Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Nikon NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED 105mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Nikon NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED 105mm
The Nikon 105mm f/1.4E ED is widely praised as one of the best portrait lenses available, delivering stunning sharpness, creamy bokeh, and beautiful color rendition even wide open. Many users consider it a significant upgrade over the 85mm f/1.4 and 70-200mm f/2.8, though they note it is large, heavy, and expensive. A few reviewers report autofocus speed issues, front-focus problems, or softness at minimum focus distance, but the overwhelming majority find the optical performance magical and worth the investment.
Pros
- Stunning sharpness wide open
- Creamy bokeh and background separation
- Beautiful color rendition and contrast
- Excellent low-light performance
- Solid build quality with weather sealing
Cons
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Autofocus can be slow in some situations
- Front-focus issues reported on some copies
- Softness at minimum focus distance wide open
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED 105mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 105 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 105 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 14 |
| Groups | 13 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Nano Crystal Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.59 kg★ | 0.98 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 1.00 m |
| Max Magnification | 1:3.8★ | 0.13x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
Nikon NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED 105mm
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong optical (76th percentile)
- Below average build (19th percentile)19th %ile
- Below average macro (29th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD offers 5.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.
