I’m excited to share my experience with the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 lens for Sony mirrorless cameras. After much deliberation, I chose this lens for its unique features and value. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this lens and why it might be a great addition to your gear.
Overview of the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Lens
- Aperture: Fixed at f2.8 throughout the focal range.
- Focal Range: 17 to 28mm, offering a super wide angle.
- Build: Primarily plastic with rubberized zoom and focus rings.
- Design: Internal barrel zoom, meaning the lens doesn’t change size when zooming.
- Extras: Comes with a lens hood; filter thread is 67mm.
- Weather Sealing: Weather-resistant, but not fully weather-sealed.
Why I Chose This Lens
- Occasional Use: This lens isn’t my go-to for every shoot. It’s perfect for tight spaces, real estate videos, vlogging, and occasional landscape and astro photography.
- Vlogging Example: At 17mm, it offers a much wider view compared to my previous 24mm setup, ideal for vlogging scenarios.
Cons of the Tamron 17-28mm
- Focus and Zoom Rings: They are reversed compared to most lenses, which can be slightly confusing.
- No OSS (Optical Steady Shot): Lack of lens stabilization might be a downside for some.
- Focal Range: While 17-28mm is great for wide shots, it’s not as versatile as the more common 16-35mm range.
- Build Quality: The plastic and rubber construction might not appeal to everyone.
- Image Quality: While it performs well, it might not match the sharpness and vignetting control of higher-end lenses like the Sony GM series.
Pros of the Tamron 17-28mm
- Affordability: Priced significantly lower than comparable lenses, offering great value.
- Internal Barrel Zoom: Ideal for gimbal use as it maintains balance throughout the zoom range.
- Lightweight: At about 500 grams, it’s much lighter than similar lenses, easing the strain on gimbals and during long shoots.
- Autofocus: Fast and reliable, impressive for both photography and videography.
Summary
The Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 is a budget-friendly, lightweight, and versatile wide-angle zoom lens. Its affordability and performance make it a great choice for occasional use, especially in scenarios like vlogging, real estate videography, and landscape photography. While it has some limitations in terms of build quality and focal range, its advantages in price and functionality make it a worthy contender for those looking for a wide-angle zoom lens for Sony mirrorless cameras.
Check out the TAMRON 17-28mm – https://geni.us/cL6Iw4
Other lenses mentioned:
- Sony Zeiss 16-35mm f4 OSS – https://geni.us/VShV
- Sony GM 16-35mm f2.8 – https://geni.us/WidrWA
- Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 ART – https://geni.us/R2ZNJ
- Sony G 12-24mm f4 – https://geni.us/eJ9X
- Sony GM 12-24mm f2.8 – https://geni.us/vtGfn
I hope this review helps you in your decision-making process. If you have any thoughts or alternative lens suggestions, feel free to drop them in the comments.
