Fujifilm Photography News and Rumors

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

TAMRON announces world’s first¹ 17-70mm F2.8, wide range 4.1x standard zoom lens with VC for FUJIFILM X-mount
17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Model B070)
June 16, 2022, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A² VC RXD (Model B070), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens for FUJIFILM X-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras on July 8, 2022. However, due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change.

1 Among interchangeable F2.8 standard zoom lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras (As of May, 2022: TAMRON)
2 Di III-A: For APS-C format mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras

PRODUCT SUMMARY
This is the FUJIFILM X-mount version of the 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Model B070) released on January 14, 2021 for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. It features a maximum aperture of F2.8 across the entire 4.1x zoom ratio that covers the focal length range of 17-70mm (full-frame equivalent of 25.5-105mm), and superb optical performance. It is a small, lightweight lens that is equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism to minimize camera shake. The VC mechanism leverages AI technology when shooting video. Also, it is equipped with the quiet RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) AF motor and has minimal focus breathing. These two features enable videographers to shoot comfortably using a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. For added versatility, the 17-70mm F2.8 offers MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.19m (7.5 in) at the wide-angle end, Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating. And its 67mm filter size is the same as most TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras. It is a highly useful lens that delivers high image quality photography and videography with its fast F2.8 aperture. Read More »

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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