DPRTV: Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Review

Tamron has released a lot of great compact lightweight inexpensive lenses lately and it looks like the 70-300mm is another good option.

70-300mm was always popular even though there aren’t many new ones
Very lightweight and compact
545g or 1/4 a Nock
Even pairs well with the Sony a7C
No IBIS in the Tamron
5.8 inches collapsed and 8.5 extended
Solid build
Should have a lock for lens creep
Weather sealed
Not a pro f/2.8 zoom
AF is fine but not super fast since it is a stepping motor
A little magenta cast and not much chromatic aberration in general
Sony 70-300mm G is twice the price of the Tamron
70mm is sharper than the sony wide open in the center and corners
300mm is shaper than the sony wide open in the center, but the Sony does better in the corners
Tamron has major distortion at 300mm that might be a problem even with correction
Cats eye bokeh around the corners
The best thing about this lens is its low cost
Not a fan of the bokeh
Great lightweight travel telephoto

Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama