Tamron has announced a brand new travel lens for its Sony E Mount line in the form of an incredible 10.7x zoom.
The brand new Tamron 28-300mm F/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD features stabilization in a lightweight and compact design suitable for your travels. This lens will likely compete against similar affordable options available for E mount, such as the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 and Tamron's own 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6.
The big difference between this new offering from Tamron versus the two similar style lenses is the increased focal length to 300mm, which is an incredible feat for such a tiny package.
Tamron's 28-200mm lens does not feature stabilization, whereas Sony's offering does. The Tamron 28-300mm does feature their VC (Vibration Control) along with their VXD Linear motor focus mechanism.
Coming in at only 5 inches (126mm) in length and weighing just 21.5 oz (610 g), this is a very nice, compact, and lightweight solution for your travels with excellent image quality supported by 20 elements in 13 groups and BBAR-G2 Coating.
Other features on the lens include a Focus Set Button, which can be customized via the Tamron Lens Utility software. There is also a zoom lock function.
The Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is due to be on sale August 29, 2024, with a retail price of $899.
Where will you travel with this new lens? Let us know in the comments below.
Specifications
- Focal Length : 28-300mm
- Maximum Aperture : f/4-7.1
- Optical Construction : 20 elements in 13 groups
- Minimum Object Distance : 7.5” / 0.19m (qide), 39” / 0.99m (tele)
- Maximum Magnification Ratio : 1:2.8 (wide) / 1:3.8 (tele)
- VC (Vibration Compensation) : Yes
- Filter Size : 67mm
- Maximum Diameter : 77mm
- Length* : 5” (126mm)
- Weight : 21.5 oz. (610g)
- Aperture Blades** : 9 (circular diaphragm)
- Minimum Aperture : f/22-40
- Standard Accessories : Flower-shaped hood, Front cap, Rear cap
- Mount: Sony E mount
So many things to love about this lens!
BUT ......
"Minimum Object Distance : 7.5” / 0.19m (qide), 39” / 0.99m (tele)
Maximum Magnification Ratio : 1:2.8 (wide) / 1:3.8 (tele)"
..... is a deal-breaker.
Sorry, the only thing I want a zoom lens of this ilk for is super close-ups of small critters like toads and geckos and salamanders and snakes. The 10x+ range is would be freaking awesome for such work! But if I can't focus close enough to fill 1/3 of the frame with a Spadefoot Toad, that is about as big around as a quarter, then it just won't work.
The new(ish) Tamron 50-300mm has 1:2 magnification throughout the range, and that is adequate for my purposes. I just wish this 28-300mm would have the same close-up capabilities, because then it would truly be the only zoom lens I need to have with me for herpetology photography.
I don't even need the full 28-300mm range ..... 28-200mm would be plenty good enough. But the magnification is something that I really can't budge on.