Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

Early testing finds centre resolution very good at every focal length from f/2.8, with the mid-frame and edges a step behind wide open and improving when stopped down. Vignetting is obvious at f/2.8 and there is mild barrel distortion at 35mm turning to pincushion from 50mm, all of which in-camera profiles correct.

AF is judged fast and accurate for stills and smooth for video, with little focus breathing, though close-up work at f/2.8 can occasionally need a nudge. Out-of-focus areas are smooth on even backgrounds, but bright highlights can show outlining and turn oval towards the corners. The mostly plastic barrel is well made, and the lens has no stabilisation of its own.

Buyers who found the 35-150mm too heavy say this is the lens they wanted: small enough to carry all day and fast enough for indoor portraits and events. The 0.22m close focus at the wide end is often mentioned as a bonus.

The main reservations are the range itself, which some find short at 100mm and not wide enough at 35mm to replace a 24-70, and the lack of optical stabilisation for users with older bodies. It is still a new lens, so long-term reliability reports are thin.