08/05/2026 1:30 pm
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Which Tamron lens is actually the gold standard for Sony E-mount these days because I am honestly lost looking at all these new G2 versions and VXD motors. I have been shooting weddings and travel for a good six years now mostly on the A7R series and I have always been a die-hard Sony GM glass person but I just cant do the weight anymore. My wrist is literally killing me after an eight hour day and I need to lighten the load before I head out to Iceland next Friday for a huge landscape and elopement shoot.
I picked up the 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 recently thinking it would be the one but I am finding the 28mm on the wide end is just a bit too tight for the dramatic cliff shots I am planning and honestly the autofocus feels slightly different than my native glass and I dont know if it is a setting or just the lens itself. I am looking for that sweet spot of sharpness and reliability. Should I be looking at the 17-28mm instead or maybe that huge 35-150mm f2-2.8? The 35-150 seems like it would solve all my problems but then I am back to the heavy lens issue which I am trying to avoid in the first place.
Here is what I am juggling:
- I need fast AF-C for moving couples
- Budget is $1400 max
- Needs to be weather sealed for the Icelandic rain
- Weight is a massive factor
Has anyone noticed if the newer Tamrons hold up with the Sony A7IV's breathing compensation? I am doing more video lately and that is becoming a dealbreaker for me. If I have to ditch the 28-75 G2 for something else I need to pull the trigger on an order tonight to get it by Monday. Is there a sleeper hit I am missing like the 28-200 or is that just gonna be too soft for professional work...
3 Answers
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08/05/2026 1:55 pm
@Reply #1 - good point! I used the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD on a wet hike and it was reliable. Its way lighter and wider than your current 28-75mm lens.
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08/05/2026 2:35 pm
I actually grabbed the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD for a gig in the Dolomites last fall and it was a lifesaver. If you are worried about the 28mm being too tight for those Iceland cliffs, that 20mm wide end makes a huge difference. I used to lug around the heavy Sony stuff too, but my back just gave up and this thing is tiny. Basically what I found:
- The 20-40mm is super light, like barely feels like its on the camera.
- AF-C is snappy enough for couples walking toward you.
- It doesnt officially support the A7IV breathing compensation feature (thats usually locked to Sony glass), but the optical breathing is pretty minimal anyway. Honestly, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is not as soft as people say. I shot a whole wedding gallery on one once when my main lens broke and the couple couldnt tell. It is definitely a sleeper hit for travel, but for Iceland you are gonna want that 20mm wide end for the waterfalls. I would skip the 35-150 if weight is your main beef... its a total brick.
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08/05/2026 1:30 pm
> I picked up the 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 recently thinking it would be the one but I am finding the 28mm on the wide end is just a bit too tight Man, I totally feel your pain with the wrist fatigue! Carrying heavy glass for an eight hour wedding is basically a gym workout nobody asked for. I made the switch to a lighter kit recently and honestly it has been absolutely amazing for my joints! Iceland is gonna be incredible for those shots tho, you must be so stoked! The gold standard is definitely the newer G2 series for that weight vs performance balance. Since you find 28mm too tight, how wide do you actually find yourself needing to go for those dramatic landscapes? Are you looking for a dedicated ultra-wide or just something slightly wider for a one-lens setup? Also, are you shooting a lot of 4K60 on that A7IV? That extra crop might be why you are feeling so limited on the wide end right now!
