Tamron has just announced a unique lens for Sony APS-C cameras: the 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD.
Recently, Tamron has been focusing on its full frame lenses for Sony cameras and this new 17-70mm f/2.8 lens will be its first for E-mount APS-C in nine years. The lens offers a full frame equivalent of 25.5-105mm, making it a flexible all-rounder with a fast, consistent aperture — something of a rarity when it comes to lenses for crop-sensor cameras.
The RXD stepping motor — Rapid eXtra silent Drive — is the same as that found in the hugely popular Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens (currently $799, down from $879) for full frame Sony cameras which suggests that it will offer excellent autofocus performance for both photos and video.
Tamron typically compromises by not offering lens stabilization but the 17-70mm features Vibration Compensation (VC) which, the manufacturer explains, uses AI when shooting video. This video from Tamron offers more details:
The minimum focusing distance is just 7.5 inches (19 cm) at its widest and 15.4 inches (39 cm) at its longest, giving it a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.8 and 1:5.2 respectively.
The lens has a 67 mm filter thread, is 2.94 inches (74.6 mm) in diameter, is 4.7 inches (119.cm) in length, and weighs 18.5 oz (525 g). It features 16 elements in 12 groups and has 9 circular aperture blades.
The lens will be available to purchase from January 14, 2021 for $799. You can find more information on the Tamron product page.
Definitely a cheaper option than Sony's own 16-55 f2.8 G for APSC Emount. Will be watching this one keenly next year. I may swap my 18-135 kit lens for this one...
So once again Tamron nails it. Impressed!
If I have the money, should i get the aforementioned lens from the article, or would the Tamron 17-28 + 28-75 be a better "future proofing" approach? The 2 lenses would still fit on my APS-C, but would also work on a potential future Full Frame camera. I guess I'd lose the Vibration Compensation, but the A6500 has IBIS anyway.
Up to you, if you plan to upgrade to fullframe then you can do that:)
Still this new lens is a rather flexible lens and not expensive so I am sure you would enjoy that. I would like a 6100 or 6400 with that lens for travel. Full frame gear are so expensive it’s not fun to travel with.
If you got the budget, why not.
The only thing you sacrifice is weight/portability. The 17-70APSC weighs 525g and the other two FF lenses you mention weigh 420g & 550g respectively, so you'd be carrying around almost double the weight.