Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) vs Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z)

The bottom line

The Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) is a zoom (17-70mm) and the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) is a 28mm prime. The zoom gives you framing flexibility from one lens; the prime trades that for a fixed focal length that's usually brighter (f/2 vs f/2.8) and lighter to carry. Choose flexibility or a fast single focal length.

Choose the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) if…

  • You need more reach — it goes to 70mm vs 28mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
  • You shoot wide — it starts at 17mm vs 28mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
  • You want one-lens flexibility — a 17-70mm zoom covers what the fixed 28mm can't reframe.
  • You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) if…

  • You want more light and background blur — f/2 is faster than f/2.8, better for low light and subject separation.
  • You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 28mm prime over a zoom.
  • You value portability — at 286g (10.1 oz) it's lighter than the 525g (1.16 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.

Where they differ

  • Aperture: the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) opens to f/2 vs the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z)'s f/2.8 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
  • Focal range: Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) is 17-70mm, Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) is 28mm — different framing and reach.
  • Type: the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) is a zoom (flexible framing), the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
  • Stabilisation: only the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
  • Weight: the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) is 286g (10.1 oz) vs 525g (1.16 lb) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
  • Durability: the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) is weather-sealed; the other isn't.

Frequently asked

Is the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) or the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) better?

The Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) is a zoom (17-70mm) and the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) is a 28mm prime. The zoom gives you framing flexibility from one lens; the prime trades that for a fixed focal length that's usually brighter (f/2 vs f/2.8) and lighter to carry. Choose flexibility or a fast single focal length.

Who should choose the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z)?

Choose the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) if you need more reach — it goes to 70mm vs 28mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 17mm vs 28mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 17-70mm zoom covers what the fixed 28mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Who should choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z)?

Choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) if you want more light and background blur — f/2 is faster than f/2.8, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 28mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you value portability — at 286g (10.1 oz) it's lighter than the 525g (1.16 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.

What is the main difference between the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z) and the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z)?

Aperture: the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 28mm f/2 Aspherical (Nikon Z) opens to f/2 vs the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Nikon Z)'s f/2.8 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.

Product
Optical Design
Focal Length17-70mm28mm
Lens TypeZoomPrime
Optical Elements1610
Optical Groups127
Aperture & Iris
Maximum Aperturef/2.8f/2
Minimum Aperturef/22f/16
Aperture Blades10
Rounded ApertureNoYes
Coverage & Angle
Format CoverageAPS-CFull-Frame
Lens MountNikon ZNikon Z
Angle of View79.9° – 22.7°75°
35mm Equivalent26-105mm
Focus
AutofocusYesNo
Focus MotorRXD
Focus LimiterNoNo
AF/MF SwitchNoNo
Min Focus Distance19 cm32 cm
Max Magnification0.17x
Stabilization & Video
Optical StabilizationYesNo
Aperture RingNoNo
Declickable ApertureNoNo
ParfocalNoNo
Internal ZoomNoNo
General
Price (MSRP)$799$799
Filter Size67mm52mm
Diameter74.6mm64.7mm
Length119.3mm70.3mm
Weight525g (1.16 lb)286g (10.1 oz)
Weather SealedYesNo
Tripod CollarNoNo