Summary and Conclusion
I really enjoyed using the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 during my time with this lens. I can see it replacing a bag of wide-aperture primes and zooms singlehandedly – a huge gift for photographers who don’t have the option to change lenses, such as fast-paced event photographers or landscape photographers working in adverse weather.
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 also makes an excellent lens as part of a two-camera system for sports or wildlife photography. Put this lens on one camera, and something like the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 on a second camera, and you’ll be prepared for almost any subject.
That’s really the crux of this lens: It’s the best do-it-all optic available today. While there are lenses with a wider range of focal lengths, a larger maximum aperture, or better optical performance, there is no other lens which has all three at a higher level than the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8. Very few lenses are even close, apart from the Samyang 35-150mm f/2-2.8 (which is Sony E only).
Here’s how I’d sum up the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Remarkable combination of focal length range and wide maximum aperture values
- Excellent sharpness at the wider/normal focal lengths; still good at the longer ones
- Very good chromatic aberration performance
- Great build quality with tight tolerances and effective weather sealing
- Advanced handling features, including significant custom controls
Cons:
- Potentially objectionable flare when the sun is in the frame
- Out-of-focus specular highlights can take on an onion-ring texture
- No teleconverter compatibility
Mixed:
- Relatively large and heavy – but still saves weight versus carrying two lenses!
- Less sharp at the longer focal lengths (105mm+), but it’s never bad at all
- Moderately high vignetting and distortion, as expected for such a lens
- Focus speed is good but not best-in-class
- Price of $1900 (Sony version) or $2000 (Nikon Z version) is high, but represents a very good value if it replaces a whole bag of lenses
When reviewing lenses, I normally just write a pros/cons list, rather than dividing it into pros/cons/mixed. But the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is such an unusual lens that your impression of it will depend on the context. For example, yes, it’s obviously heavy – but let me know when you’ve found a lighter set of lenses that cover the same focal lengths and apertures! (That’s why I’m giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars for “Size and Weight” in the ratings below, rather than something lower.)
The same is true of the price, which is high, but still much less than a pair of f/2.8 zooms. Even the image quality compromises – which are already pretty modest – matter less when you consider that this lens has the highest performance of any lens that covers both 35mm and 150mm… and it does it with an f/2-2.8 maximum aperture.
Since there aren’t any similar lenses to the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 at the moment, buying it (or not) is a pretty easy decision. Optically, it’s a very strong lens apart from the potential flare and bokeh issues. If you can work around those, and you don’t mind the weight and price, you won’t be disappointed! As I said a moment ago, it’s the best do-it-all lens currently made.
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is available for $1900 (Sony E) or $2000 (Nikon Z) through any of our affiliates:
- Sony Version and Nikon Version at B&H
- Sony Version and Nikon Version at Adorama
- Sony Version and Nikon Version at Amazon
- Used/International: Check prices on eBay for Sony and for Nikon
Thank you for buying your equipment through these links, whether it’s the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 or anything else! When you do, Photography Life gets a small percentage of the purchase price without costing you anything extra. It goes a long way toward helping us test more lenses.
Images and text copyright © Spencer Cox, all rights reserved. Copying or reproduction is not permitted without written permission from the author.
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8
- Build Quality and Handling
- Size and Weight
- Sharpness Performance
- Other Image Quality
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
Table of Contents