Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 fisheye is a fun, ultra-wide lens that delivers a unique circular image at a very low price. Users praise its sharpness and build quality, but note that it requires careful handling to avoid including fingers, grips, or lens markings in the frame. Compatibility with full-frame cameras is limited, often requiring cropping, and manual focus can be tricky. Overall, it's seen as a great value for creative or occasional use.
Pros
- Very low price
- Unique circular fisheye image
- Sharp image quality
- Fun and creative perspective
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons
- Fingers and grip visible in frame
- Manual focus can be tricky
- Limited compatibility with full-frame cameras
- Requires cropping to remove black edges
- Lens markings appear in images
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm | Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 4 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 4 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 7 |
| Groups | 13 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | fluorine coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.59 kg | 0.14 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm | 80 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 | 1:9.09 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average optical (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.
