19/03/2026 3:50 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
Tamron Forum
5
Posts
6
Users
0
Reactions
53
Views
0
So I finally pulled the trigger on a Sony a7IV after saving up for what feels like forever and I am literally so hyped to start shooting with it but now I am stuck in the lens rabbit hole. I know Tamron is usually the way to go if you want that sweet spot between price and quality and I keep seeing everyone rave about the 28-75mm f2.8 G2. My logic was that it seems like the perfect all-rounder for everything but then I saw some videos on the 35-150mm f2-2.8 and now my brain is just mush. I read that the 28-75 is super light and sharp but some people on Reddit were saying the 35-150 is basically a bag of primes in one lens which sounds amazing for the trip I have coming up to Tokyo in like three weeks.
The thing is the 35-150 is like double the price and looks massive and I dont want to be that guy lugging around a huge brick while walking through Shinjuku all night. My budget is around $1200-ish but I could stretch it if the 35-150 is actually life changing for the a7IV autofocus system. Im mostly doing street stuff and maybe some late night cityscapes so that f2 on the wider end is tempting but I worry about losing that extra 7mm on the wide side because 28mm to 35mm feels like a big jump when youre in tight spaces.
Then I also saw the 28-200mm which is way cheaper and people say its surprisingly good for a superzoom but I worry about the variable aperture in low light. Does the a7IV high ISO performance make up for a slower lens or should I just stick to the constant 2.8? My research shows the G2 has better motors for the newer Sony bodies but I dont know if that really matters for non-sports stuff. I really want something that stays on the camera 90% of the time because I hate switching lenses in the wind. Just trying to figure out if the 28-75 G2 is enough or if I am gonna regret not going for something with more reach or a faster aperture...
5 Answers
12
19/03/2026 4:25 am
Just catching up on this thread. Looking at the technical specs, the weight of the 35-150mm is really the biggest dealbreaker at over 1,100g. Its basically a workout for your neck. If you want versatility without the bulk, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is surprisingly capable for a superzoom. It starts at f/2.8 at the wide end, which is rare. You can definitely lean on the a7IV high ISO capabilities for low light shots at the long end since that sensor is so clean up to 6400... Another solid technical choice is the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD. It features the newer VXD linear motors which are significantly faster for the a7IV tracking system than the older RXD tech. Plus, that 20mm focal length is way more useful for Tokyo architecture than 28mm or 35mm. It keeps the setup under 400g too which is a huge plus for walking all night.
11
19/03/2026 4:35 am
Regarding what #2 said about "Just catching up on this thread. Looking at..." the 28-200mm, I actually disagree slightly on the utility for a trip like Tokyo. I spent a week shooting in Shinjuku and Golden Gai last year, and honestly, 28mm was never wide enough for those tight alleys. You might want to consider the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD instead of the usual suspects.
- It handles the cramped city streets and massive neon signs way better than a 28mm ever could.
- It is incredibly light, so you wont have a sore neck after twelve hours of walking through Shibuya.
- The constant f/2.8 is much safer for night shots than a variable aperture superzoom, especially when the sun goes down. Be careful about choosing reach over width for urban travel. I would suggest focusing on the 20-40mm because its well within your budget and lets you actually capture the scale of the buildings without constantly hitting a wall.
3
21/03/2026 9:55 am
Big if true
2
19/03/2026 3:50 am
> I really want something that stays on the camera 90% of the time The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is the most logical choice for reliability. While the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is amazing, the weight is a real burden for travel.
- 28mm is safer for tight streets
- Constant f2.8 handles night cityscapes well
- Significantly lighter for handheld shooting It basically covers everything without being too risky tho...
1
19/03/2026 1:55 pm
^ This. Also, if you are really worried about those tight spaces in Shinjuku but dont want to carry multiple lenses, you might want to consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD. It is a bit of a sleeper pick because people usually want f2.8, but having that 17mm wide end for the massive neon signs and tall buildings is huge. I would be a bit cautious about the f4 aperture for late night stuff though. The a7IV is great at high ISO, but f4 can be limiting when you are handheld in dark alleys. If you are trying to stay under that $1200 budget, it is way cheaper than the 35-150 and about half the weight. Honestly, I think the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is still the smartest move for reliability and general use, but if you go that route, just be ready to stitch some panoramas if 28mm feels too tight. Definitely dont go for the 35-150 for a walking trip... your back will hate you and you will spend the whole time worrying about bumping into people on the Ginza line. Keep it simple and save your money for some actual ramen instead.
