Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 - £828/$999

The polar opposite of a 'dumb' lens

- Matthew Richards

1 The zoom and focus control rings have more of a tactile feel to them.

2 The focus button can be assigned top operating functions like the focus preset.

3 Overall, the build and quality of the lens is very good, especially at the asking price.

Resolution (line widths/picture height)

.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

Specifications

Mount: Sony E (FE)

Full-frame: Yes

Lens construction: 15 elements in 15 groups

Angle of view: 75-32º

Autofocus: Yes

Image stabilisation: No

Max aperture: f/2.8

Min aperture: f/22

Diaphragm blades: 9

Max magnification ratio: 0.37x (W) 0.24x (T)

Min focus distance: 0.18m (W) 0.38m (T)

Filter size: 67mm

Dimensions (L x D): 118x76mm

Weight: 540g

The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 is something of a modern classic, reinvented. The original edition was excellent in every way, shoehorning a useful 'standard' zoom range and fast, constant f/2.8 aperture rating into a compact yet high-quality construction. Tamron's 'Generation 2' lens adds new thrills and frills, making it an even more desirable option for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, although it still lacks optical stabilization.