What is the best Tamron lens for Sony E-mount travel photography?

Question

Im so excited for my first big trip to Italy next month but I have no idea what lens to get for my Sony. I heard Tamron is good for beginners?

budget is $800

only want one lens

easy to carry

Sorry if this is a dumb question but which one is best?

RetroVector · Accepted Answer

Saw your post and figured I would chime in since I have dragged a lot of glass through Europe over the years. Italy involves a ton of walking and honestly, heavy gear ruins the vibe pretty fast. Since you want to stay under $800, you have two really solid paths with Tamron that wont break your back.Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Sony E: This is the gold standard for a reason. Its super sharp and that f/2.8 aperture is a lifesaver for indoor shots in cathedrals where you cant use a flash. It usually sits right at the top of your budget.Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Sony E: This is the sleeper pick if you really want it easy to carry. Its way smaller than most zooms and the 20mm wide end is perfect for those massive piazzas or narrow streets in Florence. I have tried many setups and usually find that the lighter the better. If you dont need to zoom in on far away statues, the 20-40mm is much more comfortable for all-day carry...

Tam TA · Answer

TLDR: Buy the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Sony E. Unfortunately, most travel zooms are not as good as expected and I have had issues with image quality on the cheaper stuff. This is basically the only reliable option under $800 tho. Just dont expect it to be perfect... all-in-one lenses are always kinda disappointing in low light.

Robertabsom · Answer

Which Sony body are you actually shooting on? If it is APS-C, that 28-200mm is gonna be way too tight for Italy's narrow streets. Honestly, I've had issues with tight framing in Europe and it's a huge bummer. For crop, look at the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD instead. Quick tip: prioritize the wide end, otherwise you'll be frustrated.