There are two types of reviews - those that I look forward to and then those that I am EXTREMELY excited about. The new Tamron 50-300mm falls into the latter category. I've not had so much fun with any other lens for such a long time!
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD – ISO400, 1/3200s, f/7.1, 300mm
Like most landscape photographers (perhaps all of us), I am constantly on the lookout for a lens that will be better in image quality, maybe even cheaper, but most importantly lighter than the one I currently have. Not that I'm that "afflicted by GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)", but landscape photography is all about "gram counting" and cutting toothbrushes like mountaineers isn't completely foolproof, isn't it!?
On long photo trips, every saved gram is extremely noticeable. After all, it's quite a difference when you don't have to decide whether to pack a drone or maybe a bottle of water and avoid dying of thirst on a trek due to the overall weight of the gear.
The new Tamron 50-300mm aims to simplify this decision-making significantly, and now we'll gradually look at why.
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
In the lineup, it replaces popular 70-300mm, which had a smaller range, no stabilization, used a stepping RXD motors, and lacked a zoom lock, which often led to unwanted extension during walking (but I don't want to disparage it, it was reliable lens and one could create a lot with it).
Tamron listened to all the "crying" and came up with a model designated Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (internal designation - A069S).
First, let's explain what all these abbreviations mean:
Di III (Digitally Integrated Design): Lenses specifically designed for mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, in this case for Sony Full Frame E-mount, also known as Sony FE.
VC (Vibration Compensation): Patented optical image stabilization mechanism.
VXD (Voice-coil Extreme-torque Drive): Linear motor focusing mechanism for extremely fast and highly precise movement (compared to conventional drive systems, the linear motor significantly reduces drive noise and vibration). Currently, the best autofocus system Tamron offers.
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD - ISO100, 6s, f/11, 300mm – composed of 2 pictures
I probably don't need to emphasize how fantastic the range of this lens is and all the things you can "reach" with it. If you throw last year's introduced Tamron 17-50mm into your backpack, you have every millimeter covered in the 17-300mm range! We couldn't even dream of this in the wildest dreams recently.
Thanks to the added stabilization, you don't have to be afraid to significantly shorten exposure times while photoshooting, and it will also support you excellently while taking videos. Several times I found myself trying to maintain exposure times that I normally wouldn't dare to handhold, and the stabilization of the new "fifty-three hundred" worked absolutely amazing.
Another place where you will welcome stabilization is macro photography, as the 50-300mm allows focusing from 22 centimeters at the wide end (50mm) and gives us a great maximum magnification ratio of 1:2! At the longer end (300mm), it is still a respectable 1:1.3, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.9 meters. You will enjoy countless possible compositions while playing with insects, flowers, and overall capturing fine details.
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD - ISO200, 1/1000s, f/4.5, 50mm
Construction and Ergonomics
In addition to technological improvements, Tamron also focused on "user-friendliness". The ergonomics of the lens have been improved for better handling, making the lens fit perfectly in hand. The surface finish has also been adjusted, now being slightly glossier and more resistant to scratches and fingerprints. The focus and zoom rings operate smoothly and are now pleasantly wide compared to the original 70-300mm, making them easy to control.
The lens body now includes a programmable control button and a zoom lock (hooray) at 50mm, completely eliminating the issue of unwanted extension. Both control elements are excellently placed near the fingers (the button is near the thumb and the lock aligns with the index finger), making them very easy to reach.
If you are a "gram-counter," you will appreciate the weight - 665g and a length of 150mm (so, there's no problem to easily fit it into a smaller backpack even when attached to the camera body). Another undeniable advantage is that thanks to its optimized weight and length, it can be easily balanced on a gimbal.
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD - ISO100, 5s, f/11, 105mm
Integrated USB-C port allows for firmware updates or adjusting the available functions of the lens (e.g., focusing methods - nonlinear/linear, programming the mentioned button, etc.) all from the comfort of home using the free Tamron Lens Utility software. Android mobile device owners can also use the mobile version to customize the lens to their needs and style of creation directly in the field (especially appreciated when shooting video).
The body of the 50-300 is sealed against dust and moisture at all critical points, including the mentioned USB-C port. A few words about the "moisture sealing" - during June, I experienced several heavy storms and hailstorms with it, and it didn't suffer at all, not even when icy water was getting into places where no one really wants it...
Fantastic news is that Tamron has once again managed to keep the filter diameter at 67mm, which is common for most of their lenses, making filter sharing exceptionally easy.
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD - few parameters:
Model Number: A069S
Focal Length: 50-300mm
Aperture: F/4.5 - 6.3
Optical Construction: 19 elements in 14 groups
Number of Aperture Blades: 9
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.22m (WIDE) / 0.9m (TELE)
Filter Diameter: 67mm
Stabilization: Yes
Weight: 665g
Length: 150mm
Sealed against moisture and dust
Compatible with TAMRON Lens Utility software - for firmware updates and lens function optimization
To suppress internal reflections causing "ghosting" (secondary images) and flares (causing low contrast and fading), Tamron used BBAR-G2 (Broad Band Anti Reflection) technology, which involves multi-layer coating of magnesium fluoride. With a wide-open aperture, flares are almost negligible, and even at higher f-stop numbers when shooting against the light, nothing dramatic happens. The front element is also treated with a fluorine coating that repels water, grease, and other contaminants.
Image Quality and Performance
Compared to its predecessor, the new "fifty-three hundred" has undergone a small revolution in optical construction, now featuring 19 elements in 14 groups (the original 70-300 had "only" 15 elements in 10 groups), resulting in excellent image quality, beautiful contrast, and virtually zero chromatic aberration.
The aperture ranges from F/4.5 to 6.3, where:
F/4.5 is maintained between 50 - 70mm
F/5 between 71 - 101mm
F/5.6 between 102 - 181mm
F/6.3 between 182 - 300mm
At 50mm, barrel distortion is absolutely negligible and vignetting is very slight. The center is brutally sharp at 50mm F/4.5, though it softens a bit in the corners and loses a bit of contrast (nothing dramatic). However, at other focal lengths, the corners are pleasantly sharp, which was really nice surprise.
At 100mm, a slight pincushion distortion begins to appear, peaking around the middle of the range (though easily corrected in post-processing). Vignetting gradually disappears. At the 300mm end, distortion is again negligible, as is the vignetting, which if you ask me... for a zoom of this range, this is a fantastic result.
Autofocus works absolutely great! It's extremely fast (refocusing almost instantly) and precise, thanks to the mentioned VXD (Voice-coil Extreme-torque Drive) motors. Photographing wildlife or anything in motion thus becomes real fun, as the autofocus immediately finds and locks onto the moving subject (while playing with "macro", it had no problem locking onto, for example, the eye of a bee!).
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD - ISO320, 1/640s, f/5.6, 130mm
Sony A1 and A9 owners might be a bit disappointed that Sony still limits burst shooting to 15 frames per second for all third-party manufacturers. However, we can expect a variant for Nikon Z soon, where this limitation won't apply (Sony owners are now shedding a tear...).
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD – ISO500, 1/640s, f/5.6, 143mm
Pros:
Amazing range
Macro (focuses from 22 centimeters at 50mm and provides a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2)
Perfect color rendering and great contrast
Optical stabilization
Excellent chromatic aberration control
Outstanding image quality
Sealed against moisture and dust
Strong, fast VXD motors and very precise autofocus
USB-C port for firmware updates and user settings
Ergonomically shaped body and dimensions
Weight!
67mm filter diameter
Price
Cons:
Teleconverter cannot be used
Limited to 15 frames per second on A1/A9 bodies (Sony's decision to limit third-party manufacturers)
Unfortunately, I can't think of much else =)
So, should I keep it or not?!
As you probably guessed from the previous text, the new Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD has completely and utterly captivated me, and I won't be letting it go. It quickly became my favorite telephoto lens ever.
Its fantastic range, image quality, stabilization, BBAR G2, extremely fast and accurate autofocus, macro capabilities, zero chromatic aberration... all packed into 665g and 150mm length, at a price of 919 EUR (recommended retail price by www.tamron.eu). I haven't found a better combo yet.
When I started the test, I thought it would be another good lens for travelers, but this lens practically pushed me to keep coming up with more and more activities outside my usual genre, taking it with me to all summer events, and continuously discovering new compositions.
It completely enthralled me, and I enjoyed photography as much as I did in my beginnings. I know, strong words, but it really is that good.
Until next time,
Mike
GEAR:
Camera: Sony A7 IV
Filters: VFFOTO magnetic UV GS 67-82mm
Tripod: 3 Legged Thing Mike Legends Mike
Backpack: Shimoda Action x70
Comments