Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens

Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Zoom Lens for Sony E-Mount

Imagine you’re preparing for a shoot—do you pack a 35mm for wide shots, an 85mm for portraits, and a 135mm for compression? What if one lens could replace them all while delivering professional-level image quality? The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 for Sony E-mount is that lens.

With a groundbreaking focal range and a fast aperture, this lens is an absolute powerhouse for photographers and videographers. Whether you’re capturing expansive landscapes, intimate portraits, or fast-paced events, the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 delivers. Let’s dive into why this lens has become a game-changer for creators.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon

---

At a Glance:

• Focal Length: 35-150mm
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
• Mount: Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame)
• Optics: 21 elements in 15 groups (including LD and aspherical elements)
• Autofocus: VXD linear motor for fast, precise focusing
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.33m (13 inches) at 35mm, 0.85m (33.5 inches) at 150mm
• Weight: Approx. 1.16kg (2.56 lbs)
• Filter Thread: 82mm

---

Build and Design: Professional Durability Meets Ergonomic Handling

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is built with weather-sealed construction, ensuring durability in challenging environments. This makes it an excellent choice for travel and outdoor photography, where unpredictable conditions demand rugged gear.

Despite its size and weight, the ergonomic design feels well-balanced on Sony full-frame bodies. The zoom and focus rings have a precise, tactile feel, and the customizable function buttons allow for seamless operation in fast-paced shooting environments. The 82mm filter thread ensures compatibility with high-quality filters, essential for landscape photographers who rely on ND or polarizing filters.

---

Image Quality: Prime-Lens-Level Sharpness and Bokeh

Sharpness

The 35-150mm f/2-2.8 exhibits exceptional sharpness across the frame, with edge-to-edge clarity even when shooting wide open. At 35mm and f/2, the center sharpness rivals many prime lenses, making it a great alternative to dedicated wide-angle primes. At 150mm, the resolution remains outstanding, with beautifully rendered details in portrait and telephoto shots.

Bokeh and Subject Isolation

The f/2-2.8 aperture produces an exceptionally smooth bokeh, enhancing subject separation even at wider focal lengths. The nine-blade aperture diaphragm contributes to natural, rounded bokeh balls, particularly in portraiture and low-light shooting.

Color and Contrast

Tamron’s BBAR-G2 coating enhances contrast and reduces ghosting, ensuring vibrant color reproduction and excellent performance even in backlit conditions. Whether you’re shooting golden hour landscapes or dramatic cityscapes, colors appear rich and well-saturated.

Distortion and Flare Control

Distortion is well controlled across the focal range, with only minimal barrel distortion at 35mm and slight pincushioning at 150mm, both of which are easily corrected in-camera or in post. The flare resistance is impressive, making it ideal for shooting directly into light sources without significant ghosting or loss of contrast.

---

Autofocus Performance: Fast, Accurate, and Silent

Equipped with Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor, the autofocus system is fast, silent, and incredibly precise. The lens locks onto subjects effortlessly, making it perfect for both still photography and video work.

For videographers, the silent focusing ensures clean audio capture, while the minimal focus breathing keeps framing consistent when racking focus. This makes it an excellent choice for cinematic productions where smooth, silent focusing is critical.

Check Price on Adorama

---

Real-World Use Cases: Who Is This Lens For?

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is one of the most versatile lenses available for Sony E-mount shooters. Here’s where it truly excels:

1. Travel and Landscape Photography

• Covers everything from environmental shots at 35mm to compressed landscapes at 150mm.
• Weather-sealed design allows for shooting in harsh conditions.
• Lightweight compared to carrying multiple prime lenses.

2. Portrait Photography

• The f/2 aperture at 35mm is perfect for environmental portraits with soft backgrounds.
• The 150mm focal length provides flattering compression and subject isolation.
• Creamy bokeh enhances portrait aesthetics.

3. Wedding and Event Photography

• Wide shots for venues and group portraits at 35mm.
• Telephoto range for capturing candid moments from a distance.
• Fast aperture ensures excellent performance in dimly lit environments.

4. Videography

• Smooth focus transitions and minimal focus breathing make it ideal for video.
• Silent autofocus operation ensures no audio interference.
• A great all-in-one lens for run-and-gun filmmakers.

---

Pros & Cons

Pros:

✅ Expansive 35-150mm focal range – covers multiple shooting scenarios.
✅ Fast f/2-2.8 aperture – excellent for low-light performance and bokeh.
✅ Prime-like sharpness – exceptional optical quality.
✅ Weather-sealed, durable build – great for professionals.
✅ Customizable function buttons – improves workflow.

Cons:

❌ Heavy compared to standard zooms (1.16kg)
❌ Price is higher than traditional zoom lenses (but justified for its versatility)
❌ No built-in image stabilization (relies on Sony’s IBIS)

---

---

Final Thoughts: A Must-Have Lens for Sony Shooters

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is a game-changer for photographers and videographers seeking maximum versatility without sacrificing optical performance. Whether you’re a portrait photographer, wedding shooter, or hybrid content creator, this lens offers exceptional image quality, a fast aperture, and an all-in-one focal range that simplifies your gear setup.

While it’s slightly heavier than other zooms, the ability to replace multiple prime lenses makes it a worthwhile investment for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike.

If you want a single lens that does it all, this is the one to get.