First test
PRICE: £849
TAMRON.EU
If you own a Sony E-mount camera and want a quality standard zoom, this well-priced Tamron could be your ideal partner Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
SOME STANDARD ZOOMS go wider; others are longer. But being less ambitious with a narrower focal length range has benefits. That’s exemplified here, with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, which supersedes the RXD version. Its modest focal length range enables a respectably fast f/2.8 aperture throughout, without the need for a large-diameter, light- gathering front element. The filter thread is a pocket-friendly 67mm and weighs in at just 540g. As you’ll see, there’s a benefit in the performance stakes, too – this is a fine lens. I tested the Tamron on a Sony A7R IV, and the pair made for a lovely combination to suit a wide range of subjects. Balance was very good, and having the zoom barrel towards the end of the lens means adjusting focal length is a cinch when supporting it in the palm of the left hand. If you need to tweak focus manually, that can be done with the middle finger, while thumb and forefinger are free to adjust zoom at the same time. A function button on the left side is easily attained by the thumb, too.
the lens is a more comfortable 25cm working distance. Autofocus works well. Tamron’s VXD drive motor means it’s quiet, responsive and silent. You can enjoy the focus benefits of Sony cameras, such as direct manual focus and face/eye detection. Close examination of test shots shows this is a very capable lens. At 28mm, it shines when set to f/2.8, and this high level of performance is maintained with good detail and contrast through to f/11, before dropping away quite significantly thanks to diffraction at f/16 and f/22. The poor showing at these settings was constant through the range. Test shots at 35mm and 50mm were comparable in quality to 28mm, very good wide open and improving a little stopping down, with f/5.6 and f/8 the optimum settings. Compared to the rest of the focal length range, the weakest performance was seen at 75mm. Maximum aperture sharpness was good, but fine detail lacked contrast and bite. This improved at f/4 and then even more at f/5.6 and f/8,
before the inevitable dropping away at small apertures. Distortion wasn’t an issue at any point. Tamron’s BBAR-G2 coating did a fine job keeping flare and ghosting at bay in backlighting situations – unless a full sun was in frame. WC
SPECS › Price £849 › In the box Front and back caps, hood › Format Full-frame, APS-C › Compatibility Sony E-mount › Filter 67mm › Construction 17 elements in 15 groups › Special lens elements Two low dispersion, two glass aspherical › Coatings BBAR-G2, fluorine coating on front element › Aperture range F/2.8-22 › Diaphragm Nine blades › Magnification 1:2.7 (28mm), 1:4.1 (75mm) › Autofocus VXD linear focus motor › Minimum focus 18cm (28mm), 38cm (75mm) › Moisture-resistant construction Yes › Image stabilisation No › Dimensions (dxl)
QUICK ZOOM Cover this lens’ range in less than one quarter-rotation
Accessing the whole zoom range is quick; less than one quarter-turn of the zoom barrel takes you from one end of the range to the other. Zoom barrel operates with good resistance, and focus barrel is silky smooth, so no issues with handling. Its minimum focus is just 18cm at 28mm and 38cm at 75mm. In practice, this means the lens front is around 10cm from the subject when shooting at 28mm, so watch out for your (or the lens’) shadow. At this focal length, image magnification is 1:2.7, close to half life-size – a handy feature to have on hand. At the 75mm end, it’s 1:4.1 when focused to the minimum 38cm, and the front of
RAISING THE STANDARD Taken on a Sony A7R IV with the lens at 75mm, 1/20sec at f/7.1 and ISO 100
75.8x117.6mm › Weight 540g › Contact tamron.eu
TEST PICTURES
Our thanks to Hireacamera for the loan of the Sony A7R IV body used in this review. hireacamera.com
Test shots with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 were taken on a Sony A7R IV, with the camera mounted on a Gitzo Systematic Series 3 carbon tripod.
28mm
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
Verdict The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a lovely, compact standard zoom. While its focal length is not overly ambitious, the fast constant maximum aperture, fine handling and solid performance make it a serious consideration if you want a top-value walkabout lens. PROS Compact, constant f/2.8 aperture throughout, useful close focusing skills, customisable lens functions, 67mm filter size CONS Sony fitting only
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
50mm
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
75mm
F/2.8
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
Issue 100 | Photography News 71
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