Peppy | Villa Ndio Photography

13 July 202527 December 2025

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD

This lens is amazing. I have the Sony 24-70mm f4 and I thought it was a bit under-rated given my experience with the lens, which gave excellent results. More recently I got this Tamron lens, which really blows the Sony out of the water. The Tamrom is an inch longer than the Sony un-extended, as one might expect given the larger maximum aperature of the former. But in all other rpspects — build, performance and value — the Tamrom 28-75mm f2,8 is a superior lens.

Phillip Reeve says “The Tamron 2.8/28-75 Di III RXD is the first Tamron lens for mirrorless full frame cameras. The specs of the lens look spectacular and this holds true for the real lens. It is a f2.8 standard zoom lens that handles like the usual f4 counterparts.”

Professional reviews

Back home from a class reunion

13 July 202527 December 2025

Sony 28mm f2.0

This wide angle lens has two optional adaptors, both of which I have in my collection. One is an ultra-wide angle converter and the other is a fish-eye converter. The first increases the angle to 21mm and the second increases the angle to 16mm.

I want to say I have been a bit underwhelmed by this kit. That said I have gotten some interesting results (see samples below). The 2/28mm gets a 4.22 overall rating on Dyxum, with 4.68 for sharpness. But the lens gives too much distortion yielding a rating of 3.46 in this category.

It is easy enough to snap on the ultra wide angle or fish eye adaptors. These provide for some unique shots suitable for creative photography.

Here is Sony’s promotional blurb:

An excellent choice as a second lens to supplement a basic lens kit, featuring a bright F2.0 maximum aperture and outstanding overall optical performance.

Professional reviews:

Phillip Reeve

Ken Rockwell

Sample images:

13 July 202527 December 2025

Sony SEL24F14GM FE 24mm f/1.4 GM

Sony SEL24F14GM FE 24 mm f/1.4 GM

This is one of Sony’s very best full-frrame lenses. It ranks at or near the top of the list in all categories — overall, sharpness, color, build, distortion and flare control. Dyxum user ratings give it a five out of five in all these categories.

Sony’s blurb:

Unsparing application of leading-edge technology achieves refined G Master performance with consistently high resolution and soft, natural bokeh even at the widest F1.4 aperture setting.

See this lens at

Professional Reviews

09 July 202515 January 2026

Scarce Swallowtail on Buddliea

Scarce Swallowtail; 6 July 2025 in the Villa Ndio garden; Sony ILCE-7RM3 A7rm3a; Tamron 50-400mm

01 July 202527 December 2025

Sony SLT A77V

Sony SLT-A77V

I have had this excellent Single Lens Translucent crop-framed camera since 2014. It has served me well with both native Sony lens and high-end Minolta glass. I have used it for all kinds of photography modes — street, landscape, portrait, wildlife and macro photography. Some of my best shots have been taken with this camera paired with my Sony 55-300mm zoom lens, and Minolta 200mm f2.8 APO lens and my Minolta Smooth Trans Focus 135mm f2.8 (4.5) lens.

Professional Reviews

Sample images