This is my first lens review after owning a couple of Sony A7 series cameras since early this year. My first ever full frame purchase was a A7ii when it was on the way out. Soon after I bought it, Sony released A7iii. Not happy with the auto focus of A7ii as it was struggling to keep pace with my growing son, I had to follow Sony’s upgrades and became a ‘proud’ owner of A7iii. And what a cracker this camera has been! Form factor, autofocus, image quality, just about every aspect of it is astounding and satisfactory.
Having tasted the fire power of three prime lenses, I was hesitant to try a zoom. But I discovered during my recent trip to Japan, the primes with their fixed focal lengths can only go so far. I carried the ZA 55 with me everywhere and felt so limited due to its focal length. In spite of this beast of a lens with stunning resolution and bokeh, ranked 7th out of thousands of lenses tested in the DXO rating, the focal length meant I was literally getting pushed against the wall just trying to fit in the beautiful Japanese temples and palaces into the frame. It was zooming in my walking backwards, literally. So I purchased Sony’s flagship and much touted 24-105 f4. The very heavy lens was sharp end to end in good light, but as expected of the aperture, low light was a different story. I had to carry the 55 together. So it wasn’t a do it all kinda lens I was looking for.
Then the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 burst into scene. It is the fourth lens in my arsenal – Sony 50mm f1.8 gave way to Zeiss 55 mm f1.8 and still kicking. While Sony 28mm f2 is still in the bag, it might be on the way out. The 28-75 created such a global ripple, there was nothing except this lens that was talked about in the lens world for a long time, and still keeps grabbing headlines months after its release. It is still in pre-orders around the world. I was lucky enough to strike it during a random visit to George’s cameras store in Sydney CBD (City or Central Business District).
Specs first – 28-75 mm f2.8. Tamron’s first full frame lens for Sony. No image stabilization and no buttons or any gizmos on the lens. Its straight to the point and business,no fuss.
So what do I think after using it for about a month now? Its like that good red wine that grows into you gradually. It is that subtle surprise when you first taste it and can never forget, you keep waiting for an opportunity. It is simply amazing piece of glass.
It is just the right size and weight at around 550 g, compared with a ton heavier 24-105. You lose quite a bit in comparison on the focal lengths, but you save on that extra weight that is a life saver for general use and travel. I am not a professional, but a difference of more than 100 g makes a huge difference for me. It is solidly built, buttery, but not as rock solid as the 24-105 in feel, but more than enough.
It is quite tall compared to ZA 55 f1.8, but not too much as the GM 24-70.
Image quality is where this lens kills. It is better than 24-105, no questions. End to end sharpness is astounding. No distortion or vignetting. In low light it beats Sony’s 28 mm f2, but not as good as the Ziess 55mm beast. Auto focus is lightning quick in both still and video. Overall, this lens is not only the best ‘value’ per dollar, but also a significant contender on its own.
Ravi Tandukar 