Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED 35mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is widely praised for its sharpness, versatile zoom range, constant aperture, and effective stabilization, making it an excellent all-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users appreciate its solid build quality and value for money, though many note it is noticeably heavier and larger than typical kit lenses, which can feel unbalanced on smaller camera bodies. A few reviewers mention minor issues like chromatic aberration at the longer end and noise from the aperture blades at certain settings, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- sharp image quality across zoom range
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- effective image stabilization
- fast and quiet autofocus
- versatile 17-70mm focal range
Cons
- heavy and large for APS-C body
- chromatic aberration at 50-70mm
- aperture blade noise above f/5.6
- short zoom throw initially stiff
- no aperture ring on Fuji version
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED 35mm
The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent low-light performance, making it a favorite for street, portrait, and everyday photography. Many users highlight its lightweight build and value for money, though some note that it is not as sharp as the 50mm S lens and can suffer from vignetting and corner softness wide open. A few reviewers also mention quality control issues and a plastic feel, but overall it is considered a solid, versatile prime lens.
Pros
- Sharp images edge-to-edge
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent low-light performance
- Lightweight and compact design
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Vignetting and corner softness wide open
- Not as sharp as 50mm S lens
- Plastic build feels cheap
- Quality control issues reported
- Overpriced compared to alternatives
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 8 |
| Groups | 12 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Super Integrated Coating (SIC) |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 250 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8★ | 0.24x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED 35mm offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
