Over the years, I’ve used a lot of zoom lenses for photography and video. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 immediately caught my attention because of its wide zoom range.
It’s not often that you find a lens with such a broad focal range that also has a fast aperture. I knew this lens was going to be perfect for capturing photos and videos in places where it’s impractical to change lenses.
I’ve been testing this lens for several months now and can confirm that it exceeded my expectations.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8
Extremely versatile lens with a uniquely wide focal range that offers great performance for its price.
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is an impressive lens that can fulfill a lot of my needs as a creator!
Read on to hear more details about what makes this lens great and a few things that could be improved.
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Specs
Pros
Big focal range
Fast aperture
Good image quality
All-in-one lens
Cons
Large/heavy
Expensive
No image stabilization
Maximum Aperture: f/2 to 2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/16 to 22
Lens Mount: Sony E Full Frame
Minimum Focus Distance: 13″ / 33 cm
Optical Design: 21 Elements in 15 Groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
Focus Type: Autofocus
Image Stabilization: No
Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
Filter Size: 82 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L): 3.5 x 6.2″ / 89.2 x 158 mm
Weight: 2.6 lb / 1165 g
Build & Ergonomics
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD immediately surprised me with its high-quality build. Having tried some of the early Tamron lenses that felt like cheap plastic, I had low expectations for this lens.
Despite its large focal range, it felt very well-built. Sure, it’s heavy, but what do you expect from a fast aperture lens with a large zoom range? You’re not going to get these specs (35-150mm at f/2-2.8) in a compact lens.
In addition, I appreciated that all the controls were in the right place/orientation. It feels very comfortable to switch from my other Sony lenses to this Tamron.
Past Tamron models have switched up the design, like alternating the location of the focus and zoom rings or reversing the direction of the zoom. These small changes slowed me down when taking photos but this latest Tamron design fixed all those flaws.
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is fully featured and feels similar to what you would expect from a Sony G-level lens. Maybe not GM level, but definitely G level. The focus ring and zoom ring are nicely rubberized.
The biggest factor that appealed to me about this lens is the wide zoom range. Sometimes changing lenses is impractical or too slow. Having the ability to capture drastically different-looking images with such efficiency is a welcome feature.
The difference between a 35mm and 150mm focal length is much more significant than the difference between 24mm and 70mm. I much prefer having the ability to zoom out to 150mm. It’s nice feeling like you have multiple lenses in one.
As well as the large focal range, this lens has a full set of controls you would expect on a high-end lens. It has a smooth rubberized zoom ring and focus ring, as well as several control switches.
There are controls for auto/manual focus, programmable focus hold buttons, autofocus mode switches, zoom lock switch, and even a lock to keep the zoom from extending.
The included lens hood is moderately sized and not too large. Some telephoto lenses come with a very large lens hood and it makes the lens feel even larger, but not this Tamron.
Another unique feature is the inclusion of a USB-C port for firmware updates and customization. I haven’t tried this feature, but it seems like a unique opportunity for a lens manufacturer to add value to customers as they refine their software.
Lastly, you’ll find solid weather sealing on this lens. I’ve used it in a variety of dusty/wet conditions and it performed excellently.
Focus Performance
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/13 f/16 ISO 100
When it comes to focus performance, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 again exceeded my expectations regardless of the focus distance. Sometimes lenses with large focal lengths have trouble keeping up, but this lens did not disappoint.
When shooting video, the autofocus felt a little slower and less sticky than my Sony 70-200mm lens, but it was more than adequate for most scenarios.
When you are zooming and tracking a moving subject, this lens falters a bit but will eventually catch up.
When not zooming, the autofocus feels snappy. I regularly use the touch to track and tap to focus features on my Sony cameras and this lens responded well.
For photography, you’ll find the autofocus to function very well, especially for weddings or portraits. It might struggle a bit shooting racecars but how many of us shoot such fast-moving subjects?
Because of the wide aperture, this lens is also great at focusing in low light. At 35mm, it opens to f/2, which is almost as fast as a prime lens. By 85mm, it’s down to f/2.8, but that’s still quite good for a zoom lens.
If you need top-of-the-line autofocus, you can spend the extra money to get a Sony GM lens, but the Tamron has excellent performance for most users in this focal length.
Image Quality
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/1250 f/2.8 ISO 100
The image quality of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is very good, especially for such a broad focal range. I honestly expected to see some corner softness or issues with chromatic aberration.
Tamron clearly put a lot of work into making this lens perform well because the quality is great. It’s sharp at each end of the zoom range, with only a slight dip in the middle focal lengths.
Bokeh is also relatively nice for such a big zoom lens. It has some misshapen bokeh at the longer focal length, but it blends together smoothly and is only really noticeable to someone familiar with how more expensive lenses render.
In my practical use of this lens, I’ve been very happy with the image quality. I love that I can capture a medium-wide image and a telephoto image back to back and know that they will both have good sharpness.
I used this lens on several commercial jobs where changing lenses was impractical. I was either out in an environment where I didn’t want to change lenses (lots of snow), or I was only bringing one camera/lens due to weight constraints.
In those scenarios, having a single lens you can count on is helpful. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 delivered!
Additionally, I found the maximum aperture of f/2 quite useful. It’s like having a 35mm prime with a telephoto zoom lens attached!
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Sample Images
Here are some sample images taken with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 at different focal lengths using the Sony a7 IV. Note the ability to shoot in low light with the wide maximum aperture.
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/1000 f/2.8 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/500 f/5.6 ISO 200
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/1000 f/2.8 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/500 f/2.8 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/250 f/2 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/250 f/4 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/250 f/4 ISO 100
Sony a7 IV + Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 | 1/250 f/2 ISO 400
How I Tested the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8
Testing the Sony a7 IV with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8
I’ve been using the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 regularly for a variety of photo and video projects for several months now. I love the versatility and efficiency of this lens.
To get the same focal lengths, I usually have to use 2-3 lenses, especially because this lens can open up to f/2 at 35mm. If you’re looking for an “all-in-one” lens, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 might just be it!
I’ve taken this lens on a wide range of photoshoots, from portraits to commercial video projects. The resulting photos/videos have been very high quality.
My only complaint is that this lens can be a bit heavy/bulky, but what do you expect? Combining such a wide zoom range and fast aperture is going to result in a large/heavy lens.
Despite the bulkiness, I regularly found myself reaching for this lens because of its versatility.
I occasionally wished it went a little wider but I would sacrifice the telephoto range to have a wider perspective.
Alternatives
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is such a unique lens that it really only has one true competitor. Samyang has made a copy with nearly identical specs for about US$600 cheaper.
When I was shopping for this lens, the Samyang was out of stock, so I opted for the Tamron. I’m glad I did. From what I hear, the Samyang is a lower quality and doesn’t perform as well. You get what you pay for, I suppose.
Other than the Samyang, you might look at a Sony 24-105mm f/4, but the aperture is a full 1-2 stops darker. Additionally, the difference between 105mm and 150mm is significant.
You could also look at the wide variety of ~24-70mm lenses on the market. There are a ton of offerings from Sony, Sigma, Tamron, and others, but they just don’t have the same appeal as the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8.
This lens is really in a category of its own and I love the versatility it offers.
Value for Money
At around US$1,800, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 offers solid value. To get the same focal length and fast aperture, you’re looking at at least two expensive zoom lenses.
When you start trying to cover a similar range of focal lengths with prime lenses, you’re looking at at least three lenses.
In either case, you’re going to save money by getting the Tamron. Additionally, you won’t have the hassle of changing lenses.
As such a unique lens, it really has a lot to offer. When I looked at used versions, they were not much cheaper than a new one, which indicates that this is a sought-after lens.
If you want a good quality lens with a big zoom range, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is excellent!
FAQ’s
Are Tamron lenses good?
Tamron makes some inexpensive lenses and some cheap lenses. The key is choosing inexpensive lenses because they will deliver a good balance of quality and price. Cheap lenses will produce poor quality and not hold up over time. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is an inexpensive lens offering good quality for the price.
Is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 a full frame lens?
Yes, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 works on full frame Sony E mount cameras like the a7 IV and a7S III.
Is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 weather sealed?
Yes, it has been designed to withstand use in dust or wet conditions. However, because the barrel does extend with zoom, you may not want to take it out in a downpour.
Is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 a good portrait lens?
I would say so. I’ve used it for a variety of environmental and closeup portraits and it performs very well.
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens Review | Conclusion
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 has become a regular lens in my kit.
It works exceptionally well for very fast-paced photo/video projects where I want to be able to create a wide variety of looks in a short amount of time.
If you want one lens that can do it all, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is a great option.
I plan to continue using this lens regularly because I love how flexible it is. Now I can avoid changing lenses in the harsh environments I tend to work (snow, rain, dust, cliff edges, etc).
If you have any questions about the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8, please leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help!
Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoy this lens.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-f/2.8
Extremely versatile lens with a uniquely wide focal range that offers great performance for its price.
