Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens (B070S) (Sony E)

The Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Model B070S) for Sony E-mount is a versatile, high-performance zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C format Sony mirrorless cameras. It offers a wide-angle to short telephoto range, making it perfect for a wide range of photography applications, from landscapes and street photography to portraits and everyday shooting. The constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, along with Tamron’s renowned Vibration Compensation (VC) system and RXD autofocus motor, ensures sharp images and easy handling even in low-light or fast-paced scenarios.

Key Features

1. Versatile Focal Range (17-70mm)

• Wide to Short Telephoto Zoom: Covering a highly practical focal length range from 17mm to 70mm (equivalent to 25.5-105mm in full-frame terms), this lens provides both a wide-angle field of view for landscapes, architecture, and interiors, as well as a short telephoto range ideal for portraiture and close-up photography. This flexibility makes it a go-to lens for travel and everyday shooting.
• Constant f/2.8 Aperture: The lens features a bright and constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, providing excellent control over depth of field for creative bokeh effects. The constant aperture is also ideal for low-light shooting, allowing you to maintain fast shutter speeds even at the telephoto end.

2. VC (Vibration Compensation) Image Stabilization

• Built-In VC Stabilization: Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) technology ensures sharp handheld shooting by minimizing the effects of camera shake, especially in low-light conditions or at longer focal lengths. This system is particularly helpful for video shooting, offering smoother handheld footage.
• AI-Powered Stabilization: The VC system in this lens uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology for enhanced stabilization during video recording, providing even smoother footage when shooting handheld video sequences.

3. RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent Drive) Autofocus Motor

• High-Speed, Silent Autofocus: The RXD stepping motor delivers fast and precise autofocus performance with near-silent operation. This makes the lens perfect for both still photography and video, where quiet focusing is essential. The RXD motor ensures accurate tracking of moving subjects and smooth focus transitions during video capture.
• Seamless Autofocus for Sony Cameras: The lens is fully compatible with Sony's advanced autofocus systems, including Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking, ensuring sharp focus on your subjects even in fast-moving scenes.

4. Advanced Optical Design

• High-Quality Optics: The lens is constructed with 16 elements in 12 groups, including low dispersion (LD) and glass-molded aspherical (GM) elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, distortion, and other optical defects. This design ensures crisp, clear images with excellent resolution and color fidelity across the entire zoom range.
• BBAR-G2 Coating: Tamron’s BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating is applied to the lens elements to reduce flare and ghosting, especially when shooting in backlit situations. This improves contrast and overall image quality in challenging lighting conditions.

5. Compact and Lightweight Design

• Portability for APS-C Cameras: Weighing just 525g (1.16 lbs) and measuring 119.3mm (4.7 inches) in length, the lens is highly portable and balances well with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras. Its lightweight construction makes it an excellent companion for travel and street photography, where mobility is key.
• Moisture-Resistant Construction: The lens features weather sealing at critical points to protect against moisture and dust, making it suitable for outdoor shooting in a variety of conditions. The front element is also coated with a fluorine compound, which repels water, oil, and dirt for easier maintenance.

6. Close Focusing Distance

• Impressive Close-Up Capabilities: With a minimum focusing distance of 19cm (7.5 inches) at the wide end and 39cm (15.4 inches) at the telephoto end, the lens offers excellent macro-like capabilities. This close-focusing ability allows you to capture detailed shots of small subjects, adding versatility to the lens’s wide range of uses.

7. Video-Friendly Features

• Smooth and Quiet Operation: The RXD motor and VC stabilization make the lens especially suitable for videography, where silent autofocus and steady shots are critical. The AI-enhanced VC system ensures smooth handheld video recording, while the constant f/2.8 aperture provides consistent exposure and depth of field throughout the zoom range.

Conclusion

The Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (B070S) for Sony E-mount is an excellent choice for photographers and videographers seeking a versatile, high-performance zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture. With its broad focal range, fast and quiet autofocus, image stabilization, and compact size, it is an ideal everyday lens for a wide variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraits. Whether you're shooting stills or video, this lens offers excellent optical quality and performance in a portable package.