Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens review with samples

It's great to see Sony's APS-C cameras getting a new fast standard zoom lens, and one with parameters (and a low price) that seem to beat the competition right off the bat. Have Tamron managed to pull something special out of the hat this time?

Find the lens here (Amazon affiliate link):

All pictures taken by me on Sony a5100 and a7R III cameras.

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Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[zispop]

When Christopher Frost uploads a lens review - you sit down and watch

[oconobee]

Picked this lens up when it came out back in January. It's the perfect all round lens for APS-C if you don't already own the Sony 16-55G and it's several hundred cheaper too, with image stabilization.
Thanks for the review, the 70mm performance is good to know.

[EnriqueLin]

That rocket booster metaphor is gold!!!

[acgandhi]

Been waiting for this review for a while. Excited to see Tamron, sigma, viltrox and others give us good, low cost APS-C e-mount lens where Sony doesn't!

[hfvhf]

There really is something special about the f/2.8 standard zoom lenses and the Tamrons always punch well above their weight!

[bburchellphotos]

What a great lens. I wish it was available for Fuji X mount - I'd get it in a heart beat!

[AndrewJones-tjet]

I got this lens for my a6600 and your review is spot on. It's a great lens being very versatile with close minimum focus and F2.8. I Like the zoom control action as they did some magic so it will not creep out by itself without needing a lock button. Has a slightly warmer colour than the Sony 16-55mm which I quite like.

[EsteemHeadshots]

Your 1 of 2 people I trust for lens reviews.

[Kiba_Byte]

Been looking at reviews for days and yours is easily the best, I've decided to get one. Thank you!

[shadow]

Omg yes!!!! I've been missing a native Sony E Mount version of the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 that I had on my Canon. Good to see this being available now.

[yellit]

I love how you continue to produce such great content.

[fjp]

Cant wait for your 11-20 2.8 review🙌🏻🙌🏻

[SovietLensReviews]

Tamron really seem to be able to make their 'cheap' build quality feel quite good! Another great review 👍

[OFFICIALUND]

Your reviews always adequately express the negatives without being a "negative Nancy", which is much appreciated.

[serkan]

I sold some equipment and got this lens a few weeks ago. I was looking forward to this review. Thank you.

[maceymedia]

Awesome review. I'm thinking of grabbing this lens and consolidating what's in my bag. I have the Tamron 17-28 MM and Tamron 28-70MM now but neither has VC (image stabilization) and I'm getting really tired of hauling a gimbal around all of the time.

Your review, specifically with the examples of the VC, helped a ton.

[thripper]

you are my go to lens reviewer, brilliant work

[CodeTravelwithRizwan]

Thanks christopher, this lens knocks out 16-55 sony and fuji in price as well as in range and quality. Not to forget th image stablization also.

[nicosandovalr]

this is the review i was expecting, as usual you do a great work by doing this reviews for people like me who always want to make the perfect purchase of lens. Thanks a lot !

[luisegreen]

That special moment when you own the lens.... You just sit... and enjoy... and smile when he says: HIGHLY RECOMENDED....