Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 VXD Z-Mount Review | Still the "One Lens"?

[@I922sParkCir]

Shooting a graduation event later today with my E-Mount Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 , and a large birthday celebration tomorrow. It's the best lens to use when you can't move around too much but still need to capture and document everything. I find that this pairs nicely with a 24mm on a second body.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Exactly.

[@AbbeyRoadDuluth]

Thanks for the review, Dustin. I've been using this lens for Nikon Z over the past couple of years and I can agree that it is magnificent. The output continues to amaze, no matter if I'm shooting a wedding, concert or senior portraits. The flexibility it provides allows more opportunity to think about composition, rather than switching lenses in the field. It is a sharp, high-quality tool that is a pleasure to use on my Z8!

[@nomadictimbo9185]

When it comes to Full Frame, the Z8 or Z6iii and the Tamron 35-150 would be my ideal combination. Can't complain though because the 17-70 has been fantastic for my X-T4 for both photo and video. Only thing that's missing from that lens is the parfocal factor and after seeing sports videographers being able to maintain focus while zooming using the 35-150 lens, it looks like the perfect lens for almost anything just like you said. Great review as always Dustin 👍

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Vlaakster]

I use this lens on my Sony system, on an A7r5 and it is probably my favorite landscape lens. It is amazing in every way, except for weight.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It definitely is.

[@technodronesogxl9783]

That's the price that it's worth. Aledgedly, they are introducing a 28 to 180 that's F2.8 that's sharper than this with vxd. I had that lens and traded it for the 70-200mm F2.8 Nikon lens. The Nikon offered more sharpness and IS for the extra 300.00 in May. The Nikon was on sale for 2295.00 300.00 more than the 1999.00 price of the Tamron. It is said that Nikon may be introducing a newer 70-200mm. Excellent review as always Dustin. This lens is on sale on Amazon for $ 1499.00, I think by Tamron.

[@jeffbronson3696]

Only issue with the Nikon is that it weighs about 1.5 kilos, which is approaching super-telephoto weights. Both the 70-200mm Canon L and Sony gm ii are less than 1.1 kilos.

[@technodronesogxl9783]

@jeffbronson3696 This is dependent on the user. For me, weight is no problem.

[@setaside2]

The $1499 price is neither US nor North American authorized. It will be grey market and not be reparable in North America. Caveat emptor. Also: shop local.

[@jefuda]

Can’t compare this 35-150mm with a 70-200 , completely different focus range.

[@w0lfyovi294]

Thank you, your review and Tamron's 35-150mm f 2-2.8 have sold me on getting into the Nikon Z mount. I was a Sony a7 IV user for a while but I got frustrated with their artificial limitations and stubbornness to firmware update their cameras and having mostly Tamron lenses I gave up on Sony FE and went back to Olympus for my macro and wildlife needs. But I still miss the larger format for more reliable human AI detection, tracking and DoF ... I think I will get this lens and maybe a Nikon Z5 (for now and the next few years) for portraits, family documentary style and vacations pictures as a one-stop shop for almost everything (probably going to add either the Tamron 24mm f 2.8 or Nikon Z 26mm f 2.8 for group pictures and selfies).

[@megamastah]

>stubbornness to firmware update their cameras What do you mean by that?

[@w0lfyovi294]

@@megamastah Sony will not update with new features and capabilities even on their current camera lineup or even the high end models. No focus bracketing on Sony a7 IV or Sony a1, no breathing breathing compensation on Sony a1 or a7S III, no subject detection in video on Sony a7S III, no Insect Subject detection on Sony A1 (their flagship), High Resolution stacking only on the Sony a7R series and many other video features.

[@ourhouseuk]

@@w0lfyovi294 this is my one big issue with Sony, they’re absolutely awful with post sale us-port, doing the bare minimum. Even the then flagship rx1 was absolutely abandoned. It was what, 4K when it came out.

[@floridareales]

Excellent review Dustin. Thank you so much Sir. 👏🏼

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure!

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I have a Haoge tripod collar designed especially for this lens, works very well. When I zoom out to 150mm, the collar is necessary.

[@izziereal2010]

This was a wonderful review of the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens. I have this lens for me Nikon ZF and I love it. When placed on a tripod, I did buy a third party collar for it. The ZF is not as well balance with this lens on a tripod like the Z8. I'm glad Tamron made this lens for Nikon Z cameras.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Great feedback...thanks

[@hishamosman4341]

Could you kindly update which 3rd party are you using? Is it arca swiss?

[@tombradley3800]

Used it for HS basketball last year and really loved how it did.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Awesome. Love to hear when lenses like this do work for sports work.

[@Luigi13]

Whew, a lot of detailed explanation. I have a similar lens from Tamron for the F mount when it was first introduced and I use it as my workhorse on my Nikon D850 and it performs very well, it is my sharpest lens. I noticed on my copy unfortunately a small softening on the right side of the lens. The overall zoom range is good and I would like if Tamron is able to make a lens for different cameras the equivalent of Nikon 24-120 with stabilization for the F mount. I own two Nikon F mounts and that would be nice to have. Well Dustin Abbott you do make very good reviews and I am listening!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I’m glad you are enjoying your lens, but this is not the same lens. It’s a completely different optical design, different focus system, different build and features.

[@HappeningPhotos]

I’ve been very happy using Samyang’s 35-150 for event work over almost a year now. Got it on sale for just $1099. Would love to see a review from you of this one, especially if you could compare it to the Tamron. The Samyang’s only weakness has been veiling flare when photographing unlit subjects indoors against very large and bright windows, which is a challenge for any lens. How does the Tamron fare in this situation?

[@overlanderuk5969]

Ditto been using since Black Friday great lens by Samyang

[@ourhouseuk]

I’d love to see you reviews the Sam yang equivalent, especially as you rely so heavily upon this lens. It’s been tempting me for a while on e mount. Another great review, thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would love to do that review, but for some reason Samyang seems to have fallen off the radar. For years they made sure I had access to every new lens, but since early 2023 they seem to have really dropped their marketing efforts. I've seen very few reviews of recent lenses from major reviewers, so I don't think it is just me, either.

[@ourhouseuk]

@@DustinAbbottTWI that’s a shame. Fingers crossed they get back in it !

[@drzak0o1]

Hi, other reviewers found a significant amount of flare on the e mount version. Is it different on Z or did they changed something in the meantime to mitigate the issue?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I’m not sure if there was some silent update to the coatings or not. What I will say is that I also noted a lot of flare related issues in my initial review of the e-mount version, but after owning it for three years, I realize that I haven’t had a lot of real world issues with it.

[@tilmankreutzer2948]

Great review! I‘m intrested in a comparison native 35-150 and a emount lense with a GABALE etz21 pro adapter.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm afraid that I won't be able to do that comparison. My time with this lens is over and it has been returned.

[@blammers6739]

For those with the lens- my one concern is shooting at longer focal lengths with no Vibration Reduction... Yes my camera has it built in. Any issues?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If your camera has VR, then you will be fine with this lens. It worked perfectly on my Z8

[@vukhuat4251]

Has Meike sent you their new 33mm F1.4 to review? There aren't any review about it yet so I'm really curious about its quality.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I had to say "no". I've only got so much time, and frankly I haven't been very impressed with Meike lenses to this point.

[@fotoflorian]

This or Nikon Z 70-200? Image, build quality and stabilization is important.. Can’t find any direct comparisons

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't yet tested the Z 70-200, so hopefully someone who has can chime in.

[@WatchmanNiel]

Thanks Dustin, this review comes in good time for me, during travel planning! I am planning a once in a lifetime US trip to Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and more, and while I have a X-T5 with many lenses available, I currently intend on taking my Z8 with this lens and my 14-30mm. I am also eyeing the Nikon Z 70-300 for the long end, since I do not see how I could possibly include my 180-600mm despite planned national parks visits. Furthermore, I will be in NY and a few other cities so I really want to also bring along a ZF with a 40mm f/2 (or the 28mm f/2.8 SE) but I might have to reluctantly settle for only bringing my GRIII for this given the overall weight. And that is really the point of my post - the difficulty for a photography enthusiast, how to incorporate these large lenses into a workable travel system, and also given the size of the Z8 (and/or ZF). There are so many genres to consider, nature, landscape, night time and street. It is really hard to figure out whether one can pull this off or whether a smaller APS-C camera with arguably more lens choices would be the best choice for travel. What has been your experience with "bucket list" travel?

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

I'd say always keep it simple. The weight of the gear will wear you down and too much choices will actually limit your creativity. I guess that you will mostly do day-time shots in national park, so you don't really need bright apertures. 14-30 and 70-300 sounds like a solid option for you if you need that reach. (24-120s lens is also amazing and very versatile). I would skip prime lenses for NY, because you can crank the iso with Z8 and shoot with 14-30 on f4 with ease (plus you have GR3). More lenses is not better choice, look up your most used focal lengths in LR and choose accordingly. Experience the place that you are visiting and shoot with one or two lenses. Best of luck!

[@keeganflahive1604]

Just picked up a brand new USA version on amazon yesterday for $1585 with tax for the Z mount. They were running a sale I guess because today they no longer have that sale.

[@setaside2]

If you live in the US or Canada, get your serial number checked by Tamron Customer Service. That price point is typically only for grey market product and grey market lenses do not carry a warranty and are not serviceable. Selling a warranty is meaningless and a site stating that it has includes one is unfortunately dishonest.

[@keeganflahive1604]

@@setaside2yes I confirmed mine to be a US tamron lens. However, there are tons of grey market units

[@richards1243]

Happy you’re doing nikon lenses now!

[@allskoolguru]

is it true that on 150mm the lens has focus breathing issues?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I can't recall off hand, but I wouldn't be surprised at a longer focal length.

[@AR-vf7vg]

Double off-place but "still".. : If portraits had to be done by a zoom in the 70-150mm range, then this or the GM 70-200mm (mark II) ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'd be happy with either. The GM is going to be better in backlit situations, but the Tamron's focal range is obviously much more versatile.

[@christopherschmitz1804]

Just bought it for 1.300 € - sensational value for wedding photography.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Absolutely.

[@AR-vf7vg]

This one or the GM 24-70mm f2 ? ..😁just teasing

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's an easy one for me - the Tamron.

[@AR-vf7vg]

@@DustinAbbottTWI ( I'm very much looking forwards for such GM f2 24-70. As for a GM f1.2 28mm and GM f1.4 75mm)

[@Mr09260]

Very Interesting Dustin

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you think so!

[@Jwitherow1964]

Thanks Dustin you should up load one of your preaching videos from church

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You can find plenty of those over at www.youtube.com/@emmanuellighthouseupc5178

[@ggdfggdfgdffgfddg34]

Well, I don’t know, it blurs the background, there aren’t even any outlines of what kind of bushes are in the background, a boring, uncharacteristic lens!

[@HappeningPhotos]

It’s an event shooter’s dream, but it’s clearly not for you. I’m a professional event shooter, and my Samyang 35-150 is now my main lens for that work. But, I wouldn’t take it on a day hike or to a portrait session.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

??? I would consider that a desirable thing...and you can always close down the aperture if you want to see more of the background details.

[@ggdfggdfgdffgfddg34]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I understand that the bushes would not want the leaves to be blurred into trash and the outlines of the leaves as on the Nikon F 58 1.4. With modern lenses, it’s either super blurry or already clear