Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
Amateur Photographer|August 01, 2023
Andy Westlake tests a large-aperture zoom for Sony full-frame cameras with an unusual focal-length range
Andy Westlake
Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

On the whole, lenses tend to fit into a few clear categories: wideangle zoom, standard zoom, and so on. But the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD is a little different. Designed for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, it’s one of a recent spate of lenses that start at 20mm – wider than most standard zooms, but narrower than other wideangle zooms – and then extend into ‘standard’ territory. But in contrast to the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 and the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G, it provides an f/2.8 maximum aperture, albeit with a short 2x zoom range. It really is one of a kind.

This does beg the question, though, of who and what the lens is for? Photographers adding a wideangle zoom to their existing kit will likely be tempted to get something wider, such as the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD or the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN. But the clue comes from Tamron’s preferred designation of the 20-40mm as a ‘standard’ lens. For certain purposes, such as landscape and travel photography or vlogging, that wide-to-standard range means some users might keep it on their cameras most of the time.

Other key attractions of the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 lie with portability and affordability. It’s one of the smallest Sony E-mount full-frame zooms you can buy; only the Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 kit zoom is both smaller and lighter. At £879, it’s also quite keenly priced for an f/2.8 zoom. So how does it perform?

Features

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 01, 2023 من Amateur Photographer.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 01, 2023 من Amateur Photographer.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER مشاهدة الكل
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Choice cuts
Amateur Photographer

Choice cuts

How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Amateur Photographer

How good a camera can you buy for just £140?

Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money

time-read
5 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
Amateur Photographer

Round Five: The Best of the Rest

The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Amateur Photographer

Amateur Photographer of the Year

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Amateur Photographer

FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks

Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 24, 2024
140 years of Amateur Photographer
Amateur Photographer

140 years of Amateur Photographer

As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past

time-read
8 mins  |
September 24, 2024
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Amateur Photographer

John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien

Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 10, 2024