Tamron announced the development of the new Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD lens. There is no pricing info yet but the lens is expected to ship in mid 2019.

This year Tamron is releasing a new ultra-wide angle zoom lens for Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless cameras. Will it have enough to compare with the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM but at a more affordable price?

Tamron’s upcoming 17-28mm is said to be compact and lightweight. With only a 67mm filter size compared to the Sony 16-35mm GM’s 82mm, it appears that a compromise of focal length range may benefit those seeking a more travel-friendly option.

The Model A046 achieves an astonishingly small diameter for a high-speed ultra wide-angle zoom lens, as witnessed by its modest 67mm filter size. Its unprecedented light weight and compact size provide excellent balance when used with a full-frame mirrorless camera, making it easy to carry, and enabling it to cater to a wide range of scenes and shooting conditions. The Model A046 offers a fast F/2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range, and delivers high-resolution and contrast edge to edge. The combination of ultra wide-angle focal length, fast constant F/2.8 aperture and an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.19m (7.5 in) at the wide-angle end encourages richly expressive and creative photography in a multitude of scenarios. The Model A046’s AF drive system is powered by the RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor unit, enabling it to deliver high-speed, high-precision and superbly quiet operation suitable for shooting video as well as still photographs.