Tamron has released some exilent lenses this year and the new Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III A-VC RXD seems to be inline with their full frame offerings as being a good value. Sony Alpha Blog was very impressed with the lens and you can read the full review here or read the conclusion below:
The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III A-VC RXD (900 euros) is a very good lens for all Sony APSC bodies and can produce high quality photos. It delivers very good to excellent sharpness, with a reliable AF, soft background blur, very good color rendering and optical stabilization that will be particularly useful in video.
Its only weaknesses are its shaprness wide open art 70mm (only good) and the Bokeh balls that exhibits strong onion rings
The choice between the Tamron and the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G (1300 euros) is not obvious. The Sony can now be found at 1170 euros and benefit often from 100 euros Sony cash back. So price will be quite close. Performances in term of sharpness , background blur, AF, color rendition are not a differentiating factor neither so the choice will be more in favor of the
- Sony for its more compact form factor and better bokeh balls , specially if you have the A6500 or A6600 (with sensor stabilisation), better sunstars and flare resistance
- Tamron if video is important for you and you have a body without sensor stabilisation like the A6000, 6100, 6300, 6400 and if the bokeh balls with onion rings do not matter to you
Highly recommended
Pros
- Very good sharpness to excellent sharpness across the whole frame from 17mm to 55mm
- Smooth background blur
- Very good color rendition
- Very good rendering for portrait and skins
- Excellent AF
- Optical stabilisation
- All Weather resistance
- Good build quality (in line with the other Tamron zooms)
- Low CA
- Well rounded Bokeh Balls
Average
- Good resistance to flare
- Sunstars are correct but could be better
- Price high for a APSC Zoom but quality is there and it can replace several prime lenses
- Strong vignetting wide open and slow to get away
- Minimal ergonomics. : no button on the lens
- Size and weight on the high side
- Video AF for transition from near to far subject could be better (could be improved via firmware upgrade)
Cons
- Bokeh Balls with strong onion rings
- Sharpness at 70mm F2.8 is only “good”
- Distorsion is important
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