When you're faced with the question, "If you could only have one lens, what would it be?" it can be a tough one, especially if you're a gear enthusiast. But if you had to choose, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD would be a good candidate.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this insightful video review focuses on the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens, now available for Nikon Z-mount cameras. Abbott explores how this lens, initially designed for Sony, translates to the Nikon Z-mount system. While the lens remains largely the same in terms of construction and optics, there are slight differences. For instance, the Nikon version carries a $100 premium over the Sony version, likely due to licensing fees. Abbott notes that the build quality and optical design are consistent across both mounts, with only minor adjustments to accommodate the larger Z-mount diameter.
The video also highlights the autofocus system of the lens, which utilizes Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) technology. This system offers fast, quiet, and accurate focusing, even in challenging lighting conditions. Abbott emphasizes the lens's performance in various real-world scenarios, such as graduations and events with difficult lighting. The lens performed admirably, delivering sharp and well-focused images even at high ISO levels. For those using Nikon's Z-mount bodies, the lack of burst rate limitations is an added advantage, allowing for full-speed shooting without compromise.
While the 35-150mm performs well across the board, Abbott does note a slight increase in vignetting on the Nikon version. However, the vignetting is still within correctable limits, and overall image quality remains high, with excellent sharpness and contrast throughout the zoom range. The lens’ ability to deliver consistent performance from wide angle to telephoto makes it a strong contender for those seeking a versatile all-in-one solution.
In terms of handling, the lens features customizable control buttons and a smooth zoom mechanism. However, users may need to adjust to the placement of the zoom and focus rings, as they differ from other Tamron zooms. Despite this, the lens is comfortable to use, and its weather-sealed design ensures it can handle various shooting conditions. Abbott finds the lens well suited for both stills and video work, with reliable autofocus performance in both modes. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.
This lens yes is better but is newer than most and Thank you for your always great with the technical review. I have carried and used a lot the Sony FE 24-240mm since a little after it came out back when I still used the A7SM1 for the OSS. I checked your review of it and it is very bad seeing all the check marks of images compared to a newer lens as a compare. I am glad you did a review just to see what I have not looked at. I have gotten the newer 24-70mm, 24-105mm and yes I guess are better. I am just a hobbyist so some things are not too important like the 2-2.8 for I am mostly at f/8 to f/11. The most important is the range 24-240mm and 36-360mm in APS-C and Software has gotten so good as well as cameras, I have gotten to the A7RM5 now as well as the A7RM2 in 2017. The things I do with it are birding after a night of Milky Ways on a beach then a Moring walking through a swamp path for some birding. It was very handy for the 2017 Solar Eclipse also having to lay down and hand hold to to the height almost straight up for the 11am capture and with the A7RM2. IBIS paired with OSS is great and did I mention before other makers went mirrorless. Or had IBIS.
I suggest the 24-240 because of the range and a carry in a every day bag for a drive around town going somewhere or a walkabout in a town I am staying in. Hobbyist rarely plan for our eye sees what most do not see.
A lot of bad parts of a lens is now corrected in SW, even going from a Canon T2i and having to use Canon software in 2010 to Sony able to get Capture One (a Lr like) for $20 (a dream for a hobbyist) in 2014.
With Sony and now the other makers of mirrorless the f/fast lens do not really matter unless you want a fast capture but I used some f/4 and also a 10mm f/5.6 for astro and ISO did not go very far up and put that in evening or night shots in a city/town and using Aperture mode things look great, saying for casual capture. To much hype for fast glass even for astro. If I feel I feel the need for speed I will go to my film bag get a FD lens at f/2 paired with LensTagger to add the the lens info to Metadata to remember what lens I used like most are having to do with some new unchipped lenes, try to remember years later.
By the way I do have the 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8 and 200-600mm when planning!