Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 Review for Travel Photography in Vietnam

Beginning My Vietnam Journey With a Single Travel Zoom

Photography is how I immerse myself in new places. When I travel, I’m constantly shifting between sweeping landscapes and quiet, intimate details that tell a deeper story. For my recent journey across Vietnam—from the towering limestone formations of Hạ Long Bay to colorful markets, pottery villages, and the serene mountains of Tam Cốc—I wanted one lens that could handle everything I encountered.

That’s why I chose the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063) for Nikon Z mount (and it’s available for Sony mount, too). In this Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 review for travel photography in Vietnam, I explore how the lens performed in real-world conditions across cities, coastlines, cultural sites, and unexpected everyday moments. This review also offers insight for photographers planning a Vietnam vacation, especially those who want to travel light without sacrificing creative flexibility.

By Photographer Noriko Kukimoto

What You’ll Learn In This Tamron 28-75mm Review:

• How the lens handled a varied travel itinerary across bays, villages, and city streets
• Real-world autofocus performance as lighting and subjects changed
• Optical quality for landscapes, low-light scenes, travel portraits, and details
• Creative possibilities using the lens’s close-focusing abilities
• Whether this lens can replace a multi-lens travel kit

How I Like to Photograph When I Travel Through Vietnam

My approach to travel photography is rooted in curiosity. I move from expansive scenery to the smallest textures within minutes. That fluidity shaped how I explored Vietnam.

On this trip, I photographed:

• The island formations and open waters of Hạ Long Bay
• Colorful markets overflowing with chili peppers, produce, and textiles
• Ceramics and lion figurines in Bát Tràng pottery village
• Quiet back streets with reflective surfaces and unexpected light
• Riverboats drifting between karst mountains in Tam Cốc
• Incense bundles arranged like radiant sculptures

Vietnam offered everything from mist to harsh sun, deep shade, and glowing evenings. These varied conditions are typical of a Vietnam vacation, where every destination—from waterways to alleys—presents different lighting challenges and creative opportunities.

My simple travel kit: a Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless camera, one lightweight zoom—the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2—and a small shoulder bag.

Getting to Know the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 During My Vietnam Travels

How the Lens Feels on the Road

The lens immediately felt balanced and natural on my Nikon Z body. Lightweight and compact, it made long days of walking, boating, and wandering feel effortless. The matte exterior and refined controls gave it a modern, tactile feel that made shooting intuitive.

Living With One Lens for Entire Days

In Vietnam, even a short outing becomes a full day of discovery. I wore the lens for hours—from ferry rides to narrow market aisles—and it never felt heavy or distracting. I could stay present and spontaneous without worrying about gear fatigue.

Handling Humidity, Water, and Street Environments

Vietnam’s climate is humid and unpredictable. Sea spray in Hạ Long Bay, mist in the mountains, and damp alleyways are all part of the experience. The lens’s moisture-resistant construction allowed me to shoot confidently without pausing to shield my equipment.

Autofocus in Vietnamese Streets, Markets, and on the Water

The VXD linear motor inside the G2 is fast, precise, and quiet—traits that proved essential across Vietnam’s constantly shifting environments.

Following Motion in Busy Streets

Cyclos and scooters often zipped past with little warning. I lifted the camera quickly, and the autofocus snapped into place with impressive confidence. Even spontaneous, near-contact moments produced crisp images.

Focusing in Dim Alleys and Indoor Settings

Vietnam’s interior spaces and narrow alleys can be quite dark. Even wide open at F2.8, the lens focused smoothly on pottery textures, hanging objects, or food displays. It rarely hunted, even when light was scarce.

Responding to Fleeting Travel Moments

A gesture from a vendor, a beam of light hitting a shop wall, a ripple on the water—these moments disappear quickly. The 28-75 G2’s autofocus kept up with my instincts, allowing me to capture scenes before they slipped away.

Quality and Rendering Across Vietnam’s Landscapes, Markets, and Villages

The optical performance of the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 impressed me consistently across Vietnam’s varied light and terrain.

Sharpness From Island Peaks to Market Textures

Shooting Hạ Long Bay at F2.8, I was surprised to see fine rock textures remain crisp even at full enlargement. The lens maintains high resolution throughout the zoom range.

Edge-to-Edge Detail for Wide Scenes

From the mountains of Tam Cốc to markets overflowing with color, framing wide scenes revealed strong corner-to-corner clarity. Landscapes, architecture, and environmental portraits remained reliably sharp.

Color and Contrast That Fit the Atmosphere

Vietnam’s palette is bold yet natural. The lens rendered the warm reds of incense, the vivid markets, and the cool blues of the water with lifelike balance and pleasing contrast.

Shooting Into the Light

Sunbeams through trees, reflections on water, or evening light hitting figurines—all created opportunities to test flare control. The lens handled backlight gracefully, preserving contrast and keeping flare minimal.

Handling Fine Lines and High-Contrast Edges

Whether on reflective glaze or bright skies behind dark silhouettes, chromatic aberration was rare and mild, reducing post-processing time.

Using Bokeh and Background Blur to Tell Travel Stories in Vietnam

If I had to summarize the bokeh performance in three words: bokeh, detail, expression.

• At 28mm, close-up shots became immersive scenes with beautifully blurred backgrounds.
• At 75mm, the lion figurine in Bát Tràng pottery village appeared framed by large, round bokeh that added depth and dimension.
• Even ordinary moments—like sunlight hitting a glass bottle—transformed into luminous compositions full of floating highlights.

This lens turns everyday objects into expressive subjects simply by combining close focus with F2.8 rendering.

Practical Travel Features I Relied On Throughout Vietnam

Getting Close Without Losing the Environment

Being able to focus at 7.1” (0.18m) at 28mm is creatively liberating. I could frame incense bundles, hats, and pottery with detailed foregrounds while keeping environmental cues in the frame.

Custom Controls with the TAMRON Lens Utility™

Although not essential for this trip, knowing the lens supports customization through the TAMRON Lens Utility™ gives photographers more personalization for future work, especially hybrid shooters.

A Focal Range That Suits Real Travel

• 28mm for bays, boats, and villages.
• 50mm for portraits and quiet details.
• 75mm for isolating subjects or compressing landscapes.

This range matched how I naturally see and compose during travel.

A Compact Lens Built for Constant Motion and Inclement Weather

From boats to motorbikes to crowded streets, my gear moved as much as I did. The lens felt robust yet lightweight—ideal for long days of exploration in any weather thanks to its moisture-resistant construction.

What I Learned From Traveling Vietnam With the 28-75mm F2.8 G2

Throughout Vietnam, I photographed wide vistas, intimate crafts, lively markets, and quiet objects. Not once did I feel the need to switch lenses. The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 allowed me to respond naturally to everything unfolding around me, letting the experience guide the pictures instead of the equipment.

The freedom of traveling with a single, capable zoom made my journey feel more connected and intuitive.

Is the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 My Go-To Lens for Future Travel?

After exploring Vietnam’s cities, coastline, and mountains, I can confidently say this lens is one of the best lens for travel photography options available for Nikon Z and Sony E mirrorless shooters. It’s sharp, lightweight, responsive, and versatile enough for nearly every subject I encountered.

Whether you’re shooting professionally or enjoying a Vietnam vacation, this lens adapts to every environment beautifully. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring it along again!

Related Tamron 28-75mm Reviews

• Tamron 28-75mm G2 Lens Overview >>
• Travel Photography with Kenna Klosterman Using the 28-75mm G2 in the Pacific Northwest >>
• Family Portrait Photography with the Tamron 28-75mm G2 by Keita Suzuki >>
• Visual Storytelling with the Tamron 28-75mm G2 by Daisuke Kumakiri >>

Where to Buy Tamron Lenses

Learn more about Tamron lenses at an authorized Tamron dealer near you or shop directly at the official TAMRON Store.

About Noriko Kukimoto

Noriko discovered her love for travel and photography as a student when she purchased her first single-lens reflex camera. Since then, she has photographed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia, capturing both grand landscapes and the small everyday moments she shares on social media. After working in several different fields, she became a professional photographer. Today, she teaches at Nikon College and leads photography seminars, where her motto is “Fun and easy to understand.” She is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS) and was born and currently lives in Kobe, Japan. Website | Instagram

People Also Ask

What makes the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 a good lens for photographing Vietnam?

Its versatility and lightweight design make it ideal for shooting boats, markets, mountains, and cultural details.

How does the lens handle humidity and changing weather in Southeast Asia?

Its moisture-resistant construction performs well in humid or misty environments common throughout Vietnam.

Is the lens good for capturing small handmade crafts?

Yes—the close focusing distance makes it excellent for pottery, textiles, incense, and other cultural details.

How does the lens respond to backlight in bright tropical light?

It maintains contrast, controls flare and produces appealing sun rays when stopped down.

Can this lens handle both landscapes and street scenes on a Vietnam trip?

Absolutely—28mm captures sweeping scenery, while 75mm isolates subjects in bustling markets or villages.

FAQs About the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 for Vietnam Travel Photography

1. Is the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 good for photographing markets and street life in Vietnam?

Yes. Its fast autofocus and compact size make it easy to react quickly in busy environments like Hanoi’s markets or Hoi An’s lantern streets.

2. Does the lens perform well on boats or moving platforms?

The lightweight design and responsive VXD autofocus help maintain sharpness even when shooting from a moving boat in places like Hạ Long Bay or Tam Cốc.

3. How does the lens handle fine textures in crafts and local goods?

Extremely well. The close focusing capability allows you to capture textures in pottery, woven hats, spices, incense, and fabrics with crisp detail.

4. Is the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 suitable for photographing backlit scenes in bright tropical conditions?

Yes. The lens handles strong Southeast Asian backlight effectively, maintaining good contrast and producing appealing sun rays when stopped down.

5. Is the Tamron 28-75mm G2 durable enough for humid and hot travel environments?

The moisture-resistant construction makes it a strong match for Vietnam’s tropical climate, offering reassurance against humidity, mist, and general outdoor conditions.

6. Can it replace multiple lenses on a trip to Vietnam?

For many travelers, yes. Its zoom range works for landscapes, street scenes, portraits, and close-ups, making it a highly efficient one-lens travel solution.

7. How well does the lens perform in low-light indoor settings, such as homes, temples, or workshops?

The constant F2.8 aperture provides enough brightness for handheld shooting in dim locations, especially when paired with a stabilized camera body.

8. Is the lens a good choice for capturing both people and places while traveling?

Absolutely. It balances subject separation at 75mm with environmental context at 28mm, making it a versatile option for portraits, cultural storytelling, and scenic travel photography.