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After announcing the development of the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058) for Nikon Z-mount back in July, Tamron has fully announced the new zoom lens, setting the MSRP at $1,999 and availability starting on September 21, 2023. This zoom lens is familiar, as the company released a version for Sony E-mount back in 2021. However, it will be one of Tamron’s first for Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless system alongside the 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD. Tamron also states this will be the world’s first Z-mount zoom lens to have a maximum aperture of F2.
As mentioned, the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD was first released for Sony E-mount a few years ago, and the lens was a hit among readers and our reviewers. In our review, we found the lens offered excellent sharpness and CA control, and it’s corrected for focus breathing, making it a solid choice for video. Moreover, despite the versatile wide-to-telephoto zoom range and notably bright aperture range, the Tamron 35-150mm was surprisingly compact for this type of lens, with good ergonomics and solid build quality. The lens also went on to win third place in our 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards and was named the Best Standard Zoom for Sony E-mount cameras in 2022.
Optically, the Z-mount version is identical to the earlier Sony E-mount model, featuring 21 elements in 15 groups and includes four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements. Given the excellent optical performance of the E-mount version, we can expect similar results with the Z-mount model. The lens features a 9-bladed circular aperture diaphragm, with minimum apertures narrowing down to F16-F22. Despite using the same optical design, the Nikon Z-mount version is ever-so-slightly heavier than the Sony E-mount version, weighing in at 1,190g (2.62 lbs.) compared to 1,165 g (2.57 lb) for the E-mount model.
As before, the focusing system is powered by Tamron’s VXD linear motor for quiet, quick and responsive focusing performance. The lens has a minimum objective distance of 0.33m (13in) at 35mm and 0.85m (33.5in) at 150mm, translating to a magnification ratio of 1:5.7 on the wide end and 1:5.9 at full telephoto.
The Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 is a uniquely versatile lens, with all the key focal lengths for travel, events and portraiture all combined into a single lens. And despite the all-in-one design, you also get wonderfully fast apertures as well. It makes for an enticing option for Nikon Z-mount owners looking for a sharp, high-quality and fast single-lens solution for events, portraiture, all-around shooting, as well as video.
For more information, check out our review of the Sony E-mount version of the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058).
Tamron announces the launch of 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058) for ‘Nikon Z mount system’
World’s first mirrorless zoom lens with maximum wide-open aperture of F2
August 23, 2023, Commack, NY – Tamron announces the price and on-sale date of the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058), a fast-aperture telephoto zoom lens for Nikon Z mount cameras. The lens will be available on September 21, 2023, at $1,999 USD / $2,699 CAD.
The 35-150mm F2-2.8 covers wide-angle through telephoto and is ideal for both travel and portrait photography. It is the first(1) zoom lens for Nikon Z mount cameras to have a maximum wide-open aperture of F2. With this focal range, you can enjoy shooting magnificent views and large buildings at 35mm and dynamic close-up shots at 150mm.
With high-level performance under a wide variety of shooting conditions, this fast lens is ideal for travel aimed at creating photographic works. In addition, by incorporating the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism, the lens features a very high-speed and high-precision autofocus for a fast-aperture lens. It also incorporates a new design in the pursuit of enhanced operability and ergonomic convenience.
Incorporating the most frequently used focal lengths from wide-angle and standard to medium telephoto and telephoto all within this single lens enables seamless shooting without the need to swap lenses, which is beneficial especially when shooting portraits where a sense of rhythm is particularly important. This helps the user capture outstanding shots without missing the fleeting expressions of the model.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
1. The world’s first F2-2.8 fast-aperture zoom lens
The 35-150mm F2-2.8 features a fast maximum aperture of F2 at the 35mm focal length, compared to the typical F2.8 fast-aperture zoom lenses. This lens lets you achieve enhanced, beautiful bokeh style even on the wide-angle end of the focal range. The F2 aperture allows use of higher shutter speeds and lower ISO settings, so users can enjoy less potential camera shake and reduce high-ISO image noise.
2. Versatile zoom range provides seamless shooting from wide-angle 35mm to telephoto 150mm
The zoom range of this lens is ideal for travel and portrait photography. Make full use of the 35mm and 50mm focal lengths for landscape and street photography, change to an 85mm semi-telephoto angle of view for people and detail shots, and focus on a faraway subject at 150mm. The responsive zoom ring enables you to continue shooting as you shift from wide to telephoto seamlessly and smoothly without changing lenses—which is convenient for video as well as still photography.
3. Outstanding optical performance throughout the zoom range
Thanks to the latest optical design featuring four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements optimally arranged, the 35-150mm F2-2.8 provides superior optical performance throughout the entire zoom range. Even when used with today’s extra-high-resolution digital cameras, it consistently achieves high image quality to the edges of the frame while presenting a beautiful, soft bokeh style that is achieved only by fast apertures. The versatile zoom range enables photographers to express themselves freely while capturing images with focal lengths they are familiar with, including 35mm, 50mm (considered “normal” or standard), 85mm (mid-telephoto length commonly used for portraits), 100mm or 135mm, as well as the maximum 150mm tele focal length—and any focal length in between. It’s like six lenses in one!
4. Fast, quiet VXD linear motor mechanism for high-speed and high-precision autofocus
The lens’s AF drive uses the linear motor focus mechanism VXD. The high-speed, high-precision AF provides the lens with superior responsiveness to the photographer’s actions, delivering stable and reliable focusing even with fast-aperture lenses, from the MOD (Minimum Object Distance) to infinity. The 35-150mm F2-2.8 offers excellent focus tracking of moving objects so you are ready for those important moments. Additionally, the focus motor is quiet, so it is ideal for shooting both still images and video in situations that demand low noise.
5. Expanded versatility with excellent close-range shooting performance
At the 35mm wide-angle end, the MOD of the 35-150mm F2-2.8 is 0.33m (13in), achieving a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.7. This allows users to concentrate on shooting without worrying about the distance to the subject and enables compositions that leverage the fast wide-open F2-2.8 aperture to produce high levels of background blurring while capturing the subject in enlarged detail.
6. TAMRON Lens UtilityTM expands the possibilities of still photography and video shooting
The 35-150mm F2-2.8 zoom is compatible with the dedicated TAMRON Lens Utility software developed in-house by TAMRON that empowers users to easily update the lens to the latest firmware without going through the camera and includes functions to support focusing operations and other actions when shooting still images or video. By utilizing a wide range of functions, users can expand the breadth of expression. For example, A-B Focus allows users to limit focusing to two pre-set focus points, shifting focus from one subject to another with just a click of the Focus Set Button. Users can also choose between Linear and Non-linear, which affects how the focus shifts during manual focusing.
7. Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, and Hood Locking Mechanism for greater convenience
Specifications:
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(1) Among the zoom lenses for Nikon Z mount cameras (As of July 2023: TAMRON)
(2) The lens for Sony E-mount previously launched on October 28, 2021.
* Length is the distance from the front end of the lens to the lens mount face.
** The circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture.
Author:
William Brawley
Source: Dpreview
