Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Nikon Z)
Launch MSRP
$1,299- Weight
- 1,180g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.25m
- Max mag.
- 0.50×
- Formula
- 24E / 18G
- Released
- 2024
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x XLD
- 3x LD
- 1x GM Aspherical
- 1x Hybrid Aspherical
- BBAR-G2 Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4.5–6.3 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,180g
- ⌀ × length
- 88.5 × 185.8mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.25m
- Max magnification
- 0.50× (1:2.0)
Optical character
Tamron's 8x zoom came to Nikon Z in 2024 as the only lens in the system starting at 50mm and reaching 400mm. It still takes 67mm filters and weighs 1180g. It covers everything from a 50mm environmental frame to distant wildlife, and focuses to 1:2 between 50 and 70mm, which also makes it useful for close-up nature work.
Tamron's VC stabilisation works alongside Nikon's IBIS, and the VXD linear motor tracks birds and field sports well when the light holds up for f/6.3. On the Z version the switch box carries an AF/MF switch in place of the Sony version's VC mode selector, alongside the custom switch, Focus Set button, zoom lock and USB-C port; TAMRON Lens Utility adds a focus limiter.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers describe it as good to very good across most of the range, with a slight softening above 300mm at f/6.3 that mostly clears up by f/8. AF is fast and VC is effective, and the Z version focuses reliably with Nikon's subject detection.
Testers note it is a range-and-convenience lens, not a replacement for the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S. It is slower at the long end, and the external zoom extends the barrel considerably. Against Nikon's own 100-400 it is cheaper and reaches down to 50mm.
Owner sentiment
Owners like going from landscape to wildlife without changing lenses, and say travel and safari trips are where it pays off. The half-life-size close focus at 50mm surprises many buyers, and Nikon users appreciate the dedicated AF/MF switch.
The complaints are about 400mm sharpness compared with dedicated telephotos, f/6.3 in dim conditions, and front-heaviness when fully extended. No tripod foot is included, though an Arca-Swiss compatible one is available as an accessory.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +50–400mm (8x) range on full frame
- +1:2 magnification at 50–70mm
- +Effective VC on top of IBIS
- +AF/MF and custom switches, 67mm filters
- +Strong value for the reach
Weaknesses
- −f/6.3 at the long end
- −Softer above 300mm wide open
- −Barrel extends significantly when zoomed
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.2
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.5
- Flare Resistance
- 7.8
- Build / Sealing
- 8.1
- Value / Size
- 9.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50–400mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5–6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 24 elements in 18 groups |
| Special elements | 2x XLD · 3x LD · 1x GM Aspherical · 1x Hybrid Aspherical · BBAR-G2 Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | VXD Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.25m |
| Max magnification | 0.50× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 1,180g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 88.5 × 185.8mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,299 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a067/spec.html
- tamron.com/global/consumer/news/detail/a067z_20240829.html
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a067/
- dpreview.com/news/8235567294/tamron-50-400-45-63-z-mount-announcement/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Nikon Z) vs 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Nikon Z)
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Nikon Z) vs NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Nikon Z) vs NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II
- TamronDi III RXD
70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Nikon Z)
70–300mmF4.5–6.3- WT
- 580g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $599
AFWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
70–200mmF2.8- WT
- 1,360g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $2,600
AFSTABWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II
70–200mmF2.8- WT
- 998g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.38m
- MSRP
- $3,000
AFSTABWR
