Capturing the Mid-Autumn Festival at Shuang Lin Monastery with Tamron 35-150mm Lens – Bryan Goh

The Trip to Shuang Lin Monastery

I recently attended the Mid-Autumn Festival at Shuang Lin Monastery, eager to capture the festival’s energy, particularly the Luminous Dragon performance. With a mix of cultural displays and vibrant performances, I needed a lens that could handle different photographic scenarios. It was the perfect opportunity to test the versatility of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens, which I relied on for both wide-angle shots and detailed close-ups.

Why I Chose the Tamron 35-150mm

For this shoot, I used the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens. Its focal range covered the same ground as both a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm lens, which meant I could leave my other lenses behind and avoid frequent lens changes—a big plus during a fast-paced event. The wide aperture was especially helpful for the evening’s low-light conditions. I mounted it on my Nikon Zf mirrorless camera, and despite my initial concerns about focusing speed in dim light, the lens performed remarkably well, quickly locking focus when I needed it.

How the Tamron 35-150mm Enhanced My Photography

The versatility of the Tamron 35-150mm allowed me to effortlessly switch between wide shots and tighter compositions. I could capture both the broad scene of the festival and the intricate details of the Luminous Dragon performance. As the evening progressed and the light began to fade, the lens maintained clarity and detail, which was essential for capturing the glow of the dragon’s luminous scales.

To capture the movement of the dragon dance, I experimented with slower shutter speeds, and the lens’s responsiveness helped me achieve the motion effects I envisioned. I was impressed by how well the lens adapted to the dynamic changes of the event.

Memorable Moments and Challenges

The highlight of the night for me was the Luminous Dragon performance. The glowing scales and rapid movements were both exciting and challenging to capture, but the lens rose to the occasion. Its adaptability allowed me to transition smoothly from wide shots of the whole performance to close-ups of the dragon’s intricate details.

The shift from natural light to dim artificial lighting posed another challenge. However, the wide aperture of the Tamron 35-150mm made it manageable without requiring high ISO settings or creating significant noise. Despite the crowd limiting my movement, the lens’s zoom range enabled me to adjust my framing from a fixed position.

How the Lens Performed

Throughout the festival, the Tamron 35-150mm maintained consistent sharpness across its focal lengths, whether I was shooting wide or zoomed in. The accurate colour reproduction was a major plus, capturing the vibrant reds, greens, and yellows of the festival, even in low light.

Compared to other lenses I’ve used, the Tamron 35-150mm stood out for its fast focus and detail capture, especially during fast-paced action like the dragon dance. The image quality remained high, with minimal distortion—just what I needed for this event.

Sharing Insights for Travel Photographers

If you’re considering a lens for event photography, especially when you need to travel light, I highly recommend the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8. Its wide aperture and flexible focal range make it a reliable companion for capturing a variety of scenes without having to switch lenses.

Before using it at a major event, spend some time getting familiar with its handling and range to make the most of its versatility. My main tip: keep your gear simple. With a versatile lens like this, you can focus more on the event itself rather than managing your equipment.

Conclusion

It was a pleasure to use the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens at the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I’m glad to share my experience. The lens truly supported my creative vision at Shuang Lin Monastery, proving to be a reliable and adaptable choice for real-world event photography.

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Editor’s Words

We’d like to thank Bryan for sharing his experience of using the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 lens at the Mid-Autumn Festival. His insights offer a practical look at how this lens can perform in a real-world event setting, from managing low light to handling fast-moving subjects. 

We appreciate Bryan’s candid feedback and are glad to see how the Tamron 35-150mm supported his creative vision at Shuang Lin Monastery.

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