Tamron's first full-frame E-mount starts shipping next month.
In February, Tamron announced the development of two lenses, a 70-210mm F/4 Di VC USD compact telephoto for APS-C sensors and the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A036). We now know the availability and price of the latter. It ships May 24th, 2018 for the cost of $799.
The optical design features 15 elements in 12 groups including a XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), LD (Low Dispersio), GM (Glass Molded Aspherical), and two hybrid aspherical lens elements. At 28mm, it touts a 7.5 inch minimum object distance and a total working distance of 2.24 inches. The MOD at 75mm is 15.3 inches. As one might expect, it also has a moisture resistant construction, flourine coating to wick away dirt and fingerprints, and Tamron's anti-reflection coating dubbed BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection). 
Compatible with Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, the nine-blade circular diaphragm features a fast F/2.8 aperture and a new AF driving system, the Rapid eXtra silent stepping drive (RXD for short). Tamron says the new AF system "strikes a balance between speed and silent operation, making it perfect for video and still image capture." Additionally, the company mentions it will match camera specific features, including in-camera lens correction and Sony's Fast Hybrid AF, Eye AF, and Direct Manual Focus (DMF) system.
It's worth noting the amount of E-mount lenses being launched. Earlier this year, Sigma announced that its Art prime lenses will be available via E-mount ranging from 14-135mm, including a new 70mm Macro and 105mm F1.4. Sigma hasn't said it will be offering E-mount zoom lenses, but if the primes do well, we're sure zooms will be available.
At the moment, Sigma offers a 24-70mm F2.8 for $1,299 which you will need to add the MC-11 converter to make it E-mount compatible. It costs an additional $249. The Tamron 28-75mm zoom comes in at $799, or about $800 cheaper. The only question we have left is what type of quality is being sacrificed at that cost.
Tech Specs:
- Focal Length: 28-75mm
- Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
- Optical Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
- Minimum Object Distance: 7.5 in (WIDE) / 15.3 in (TELE)
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2.9 (WIDE) / 1:4 (TELE)
- Filter Size: Ø67mm
- Maximum Diameter: Ø73mm
- Length**:4.6 in
- Weight: 19.4 oz
- Aperture Blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
- Minimum Aperture: F/2.8-F/22
- Standard Accessories: Lens hood, Lens caps
- Compatible Mounts: Sony E-mount
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Your Comment
5 Comments
A bit of a useless focal range no?
The ubiquitous Canon 24-105 with a metabones gives me 18-80 f/2.8 on e-mount, so this Tamron is just kind of like a less useful version of that setup.
I hope they keep making e-mount lenses though, but perhaps a little more market research would benefit them. Lots of opportunity to capture FS7/FS5/A7 shooters attention!
April 27, 2018 at 11:46AM, Edited April 27, 11:48AM
It's basically a 24-70mm – the most common full-frame mid-range zoom lens across all brands. Sure, those 4mm on the wide end will be missed, but calling it a useless focal range is... a niche opinion.
April 27, 2018 at 1:39PM, Edited April 27, 1:39PM
Well that’s true, but I guess my point is why not just buy any of the 24-70 or 24-105 options already on the market?
There is a big difference between 24mm and 28mm, so announcing a lens with less features and less capability than what’s already on the market, for similar price points, doesn’t make much sense to me.
April 27, 2018 at 2:09PM
You may be missing the fact that the 28-75 is an FE lens.
From the article:
At the moment, Sigma offers a 24-70mm F2.8 for $1,299 which you will need to add the MC-11 converter to make it E-mount compatible. It costs an additional $249. The Tamron 28-75mm zoom comes in at $799, or about $800 cheaper.
April 27, 2018 at 2:11PM, Edited April 27, 2:30PM
If you need E mount for some reason, why not just buy the Sony 24-70 for $800 and call it a day?
Canon 24-105 with metabones speedbooater (18-80 f/2.8 equivalent) is ubiquitous for Sony cameras, so again I don’t see the point in releasing a lens with substantially less capability than what’s already on the market.
28 isn’t wide enough, 75 isn’t tight enough = DOA.
April 30, 2018 at 6:43AM, Edited April 30, 6:45AM