Tamron – 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

Overview

With its fifteenth lens dedicated to the E-mount, Tamron is focusing on video diaries, or vlogs. The 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD is a small but bright zoom lens, ideal for those who like to stage their daily lives.

Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD: a small zoom lens ideal for vlogging
Vlogging is becoming increasingly popular
Photo manufacturers see this practice as a growth vector and are therefore multiplying the number of ad hoc bodies (Nikon Z30, Sony ZV-E10, Panasonic Lumix G100), as well as lenses, such as the excellent Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G. Tamron, which already offered a very wide-angle zoom, aka the 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD, is now launching this 20-40mm lens with a focal length range that is no less atypical, but a little more versatile.

A new focal length for Sony hybrids

Tamron is alone in the field with this small zoom lens. Still, rivals could come close, such as Sigma’s 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary or the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS, not to mention the two lenses above from Tamron and Sony.

Ergonomics

Tamron’s wide-angle zoom lens is straightforward. We end up with a small “objo” of 8.6 cm in length and 7.4 cm in diameter. Despite its weight of 365 g, once in hand, it is denser than it seems. Thus, when mounted on the small Sony Alpha 7C (A7C) as overviewed by Tamron at the time of its official announcement, the whole thing could be slightly unbalanced, especially when shooting at arm’s length without a grip.

Customisable from a PC or smartphone

The lens is a perfect match for the latest “rocks” like the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2. The design is identical, but the newcomer loses the customisable button. However, it retains the USB-C port which allows updating from a computer or Android smartphone using the Tamron Lens Utility app.

Protected from the elements

Several parameters can be changed, such as the speed of AF transitions or assigning the focus ring another function (control of aperture, exposure, etc.). As for the optical construction, there are 12 elements divided into 12 groups. We would have hoped for an internal zoom, but this is not the case and the lens extends slightly from 20 to 40 mm.

For the more adventurous, the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD is weather protected and should withstand a little rain.

CONCLUSION

With this 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD, Tamron delivers a small, unpretentious zoom lens that delivers excellent image quality. Its autofocus motors are very efficient and it will suit well to those who would like to try vlogging. Lightweight and compact, it doesn’t offer the most versatile focal range for those who want to make this zoom something other than a good video tool. In this function, it remains quite relevant.