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The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is one of the most unusual zoom lenses ever made for Sony E-mount — a range that runs from standard wide-angle all the way to medium telephoto, with a variable maximum aperture that starts at f/2 (yes, f/2 on a zoom). If you shoot weddings, events, portraits, or travel and hate carrying three prime lenses, this lens makes a compelling case for itself.
Compatible with Sony full-frame E-mount cameras (A7 and A9 series), it also works on APS-C bodies like the A6700, where it gives you a 52.5-225mm equivalent — essentially a portrait-to-wildlife zoom with a fast aperture.
What Makes the Tamron 35-150mm Different
Most zoom lenses in this range top out at f/4 or f/2.8. The Tamron 35-150mm starts at f/2 at 35mm and steps down to f/2.8 at 150mm — still the fastest aperture available in any Sony E-mount zoom at telephoto distances. That matters for event photographers who need to isolate subjects and shoot in dim venues without bumping ISO into grain territory.
The optical formula uses four LD (Low Dispersion) elements and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) elements to control chromatic aberration and distortion across that wide zoom range. Add BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating, and flare and ghosting are well-controlled for indoor shooting with mixed artificial lighting.
Autofocus and Handling
Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) autofocus motor is the same system used in the 28-75mm G2 and 70-180mm — fast, quiet, and confident in tracking. On Sony bodies like the A7 IV or ZV-E1 with AI tracking, this lens locks quickly and holds well for moving subjects like walking subjects at events or environmental portraits. Full-time manual focus override works without switching modes.
The aperture ring deserves mention: it has a clickless/clicked switch on the barrel, making it video-friendly out of the box. You also get an AFL button and a zoom lock switch — small quality-of-life features that wedding and event shooters will appreciate when working quickly. The 82mm filter thread is the same as many Sony G Master lenses, so existing filters transfer directly.
Build quality is solid with dust and moisture sealing — enough for outdoor events and light rain.
Image Quality in Practice
At f/2 to f/2.8, center sharpness is good throughout the zoom range — edge performance at 35mm wide-open is softer, but stops down to acceptable by f/4. At 150mm, the wide-open rendering is particularly impressive for a zoom: subject isolation is strong and bokeh is smooth rather than nervous. Portraits at 150mm f/2.8 rival what you’d get from a dedicated 135mm prime for real-world shooting.
Distortion at 35mm is present but correctable in-camera or in Lightroom with the lens profile. Vignetting at f/2 is noticeable but again corrects well. CA is minimal thanks to those LD elements.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Uniquely bright aperture (f/2 at 35mm) for a zoom | Variable aperture (f/2.8 at telephoto, not f/2) |
| Covers wide to medium telephoto in one lens | Heavy at 1,165g — not a hiking lens |
| VXD AF is fast and quiet for video/events | No optical stabilization (relies on Sony IBIS) |
| Clickless aperture ring, AFL button | Expensive for a third-party lens |
| Dust and moisture resistant | Softer edges at 35mm wide-open |
Tips for Getting the Most From It
- Lean on Sony IBIS: This lens has no OSS, so let your camera body do the stabilization work. On A7 IV, A7C II, and ZV-E1, IBIS is strong enough to handhold at 150mm in most conditions.
- Shoot portraits at 100-150mm: The longer end gives the most flattering compression for faces. f/2.8 at 150mm is genuinely excellent for this.
- Use the zoom lock when carrying: The lens can creep when pointed down. Engage the zoom lock at 35mm for transport.
- Shoot RAW for distortion correction: 35mm shows mild barrel distortion that the in-camera profile handles, but RAW gives you more control in Lightroom.
- Enable AF tracking in burst mode: VXD AF pairs well with Sony’s AI subject recognition. Set your camera to continuous AF with subject tracking for events.
Alternatives to the Tamron 35-150mm
There is no exact equivalent to the Tamron 35-150mm on the Sony E-mount market — its combination of focal range and bright aperture is genuinely unique. But depending on what you actually need, these alternatives cover similar ground:
Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
- Wider angle of view starting at 24mm, but maxes out at f/4 throughout the zoom range.
- Built-in optical image stabilization (OSS) — useful if your body has weaker IBIS.
- Lighter, cheaper, and optically excellent — a better choice if you don’t need the telephoto reach or the brighter aperture.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Shorter zoom range (24-70mm), but a constant f/2.8 aperture and exceptional optical quality across the frame.
- No stabilization, but the Sigma Art build quality and sharpness — especially at the corners — exceeds the Tamron at similar apertures.
- Better for photographers who don’t need the 70-150mm telephoto range and prioritize wide-angle sharpness.
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
- Much longer zoom range (240mm) with OSS, but the variable aperture drops to f/6.3 at the long end — a significant tradeoff in dim light.
- Better for travel where one lens is the goal and image quality is secondary to convenience.
Is the Tamron 35-150mm Worth It?
For wedding, event, and portrait photographers who regularly switch between wide environmental shots and tight telephoto portraits, the Tamron 35-150mm is the closest thing to a one-lens solution on Sony E-mount. The f/2 aperture at 35mm and f/2.8 at 150mm are the key differentiators — no competing zoom offers that combination.
The caveats are real: it’s heavy, expensive, and lacks stabilization. On a body with strong IBIS (A7 IV, ZV-E1, A1), those last two concerns are reduced. For street and travel shooters who walk all day, the 24-105mm f/4 G is probably the more practical answer. But if your priority is subject isolation and low-light performance in a single zoom, the 35-150mm earns its price.
Further Reading
(1) Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E – B&H Photo Video
(2) Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E-mount – tamron-usa.com
(3) Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD Review | PCMag
(4) Tamron announces 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD and 28-75mm F2.8 G2 | DPReview