Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD Review: The Original One-Lens Wedding Zoom for Sony and Nikon

The Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD started a category. When it arrived for Sony E-mount in late 2021 at $1,899, no other autofocus zoom covered 35mm to 150mm at f/2 to f/2.8. Wedding and event photographers took to it immediately. A Nikon Z version followed in 2023.

The idea is simple. One lens covers the focal lengths you’d otherwise carry as a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm prime, at apertures that still give real background blur and low-light performance. Fewer lens changes, fewer missed moments.

It’s heavy, at about 1,165 grams on Sony with an 82mm filter. That’s the price of the range.

Video review: Dustin Abbott

Why it works

Image quality is very good across the range, with sharp centers wide open and pleasant out-of-focus rendering. At 150mm f/2.8 portraits separate cleanly from backgrounds. At 35mm f/2 you get more light and blur than any standard f/2.8 zoom.

The VXD linear motor focuses quickly and quietly, with reliable eye tracking for portraits and events.

Close focus is 0.33 meters at 35mm, useful for detail shots.

Handling

There’s a zoom lock, a custom function switch and three customizable focus-set buttons. A USB-C port on the lens connects to Tamron’s Lens Utility software for firmware updates and button customization. It’s moisture resistant with a fluorine coating.

The weight question

Over a kilogram on the front of a camera all day is tiring. A good strap, a harness or a two-body setup helps. The extending zoom also shifts balance between 35mm and 150mm.

There’s no optical stabilization. Sony and Nikon full-frame bodies have IBIS, so it’s rarely a problem.

Tamron or Samyang?

Samyang’s AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 covers the same range with similar weight and is often cheaper. It adds a dolly-zoom video mode and a custom switch. The Tamron has a longer track record, a USB-C port on the lens and a Nikon Z version, which the Samyang lacks. Both are excellent; compare street prices and mount availability.

Who should buy it

Wedding, event and portrait photographers on Sony or Nikon who want to work with one body and one lens. Documentary shooters and hybrid creators who need a wide range at fast apertures.

If weight is a dealbreaker, a 24-70mm f/2.8 plus a fast 85mm prime gives similar coverage in two lighter pieces. If fewer lens changes matter most, the Tamron 35-150mm remains the benchmark.