The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a compact and fast telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across its focal range, which enables low-light shooting and shallow depth of field effects.
It also features a weather-resistant construction, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and a close minimum focus distance. In this review, we will look at the main features, pros and cons of this lens, based on various sources¹²³⁴.
Introduction
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD was announced in April 2020 as a compact and fast telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras.
It is part of Tamron's Di III series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance for mirrorless cameras. It is also part of Tamron's VXD series of lenses, which are characterized by their linear motor technology.
This is the third lens in Tamron's lineup of f/2.8 zooms for Sony E-mount cameras, following the 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD and the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. It completes the trinity of lenses that cover a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto with a bright aperture.
It is compatible with Sony's Fast Hybrid AF system, Eye AF function, Direct Manual Focus (DMF) mode, and in-camera lens correction features. It also supports firmware updates via the camera body.
Features
| Feature | Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD |
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | Full-frame |
| Focal Length | 70-180mm |
| Full-Frame Equivalent | 70-180mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Angle of View | 34°21′-13°42′ |
| Optical Design | 19 elements in 14 groups |
| Special Elements | Six XLD elements, three LD elements, three GM elements |
| Coatings | BBAR-G2 coating, fluorine coating |
| Aperture Blades | 9 (rounded) |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.85m (wide) / 0.95m (tele) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 0.21x (wide) / 0.5x (tele) |
| Autofocus System | VXD linear motor |
| Optical Stabilization System | None (relies on camera body) |
| Filter Size | 67mm |
| Weather Resistance | Yes (dust and moisture resistant) |
| Dimensions | 81 x 149 mm (zoomed out) / 178 mm (zoomed in) |
| Weight | 810 g |
Pros and Cons of the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture
- Fast and quiet autofocus system
- Close minimum focus distance
- Weather-resistant construction
Cons
- No optical stabilization system
- No tripod mounting ring
- Barrel extends when zoomed
- Some vignetting and distortion
Conclusion
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a compact and fast telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras that offers a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across its focal range, which enables low-light shooting and shallow depth of field effects.
It delivers excellent optical performance across its focal range, with sharpness, contrast, color rendition, and bokeh that rival or surpass some of the first-party alternatives from Sony. It also controls chromatic aberrations, flares, and ghosting very well, thanks to its special elements and coatings.
The Tamron 70-180mm features a fast and quiet autofocus system that uses a VXD linear motor to drive the focus group with high precision and speed. It also has a close minimum focus distance of 0.85m at the wide end and 0.95m at the tele end, which allows for some creative close-up shots with a telephoto perspective.
This lens has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and handle, especially for a telephoto zoom lens with a bright aperture. It also has a weather-resistant construction that protects it from dust and moisture, and a fluorine coating that repels water and oil from the front element.
However, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD does not have an optical stabilization system, which means it relies on the camera body's stabilization to reduce camera shake and blur. It also does not come with a tripod mounting ring, which is sold separately as an optional accessory.
It also extends when zoomed, which may affect the balance and handling of the lens. It also shows some vignetting and distortion, especially at the wide end, which can be corrected in-camera or in post-processing.
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a very attractive option for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless camera users who are looking for a compact and fast telephoto zoom lens that offers high image quality and performance for various genres of photography and videography, such as portraits, weddings, sports, wildlife, and more.
It is also very competitively priced cheaper than some of the first-party alternatives from Sony that offer similar or shorter zoom ranges or slower apertures.
If you are looking for a compact and fast telephoto zoom lens for your Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and performance for various genres of photography and videography, then the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD may be the best choice for you.
Further Reading
(1) Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD review | Digital Camera World
(2) Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD Review | PCMag
(3) Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Di III VXD review | Cameralabs
(4) Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD – Digital Photography Review