Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Anyone getting one?

[chalkdust]

This is intriguing. I do not normally use zooms. I have the Sony 70-200 f/4 but it tends to stay on the shelf, especially when I travel. But this would make a very, very simple travel all-in-one lens for me. I could sell the Sony zoom and get this one. It does not really matter if the Sony would be a little better since it would be probably still sitting on the shelf at home. On the other hand, low funds, reduced work hours, no travel. . .

So keep posting your images. I will need to enjoy this lens vicariously.

 

[JonathanF2]

This is intriguing. I do not normally use zooms. I have the Sony 70-200 f/4 but it tends to stay on the shelf, especially when I travel. But this would make a very, very simple travel all-in-one lens for me. I could sell the Sony zoom and get this one. It does not really matter if the Sony would be a little better since it would be probably still sitting on the shelf at home. On the other hand, low funds, reduced work hours, no travel. . .

So keep posting your images. I will need to enjoy this lens vicariously.

As I've discovered with my 70-200mm f4 FE with OSS, in-lens + in-body stabilization matters when you start shooting at longer focal lengths and optically as a dedicated telephoto zoom, it's still better in real world usage. Build quality is also better. Like you though, it was sitting on the shelf only for those oft-times when I purposely brought it with me. I find the Tamron 28-200mm far more useful because it can act as a fast 28mm 2.8 prime. You can even lock it in place and it'll work like a prime! Optically I notice some distortion at 28mm, but sharpness holds up just fine. When you need to zoom, just unlock it and it's good enough at the 200mm FL range when you need it. Also the Tamron has a rubber gasket at the mount and in critical areas of the lens construction, something the Sony lens lacks.

Anyways, I have my Sony 70-200mm f4 boxed up and ready to sell!

 

[JonathanF2]

I probably should make a dedicated image showcase thread! Here's a few more from the other day!

Sony A7III + Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 FE:

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Sample photos with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

 

[serhan]

Also firmware update is coming:
https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1264763.html

The problem confirmed this time is that when using AF-S, the focus mark lights up even if the focus is rarely in focus, and the AF operation stops.

The company is currently considering measures and plans to support firmware updates in the future.

 

[JonathanF2]

A couple from the beach! Shot with the A7III + 28-200mm:

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Beach Day - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Beach Day - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Beach Day - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

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Beach Day - Los Angeles, California USA - during the 2020 Global Covid-19 Pandemic. by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

 

[Drd1135]

Here's what I wonder: can I use this with the A7RIII and crop the result to the 300 mm FoV with good results? I'm also looking at the 70-200 and maybe the upcoming 70-300 by Tamron? The 28-200 would be handier in general but a major reason for this lens will be the reach. I'm thinking "zoo" reach rather than "nature" reach.

 

[JonathanF2]

Here's what I wonder: can I use this with the A7RIII and crop the result to the 300 mm FoV with good results? I'm also looking at the 70-200 and maybe the upcoming 70-300 by Tamron? The 28-200 would be handier in general but a major reason for this lens will be the reach. I'm thinking "zoo" reach rather than "nature" reach.

I've seen some samples on Flickr showing decent sharpness at 200mm with the A7R III. On the A7III and A9 I'm totally satisfied with it's 200mm sharpness, considering the gains made in portability. I'm now thinking about adding the Tamron 70-180mm 2/.8 and Sigma 100-400mm FE lens to add on the fast and long end!

 

[Mookalafalas]

Damn! This seems to be quite an amazing lens. Yesterday I was grinding my teeth thinking I'd need to get the 28-75 and 70-180. Now it appear for less than 40% of their combined price I can get this, which, for my type of casual shooting, is easily adequate. I'm a happy man.

 

[Mookalafalas]

One from the wide end, one from the long end. I pronounce myself very satisfied...

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When did Downtown Become a Water Park? by Al Walzem, on Flickr

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Burning Money for the Gods by Al Walzem, on Flickr

 

[JonathanF2]

One from the wide end, one from the long end. I pronounce myself very satisfied...

View attachment 112373 When did Downtown Become a Water Park? by Al Walzem, on Flickr

View attachment 112374 Burning Money for the Gods by Al Walzem, on Flickr

This lens is probably one of the best super zooms on the market...unless you need 24mm on the wide end. On the plus side, both Tamron and Samyang have cheap and small wide angle options with the 20mm f/2.8 and 18mm f/2.8 FE lenses. I think either of these will make for a good wider option to pair with the 28-200mm for casual and street photography. Unfortunately for me, the excellent performance of the 28-200mm made me buy a Tamron 70-180mm...so you might not be off the hook if your GAS flares up!

On a side note, it's awesome to see Taiwan getting their act together so they can go back to doing normal things. Unfortunately here in the US it's basically a poop-storm of disagreement!

 

[Mookalafalas]

This lens is probably one of the best super zooms on the market...unless you need 24mm on the wide end. On the plus side, both Tamron and Samyang have cheap and small wide angle options with the 20mm f/2.8 and 18mm f/2.8 FE lenses. I think either of these will make for a good wider option to pair with the 28-200mm for casual and street photography. Unfortunately for me, the excellent performance of the 28-200mm made me buy a Tamron 70-180mm...so you might not be off the hook if your GAS flares up!

On a side note, it's awesome to see Taiwan getting their act together so they can go back to doing normal things. Unfortunately here in the US it's basically a poop-storm of disagreement!

Actually, I went ahead and got a second hand Sony 12-24 F4 to handle the wide end. I love UWA. And I would LOVE to have a Tam70-180, to be honest. Maybe in a year or so, when the price comes down a bit. In the meantime, I ordered a Samyang 135 F2 for more artistic shots at the longer end.
About Taiwan and Covid, they shut down schools for 2 weeks back in February and started strict mask, temperature checks, and contact tracing policies. Everyone cooperated and we only had 7 deaths, total, for the whole country, back in early Spring. Even though there hasn't been a case of a local transmission for months, 90% of people still wear masks in public places.

 

[Mookalafalas]

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LLK00481.jpg by Al Walzem, on Flickr

 

[Mookalafalas]

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LLK01070.jpg by Al Walzem, on Flickr

 

[crazy150]

I know this thread is quiet for a while, but thought I’d chime in with my thoughts after a month or two.

I got the lens to replace my olympus 12-100 f4 as I gradually switch over from MFT. This was my go to lens for any situation where I could take only one lens. I actually didn’t use it for travel though. For me, the super zoom is more for daily/random use where you aren’t sure what you will encounter and can’t carry a camera bag.

This lens fits that bill, very well and the price is a bargain. Resolution/IQ is good. I haven’t had any issues with AF. Only complain is the finish on the tamron seems to markup easily.

 

[Biro]

I got the lens to replace my olympus 12-100 f4 as I gradually switch over from MFT... For me, the super zoom is more for daily/random use where you aren’t sure what you will encounter and can’t carry a camera bag.

I'm also in the process of selling off all of my biggest and heaviest u43 gear - and that includes all of my Olympus PRO glass. I also use superzooms the way you do. I picked up the Tamron 28-200 at the end of summer. And I have the Tamron 70-300 coming for Christmas. So I'll have all of the Tamron zooms for FE mount. All of my primes for FE mount are either Sony or Samyang.

 

[Mookalafalas]

Haven't checked back here in a while, but amazing coincidence--I too sold my Oly 12-100 to finance new Sony glass.

 

[JonathanF2]

This lens is the sleeper hit of 2020. I prefer the Tamron 28-200 over both the Tamron 28-75mm and 70-180mm f/2.8 lenses I tried!

The Tamron 28-200mm plus my Samyang prime collection make me feel whole!

 

[Mookalafalas]

This lens is the sleeper hit of 2020. I prefer the Tamron 28-200 over both the Tamron 28-75mm and 70-180mm f/2.8 lenses I tried!

The Tamron 28-200mm plus my Samyang prime collection make me feel whole!

Great minds think alike. I, too, am Supplementing the Tammy with Samyang primes (And a Sony UWA). I still have a stripped down M4/3 kit I don't want to let go of, but otherwise am very happy with the Tamron as the core of my Sony system.