Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD for Nikon Z Review

So, Tamron's 35-150mm f/2-2.8 for Nikon Z is a bit of a unicorn. It's the only zoom lens out there that starts at f/2, which is a huge deal if you shoot in low light or just love that shallow depth of field. It covers a really useful range, going from a standard 35mm view all the way to a short telephoto 150mm, which means you could theoretically use it for portraits, events, and even some casual sports.

This lens is for the photographer who wants one lens to do a lot, and do it fast. If you're tired of switching between a 35mm f/1.8 and an 85mm f/1.8 during a wedding or a street photography session, this lens promises to be your one-and-done solution. Its versatility score is in the 94th percentile, which tells you it's covering more ground than almost any other lens in its class.

But here's the interesting part. While it's a beast in terms of range and speed, it's not trying to be the absolute sharpest lens ever made. Its optical performance percentile is a bit more modest. So Tamron is betting you'll trade a little bit of ultimate corner-to-corner sharpness for the convenience and speed of this unique f/2-2.8 zoom. It's a compelling trade-off for the right shooter.

Let's talk about what that f/2 aperture really means. At 35mm, you're getting a full stop more light than a standard f/2.8 zoom. That translates to being able to shoot in much dimmer conditions without cranking your ISO into noisy territory. For video, it means cleaner shadows. The aperture stays impressively wide, only stepping down to f/2.8 once you zoom past 50mm or so. This gives you consistently creamy backgrounds, with a bokeh quality that lands in the 59th percentile. It's good, not class-leading, but definitely pleasing for portraits.

The autofocus uses Tamron's VXD linear motor, which is fast and quiet. That's a big plus for both stills and video. However, its AF performance percentile is right in the middle of the pack at 48th. It'll keep up with most situations, but don't expect it to outpace the latest native Nikon Z glass for tracking erratic subjects. And a key thing to note: there's no optical stabilization in this lens. On Nikon Z bodies that have in-body stabilization, you'll be fine. But if you're on an older body or shooting lots of video handheld, that's a limitation you'll feel.

Pricing is where this gets tricky, and you need to pay attention. This lens isn't cheap, with prices ranging from $1,435 to $1,799 depending on the vendor. That's a $364 spread, which is massive. Shop around, because that difference could buy you a nice filter or even a second lens. At the lower end of that range, around $1,500, the value proposition is stronger. You're paying a premium for that unique f/2-2.8 spec, not for flawless optical perfection.

Compared to buying a collection of fast prime lenses to cover the same range (like a 35mm f/1.8, an 85mm f/1.8, and a 135mm f/1.8), this Tamron is actually a bargain in terms of convenience and upfront cost. But if your priority is absolute image quality above all else, that same $1,500 could get you one or two exceptional prime lenses that will outperform it optically.

This lens doesn't have a direct competitor because of its unique specs, but you'll cross-shop it with other options. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Z is a fraction of the price and sharper, but it's just one focal length. You lose all the zoom versatility. The Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro is another sharp, affordable prime that forces you to 'zoom with your feet.'

The real comparison is against a kit of lenses. Think about a Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and a 70-200mm f/2.8 S. That combo is optically superior, has stabilization, and is weather-sealed, but it's also heavier, more expensive, and you have to swap lenses. The Tamron asks if you're willing to accept 'very good' image quality across a huge range in one lens, instead of 'excellent' quality in two separate lenses. For a travel photographer or an event shooter who needs to move fast, that's an easy yes. For a studio portrait photographer who demands the utmost sharpness, it's probably a no.

If you're a hybrid shooter, a wedding photographer, or a travel enthusiast who values speed and flexibility over pixel-peeping perfection, this Tamron is a fantastic tool. It lets you work fast in changing light without changing lenses. Grab it from the vendor with the best price (closer to $1,435) and don't look back.

But if you're a landscape photographer who needs corner-to-corner sharpness, a videographer who relies on lens-based stabilization, or someone who shoots a lot of macro, this isn't the lens for you. Its weaknesses in optical performance, stabilization, and close-focusing are real limitations for those specific jobs. In those cases, you're better off with a collection of specialized primes or the more expensive, but more complete, Nikon Z trinity zooms.