A bold bet at CP+ 2026

Tamron arrived at CP+ 2026 with a well-calculated surprise: the Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A078), a constant aperture lens for Sony E and Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras. Officially announced on February 19, it will be available on March 26, 2026 at a price of $899 USD for Sony E and $929 USD for Nikon Z.

The launch is no coincidence. It directly responds to the requests of those who loved the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 but needed something lighter, more pocketable and more affordable in price. Tamron listened and designed from scratch an alternative designed for the modern photographer.

Why the 35-100mm range?

At first glance it may seem like an unusual range. But when you think about what focal lengths portrait, event and travel photographers actually use, the logic becomes clear: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 100mm are the four most used focal lengths in this genre. The Tamron 35-100mm covers them all in a single lens, with a constant F/2.8 aperture.

• 35mm: ambient portraits without exaggerated distortion
• 50mm: the classic "nifty fifty", natural vision
• 85mm: the king focal point for portraits with gentle compression
• 100mm: tighter compositions, more blurred background

Instead of trying to cover everything, Tamron chose to focus on the essentials. And the result is a lens that, according to the first reviews from PetaPixel, Photofocus and The Phoblographer, delivers what it promises.

Full technical specifications

The optical formula includes differentiating elements: two aspherical elements, one aspherical low dispersion and an extra low dispersion element. This translates into high contrast, controlled chromatic aberration and sharpness that in early Photofocus tests is described as "excellent in the center and very good towards the edges" even at F/2.8.

The bokeh is another highlight. The lens produces nice, smooth background blur, with natural transitions between in-focus and out-of-focus areas, especially useful for outdoor portraits and social events.

In terms of protection, the barrel has moisture-resistant sealing and fluorine coating on the front element, which repels oils and water to work with peace of mind outdoors.

VXD autofocus: fast, quiet and precise

The VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) autofocus system is the same linear motor that Tamron uses in its G2 line professional lenses. The results in street tests in Manhattan (PetaPixel) and in studio sessions (Photofocus) confirm what is expected: fast, silent and hesitation-free AF, suitable for both still photography and video.

The minimum focusing distance of just 22cm to 35mm adds unexpected versatility: allows you to photograph small objects on tables, flowers, product details or intimate interior scenes with a creative touch of bokeh.

For video, quiet continuous focusing is a real advantage over lenses that generate audible noise during recording.

Compactness: the most powerful argument

At 565g and 119mm long, the Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 is noticeably lighter than its similarly aperture competitors. For comparison:

• Sigma 28-105mm F/2.8 DG DN Art: 990g and 160mm long
• Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD: approx. 1,165g and 158mm

The 35-100mm weighs almost half as much. And it's practically the same size as the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2, a lens known for being compact for its category. Anyone who already uses Tamron lenses in their bag will notice that this new lens fits without discomfort.

In addition, it maintains the 67mmfilter thread, common in the entire Tamron mirrorless line, which allows sharing ND filters, polarizers and other accessories without additional adapters.

Compatibility with Tamron Lens Utility and TAMRON-LINK

The Tamron 35-100mm is fully compatible with the new version Tamron Lens Utility 5.0 and the wireless accessory TAMRON-LINK (TL-01), announced simultaneously. This small Bluetooth dongle weighing just 2 grams connects to the USB-C port of the lens and allows you to control the focus and aperture from a smartphone, without cables.

The app is now also available on iOS, joining Android, and brings new functions such as the Ring Stopper (limits the rotation range of the rings) and the Focus Time Lapse, designed for videographers who work with an Intervalometer.

Who is this lens suitable for?

The Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 is an especially attractive option for:

• Portrait photographers looking to cover classic focal lengths in a single lightweight lens
• Event and wedding photographers who need to move quickly with lightweight equipment
• Travelers who don't want to sacrifice optical quality for portability
• Videomakers who require silent and constant AF at F/2.8
• Users of Sony A7 / A7R / A7C or Nikon Zf / Z6 / Z8 who want a high-quality compact option

If you already use the Tamron ecosystem (28-75mm G2, 70-180mm G2), this lens fits perfectly and expands your working range without breaking the coherence of the kit.

Price and availability

• Price Sony E-mount: $899 USD / $1,249 CAD / £799 GBP
• Price Nikon Z-mount: $929 USD / $1,299 CAD / £799 GBP
• Availability: March 26, 2026
• Pre-orders: open at B&H Photo, Adorama and main authorized resellers

The price is approximately half of the Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8, which positions it as a very competitive option for those who do not need to go all the way to 150mm.

Conclusion

The Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD is not a lens for everyone. It does not go from the wide angle to the telephoto lens, it does not do macro and it does not have its own optical stabilization. But it does do something very well: concentrate the most useful focal lengths for portraits, events and travel in a compact, lightweight package, with a constant F/2.8 aperture and fast autofocus, at a price that does not require selling a kidney.

In a market where fast aperture lenses tend to become larger and more expensive, Tamron chooses the opposite path. And judging by the first international reviews, the result is convincing.