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Two lenses with the following parameters: 24-70 mm and 70-200 mm, both with a fixed f/2.8 aperture, are considered to be a classic journalistic set. Many photojournalists also add a device with an ultra wide angle of view to that – it used to be any of 16-35 mm f/2.8 models, nowadays the offer has been enlarged by 14-24 mm f/2.8 lenses that don't double the focal range and, at the same time, they allow you to enlarge angles of view noticeably.

Still, such a set has one serious drawback – its weight. Each of these lenses can be as heavy as 700 grams or more. As a result the whole set with the body can weigh over 3 kilograms. Mind you, many of photoreporters carry more than one camera at work.

Tamron had noticed the problem and already in April 2019 they launched the Tamron 35-150 mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD. That lens, joined with the Tamron 17–35 mm f/2.8–4 Di OSD presented a bit earlier, allowed you to use two lenses with the summary weight of less than 1.3 kilos. Still you lacked the 150-200 mm range and at the longer end of the range you had to deal with an aperture as slow as f/4.0.

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In the era of mirrorless devices Tamron decided to go one step further and in September 2021 they showed the 35-150 mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD model. This lens eliminates one of the serious drawbacks of its predecessor because here the aperture changed from f/2.0 to f/2.8 so we get something more than in the classic 24-70 and 70-200 mm set. Of course you still lack the 150-200 mm range but if you usually take photos from closer distances now you can take just two lenses with you. What's more, joining the new model with the Tamron 17-28 mm f/2.8 Di III RXD you could limit the weight of both instruments to less than 1.6 kilos; in order to avoid gaps in the range and reaching an even better wide angle you can attach the new lens to the Sony FE 16-35 mm f/2.8 GM II and exceed slightly 1.7 kilograms.

It is a very interesting option; small wonder many photographers have been seriously interested in purchasing the Tamron 35-150 mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD. As our website still lacked a full test of that device we decided to catch up. Courtesy to Focus Nordic, the Tamron products distributor for Poland, we got one specimen of the tested lens and managed to take a closer look at its performance – thank you very much!

You are also invited to get acquainted with our test procedure, described in the article "How do we test lenses?" If you feel it’s still not enough, please go to our FAQ section where you can find some further explanation.