The 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD is Tamron's second native lens designed specifically for Sony's full-frame mirrorless E-mount bodies. From my tests Tamron's 17-28mm seems to follow in the footsteps of their 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD standard zoom: it offers a constant f2.8 focal ratio, is sharp to very...

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  Constant f2.8 focal ratio., Small and light., Extensive weather sealing., Mostly very good image quality at longer distances., Very good black levels in contra-light situations., Very usable close-up performance., Less than half the price of Sony’s 16-35mm f2.8 GM., Reliable AF operation.

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  Not so sharp at closer distances outside the APS-C image circle., Very short working distance for close-up shooting., 1.6x zoom range is pretty limited and reaches only 28mm focal length, not 35mm., Nervous background Bokeh.

I rarely suggest buying a specific camera brand so that a lens from a different manufacturer can be used but this is a scenario where that could make sense. I could justify selecting a Sony camera so that the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens could be used. This lens is an excellent value.

Cheap at half the price, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD ultra-wide zoom with a wide f/2.8 constant aperture goes up against the likes of Sony’s G Master 16-35mm. It’s smaller, more lightweight, and beautifully balanced on an A7 or A9 camera body.

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  • Superb optical performance, • Fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, • Good weather-sealed build quality

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  • No optical stabilizer, • Narrower maximum viewing angle than a 16-35mm, • Less overall zoom range than a 16-35mm

I bought this Lens from the Maroochydore store to be the wide end of my new Alpha 7 Mk3 . It has turned out to be a fine choice . I chose this lens over the more expensive 16mm -35mm Sony lens . It's constant 2.8 aperture and internal focusing being quite attractive .

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  Easy to use

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  Bulky