When I moved to Sony, part of the appeal was the smaller body. However, the idea of being able to replace my big, heavy wide-angle zoom with something light and fast seemed impossible. Last month, Tamron released its 17-28mm f/2.8, and I just spent three days using it to photograph a parkour event in central London. Ahead of a thorough review, here are my first impressions.
Following the success of its 28-75mm f/2.8 lens, Tamron’s wide-angle effort has been widely anticipated by Sony users. The big, heavy, expensive glass made by Sony and Sigma is certainly incredible, but more affordable options that actually offered good quality seemed unlikely. The 28-75mm lens changed this, and the 17-28mm is keeping with the high bar that Tamron set last year.
This is a comparatively small, light lens that instead of compromising on sharpness or maximum aperture, compromises on width and reach: 1mm at its widest and 7 m at its longest. The big question for everyone considering this lens — myself very much included — is whether this compromise is acceptable with what I shoot. My work involves shooting almost exclusively with my beloved 16-35mm f/2.8 L (currently adapted with the Sigma MC-11), and the thought of changing this is a little terrifying.
Shooting a moving subject at f/2.8 and relying on eye autofocus to keep it sharp, the Tamron performed well.
Pleasing bokeh at f/2.8.
Low light, backlit — eye autofocus was solid.
Despite having shot on a 16-35mm for the last ten years, I'm happy with 17mm.
This isn't a lens for portraits and this is one of those moments where I missed having 35mm. I had less than 5 seconds in which to grab this shot so there was no opportunity to change lenses.
It's not very bright under the canopy, even with the sun glimmering through the leaves. Autofocus (flexible spot S) performed solidly. ISO 1250, f/3.5, 1/400.
Three days of hard training in tough conditions, both for the participants and for myself. Dark interiors, shady woodland, occasional heavy rain: the Tamon 17-28mm f/2.8 lens was impressive. Click for bigger.
Tamron has loaned me a lens for a month, and I just spent three days photographing the Rendezvous training event hosted in Central London by Parkour Generations (Facebook, Instagram). The lens performed well at an event that has some diverse conditions. It endured wind, heavy rain, gloomy clouds, bright sunlight, gritty housing estates, dark woodlands, and dull interiors. I’ve been excited at the prospect of this lens since rumors first emerged, and it’s great to know that it delivers the quality I want and that the reduced focal range didn’t feel uncomfortable or restrictive.
Autofocus was snappy and responsive, which is crucial for a sport where movement is unpredictable. I'm frequently pointing the camera upwards to create drama, which means a lot of strongly backlit subjects. Eye autofocus worked well, and sharpness at f/2.8 is very good, in addition to creating a pleasing texture to out-of-focus areas. Quality of bokeh isn't high on my list of requirements from a wide-angle zoom, but for me, the Tamron delivers surprisingly well.
The size of the lens makes it a joy to use, and being able to shoot holding the camera with just one hand (I use a Meike grip) was a novelty. The lens didn't seem to struggle to focus under the dark canopy of the rain-soaked woods, even with the intermittent rain (and no, I didn't test out the weather-sealing too closely). In addition, my initial impressions are that this is a sharp lens, and it certainly compares well to my Canon 16-35mm.
Being a fan of lightweight travel, I know that the Tamron would come with me more often on those random trips where I'm not sure which glass to take along. If Tamron could then make one of its forthcoming Sony primes an affordable, lightweight 35mm f/1.8, I'd be incredibly happy, giving me a truly agile setup that moving to mirrorless always promised but never quite wanted to deliver.
I have a few more weeks in which to put this lens through its paces, and early signs are good, especially given the price point. My task over the next few days is to hope for some clear skies, try to dig a tripod out of my building site of a house, and make my first ever attempt at astrophotography. Wish me luck.
Check back soon for the full review, and feel free to leave any questions, requests, or suggestions in the comments below.
Just go through Amazon. Got mine same day shipping.
You can always read the descriptions of who you’re buying from. Most are clearly marked but people don’t read so they blame amazon instead of themselves when they buy black market items.
Don’t have a problem with being in the US for me. I’m good to go.
That does suck they don’t honor their warranty unless they’re on a list. If the product is sold second hand but still their product it shouldn’t matter.
Best of luck finding one! It’s worth it.
Yea, I’ve completely abandoned the GMaster line after getting the Sigma 35 and 105 Art lenses. Tamron is the same; sharp as hell through the range but just have to be careful with flares. Sometimes you’ll see them in the viewfinder and sometimes you won’t.
I wish someone, anyone, would compare this to the 16-35 f4!
Check out Royce Bair’s Nightscape book before you do. It’s worth every penny when your first starting out in astro, less you’re headed out with someone who knows what they’re doing (and is kind enough to help you and forego any shooting themselves).
I have the Tamron 15-30mm 2.8 and i use it for landscapes and astro, and it is a gem of a lens. Sharpness is very good, not that much vignetting on the edges, at 2.8 the stars on the edges are not bad at all. Looking forward to seeing your astro shots!
Ha. Please don't get excited. I had a half hour window at 11pm one evening here in France - not as dark as it could have been. Definitely not my finest work..! 😂
The Mona Lisa wasn’t painted the first time da Vinci sat down so your good man. : )
Yeah ... not available.