Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Nikon NIKKOR 1940 180mm
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 1940 180mm
The Nikon 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED is a classic telephoto lens that delivers outstanding image quality with sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent 3D rendering. Users praise its solid metal build, compact size, and lightweight design, though some note noticeable chromatic aberration at wide apertures and the lack of vibration reduction. Autofocus is reliable but not the fastest, and the lens requires a camera body with a built-in focus motor. Overall, it is highly recommended for portrait, wedding, and wildlife photography, offering professional-grade results at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Exceptional image sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh rendering
- Solid metal build quality
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent 3D rendering and microcontrast
Cons
- Noticeable chromatic aberration at f/2.8
- No vibration reduction (VR)
- Autofocus not the fastest
- Requires camera body with focus motor
- Expensive filters
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 1940 180mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 180 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 8 |
| Groups | 13 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | fluorine coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.59 kg★ | 0.76 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | AF |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 1.52 m |
| Max Magnification | 1:3.8 | 1:6.6 |
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 1940 180mm
- Strong aperture (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average build (26th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 21 specs.