Excited for Tamron 28-75 F/2.8

Why I’m Excited for the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 for Sony Mirrorless

(Update:  First Impressions & Sample Images Here)

Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 Sony FE lens

High end photographers use 2.8 zooms, this is not a surprise.  This has been the lens of choice for professionals especially. While one maximizes image quality when shooting primes, there are fast moving situations where a zoom lens adds much needed flexibility.  Event shooters such as wedding photographers, for example, must be able to shoot in a dynamic situation where changing prime lenses may not be viable.   (Primes vs Zooms).    Of course, prime lenses offer much wider aperture than zoom lenses, typically F1.4 or F1.8.  The best you can get in full frame zoom lenses are F2.8.  High end shooters therefore commonly own a 24-70 F/2.8 lens.  Every full frame mount has a version of the lens (Sony FE, Sony A-mount, Nikon, Canon, Pentax).   There are third party options as well.

The problem was, until now, Sony FE shooters only had a single option unless you wanted to use adapters.   For $2200, you can purchase the Sony FE 24-70 F/2.8 GM lens .  I’m sure the lens is exceptional.  I will review it at some point.  But as an enthusiast, I’m very hesitant to spend $2200 on any single lens.  When I shot Nikon, I used the Tamron 24-70 F

Tamron 24-70 F/2.8 on Nikon D750

/2.8, just as good as OEM lenses according to most reviews and priced at only $1200.   When I shot with a Sony A99, I stuck to a budget by using the Sony 28-75 F/2.8 lens for A-mount, for only $900.  

Priced at only $799, the newly announced Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD lens finally brings an affordable 2.8 standard zoom for Sony FE system shooters.  In fact, the price is a relative bargain.

Positive and Negatives of the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8

Obviously from the above discussion, price is a driving differentiation between the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 and the Sony 24-70 F/2.8 GM.   The Tamron is practically one third the price of the Sony.  It’s much too early to compare image quality.  It’s possible that the Tamron image quality will pale in comparison to the Sony, but I don’t expect that to happen.  Even before release of the lens, there are some differences we can discuss.

The biggest negative is that the Tamron starts at 28mm.   Many will justifiably complain that this isn’t wide enough.   The loss of 4mm on the wide end is ultimately far more significant than gaining 5mm on the long end.  I agree with those who say that 28mm really isn’t wide enough for many general purpose shooting situations, especially landscapes.

Yet, is it really a dramatic problem?   APS-C shooters have used 18-55 lenses as standard zooms for years.  This is the equivalent of 27-72mm.   So, if you’re stepping up from an aps-c camera to a Sony full frame, the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 may be giving you the same range that you’re already used to.

Furthermore, I’d recommend against the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 as being a sole lens for any Sony FE shooter, especially for a landscape shooter.   If you already own an ultrawide angle lens, such as the Sony 12-24mm F/4 (my review here), Sony 16-35 F/2.8, or Sony 16-35 F/4, then you are already well covered in the 24mm range.   When shooting events or portraits, for example, 28mm is indeed wide enough.

One major advantage of the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 has not been addressed.   Like many others, I switched to Sony mirrorless, in part, to reduce the size of my kit.  The Sony 24-70 F/2.8 GM weighs 886 grams.   When a lens weighs 200 grams more than the camera body, that’s too heavy for me to carry for long periods of time.  And the whole point of a standard zoom lens, is to have convenience to carry for a long period of time.   The Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 weighs in at only 550 grams.  That’s a huge difference in practical terms, if you are going to carry the lens for any extended periods.

Compared to Sony Standard Zooms

1. As mentioned, the Sony 24-70 F/2.8 GM weights 886 grams and costs $2199.  Definitely has the benefit of starting at 24mm.
2. Sony 24-70mm F/4:  Currently at $899 and weighs 426 grams.   It’s 24mm, and it weighs slightly less than the Tamron, but just slightly.  It costs more than the Tamron and it is only F4.  (And reviews generally are not favorable).
3. Sony 24-105mm F/4.  (My review here) 663 grams and $1298.  A very used range, wider and more telephoto than the Tamron.  But it weighs more, costs more, and is only F4!

My Plan

I pre-ordered the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 but I already own the Sony 24-105 F/4.  When I receive it, I will review it for this blog.  Then for my own purposes, I’ll keep one of the two.