Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD Development Announcement

Tamron's development team are working hard this summer, as only one week after they announced a new 40-500mm lens is in the pipeline, they have just released the details for another new lens. The Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD for Sony E-mount full-frame cameras is currently in development and planned for release in the autumn of 2022. Offering a wide-angle focal range, a low aperture suitable for low-light shots, and a well-balanced structure, this lens is already eyeing up the content creators as a great new vlogging lens.

Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (1)

Stand-out features

Fast F/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range from 20mm to 40mm
Compact and lightweight design at just 86.5mm and 365g
Excellent handling that is well-balanced, even when accessories like camera grips or gimbal stabilisers are attached.
Silent high-level AF speed and precision from Tamron's VXD linear motor
Wide macro shooting: MOD of 17cm and a magnification ratio of 1:3.8
Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF
Rapid zooming (The zoom ring rotation arc is just 65°)
67mm filter size, same as most other Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras

Extra quality-of-life features

Compatible with Tamron Lens UtilityTM software for Focus Ring Function Setting and firmware updates
Improved texture and scratch-resistant design
User-friendly features (Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating)

Planned for portability

This fast-aperture standard zoom lens is highly compact. At just 86.5mm and 365g, the Tamron 20-40mm is the smallest and lightest in its class, making it easy to carry around for everyday shooting. From the sound of it, this lightweight design was the main objective for creating this lens, and while it may mean it has less focal length on the tele end with a maximum zoom set at 40mm, when matched with a secondary lens this could easily become a top contender as part of a versatile two-piece travel set.

Silent AF

Incorporating Tamron's VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive); an AF drive system using the linear motor focus mechanism, the lens boasts a quiet and agile performance, while achieving autofocus with both speed and precision. The lens is also built for compatibility with camera-specific features such as Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.

Rapid zooming and wide close-ups

With a MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of just 17cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.8 at the wide end, the lens provides exceptional close-range shooting capability, and offers the added feature of wide-angle macro photography. A zoom ring rotation arc of 65° gives you the capability of rapid zooming. This allows changes to the lens’ focal length in real-time as you shoot, for full control over the area captured in your image.

Ideal for low light

Delivering a fast F/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range from 20mm to 40mm, the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD will be great for dimly lit environments and night photography.

Intended use

At the 40mm end the lens will be handy for the everyday shooting of snaps, portraits, and food photos. The ultra-wide 20mm focal length will also let users capture stunning and powerful natural landscapes. Overall, the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD holds great promise for street videography and vlogs while offering a broad range of photography options from vast landscapes during travel to selfies with wide backgrounds.

Final thoughts

The lightweight design and zoom range seem to make this lens perfectly catered to vlogging and gimbal use for daily videography. The f-stop of 2.8 and wide-angle capabilities also give the lens excellent photographic ability, even in low light, as a compact, easy-to-travel-with lens. With its lower focal range and f-stop, the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD will also be a good lens to pair with the upcoming Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD, offering a versatile and lightweight combination.

The new Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A062), will be available in the UK and Ireland sometime during autumn 2022. Further details, pricing, product and sample photos will be available in due course.

Thank you!

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog, we really do hope they help you out and answer some of your questions. If you still have some unanswered, then please feel free to get in touch with our team of experts.

We have a LiveChat option on our website and we can, of course, be contacted via our email, we're also on the end of the phone too! Read more on how to contact us here >

Want to write for us?

If you've got experience with producing content on photo, video and/or optics products or techniques then we would love to hear from you. Contact our blog editor, Bea, with a sample of your work at bea@cliftoncameras.co.uk.

By James Spires
19 Aug 2022