You need a fast, sharp, and lightweight wide-angle zoom lens for your Sony full-frame mirrorless camera. But you don’t want to break the bank. What do you do? You get the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. This lens is Tamron’s second native E-mount lens, and it’s a winner. In this article, we’ll show you why this lens is awesome, how it performs, and what it costs. We’ll also share some stunning sample images taken with it.

What’s in the Box?

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 comes with the following items:

• The lens itself
• A lens hood (model HA046)
• A lens cap (model F017)
• A rear cap
• A user manual
• A warranty card

What are the Features and Specifications?

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is designed exclusively for Sony E-mount full-frame cameras, such as the A7 and A9 series. It offers a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, which is ideal for low-light situations and shallow depth-of-field effects. Here are some of the key features and specifications of this lens:

• Focal length: 17-28mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Angle of view: 103°41’-75°23’ (full-frame), 78°46’-54°19’ (APS-C)
• Optical construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, including 2 LD and 1 XLD elements
• Coating: BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection)
• Diaphragm: 9 blades, circular
• Minimum focus distance: 0.19m (7.5 in) at 17mm, 0.26m (10.2 in) at 28mm
• Maximum magnification ratio: 0.19x at 17mm, 0.17x at 28mm
• Filter size: 67mm
• Autofocus: RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) motor, compatible with Sony’s Eye AF and DMF
• Weather sealing: Moisture-resistant construction, a fluorine coating on the front element
• Dimensions: 73mm x 99mm (2.9 in x 3.9 in)
• Weight: 420g (14.8 oz)

How does it Perform and How is the Image Quality?

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 delivers excellent performance and image quality across the zoom range. The lens is sharp to very sharp in the center and the corners, even at wide apertures. The lens has very low distortion and vignetting and handles flare and glare well. The lens produces pleasing colors and contrast and has a smooth bokeh.

The lens is also very fast and accurate in autofocus and works well with Sony’s Eye AF and face detection. The lens is silent in operation, making it suitable for video recording. The lens has no image stabilization, but this is not a major issue for wide-angle shooting, especially with Sony’s in-body stabilization.

How Does It Compare to Other Wide-Angle Zooms?

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is a great option for Sony shooters who want a high-performance wide-angle zoom lens at an affordable price. The lens costs $900, which is less than half of the price of Sony’s 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens ($2,200), and $450 cheaper than Sony’s 16-35mm f/4 OSS lens ($1,350). The lens also offers a smaller and lighter design and a closer minimum focus distance than both Sony lenses.

The main drawback of the lens is the limited zoom range, which might not be enough for some users. The lens also lacks image stabilization and a focus hold button, which are available on Sony lenses. However, these are minor trade-offs for the excellent image quality, fast aperture, and compact size of the Tamron lens.

Here is a table that summarizes the main differences between the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 and the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 and f/4 lenses:

Table

What is the Conclusion and Evaluation?

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is a lens that can handle a variety of wide-angle scenarios, such as landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, architecture, and astrophotography. It is also a perfect companion for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, giving you a complete f/2.8 zoom range from 17mm to 75mm. If you are looking for a versatile, high-quality, and budget-friendly wide-angle zoom lens for your Sony camera, you should consider the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8.

We give this lens a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on the following criteria:

• Image quality: 5/5
• Autofocus: 5/5
• Build quality: 4/5
• Value: 5/5
• Features: 4/5