Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (2023)

Conclusion from the world of digital cameras

This full-frame compatible lens for Sony E-mount cameras offers strong all-round performance, excellent image quality and a versatile zoom range in a compact, lightweight package. It's great for everyday stills and works just as well as a vlogging lens thanks to its wide maximum angle of view along with a fast, constant f/2.8 aperture. All in all, it's a very smart buy for the price.

advantages

  • +

    Extensive wide-angle coverage

  • +

    Fast and constant aperture of f/2.8

  • +

    compact and light

In contrast

  • -

    No telephoto lens

  • -

    No optical stabilization

  • -

    Basic controls on board

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Jump to:

  • specifications
  • Key Features
  • build and drive
  • power
  • example Pictures
  • laboratory results
  • Verdict

The Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD is a different version of the "standard" zoom lens. Tamron already offers alternatives to the wide-angle and standard 'Trinity' zooms, which are impressive17-28 mm F2.8 Das III RXDj28-75mm F2.8 The III RXD G2Lenses for Sony E-mount cameras that really impressed us. In fact, these two lenses have been modified and renamed NIKKOR lenses for Nikon Z system cameras, like the equally attractive onesNikon Z 17–28 mm 1:2,8jNikon Z 28–75 mm 1:2,8.

The new 20-40mm retains the same fast, constant f/2.8 aperture ratio, but offers a more unusual zoom range. In a way it's similar to thatPanasonic Lumix S 20–60 mm 1:3,5–5,6however, for L-mount cameras, this offers more telephoto extension, but with a slower variable aperture rating.

The Tamron is perfect for photographers who often want a wider angle of view than a standard zoom can provide and aren't as concerned with the reach of telephoto lenses. On full-frame cameras, the zoom range is great for landscape and architectural photography and is also great for vlogging. The f/2.8 aperture also makes the lens a good choice for astrophotography.

specifications

Assemble:Sony E (FE)
Auto Focus:And
full screen:And
Stabilization:no
Lens construction:12 elements in 11 groups
Position:94.5 to 56.8 degrees
Membrane sheets:9
Minimum opening:Aperture 22
Minimum Focus distance:0.17 m (width) 0.29 m (height)
Maximum Magnification Ratio:0,26x (Ancho) 0,2x (Alt)
Filter size:67mm
DimensionsSize: 74*87mm
Weight:365g

(Video) Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD lens review

Key Features

When it comes to hiking and travel photography, size matters. Despite its fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, this lens is conveniently small at 74 x 87mm and very light at 365g. An ultra-wide maximum angle of view of 94.5 degrees is embedded in the lens, narrowing to a more standard 56.8 degrees at the long end of the zoom range. Although the lens is full-frame compatible, it works just as well with Sony's APS-C format mirrorless cameras, where it offers a very useful 30-60mm "effective" zoom range. However, Tamron's "Vibration Compensation" system is not included, so no optical image stabilization. This can be an issue when using Sony's first-generation full-frame mirrorless cameras, which lack in-body stabilization, and most of their APS-C sized bodies.

The optical line is based on 12 elements in 11 groups and features high-end glass, including four LD (Low Dispersion) elements, two GM (Molded Glass) aspherical elements and one hybrid aspherical element. The overall goal is to deliver excellent sharpness, contrast and color reproduction while minimizing aberrations, size and weight.

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (1)

Autofocus is powered by a VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) system that's super fast and virtually silent. It also enables smooth AF transitions when shooting movies and is compatible with Sony's advanced AF modes included with the camera, such as AF. B. Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.

build and drive

Despite its lightweight build, the lens feels well made, solid and sturdy. Weather seals make it resistant to dust and moisture, and the front panel has a fluorine coating. This repels moisture and greasy fingerprints and makes the front element easier to clean. On the back is a metal mounting plate with a weatherproof rubber gasket.

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (2)

The lens lengthens slightly in physical length as you progress from 40mm to 20mm, with a telescoping inner barrel. Still, there's virtually no perceptible shift in center of gravity, and the zoom movement feels smooth and precise. The electronically coupled manual focus ring works with similar precision, the function of which can be individually adjusted in autofocus mode using Tamron's Lens Utility software. To customize and apply firmware updates, the lens has a USB-C connector on its barrel for connection to a computer.

The onboard controls are fairly basic, limited to a couple of zoom and focus rings. As such, there are no tweaks like an aperture control ring, AF hold button or mode switch. However, these are common flaws in lenses that aim to be as compact and lightweight as possible.

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (3)

power

The VXD autofocus system lives up to its bill, proving to be fast, virtually silent, and consistently accurate in our tests. Sharpness levels are exemplary throughout the zoom range, even when shooting full aperture at f/2.8, although extreme sharpness in the corners drops off a bit when using wide apertures at the long end.

Color fringes are absolutely negligible over the entire zoom range with all aperture settings up to the corners of the picture. And that without in-camera correction. Distortion is most noticeable uncorrected, but the Tamron relies far less on automatic distortion correction than many newer lenses designed for mirrorless cameras.

The lens is not only suitable for extensive panorama shots, but also for close-ups. Short minimum object distances range from 0.17m at the shortest zoom setting to 0.29m at the longest, providing generous magnification ratios of 0.26x to 0.2x. The f/2.8 aperture allows for a fairly shallow depth of field when shooting close-ups, and the bokeh is pleasingly smooth, with well-rounded bokeh slices of out-of-focus highlights and other bright spots. Thanks to the 9-blade aperture diaphragm, they remain quite round even when the aperture is stopped down a little.

example Pictures

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (4)

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (5)

(Video) Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 VXD Definitive Review | DA

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (6)

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (7)

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (8)

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (9)

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (10)

laboratory results

We perform a variety of laboratory tests under controlled conditions using the Imatest Master test suite. Photographs of the test charts are taken at full aperture and zoom ranges (where available) and then analyzed for sharpness, distortion, and chromatic aberrations.

We used graphs and Imatest SFR (Spatial Frequency Response) analysis software to plot lens resolution at frame center, corners, and center-to-center distances across the full range of aperture settings and zoom lenses at four different focal lengths. The tests also measure distortion and color fringing (chromatic aberration).

Sharpness:

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (11)

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Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (12)

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Enough sharpness is available to accommodate Sony's higher megapixel camera bodies. Center sharpness remains excellent throughout the zoom range, even when shooting at the full f/2.8 aperture. For the best corner sharpness at the long end of the zoom range, it's worth stopping at f/5.6 or narrower apertures.

French:

(Video) My Dream Lens!? - Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Review

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (13)

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Even without automatic correction in the camera, color fringes are practically not visible, even at the extreme edges and corners of the picture frame.

Distortion:

Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD in test (14)

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Barrel distortion can be noticeable with 20mm uncorrected, less so with 24mm. At 28mm there is virtually no distortion, but the pincushion is visible at 40mm. In-camera correction is available if you find it necessary.

Verdict

This full-frame compatible lens for Sony E-mount cameras offers strong all-round performance, excellent image quality and a versatile zoom range in a compact, lightweight package. It's great for everyday stills and works just as well as a vlogging lens thanks to its wide maximum angle of view along with a fast, constant f/2.8 aperture. All in all, it's a very smart buy for the price.

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(Video) I Travelled 2500 Miles to TEST the TAMRON 20-40 f/2.8

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Matthew Richard

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent many years using and reviewing all types of photographic equipment. He's Digital Camera World's top lens reviewer and has tried more primes and zooms than most people at hot dinner parties!

His experience with the team doesn't end there, however. It's also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera bags and cases, flashes, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and pretty much anything imaging-related.

In a previous life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC and a former editor at PC Guide.

(Video) Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 Photo & Video Review

FAQs

What is the minimum focus distance for Tamron 20 40? ›

The Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.17m /6.7in with a maximum magnification of 1:3.8, when set to the 20mm focal length, which makes it surprisingly useful for close-ups.

What size is Tamron 20-40mm F2 8? ›

The 20-40mm F2.8 is a fast-aperture standard zoom lens but maintains its fast F2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range while sporting a remarkably compact and lightweight design, just 86.5mm (3.4 in) long, with a maximum diameter of 74.4mm and weight of only 365g (12.9 oz).

What focal length best matches the human eye? ›

For one part, 50-mm lenses reproduce the proportions of faces, depth, and perspective at roughly the same size as we see with our naked eyes. For another, a 50-mm field of view roughly matches the human angle of vision.

What is the best minimum focus distance? ›

It is common for the minimum focusing distance of a 150-600 mm or a 200-600 mm full frame zoom lens to be in the 2.2 to 2.8 metre (~7.2 to 9.2 feet) range. Prime full frame long telephoto lenses can have even longer minimum focusing distances.

What does Vxd stand for on the Tamron lens? ›

The AF drive, TAMRON's VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism, is adopted to deliver higher autofocus speed with greater precision.

Which lens is better Sigma or Tamron? ›

While the Tamron lens may be more portable, the additional functionality, delicate construction, and slightly wider focal length of the Sigma lens means that overall it has the better build.

Which lens is best Sigma or Tamron? ›

The Sigma has sharper corners at 150mm and 500mm, but the Tamron has sharper corners at 400mm. The Sigma is noticeably sharper at 600mm, especially in the mid and peripheral portions of the image circle. The Tamron has slightly stronger pincushion distortion and has more noticeable CA.

Are all Tamron lenses made in China? ›

In other words, Tamron has lens-producing plants in the three countries of Japan, China and Vietnam, which assemble and ship the products. In Japan, Tamron's main plants are situated in three locations in Aomori Prefecture.

Should I buy full-frame lenses? ›

Because there's no crop factor on full-frame sensors, “you're able to get a wider field of view with your lens,” says Whitehouse. “If you shoot landscape photography or anything that needs a wide frame, such as real estate photography or architecture, you'll probably want a full frame.”

Are Tamron zoom lenses good? ›

The autofocus speeds for Tamron's lenses are fast and reliable. They are smaller than most of the OEM lenses on the market and, as a result, weigh less. Most importantly, they deliver excellent image quality at a very affordable price.

Is Tamron Di full-frame? ›

TAMRON All-in-One Zoom Lens. Di (Digitally Integrated Design) lenses are designed for full-frame and APS-C format digital SLR cameras and feature an optical design tailored to the characteristics of digital cameras.

What are Tamron lenses like? ›

As a lens, the Tamron is splendid. In common with many mirrorless lenses some of the parameters, such as distortion and CA, are controlled in conjunction with the camera to get the best results, but the lens on its own is still an excellent overall performer.

How do you find the minimum focus distance of a lens? ›

To check the minimum focusing distance of a lens, refer to the lens specifications or the distance printed on the lens, as shown in the picture below. The distance is indicated on the front side of the lens in meters (m) and feet (ft).

Does a teleconverter change minimum focus distance? ›

The teleconverter doesn't change the minimum focusing distance of the lens, but it changes the maximum aperture. The same multiplication factor that increases the focal length decreases the aperture. For example, a 2.0x teleconverter decreases the maximum aperture by two stops; a 1.4x teleconverter by one stop.

What is the closest distance a lens can focus? ›

The closest focusing distance is often thought of as the distance from the front of the lens to the subject. However, it is actually measured from the focal plane, which is usually marked on the top of all Canon EOS cameras.

What is the minimum focus distance for Tamron 24 70mm? ›

The minimum focus distance is 1.25' at 24mm or 70mm, virtually the same as comparable lenses. The optical design consists of two XR elements, three low-dispersion glass elements and four aspherical elements, which are coated with Tamron's eBAND, BBAR, and fluorine coatings to minimize flare and aberrations.

Videos

1. Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 REVIEW: ONE Thing You NEED to Know Before Buying (vs Sony 20-70 f4)
(Jared Polin)
2. Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Review - Best Walk Around Lens?
(Stefan Malloch)
3. Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 VXD Quick Review | DA
(Dustin Abbott)
4. This Lens Is INCREDIBLE! - Tamron 20-40mm 2.8 Longterm Review!
(Jeven Dovey)
5. Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD on sony A7RIV
(SonyAlpha blog)
6. Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Review | The New Era of a Standard Zoom Lens
(Kensei Akatsu)

References

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