.

You can visit Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers homepage here.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The union representing Southern California newspaper reporters, photographers and others plans to hold a one-day strike Thursday, protesting working conditions and low pay.

More than half of the nearly 125 members of the SCNG Guild, the union representing workers for the 11 Southern California News Group newspapers, will walk out of the job amid protracted contract talks with the company, said Josh Cain, the vice chair of the SCNG Guild and a breaking news reporter at the LA Daily News.

“We are tired,” Cain said to Spectrum News. “We are tired of the cuts. We’re tired of waiting for a deal. It’s been long enough.”

The strike comes two years after the reporters banded together to form a union, the SCNG Guild, and began contract discussions with the Southern California News Group. 

The SCNG company is one of the largest owners of newspapers across the Southern California region that stretches from the San Fernando Valley to San Bernardino. 

The company owns several long-standing newspapers, including the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the Riverside Press-Enterprise, the Orange County Register, the Daily Breeze, the LA Daily News and numerous others. 

Denver-based MediaNews Group owns the SCNG company; MediaNews Group’s parent company is Alden Global Capital.

Alden Global, which owns more than 200 local newspapers nationwide, including the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Herald and the Orlando Sentinel, is well known as a hedge fund that buys newspapers and quickly guts its staff. 

A SCNG spokesperson did not return a Spectrum News message for comment.

Cain said the union had been bargaining with SCNG for nearly two years. 

He said several long-time journalists had not received a pay raise in 10 to 15 years. Many employees earn just above the state’s minimum wage of $15.50.

Most, he said, are getting by with $19 to $20 an hour, or about $40,000 a year salary. Some have to take on a second job to make a living.

In addition to low pay, many reporters’ workloads have doubled or tripled since the company often lays off workers and expects existing staff to pick up the pace, Cain said.

“It’s a struggle,” he said. “A lot of our negotiations have been push and pull. There is a lot of delay from the company side. We’re journalists. Many of us get into this knowing we’re not going to make a ton of money, but this is one of the most expensive places to live, and people are feeling that pressure. The cost-of-living keeps going up.”

Cain said the union sent over a “fair” salary proposal to the SCNG company last year, only for the latter to counter — a year later — asking the union to drop its salary demands and accept a $1,000 bonus. 

“Of course, we said no to that,” he said. “That was never going to be a deal that we were going to take.”

He said the company’s unreasonable counter led to the one-day walkout. 

Cain said enough is enough. He thinks the company is exploiting journalists’ love for their work. 

“We love what we do,” he said. “I’ve been a reporter for 10 years now. This is what I love to do. I love being in a newsroom and writing stories that the community wants to read and stay informed on what’s happening in their community.”

But staff layoffs and attrition have taken their toll.

“It’s really hard to be a journalist,” he said. “There’s low morale because of what this company does. They force people out. Every journalist that leaves is another watchdog gone for the community.” 

“Alden’s tactics are detrimental to democracy,” he added.

The union doesn’t plan to picket at any one site on Thursday. Instead, the group will hold a virtual rally in which union members and supporters from Alden’s other newspapers nationwide can join. 

The strike will only last a day — for now.

“We want to bargain and bargain in good faith,” he said. “We’re not going to strike for multiple days. We want to send a message to the company that we’re ready to do this. We’re ready to walk out but still want to bargain.” 

He said they could hold more strikes in the future if the SCNG does not meet the union’s demand.

“That will always be on the table,” he said. “We’re prepared to go on an open-ended strike. Right now, it’s just a one-day walkout.”

The charm of rooftop weddings lies in their ability to blend the intimacy of a private celebration with the grandeur of a beautiful view. From the golden hues of a sunset to the twinkling lights of a city at night, these elevated venues present photographers with an array of dynamic backdrops. In this article, we’ll discover various techniques and creative approaches to photographing rooftop weddings and engagements, offering insights into transforming these special moments into lasting memories.

Thank you to the wedding photographers at Wedding Maps for providing the images for this article.

Storytelling During a Rooftop Wedding Ceremony

Rooftop weddings give photographers a chance to capture the expansive skies above, interesting urban architecture or beautiful views of nature. Photographers should focus on wide-angle shots to encapsulate the environment, and tighter shots to capture the emotional moments of the ceremony. The key is to balance the grandiosity of the setting with the intimacy of the event.

Golden Hour Couples Photos with Natural Light

The golden hour provides a magical lighting backdrop for photographs of rooftop weddings. This time of day offers a warm, soft light that enhances the romantic ambiance. Photographers should encourage couples to schedule their photo sessions during this time to capture stunning portraits against the setting or rising sun. Emphasizing the natural glow on the couple’s faces and the golden hues reflecting off the buildings around can create unforgettable photos. See these examples below.

Rooftop Portraits During Blue Hour

Blue hour, the brief period after sunset or before sunrise, offers a serene and romantic ambiance for rooftop portraits. The subtle blue tones in the sky create a calm and dreamy background, perfect for capturing the intimacy between the couple. Utilizing the city lights starting to twinkle in the background can add a magical touch to these portraits.

Night Time Portraits with Flash

Nighttime rooftop photography can be challenging but rewarding. Using a flash or external lighting sources can illuminate the couple against the dark sky and cityscape. The contrast between the darkness and the illuminated subjects creates a dramatic and intimate mood. Experimenting with different lighting techniques, like backlighting or side lighting, can add depth and dimension to the photos.

Couples Portraits on Cloudy Days

Cloudy days provide diffused, soft lighting, ideal for flattering portraits. The overcast sky acts as a natural softbox, eliminating harsh shadows. Photographers can capture the moody ambiance of the city while focusing on the couple’s expressions and interactions, making for emotive and tender photos.

Using Interesting Architectural Elements on Rooftops

Rooftops often have unique architectural elements that can enhance photographs. Incorporating these elements can add depth and interest to the images. Whether it’s a spiral staircase, an interesting railing, or unique rooftop patterns, using these features creatively can create dynamic compositions.

Intentional Mis-focus with the Cityscape in the Backdrop

An intentional mis-focus technique, where the cityscape is in focus and the couple is slightly blurred, can create a dreamy and artistic effect. This technique emphasizes the grandeur of the city while keeping the couple an integral part of the story.

Going to the Top Floor of a Parking Garage

Parking garages are uncommon for engagement photography, but the top floor can offer a unique vantage point for cityscapes. The unobstructed view and the industrial feel can add a modern and edgy element to the photos.

Using Creative Reflections on Mirrors

Utilizing mirrors and windows to create reflections can add a creative twist to rooftop wedding photos. This technique can create a sense of depth and intrigue, offering a unique perspective of the couple and the cityscape.

Photographing a Rooftop Proposal

Capturing the moment of a rooftop proposal requires anticipation and readiness. The key is to be unobtrusive yet ready to capture the surprise and emotion of the moment. Wide shots that capture the ambiance and close-ups that encapsulate the emotion are essential.

Using Creative Effects and Lenses

Experimenting with different lenses and creative effects can add an artistic flair to rooftop wedding photography. Fish-eye lenses can create a panoramic view of the city, while tilt-shift lenses can bring a miniature effect to the bustling streets below. Using prisms or glass balls for creative refractions can also add a unique touch to the photos.

Other Beautiful Rooftop Wedding and Engagement Photos

In conclusion, rooftop weddings and engagements offer photographers a canvas of endless possibilities. The key is to blend creativity with the unique elements of the rooftop setting to capture stunning, memorable photographs that tell a story of love amidst the sky.

Photographing Love by Kristina Wikle

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