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HomePhotographyLensesMirrorless LensesTamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E

BH #TA7018028E • MFR #AFA056S-700
139 reviews
Tamron
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Six Low Dispersion Elements
  • Three Aspherical Elements
Flexible zoom range, fast design, and compact profile, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a unique take on the ubiquitous and popular telephoto zoom. Designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, this lens spans a useful short-telephoto to mid-telephoto range and is characterized by its f/2.8 maximum aperture to suit working in available light conditions and for controlling depth of field. A sophisticated optical design includes a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements to correct a variety of aberrations and a BBAR-G2 coating helps to reduce flare and ghosting for high contrast and color accuracy. Additionally, a floating elements system is used to ensure consistent image quality throughout the focusing range, from 2.8' to infinity. Autofocus is handled by a pair of VXD linear motor units, which deliver notably fast, accurate, and quiet focusing performance, and full-time manual focus control is also available. Suiting this lens's use in inclement weather conditions, it also features a moisture-resistant construction along with a fluorine-coated front element to protect against fingerprints and smudging.
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Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Overview

Flexible zoom range, fast design, and compact profile, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a unique take on the ubiquitous and popular telephoto zoom. Designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, this lens spans a useful short-telephoto to mid-telephoto range and is characterized by its f/2.8 maximum aperture to suit working in available light conditions and for controlling depth of field. A sophisticated optical design includes a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements to correct a variety of aberrations and a BBAR-G2 coating helps to reduce flare and ghosting for high contrast and color accuracy. Additionally, a floating elements system is used to ensure consistent image quality throughout the focusing range, from 2.8' to infinity. Autofocus is handled by a pair of VXD linear motor units, which deliver notably fast, accurate, and quiet focusing performance, and full-time manual focus control is also available. Suiting this lens's use in inclement weather conditions, it also features a moisture-resistant construction along with a fluorine-coated front element to protect against fingerprints and smudging.

Versatile telephoto zoom is designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it will provide a 105-270mm equivalent focal length range.
Bright constant f/2.8 maximum aperture affords consistent brightness throughout the zoom range and offers improved control over depth of field.
Six low dispersion elements, including both XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) designs, greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range in order to realize improved clarity and color accuracy.
Three aspherical elements, including both glass-molded and hybrid types, help to reduce spherical aberrations and distortion for high sharpness and accurate rendering throughout the zoom range.
BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating has been applied to individual elements in order to suppress internal reflections, flare, and ghosting to achieve greater contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.
Two VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motors deliver impressively quiet, quick, and precise focusing performance to suit both stills and video applications. This focusing system offers a minimum focusing distance of 2.8' at all focal lengths, and a 1:4.6 maximum magnification at the 180mm focal length for working with close-up subjects. Full-time manual focus override is also possible, and it is compatible with Sony's Direct Manual Focus function or fine-tuned manual control.
Two VXD units work in conjunction with a floating elements system to maintain consistent image quality throughout the focusing range.
When working with manual focus at the 70mm focal length position, it is possible to focus as closely as 10.6" with a 1:2 maximum magnification ratio, however peripheral image quality may be reduced.
A moisture-resistant construction benefits this lens' use in inclement conditions, and a fluorine coating has also been applied to the front lens element to protect against dust, dirt, and smearing.
Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.
Zoom Lock switch prevents unwanted barrel extension during transportation.
UPC: 725211560012

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Specs

Focal Length70 to 180mm
Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Angle of View34° 21' to 13° 42'
Minimum Focus Distance10.63" / 27 cm
Maximum Magnification0.5x
Macro Reproduction Ratio1:2
Optical Design19 Elements in 14 Groups
Diaphragm Blades9, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.19 x 5.87" / 81 x 149 mm
Length at Maximum Extension7" / 177.7 mm
Weight1.78 lb / 810 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.725 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)9.3 x 6.3 x 5.7"

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Reviews

Impressive!

By Steven
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-27

I bought this mainly for the purpose of shooting my kids playing ice hockey indoor. I used 24-105 F/4 G before, but it doesn't perform very well in low light condition, so I finally bought this Tamron and it really made a big difference due to it's larger aperture. And the image is very sharp with this lens.

My Second One... On purpose!

By Gary
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-09

Always used the Sony 70-200 but I wanted to give Tamron a try. Loved it so much, I sold my Sony and got another Tamron. I slightly miss the little extra zoom, but it is definitely not a deal-breaker. Crisp, clean, great auto focus and I use it for video. Highly recommend! Don't spend thousands more on something like this just to have name brand. This is an exquisite lens.

Amazing for the price

By Justin
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-08

For the price of this lens vs the G master line, I would choose this due to quality of pictures and price.

Sharp lens, but problems with weather sealing

By Robert
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-05

The lens is sharp and is true to most positive reviews you'll find regarding the optical quality when compared with its native counterpart. The problem is with the weather sealing. After the 30 day return policy expired, I began finding dust inside the front element. I've used this lens in non-windy or harsh conditions, and put it in a case I purchased for it after use. Still, dust managed to get inside and is visible in images. It can only be fixed in post processing. I researched this problem and found it is a common thread with Tamron lenses. I'm disappointed in the quality and unfortunately found it only after the B&H warranty expired.

Ok for portraits, bad for landscapes

By Etan
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-31

I've had this lens for a year now, it's performance at mid range distances for portraits is great, even wide open at f2.8 it's sharp and Autofocus with my a7III is great (I have some sony primes which focus faster and more consistently, but honestly the Tamron is still great). As a landscape lens, it's poor quality, maybe it's just my copy of it. zoomed out to 180mm at infinity.. the center is sharp but the edge of the frame, even the mid-frame (not extreme edge) is very very soft... I can even notice when not pixel peeping at 100%. It can get it to improve slightly stopping down to f9.. but it never goes away completely. I'd expect that without complaints from a cheaper super zoom, but not a $1k+ 2.8 like this that was designed in the last few years with the latest optics. I'm straight up disappointed for my use case and will likely trade this in one day.

Fantastic Short Telephoto

By David
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-18

I replaced my old Sony FE 70-200 f/4 G lens with this Tamron, and couldn't be happier. It's both smaller and lighter the Sony, and focuses much closer - almost macro range. The lack of lens stabilization hasn't been a problem so far due to Sony cameras' IBIS, and I've taken keepers handheld as slow as 1/15 sec. @ 180mm. Plus, it's not a white lens, which makes it a whole lot more stealthy. Highly, highly recommended.

Great zoom Lens!

By Steve
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-24

Lightest 70-"200" I've ever owned! Sharp, fast and very nice bokeh! I honestly haven't missed the extra 20mm yet. Silent motor for video AF and portraits are pleasing! Lens hood is a bit tight but I'm guessing because it's still new and needs to be worked in. Used with my A7sIII and A7IV.

The whole point Mirrorless exists is this lens.

By ryan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-19

As a professional photographer this is my go-to lens for events. To summarize my thoughts early here, if you are a photographer who carries around 2 cameras having this on your sony while having something like the sigma 28-70 2.8 or the tamron version is the PERFECT setup. I left my other brand of camera for Sony because of this setup. Literally from my Z9/Z7ii combo and associated lenses to my now Sony A1 and Sony a7iv combo, i have shaved off in some cases as many as 5lbs. 5lbs!!!! Now I think my entire setup weighs just over 5 or 6 pounds TOTAL. 2 cameras and 2 lenses. Not too bad. They are sharp and the glass and engineering are up to par. The days of tamron or sigma lenses being 2nd rate glass are over (this is the 1st Tamron lens i have been willing to actually use instead of native glass in over 25 years of shooting) Like i said I feel like this lightweight f2.8 zoom was one of the whole points of mirrorless being invented to begin with. All those fuji cameras years and years ago were popular because they were much smaller and lighter. All that being said. I don't see iBIS in sony cameras being anywhere near optical IS. So if you shoot lots of super low light events and you cant seem to hold your camera still enough, maybe you need the new Gmaster instead. I however have shot several concerts with no problem using ibis with this lens. Hope that helps someone.

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I am not aware of a collar for this lens. A better solution to prevent slippage when shooting vertical is to invest in an L-bracket for your camera. It also dramatically eases getting the camera properly positioned for your desired composition.
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So I have 17-28, 28-75, and 85 mm. Should I just ...

So I have 17-28, 28-75, and 85 mm. Should I just sell the 85mm and get this 70-180 if i need telephoto?
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