Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony FE

The Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens delivers high-resolution rendering with consistent exposure and aperture control, featuring an optical design with 15 elements in 13 groups. The VXD linear motor drives fast, precise autofocus, while a 0.22m minimum object distance enables close framing with a maximum magnification of 1:3.3. Measuring under 12cm in length and weighing just 565g, the compact barrel and unified 67mm filter thread support balanced, precise handheld operation.

Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens Key Features:

• Compact fast-aperture standard zoom covering the 35-100mm range
• Designed for portraits, street photography, food, and lifestyle
• Advanced optical construction featuring 15 elements in 13 groups
• Constant f2.8 maximum aperture across the entire zoom range
• VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) motor for fast, precise autofocus
• 63°26′ - 24°25′ diagonal angle of view on full-frame
• Minimum object distance of 0.22m at the wide end
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.3 at 35mm
• Nine-blade circular diaphragm for rounded bokeh rendering
• Standard 67mm thread, compatible with various filter options
• Moisture-resistant construction for outdoor reliability
• Fluorine coating on the front element for easier cleaning
• Minimal barrel extension movement during zoom operation
• Flower-shaped hood offers front element protection and flare reduction
• Compatible with the TAMRON Lens Utility application

What’s new?

The Tamron f2.8 Di III VXD lens introduces a new standard zoom configuration in the 35-100mm range, emphasising key portrait focal lengths with a constant f2.8 aperture. The lens measures under 12cm in length and weighs just 565g, delivering a notably compact body compared to conventional fast standard zooms. A 0.22m minimum object distance at 35mm provides a 1:3.3 magnification ratio, extending compositional flexibility for close framing.

The lens integrates Tamron’s VXD linear motor for faster, more precise autofocus, and the barrel design minimises physical extension during zooming to maintain a stable balance. Moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine-coated front element enhance durability and ease of maintenance, while the unified 67mm filter size aligns it with other Tamron lenses in the lineup. These changes represent a focused refinement to Tamron’s fast-zoom lineup.

Optical construction and rendering

The Tamron f2.8 Di III VXD lens’s optical construction comprises 15 elements arranged in 13 groups. This configuration maintains precise resolution across the 35-100mm range while supporting a constant f2.8 maximum aperture. A consistent aperture maintains exposure during zooming, simplifies manual exposure control, and ensures a predictable depth of field.

Its nine-blade circular diaphragm produces rounded out-of-focus highlights and bokeh. At portrait distances, this diaphragm produces smooth background transitions while preserving subject clarity and realistic skin textures. The diagonal angle of view ranges from 63°26′ at 35mm to 24°25′ at 100mm, covering moderate-wide framing through short-telephoto compression suited to portraits, street photography, and lifestyle shots.

Autofocus system

The VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor system powers the autofocus. The lens uses a high-torque linear mechanism to move focus elements directly, enabling fast, precise focusing. In practical use, this enables accurate focus on subtle expressions and small subject movements. The motor operates with minimal vibration, supporting stable framing during continuous autofocus and video recording. This also means that when you manually adjust focus after autofocus, it responds in a predictable, repeatable way.

Close focusing performance

At the 35mm position, the lens focuses to a minimum working distance of 0.22m. The optics produce a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.3, enabling detailed framing of smaller subjects. The ability to focus at short distances expands compositional flexibility indoors, including close-up macro photography. At 100mm, the minimum object distance is 0.65m, maintaining an appropriate working distance for portrait compositions while preserving perspective compression.

Design and handling

The lens barrel itself measures almost 12cm in length and weighs just 565g. The compact body reduces front-end weight when mounted on mirrorless cameras, improving handheld stability during extended sessions. When zooming, the barrel physically extends by only a small amount. By limiting forward movement during focal length changes, the lens maintains consistent balance and reduces shifts in the centre of gravity, which coordinates well with gimbals and controlled reframing.

A unified 67mm filter thread also allows shared filters across compatible Tamron lenses. Plus, the lens’s moisture-resistant construction adds sealing at critical points to reduce the risk of water damage, and a fluorine coating on the front element repels water and oil, aiding with cleaning and protection in everyday outdoor use.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens - Sony FE-Mount
• 1 x Flower-shaped Hood
• 1 x Front Cap
• 1 x Rear Cap

FAQs:

How suitable is the Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 lens for portrait photography?

The 35-100mm range covers wider-angle portrait framing at 35mm through to tighter head-and-shoulder compositions at 100mm. The constant f2.8 aperture and nine-blade diaphragm produce controlled depth of field and rounded background highlights, supporting subject separation at common portrait distances.

Does the lens physically extend when zooming?

The optical design limits barrel extension during zoom operation. This restrained movement helps maintain stable balance on handheld setups and reduces shifts in the centre of gravity when mounted on a tripod or gimbal.

What filter size does the Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 lens use?

The lens uses a 67mm filter thread. This thread is compatible with standard 67mm filters, including neutral density and polarising filters, and aligns with other Tamron lenses that use the same thread size.

Can I customise the lens using TAMRON Lens Utility?

Yes. The Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD is compatible with the TAMRON Lens Utility application, which connects to the lens via USB. The software allows you to assign functions to the lens’s custom button, adjust focus ring behaviour between linear and non-linear response, and set A–B focus positions for repeatable focus pulls. Firmware updates can also be applied through the application. Because the settings are stored in the lens itself, your chosen configuration remains active when the lens is mounted on compatible camera bodies.

Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony FE - Sample Images