Tamron’s first full frame lens for Sony mirrorless, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 RXD was an unqualified success.  I lauded it in my review, as, although the lens was fairly plain in terms of build and features, it had excellent autofocus, very good optics, and a very reasonable price…not to mention a very reasonable size.  The only real competitor back in June of 2018 was the very large and very expensive Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master, and, when I directly compared the two lenses, I found some give and take in their performance.  The Tamron was very, very close in many ways, and that made it a huge critical and commercial success.  It enjoyed a period for well over a year where it was the best selling lens in the world!  That’s a huge success on every level.  I’ve owned and used a copy of that lens (known internally as the A036), and it has held up very well and performed great for me over that time.  But in late 2021 Tamron has decided to up their game even higher with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2, internally known as the A063.  I got very excited when I looked up and down the announcement from Tamron, as they improved the lens in basically every way while essentially not changing the price.  That makes for an unqualified success, and the new A063 along with the Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD (my review here), are some of the finest lenses Tamron has ever made.  The 28-75mm VXD is going to be one of the nicest standard zooms ever…and at a price point of only $899 USD, it is a tremendous bargain relative to the performance.

Let’s give you a little help with what all of those letter mean in the name in case you don’t speak “Tamron”.  Di III is the designation that Tamron uses for mirrorless mounts (in this case Sony FE).  G2 refers to this being a “Second Generation” lens, much like other companies refer to a MK II.  VXD refers to the focus motor employed here (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), which is currently Tamron’s most premium autofocus system, and, in this case, Tamron claims that the focus speed is twice as fast as that on the A036 and its RXD focus motor.  It is definitely essentially instantaneous in a wide variety of focus conditions.

Tamron has improved the build, the features, the optics, and the autofocus, all while not charging us any more to do this.  They’ve even increased the magnification and shaved off a bit of weight.  In essence, they’ve taken a winning formula that we loved because of its blend of performance and price in the A036 (and because of these things were willing to look over the shortcomings) and have polished and improved the formula into a truly awesome end result. 

I’m very, very positive about the 28-75mm VXD because Tamron has given us so much more while charging us essentially nothing more (+$20 USD).   

This lens is a winner.  You can check out my thoughts as to whether or not the 28-75 VXD should be on your radar in my text or video reviews…or just enjoy the photos below.

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Thanks to Tamron USA for sending me a retail loaner copy of this lens. As always, this is a completely independent review.  The opinions here are completely my own.  *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the new Sony Alpha 1 which will serve as my benchmark camera for the foreseeable future (my review here).

Photos of the Tamron 28-75mm VXD

Photos taken with the Tamron 28-75mm VXD

Gear Used:

Purchase the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 VXD G2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Amplis Foto (use code AMPLIS52018DA for 5% off) | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

Purchase the Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 VXD @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amplis Foto (Canada) (use code AMPLIS52018DA for 5% off) |  Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

Purchase the Sony Alpha 1 @ Camera Canada | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase a Sony a9M2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Sony a9 Camera:  B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada  | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 
Sony a7RIV Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

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Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design Store | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK

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