Tamron 17-50mm F4 VXD Review | A Wide Angle Boss for Video?

Tamron 17-50mm F4 VXD Review | A Wide Angle Boss for Video

Hi, I’m Dustin Abbott. I’m here today to give you my video review of the new Tamron 17-50mm F4 VXD lens. This lens is designed for mirrorless cameras and features Tamron’s VXD focus motor. A few months ago, I reviewed Sony’s 20-70mm F4G lens, which stretched a standard zoom lens back to 20mm to allow for some crossover into the wide-angle space. Sony’s idea was that with high-resolution bodies, there’s plenty of capacity for cropping to get more reach, but not for going wider. Tamron, on the other hand, has taken a wide-angle zoom lens and stretched it out to 17mm, allowing for even wider shots. This lens could be especially useful in tight spaces where going wider is more important than additional telephoto reach.

Tamron’s Second-Generation Development

Tamron already had a well-received 17-28mm F2.8 lens, which cost about $100 more than the new 17-50mm lens. However, the newer lens benefits from being in Tamron’s second-generation (G2) phase of development. It has a higher level of build quality and features compared to the earlier lens. This lens is not only great for stills but also for video. It has an internally zooming design, which provides a constant balance point. It offers customizable features, excellent autofocus, and a competitive price point of just $699 US. This makes it a potentially more interesting option for many buyers compared to the more expensive Sony 20-70mm lens.

An Extremely Useful Zoom Range

The Tamron 17-50mm lens covers a wide range of focal lengths, including 17mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Each focal length corresponds to a popular prime lens range, making this zoom lens extremely versatile. With a G2 build quality, well-designed finish, and a 67mm front filter thread, it aligns with other Tamron lenses for easy filter sharing. The lens is 114.5mm in length, weighs 460g, and has thorough weather sealing with eight seal points. It also features nine rounded aperture blades, ensuring a pleasing circular shape up to f/8.

Customization and Connectivity

Although there is no traditional aperture ring on this lens, there is the option to customize the focus ring to function as an aperture ring. Additionally, the lens includes a custom button that can be programmed through the camera body. With a sealed USB-C port, it can be connected to a PC or any device with a USB-C port for firmware updates or other functions.

In conclusion, the Tamron 17-50mm F4 VXD lens is an excellent option for those looking for a wide-angle lens for both stills and video. Its wide zoom range, build quality, weather sealing, and competitive price make it a compelling choice. Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, this lens delivers exceptional performance and versatility.

Click here to learn more about the Tamron 17-50mm F4 VXD lens and its features.

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