I think for the first time, I understood what Ken Rockwell says when he talks about a camera getting in the way of taking pictures. At least, that’s the case of how I feel about zoom lenses. But the Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD isn’t that. In fact, it’s the first zoom lens that I’ve felt has truly gotten out of the way of my taking great vacation photos. And believe it or not, it’s the perfect balance of performance, image quality, durability, weight, and price point. In my eyes, it’s the perfect vacation lens.
Table of Contents
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The Big Picture: Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Review Conclusions
A lot of new and great superzoom lenses have been popping up recently. The Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is no exception here. Sometimes, the greatest thing that a lens can do is get out of the way of you trying to make an image that makes you feel good. Sure, the Tamron 28-300mm is a bit heavy, and there was a period of time where I didn’t want to carry it around. But that also would’ve been true with nearly any camera while on a trip. If I were testing it during a colder time, and I weren’t at the Jersey Shore, I don’t think I would’ve left the camera in the room.
This lens packs versatility, image stabilization, sharpness, colors that pop, and a usable aperture throughout the zoom range. Typically, if I’m only bringing a small prime around, I need to get into the photo zone, and that can pull me out of enjoying my vacation because it can feel like work. But in this case, it didn’t. As I went through the images I shot, I couldn’t help but add a star rating to so many. I liked so much of what I made with this lens.
To me, this is the first superzoom lens that I’ve wanted to bring everywhere with me. And that’s saying a lot. For that alone, we’re awarding it our Editor’s Choice award and five out of five stars. Any lens that gets out of the way of you making images that bring happiness to your face is worth it every single day in my opinion.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Good image stabilization
- Good image quality
- Weather resistance
- Fast autofocus performance
- A perfect vacation lens
Cons
- I wish that it were a bit lighter for when I’m in warmer weather and walking around all day.
Who Should Buy the Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD?
It’s a no-brainer. Get the Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD if you’re going on vacation.
Innovations
The Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD innovates by being a lens that few other manufacturers have made. In the DSLR days, these lenses were around with a faster variable aperture. But they were also much heavier than the Tamron. The built-in image stabilization gives you the support you need when you just can’t handhold a camera for that long too.
Gear Used
The Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is a loaner provided to us by Tamron. We also used a Sony a7r V, which was loaned to us by Lensrentals. Additionally, we used the Sony a7r III that we’ve owned and used for several years. A Tiffen Glimmerglass filter was also used.
Hardware
In my mind, the Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is a fairly large lens. However, it’s also not so large that it can’t fit into a Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 bag easily. And if you’re bringing your camera bag around with you, it will be a very comfortable experience. The same goes for times when you can easily control your own body heat. If you can’t, however, it might get to be a bit burdensome. I really only thought this when it got too hot for me to want to bring a camera out.
This lens shares commonality with many of Tamron’s other lenses. It has a 67mm filter thread for sharing filters. It also is weather resistant, has a zoom lock, and a USB-C port for updating the firmware. On the exterior, there’s a big rubber ring for grip. It’s not made of metal like some of Tamron’s higher end lenses, but it’s still pretty sturdily built.
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This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.
We’re able to do this through our partnership with Full-Frame Insurance, a company specializing in Small Business Insurance. Are you a Freelance Photographer? We’ll cover you. What about a freelance multi-media journalist? We’ve got you. The Photography Care Program will protect you.
Transform your focus from worry to creativity with the Photography Care Program. Whether it’s a light stand tumbling down, a telephoto lens shattering, or an unforeseen mishap, you don’t have to face the financial burden alone. Experience the freedom to capture stunning shots, knowing you’re protected. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, secure your peace of mind – and protect your photography gear – with our affordable Photography Care Program today.
Ease of Use
There isn’t really a lot to this lens. Put it on your camera, set it, focus, and shoot. That’s all there is to it. You don’t have the option to turn off the VC for what it’s worth. And some folks might really like that. It’s one of the reasons why I think it’s such a great vacation lens — because it’s designed to make shooting worry-free for you. Any controls you’d need to work with can be managed by the camera.
Focusing
I used the Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD in autofocus mode with human and eye detection. And for the most part, even in low light, it was able to find faces — but not necessarily eyes. That’s the Sony camera system overall though — and in even lower light, it might be tougher.
However, in good lighting, the lens was a breeze to use. To recap what I said before, it gets in the way of making images that make you happy. Sometimes, that’s all that a very experienced photographer wants.
Image Quality
Honestly, there isn’t much for me to say about the image quality. It’s solid — just like it is with every Tamron lens. You buy Tamron because of its affordability, innovation, and color output. The Tamron 28-300mm f4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is no exception here. I far prefer their colors to any other autofocusing lens that I’ve used. The sharpness, bokeh, and all the other rest of the charm this lens has lends itself to creating a dreamy world at times. It isn’t what you’d always see in reality — and that’s part of what makes it so great. Photography is the imperfect process of capturing memories. And sometimes, we should just embrace that.
Let’s Talk Art
Here’s the section where our reviewers get to talk about the art they make instead of pandering to clinical lab tests that truly mean very little in practical terms. The Phoblographer has always been an arts-forward online magazine. And that’s not changing.
For these images, I decided to make something a bit more painterly and dreamy. Overall, I wanted the images to look and feel like I was in a hazy memory of some sort. Our memories aren’t perfect, and I think I embodied that in these photographs.
Extra Image Samples
The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.
Unedited
Edited
Tech Specs
Specs taken from Tamron’s website
Specifications
| Model | A074 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28-300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F4-7.1 |
| Angle of View (diagonal) | 75°23′- 8°15′ (for full-frame mirrorless format) |
| Optical Construction | 20 elements in 13 groups |
| Minimum Object Distance | 0.19m (7.5in) (WIDE) / 0.99m (39in) (TELE) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:2.8 (WIDE) / 1:3.8 (TELE) |
| Vibration Compensation | 〇 |
| Filter Size | φ67mm |
| Maximum Diameter | φ77mm |
| Length* | 126mm (5in) |
| Weight | 610g (21.5oz) |
| Aperture Blades** | 9 (circular diaphragm) |
| Minumum Aperture | F22-40 |
| Standard Accessory | Flower-shaped hood, Front cap, Rear cap |
| Mount | Sony E-mount |
| Price | $899 USD / $1,199 CAD |
