CF: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Review

• 2 years ago

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD: B&H Photo / Adorama

Yesterday we covered the late launch of the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. Today I have summarised Christopher Frost’s excellent review of the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD which you can check out below:

• The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is one of the most impressive standard zooms he has ever tested
• Great upgrade over the kit lens
• Typical modern Tamron design that is made of plastic but feels solid and well put together
• 530g
• Metal lens mount with weather sealing
• Two control points the plastic focus ring and zoom ring
• Manual focus performs reasonably well
• Very little focus breathing for video shooters
• The lens is not parfocal because focus shifts a little zooming in and out
• AF motor is averagely fast, but it is accurate and quite
• The lens features its own image stabilization VC which is good for non IBIS cameras
• OIS works well
• Rubberized zoom ring that turns relatively well without sticking
• 67mm filter which is standard for Tamron today
• Small plastic hood
• The lens is solid and the electronics work well tested on the X-T3
• Image quality at 17mm f/2.8 is perfect in the center and almost as sharp in the corners but there is some color fringing in the corners
• Image quality at 17mm f/4 makes the corners perfectly sharp too but the color fringing remains down to f/11 where diffraction causes some softness
• Image quality at 35mm f/2.8 is perfect in the center and just as good in the corners with no color fringing
• Image quality at 35mm f/4 is perfect across the frame with a little extra contrast in the corners and remains as good down to f/11
• Image quality at 70mm f/2.8 has good image sharpness but some contrast is lost with image quality a little soft in the corners
• Image quality at 70mm f/4 excellent image quality in the center and some contrast comes back in the corners
• Image quality at 70mm f/5.6 excellent sharpness in the middle with the corners starting to sharpen up containing to be just as sharp to f/11
• Doesn’t perform miracles but is decently sharp throughout the range
• With in-camera correction turned off
  • 17mm f/2.8 has some barrel distortion with darkness in the corners but it gets better going to f/4, f/8, f/11
  • Distortion straightens out by 22mm and at 70mm distortion switches into pincushion distortion with darkness in the corners which gets better at f/4 etc…
• Great close focus ability zoomed in or out and 17mm f/2.8 is sharp in the center and very sharp at f/4 but at 70mm f/2.8 it is very soft with color fringing, but it improves right up to f/8
• Very little flaring at wide angles, but it gets worse as you zoom in and gets worse by 70mm
• Great smooth bokeh with no uglyness
• Maintains all the features that made it great on Sony cameras
• One of the most useful and flexible lenses you can ever own
• The price is reasonable, but expensive for some
• This lens is highly recommended

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