Lens Reviews / Tamron Lenses i Not yet tested

28-75mm

Updates:
01/05/2022: Gallery Images added
01/28/2022: Hands-on Review added

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 Hands-on Review

A compact, affordable and impressive zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 01/28/2022

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 35mm, F8, 0.4s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Tamron has been on fire lately with great zoom lenses. Last month, we reviewed the impressive Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD lens for APS-C Sony cameras. I just finished my review of the excellent Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD lens, and now it's time for another new Tamron zoom lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2.

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens is a new and improved version of the original 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD. With better ergonomics, a new optical design and a new autofocus system, the G2 version promises improved performance and usability across the board. Does the lens fulfill its promises?

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 40mm, F8, 25s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 key features and specs

• Compact standard zoom lens for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras
• Constant F2.8 aperture
• Refined optical design
• New VXD autofocus system
• 17 elements in 15 groups
• Includes 2 molded glass aspherical elements and 2 LD lens elements
• Minimum focus distance of 18cm (7.1")
• Maximum reproduction ratios of 1:2.7 (wide) and 1:4.1 (tele)
• L x D: 116.8mm (4.6") x 75.8mm (3")
• Weighs 539 grams (19 oz)
• 67mm filter size
• Works with Tamron Lens Utility
• $899

Lens design and handling: A well-designed, stylish and lightweight zoom lens

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens has an updated design and finish. It's a stylish and surprisingly compact lens. It weighs 539 grams (19 oz) and is only 116.8mm (4.6") in length at its most compact. The lens balances very nicely on the Sony A7R IV and Sony A7 IV cameras I used.

With its semi-gloss black finish and sleek design, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is a stylish lens that pairs nicely with Sony Alpha cameras.

The wide zoom ring has a ridged surface that is easy to grip, even when using gloves, and to zoom from 28mm to 75mm requires around 90 degrees of rotation. The lens barrel has focal length markings at 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm. The zoom ring has a good amount of resistance, allowing for easy, but not too easy, changes to the focal length. As for the focus ring, it's somewhat narrow, and it can be hit by accident with your palm while zooming, which is something to keep in mind. Otherwise, the focus ring works well.

Overall, the lens feels good in the hands, is well-built and includes a weather-resistant design. Further, it's compact and lightweight given its focal length range and maximum aperture. Just how compact is it? Well, consider the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens. It's slightly wider and zooms a bit less but is $2,000 and weighs 886g (1.95 lb). That's a big price difference and a significant difference in weight. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens is also 136mm long at its minimum and has an 82mm filter thread, rather than the 67mm filter thread of the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2.

As we'll see in the next section, you aren't sacrificing image quality by opting for the more affordable, lighter and smaller Tamron lens, either. In my opinion, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM has a bit better 'feel' and build quality, but the Tamron still feels good and is well-designed.

Image quality: Good to excellent performance across the board

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 has a new optical design. The old version featured 15 elements in 12 groups and included a single XLD element and one LD element. In contrast, the new lens has 17 elements in 15 groups, including two molded glass aspherical elements and two LD lens elements.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/250s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles disabled. The lens correction profiles are good for handling distortion but are heavy-handed when dealing with vignette at default settings. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each focal length/aperture combination I tested in the Gallery. Further, please excuse the dust spots on the image sensor, which are especially visible at smaller apertures. Despite my best efforts and regular cleaning, the Sony A7R IV seems to attract dust.

Please note that two of the test shots I routinely include are missing. The F11 image shot at 28mm is absent. It was blurry due to a camera shake incident that I didn't recognize in the field. Further, the 50mm F8 image is absent due to a focusing error. In both cases, I didn't realize my mistake until the lens had been shipped back to Tamron. If you'd like to see a shot at 28mm and F11, please refer to image Y-JG-A7-IV-TAMRON-28-75-0362. For an image at 50mm and F8, there's no perfect shot to refer to. However, Y-JG-A7-IV-TAMRON-28-75-0176 is shot at 48mm and F8, so it's a nearly perfect substitute. Thank you for your understanding.

28mm

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 28mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 28mm, the Tamron 28-75mm G2 performs well at its maximum aperture of F2.8. The center sharpness is good. Sharpness remains good as you move away from the center of the frame until you reach the extreme corners. This is where sharpness drops off. I think it's noticeable without pixel-peeping, but it's limited to the very corners. There's also some vignette.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 28mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 28mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

As you stop down to F4, center sharpness improves slightly, although it's only evident when looking very closely at the image. Corner performance improves, too, in terms of sharpness and exposure consistency. If you want the best balance of maximum sharpness and corner performance, F8 seems to be right around the sweet spot.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F8, 1/125s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 28mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F8, 1/125s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 28mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

It's unclear if the somewhat soft corners at 28mm are due to the lens simply being less sharp at its widest focal length, which is typical of zoom lenses, or if there's an issue with field curvature. In any event, the performance at 28mm is still good, and the lens is well-suited to shooting at its widest focal length.

50mm

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 50mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 50mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 50mm, performance is better than at 28mm. That's not that easy of a bar to clear, either, as performance at 28mm is still good. Center sharpness at 50mm F2.8 is outstanding, and corners are more detailed at 50mm than at 28mm, all else equal. There's also noticeably less vignette, not that the vignette is severe at 28mm.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 50mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 50mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 50mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 50mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

As you stop down, to F5.6, for example, performance improves a bit. There's just a bit more punch to the image, with slightly better fine detail and contrast. Corner performance improves, too, producing excellent corner performance at 50mm.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 50mm, F5.6, 1/200s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 50mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 50mm, F5.6, 1/200s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 50mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

75mm

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. Sharpness test shot - 75mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At the lens's maximum focal length of 75mm, performance is very good. Sharpness at F2.8 is excellent from the center of the frame out to the corners. Corner performance is slightly softer than the center, but it's still good, and you'd need to zoom in to see any performance falloff. Vignette is also well-controlled.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 75mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 75mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At F4, performance improves slightly in the center of the frame and marginally more noticeably in the corner.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F4, 1/400s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Sharpness test shot - 75mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F4, 1/400s, ISO 100. 100% bottom right corner crop. Sharpness test shot - 75mm. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sharpness summary

The Tamron 28-75mm Di III VXD G2 lens performs very well throughout its focal length range, even when shooting at its maximum aperture of F2.8. If the lens has a weakness concerning sharpness, it's that the lens is just a bit less impressive at its widest focal length of 28mm. However, that's speaking relatively to the rest of the focal length range more than it is relative to other similarly priced lenses. It's a strong performer. If you need edge-to-edge sharpness and 28mm, stop down to F8 or so. Zooming in just slightly works well if you don't need the wide field of view.

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 31mm, F11, 1.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Having looked closely at images shot with the original Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens, it's clear that corner performance, especially at 28mm, is significantly improved over the older version. Do I wish there was just a bit more detail at 28mm F2.8 in the corners? Sure, but it's much better than the older lens and, as mentioned, good overall.

Aberrations

There is slight longitudinal chromatic aberration (LoCA) with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2. When shooting wide open especially, there are sometimes some magenta fringes around out-of-focus elements in the foreground and green edges around out-of-focus elements in the background. However, it's minimal and barely noticeable. If you want to avoid it and don't require a fast aperture, stopping down helps. However, I didn't find it problematic at all.

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/800s, ISO 3200. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens also shows minimal purple fringing, save for extremely challenging situations. This is much easier to deal with in post than LoCA and just isn't much of a problem. In fact, 'not much of a problem' basically sums up aberrations with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2. The lens handles them well.

Distortion

Distortion is a bit more prevalent with the 28-75mm F2.8 G2. There's a bit of mustache distortion at 28mm, where straight lines curve a bit in near the center of the frame and a bit out nearer the edges. It's not bad, but it can be noticeable in certain situations, such as when photographing buildings like in the photo below.

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F7.1, 20s, ISO 80. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

As you zoom in, this issue resolves, although there is instead a bit of pincushion distortion. I find this much less noticeable. The available lens correction profiles help reduce lens distortion.

Image quality summary

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens produces impressive image quality throughout its focal length range. Sharpness is very good and improved compared to the previous iteration. Further, the lens does a good job handling aberrations, although there is some minor LoCA at wide apertures. The lens also exhibits some distortion, but it's generally handled well by lens profiles and is not problematic in all but the most demanding scenes full of straight lines. Overall? Excellent showing by the new Tamron zoom lens.

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F8, 0.8s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the field

Autofocus

Autofocus performance is good with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2. The lens focuses quickly, quietly, and accurately. The Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive (VXD) autofocus system is new compared to the previous model, which instead used a Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive (RXD) system.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F2.8, 1/320s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In terms of close-focusing performance, the new lens has an impressive minimum focusing distance of 18 cm (7.1"), resulting in a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2.7. It's roughly the same as the previous lens. While it's not quite in macro territory, the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 can focus closely enough for many subjects and is quite versatile.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 Hands-on Review Summary

A very good, affordable, and compact standard zoom lens for Sony E-mount

What I like most:

• Surprisingly compact
• Lightweight
• Good build quality
• Great sharpness
• Pretty good control over aberrations
• Good autofocus
• Impressive close-focus distance

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F11, 3.2s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Unfortunately, it's only available for E-mount as of now
• Some distortion, especially at the wide end
• Minor softness in extreme corners at 28mm

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens is not only an improvement over the original, but it's also a great zoom lens overall. While the optical performance at 28mm isn't perfect, the lens delivers great sharpness overall and exhibits strong control over aberrations. There's some distortion throughout the zoom range, but lens profiles do a good job dealing with it.

These minor complaints aside, there's a lot to like about the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens, not the least of which is its palatable price tag of $899. That's a fantastic value. The lens is also reasonably compact and lightweight. It's not a tiny lens, by any means, but it balances nicely on A7-series camera bodies.

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F11, 1/125s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Tamron has done an excellent job with the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens. It's an excellent zoom lens capable of capturing sharp, detailed images throughout its focal length range. If you want a fast zoom lens for your full-frame E-mount camera but don't want to spend nearly $2,000 for the 24-70mm F2.8 GM, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens is a great alternative.

Additional photos from the field

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 46mm, F11, 2.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 40mm, F11, 0.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 71mm, F8, 1/25s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 28mm, F8, 0.6s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7 IV with Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens at 75mm, F8, 2s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

• • •

 

Product Overview

(From Tamron lens literature) Tamron USA, Inc. announces the launch date of the previously announced 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. The new lens will be on sale October 28, 2021, at $899 USD. Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change.

The 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063) is the successor of the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A036), a popular zoom lens that has earned high evaluation worldwide. It reflects the fruits of continuous evolution and customer-focused refinement. Retaining the well-received compact size of its predecessor, the new 28-75mm F2.8 G2 incorporates a new optical construction based on a design that has been revamped to enhance imaging performance and its features are compatible with the latest model digital cameras that offer increased resolution. The AF drive, TAMRON’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism, is adopted to deliver higher autofocus speed with greater precision. With the MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 7.1” at the wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7, the lens boasts advanced close-up shooting performance. Additionally, it features a new design in the pursuit of enhanced operability and ergonomic texture.

TAMRON pioneered the category of compact fast-aperture standard zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras and the new 28-75mm F2.8 G2 truly is a next-generation lens for everyday use.

Proprietary software tool TAMRON Lens Utility™ for lens function customization
This lens is compatible with the new TAMRON Lens Utility software originally and uniquely developed by TAMRON. TAMRON Lens Utility can be operated using computer by connecting the lens from its Connector Port via the optional TAMRON Connection Cable. Users can customize the functions and update the firmware through the lens. The personal customization gives flexible shooting options to match the shooting situation such as still photography or videography.

(Functions of TAMRON Lens Utility)

• Focus Set Button settings
• A-B Focus: Set 2 focus positions (A and B) and make the focus shift between A and B
• Focus Preset:　Set your desired focus position and move the focus to the recorded point by a single button press
• Select AF/MF: Select AF and MF function using the Focus Set Button
• Switch Focus Ring Function (Focus/Aperture): Switch Focus Ring Function from focus adjustment to aperture adjustment
• Assign function from the camera: Assign custom functions from the camera body to the Focus Set Button

*The function of Focus Set Button can be cleared

• Focus Ring settings
• MF Ring Rotation: Change the rotation direction of the focus ring
• MF Method: Choose the method of focus operation when using the focus ring
• Firmware update

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Best image quality in standard zoom lens class

The optics have been revamped from the ground up, employing the latest design expertise to develop an optical construction with 17 elements in 15 groups. With two optimally arranged LD (Low Dispersion) and GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements, optical aberrations are controlled to the maximum degree possible. Image quality at wide-open aperture has been significantly improved over the predecessor Model A036, offering extremely high resolution throughout the entire zoom range and from edge-to-edge of the frame. The lens also delivers the soft and beautiful bokeh effects distinctive to fast-aperture lenses. The new 28-75mm F2.8 G2 achieves extremely high performance when paired with high-grade, ultra-high resolution digital cameras and is the same compact size as its predecessor Model A036.

Fast, quiet VXD linear motor for high-speed and high-precision autofocus

The AF drive system employs TAMRON’s VXD linear motor focus mechanism. The high-speed, high-precision AF is exceedingly responsive to the actions of the photographer, providing a dependable and steady focusing experience from the MOD to infinity, despite the fast F2.8 aperture. Focusing speed has been improved approximately twice* as fast as its predecessor. The lens offers excellent focus tracking of moving objects, so you are ready for those important moments. Additionally, the focus motor is quiet, so it is ideal for shooting both still images and video in situations that demand low noise.

MOD of 7.1” at 28mm and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7 for creative close-ups

The Model A063 features an MOD of 7.1” at the wide end, an improvement over the 7.5” limit of the Model A036. The working distance shrinks to around 1.7” when operating at the MOD. With a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7, you can get close to your subject for wide macro photography, enabling powerful visual impact with the subject large while keeping a wide view of the background in frame.

New design provides enhanced texture and greater user-friendliness

The all-new 28-75mm F2.8 G2 incorporates a new design that becomes the hallmark of TAMRON lenses introduced in the future. Changes to the texture of the zoom ring surface and focus ring surface improve the grip and enhance ease of operation. The surface of the lens exterior is shiny black, much glossier than previous models. Improved abrasion resistance makes the lens harder to scratch and resists fingerprints. In addition, certain internal parts have been enhanced. These advancements result in smoother overall operability. TAMRON has also adjusted the resistance and torque of the zoom ring to facilitate smoother and more precise operation.

Lightweight, compact design with emphasis on ease of use, plus 67mm filter size

Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF

*Compared to RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) used in Model A036

**TAMRON Connection Cable (USB Type-A to Type-C) sold separately.