This large-aperture wideangle zoom hits the sweet spot for Sony full-frame mirrorless users, says Andy Westlake

Large f/2.8 maximum aperture is good for low-light shooting; Excellent optical quality even at large apertures; Compact size and light weight; Splash-proof construction; Large f/2.8 maximum aperture is good for low-light shooting; Excellent optical quality even at large apertures; Compact size and...

Relatively short 1.6x zoom range limits versatility; Front-mounted zoom ring doesn't quite fall naturally to hand; Relatively short 1.6x zoom range limits versatility; Front-mounted zoom ring doesn't quite fall naturally to hand

Some lenses are great, some lenses feel great and really gel with the user, some are great and really clunky to use. The new Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD performs superbly, feels fantastic to use and is a very reasonable price as well.

No AF/MF switch

The 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD is Tamron's second native lens designed specifically for Sony's full-frame mirrorless E-mount bodies. From my tests Tamron's 17-28mm seems to follow in the footsteps of their 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD standard zoom: it offers a constant f2.8 focal ratio, is sharp to very...

Constant f2.8 focal ratio; Small and light; Extensive weather sealing; Mostly very good image quality at longer distances; Very good black levels in contra-light situations; Very usable close-up performance; Less than half the price of Sony’s 16-35mm f2.8 GM; Reliable AF operation.

Not so sharp at closer distances outside the APS-C image circle; Very short working distance for close-up shooting; 1.6x zoom range is pretty limited and reaches only 28mm focal length, not 35mm; Nervous background Bokeh.

I rarely suggest buying a specific camera brand so that a lens from a different manufacturer can be used but this is a scenario where that could make sense. I could justify selecting a Sony camera so that the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens could be used. This lens is an excellent value.

Cheap at half the price, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD ultra-wide zoom with a wide f/2.8 constant aperture goes up against the likes of Sony’s G Master 16-35mm. It’s smaller, more lightweight, and beautifully balanced on an A7 or A9 camera body.

• Superb optical performance; • Fast and constant f/2.8 aperture; • Good weather-sealed build quality

• No optical stabilizer; • Narrower maximum viewing angle than a 16-35mm; • Less overall zoom range than a 16-35mm

The Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD is a lens both professionals and enthusiasts will enjoy. If you’re not in love with the size, you’ll be seduced by the image quality. You’ll then stay for the autofocus performance.

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD delivers much better image and build quality than you'd expect from a budget lens, especially one with a wide-angle, f/2.8 design.

Very affordable; Wide angle of view; Crisp optics; Full-frame coverage; Strong build quality; Fluorine, dust, and splash protection.

Edge sharpness suffers wide open; Some pincushion distortion when zoomed in.

Tamron is on quite a roll with its initial batch of full-frame lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras. The 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD ($899) is its second affordable f/2.8 zoom, pairing well as a wide-angle companion to last year's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di RXD standard zoom. It's an excellent value, and while its range is shorter and it's not quite as optically sublime as Sony's high-end FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, it wins big on price and earns our Editors' Choice award in the process. Compact Wide Zoom The 17-28mm is a small zoom with a big, ultra-wide view. It measures 3.9 by 2.9 inches (HD), weighs just 14.8 ounces, and supports 67mm front filters. It's notably easier to carry than the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, which is 4.8 by 3.5 inches and 1.5 pounds with an 82mm filter thread. Tamron's designers took a basic, minimalist approach to the 17-28mm's aesthetics. It's finished in black polycarbonate, with rubberized focus and zoom control rings, and a classy silver accent ring around the mount. Branding...

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD delivers much better image and build quality than you'd expect from a budget lens, especially one with a wide-angle, f/2.8 design.

Very affordable; Wide angle of view; Crisp optics; Full-frame coverage; Strong build quality; Fluorine, dust, and splash protection

Edge sharpness suffers wide open; Some pincushion distortion when zoomed in

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Ultra-Wideangle Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with E Mount cameras. What type of photography is the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III lens good for?

Weather-sealed, Autofocus, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Fast Aperture at Wide end, Fast Aperture at Tele end, Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh, Extreme Wide-angle capability, Minimum focus distance of, 0.19m / 7.5...

Weather-sealed, Autofocus, Hood supplied, Full-time Manual Focusing, Fast Aperture at Wide end, Fast Aperture at Tele end, Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range, Covers Full-Frame Sensor, 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh, Extreme Wide-angle capability, Minimum focus distance of, 0.19m / 7.5...

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD delivers a quite convincing performance with just a few caveats. Considering its ultra-wide character, it's pretty sharp where it counts the most - the wider settings.