I bought this lens and sold my 24-70 GM. Wide open the Tamron had better centre sharpness at all focal lengths except 28mm, where the Sony was a touch sharper. Love how light the Tamron is, makes it much easier to use on a gimbal. Also the manual focus on the Tamron is better than many Sony lenses I've used.
I got it immediately hit the market, sold the GM and I make my mind already to build up the holy trinity with tamron, already ready to order the 17-28 2.8 :)
I've never purchased or used a Tamron lens, as I always stick the with Canon glass. This gives me a lot of confidence in Tamron. If I can get the same glass and save myself $500 (replacing the 70-200), the for sure, unless you have an opinion on those particular models, since you were previously a Canon guy. Thanks! Your Sony videos help us all. :)
I have this lens, and agree on all counts with your review, it's simply brilliant. The crazy thing is that it performs even better around 50mm than either of the areas of overlap you mentioned! Also worth mentioning is that this lens has a fantastic close-focusing pseudo macro ability, and is generally par-focal (my copy, at least). It truly is a steal, even at its increased price.
Those in-camera lens corrections are awesome! I wish we could do that with every lens/ body combo. If that lens had stabilization, it would be near perfect.
I have bought one just before Tamron has increased the price from $800.00 to $879.00! Used it for few hours - looks like a good buy for the price BUT it's not cheap lens for sure.
Thanks Dave - Question: for video, how do you feel about the MF feedback? I feel like it's SO slow when you move slow, and too fast when you move semi-fast with your hand movement. The AF works really well, but sometimes you need to MF for video - due to creative choices or w/e other reasons. Thoughts?
It was a bit disappointing that this lens doesn't have the VC, while that was the reason i bought the Tamron 24-70 2.8 since no Canon version had that feature . Any thoughts of SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 vs this lens?
Hi Dave, I was certainly waiting for you to review this lens and yes it is a no brainer. Nothing to say about it, bought it as a second hand for 500$ and yet still in very good shape. Got it updated to V3. BTW I live in Morocco, no way to have a G Master, not even the nifty fifty around here ( pricy & rare ). It was so crucial for me to make the best choice and I'm in heaven i found the perfect fit for my A7III for video and photography.
Very interesting, thanks for the review. (Question) How much focus breathing? That is, do you really get 75mm at headshot range? Tamron historically has a lot of focus breathing.
I've been looking into switching completely to e-mount but the focus by wire system on the lenses I've used seemed not very responsive, is the manual focusing on this lens good?
This specific lens is probably not for me (prefer more range and willing to trade speed), but VERY excited that Tamron already has compatibility figured out so well. Thank you for that quick video :) 3:40 To make it even easier, you could use different colour labels or even use one versus two strips so you can feel the position in the dark.
I got the Tamron and it's a killer lens. Do you recommend it to keep distortion correction on auto (video) ? Does it adjust to the specific focal range?
Hi dave , i found my tamron kinda slow on my A7II on studio situation, when its dark its getting hard to focusing, how is it working on A7RII because im considering to get A7RII. on A7III the tamron works like butter
Could you share some examples (pics) when comparing the Tamron 28-75 at the overlapping range with the 2.8/16-35GM & 2.8/70-200GM (ie the Tamron's extremes)? You know - pics or it didn't happen ;) PS: also have you noticed in some range if closing the aperture (like going from f2.8 to 4 for example) to worsen sharpness? (I think Max Yuryev reported it in his review, so I wonder if it's a more of a production unit issue or a design issue)
Yeah I was going to buy it when it first came out...couldn’t get it anywhere. It went up in price. I now own it but it has taken a while to get back at a good price...I say good price I mean it’s release price, it was alway at a good price against the g-master. Just want them to bring the 70-200 2.8 out now. Unless I just take the plunge and buy the g-master.
Completely agree with your findings, apart from mine being a tad soft wide open (but otherwise very sharp and contrasty) in the extreme corners at 28mm. And that lens hood is a pain! BTW why are you still on version 1.01 of the a7RIII's firmware? Version 2.10 is available now, with version 3.00 (improved AF and time-lapse expected) in April.
Just sold it. It's a nice lens and sharp and all that. But the bokeh was just so so. Sometimes great, sometimes ugly. And I like to use primes anyways. Just a personal preference, nothing really wrong with the lens. Might be interested of the upcoming 17-28mm though.
i would say save the extra $530 and go for the tamron unless you absolutely need the most bleeding edge sharpness. Tamron is coming out with 17-28mm and 35-150mm as well in the similar price range
Yes and No .... I use my Sony A7R3 only in the studio with prime lenses. A telelens isn´t that useful there. For travelling, I prefer my A6000 and for that camera, the Tamron is too big. But yes, it is a great lens if you can afford 2 A7(R)3 and you use one outdoor.
I've done plenty of night photography with it, and it's excellent. If you're really looking to photograph a club, and you really need wider aperture than 2.8, then fair enough... But that's not the lens' fault.
welcome back sir to your channel , we really miss you
My go-to lens. Shot like a 1000 vids with it. Amazing quality. Would pay even a few hundred more.
I bought this lens and sold my 24-70 GM. Wide open the Tamron had better centre sharpness at all focal lengths except 28mm, where the Sony was a touch sharper. Love how light the Tamron is, makes it much easier to use on a gimbal. Also the manual focus on the Tamron is better than many Sony lenses I've used.
I pre ordered it!! No brainer! I love it, used it for over a year now. No regrets!
I got it immediately hit the market, sold the GM and I make my mind already to build up the holy trinity with tamron, already ready to order the 17-28 2.8 :)
Thank you for all this information. Your reviews are thankfully short and to the point. Which is appreciated.
I really like this short video. explains the most important points and no gimiics.. thanks..
I used the TAMRON last 5 months... simply its a BEAST and game changer..!!
Great review Mr. Dave
Just bought this lens about a month ago. I have to agree, this lens is the best lens for money.
Can I see the result you got from this lens?
Ya I will post a video this week about the lens !
I've never purchased or used a Tamron lens, as I always stick the with Canon glass. This gives me a lot of confidence in Tamron. If I can get the same glass and save myself $500 (replacing the 70-200), the for sure, unless you have an opinion on those particular models, since you were previously a Canon guy. Thanks! Your Sony videos help us all. :)
The bokeh is worse than any L lens though. If you can live with it the size is amazing.
I've owned two very good Tamron lenses and one really bad one. So always look at reviews (mind the plural!) before you buy.
I have this lens, and agree on all counts with your review, it's simply brilliant. The crazy thing is that it performs even better around 50mm than either of the areas of overlap you mentioned! Also worth mentioning is that this lens has a fantastic close-focusing pseudo macro ability, and is generally par-focal (my copy, at least). It truly is a steal, even at its increased price.
But what about it's manual focus capabilities for video ??
Those in-camera lens corrections are awesome! I wish we could do that with every lens/ body combo. If that lens had stabilization, it would be near perfect.
Thanks! Have you tried it next to an adapted Tamron 24-70 vc? I've heard it's not as sharp compared to the old one.
Im confused... My country sell's the lens for FE mount but all the videos I look are E mount. So if I get this for my Sony a73 is it combatible?
I've been on the fence about getting this lens and your review just pushed me over. Always love your videos. Thank you, Dave!
Wow amazing video I love it sir. Thanks for sharing please stay safe and healthy.
Thanks for the tip, Dave! Really appreciate the thorough but concise review.
I use it and very happy.
For lot of my work it do the staff!
Got it when it first came out, before the price rise. Amazing lens regardless of the price increasing.
Best lens for the money in the Sony E-mount system!
I have bought one just before Tamron has increased the price from $800.00 to $879.00! Used it for few hours - looks like a good buy for the price BUT it's not cheap lens for sure.
Thanks Dave - Question: for video, how do you feel about the MF feedback? I feel like it's SO slow when you move slow, and too fast when you move semi-fast with your hand movement. The AF works really well, but sometimes you need to MF for video - due to creative choices or w/e other reasons. Thoughts?
It was a bit disappointing that this lens doesn't have the VC, while that was the reason i bought the Tamron 24-70 2.8 since no Canon version had that feature . Any thoughts of SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 vs this lens?
Hi Dave, I was certainly waiting for you to review this lens and yes it is a no brainer. Nothing to say about it, bought it as a second hand for 500$ and yet still in very good shape. Got it updated to V3. BTW I live in Morocco, no way to have a G Master, not even the nifty fifty around here ( pricy & rare ). It was so crucial for me to make the best choice and I'm in heaven i found the perfect fit for my A7III for video and photography.
Very interesting, thanks for the review. (Question) How much focus breathing? That is, do you really get 75mm at headshot range? Tamron historically has a lot of focus breathing.
your video about d800 and 5diii got me on photography long time no see
I've been looking into switching completely to e-mount but the focus by wire system on the lenses I've used seemed not very responsive, is the manual focusing on this lens good?
This specific lens is probably not for me (prefer more range and willing to trade speed), but VERY excited that Tamron already has compatibility figured out so well. Thank you for that quick video :)
3:40 To make it even easier, you could use different colour labels or even use one versus two strips so you can feel the position in the dark.
Ah, I like the colors idea.
Bought it -- fantastic
really, just buy it (already)
awesome review, Dave! great combo of technical aspects and practical use
I got the Tamron and it's a killer lens. Do you recommend it to keep distortion correction on auto (video) ? Does it adjust to the specific focal range?
Yes I would leave it on auto, yes it works on all focal ranges.
Hi dave , i found my tamron kinda slow on my A7II on studio situation, when its dark its getting hard to focusing, how is it working on A7RII because im considering to get A7RII. on A7III the tamron works like butter
Agreed! just buy it!
IT JUST ARIVED ON MY DOORSTEP THIS MORNING.
Could you share some examples (pics) when comparing the Tamron 28-75 at the overlapping range with the 2.8/16-35GM & 2.8/70-200GM (ie the Tamron's extremes)?
You know - pics or it didn't happen ;)
PS: also have you noticed in some range if closing the aperture (like going from f2.8 to 4 for example) to worsen sharpness? (I think Max Yuryev
reported it in his review, so I wonder if it's a more of a production unit issue or a design issue)
what about FOCUS SPEED and focus NOISE performance? My Sigma 18-35 + MC-11 is noisy as hell!!!! )
fast AF and silent focusing.
Yeah I was going to buy it when it first came out...couldn’t get it anywhere. It went up in price. I now own it but it has taken a while to get back at a good price...I say good price I mean it’s release price, it was alway at a good price against the g-master.
Just want them to bring the 70-200 2.8 out now. Unless I just take the plunge and buy the g-master.
Would you recommend it for apsc as well?
Not sure, while it will work fine on a a6400 you might find other glass that is smaller.
I bought and it is my moneymaker. I even did a review on it on my own channel 😀
24 105 fe or 28 75
Please
I would compare to a sony 24-105 starting in f4 with the tamron
Literally just got that one today! My first expensive lens lol
I have it as well and it perform well
Thanks Dave, great to know. I am even later to the party
Completely agree with your findings, apart from mine being a tad soft wide open (but otherwise very sharp and contrasty) in the extreme corners at 28mm. And that lens hood is a pain!
BTW why are you still on version 1.01 of the a7RIII's firmware? Version 2.10 is available now, with version 3.00 (improved AF and time-lapse expected) in April.
Oh, I should upgrade the firmware, but I am really looking forward for the 3.0 update!
Just sold it. It's a nice lens and sharp and all that. But the bokeh was just so so. Sometimes great, sometimes ugly. And I like to use primes anyways. Just a personal preference, nothing really wrong with the lens. Might be interested of the upcoming 17-28mm though.
is that tamron available for the F mount?
Sorry I am not sure.
im within my return window and would probably return my sony for the tamron.... but i opted for the 24-105 instead of the 28-75 :(
haha thanks
keeping the 24-105 anyway, but thanks for reassurance
So I just found a used Fe 24-70 gm for 1400 bucks I’m thinking new tamron 28-75 vs used 24-70 gmaster? Help what should I do?
i would say save the extra $530 and go for the tamron unless you absolutely need the most bleeding edge sharpness. Tamron is coming out with 17-28mm and 35-150mm as well in the similar price range
Thanks a lot for that Dave .
does it have AF Noise?
No, nice and quiet. I have used Zeiss 12mm f2.8 and that was really noisy.
tamron 17-28 f2.8 fe just came out
I am excited for that one too!
I really just can't get past the 28mm... too narrow :( There's a huge difference from 24mm IMO.
Funny, because it is always bothered me the way Sony and Canaan do their zooming. It’s backwards to the way a screw works.
It gain 80$ in price about a month ago :(
The bokeh is brokeh but it's a good lens if you're brokeh?
Good stuff 👍🏾
Sony users rejoice. We don't need an f2 zoom that costs 4 times and weighs twice as this gem.
JUst thanks!!!
Yes and No .... I use my Sony A7R3 only in the studio with prime lenses. A telelens isn´t that useful there. For travelling, I prefer my A6000 and for that camera, the Tamron is too big. But yes, it is a great lens if you can afford 2 A7(R)3 and you use one outdoor.
Maaan I just bought the 24 to 105 :'(
I know about this Lens) Its good lens)
Also works as a almost macro lens
If you are planning to use it in clubs or dark venues don t buy it! Test first and see .. :/ otherwise a good lens
I've done plenty of night photography with it, and it's excellent. If you're really looking to photograph a club, and you really need wider aperture than 2.8, then fair enough... But that's not the lens' fault.
dsid1127 i don t need more than 2.8 .. i now use 16-35 f4 because the tamron is hunting focus so much and it s so difficult to get the job done ... :(
I felt 2:26
but i already have an 18-200mm vc
Uhh, typo in the description? "you can update the firmware in a Sony battery" Lmao what? The whole second paragraph is a bit odd.
Thanks, I will check that out.
Is it me or You went on a break?
Is this the first video you have seen from me in a long time? I just published about 3 videos in the past week or so.
My bad.....I missed them i guess. I will keep up then