Tamron’s New 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens

credits: Tamron

Tamron just officially released the final piece of its second-generation f/2.8 zoom lens lineup, with the new 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 now officially joining the 28-75mm and 70-180mm G2 lenses. Together, they form what Tamron calls the “Daisangen” trio, a name borrowed from the game of mahjong that refers to collecting all three dragon tiles for a win. In photography terms, it means you’ve got your wide, standard, and telephoto zooms all covered with constant f/2.8 apertures.

This new 16-30mm builds on Tamron’s well-loved 17-28mm from a few years back, expanding the zoom range just enough to give a bit more room on the wide side. Physically, the lens is short and light: just 4 inches long and 440 grams for Sony E-mount, and a hair longer and heavier on Nikon Z. It focuses pretty close too, down to 7.5 inches at the wide end. You get a 9-blade diaphragm, a 67mm filter thread, and weather sealing with a fluorine-coated front element for extra protection.

Autofocus has gotten an upgrade too, thanks to the VXD motor, and Tamron says the handling has been improved with better ergonomics and a refreshed exterior. Despite the compact size, Tamron promises sharp optics and pleasing bokeh, though the company hasn’t gone into detail about what kind of glass is inside this one. Pricing is at $929, with the Sony version hitting shelves on July 31 and the Nikon Z version landing August 22.

You can see full details and sample shots on Tamron’s website here