Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD: fast and wide-angled option for Sony A7 cameras

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD
(Image credit: Tamron)

Tamron has announced full details of its new compact wide-angle wide-apertured zoom for the Sony range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is a lightweight lens option for those wanting a fast wide zoom – with the lens weighing just 420g, and measuring just 99mm long. 

First announced at CES back in February, the lens is designed to be the perfect companion to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD that went on sale last year. It features the RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) AF motor unit that promises high-speed, super-quiet operation, making it suitable for shooting virtually noise-free video as well as stills. The two lenses also share the same 0.17m close focusing distance. 

The 17-28mm f/2.8 has a remarkably small 67mm front filter ring for a full-frame wide-angle zoom (again this is the same as the companion 28-75mm). 

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD

(Image credit: Tamron)

The optical design consists of 13 lenses in 11 groups, including three aspherical lens elements, two LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements and one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) lens element. The lens is designed to be weather resistant.

The lens will go on sale at the end of July for £899.99 / $899.99.

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD

(Image credit: Tamron)

Full specifications

Model number: A046
Focal length: 17‐28mm
Mount: Sony E-mount
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/22
Angle of view (diagonal): 103°41'-75°23' 
Optical construction: 13 elements in 11 groups
Minimum focus distance: 0.19m (7.5 in) (at 17mm) / 0.26m (10.2 in) (at 28mm)
Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.2 (at 17mm) / 1:6 (at 28mm)
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 73 x 99mm
Weight: 420g (14.8 oz)
Aperture blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
Lens hood included: Yes

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Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 


His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 11 Pro.


He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.