The Tamron 50-400mm for the Nikon Z-mount is expected to be announced next month

Nikon users may soon be getting a new lens from well-known third-party manufacturer Tamron. Recent rumors suggest that the company is preparing to announce a new ultra-telephoto lens for the Z-mount with an impressive 8x zoom range.

A few days ago, reliable leaker @camerainsider shared on X that the Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron will be revealing the Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD for the Nikon Z platform “in a few weeks.” The account has a proven track record of sharing information about camera announcements and most recently shared the release date for the new Panasonic Lumix S9 full-frame camera.

https://x.com/camerainsider/status/1827333643418952024

This is not the first time that @camerainsider shared information about the upcoming Tamron telephoto zoom lens. In the middle of July, the account revealed that the Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD would be the next big lens announcement for the Nikon Z-mount.

What we know about the lens

A day after the leaked information started making rounds on social media, well-known insider Nikon Rumors gave additional details about the upcoming Tamron ultra-telephoto lens. The leaker included four photos of the Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD mounted on the Nikon Z8.

https://x.com/nikonrumors/status/1827531535588741625

According to the details that were shared by Nikon Rumors, the upcoming Nikon Z-mount lens will share the same compact design as the Sony E-mount model, with a length of just 185.8mm and weighs 1,180g. The lens boasts outstanding performance across all focal lengths, delivering excellent image quality throughout the focal range.

The lens is equipped with Tamron’s patented Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive (VXD) linear focusing mechanism which helps the ultra-telephoto achieve fast auto-focusing while operating silently. The upcoming lens also features Tamron’s signature Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilization technology, giving users the ability to capture sharp images even at slower shutter speeds.

Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 1:2 Magnification ratio at 50mm

The Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD features semi-macro photography capabilities with its 1:2 magnification ratio from 50mm to 70mm. Users will have a minimum object distance of 0.25m (9.8 in) at 50mm and 0.27m (10.6 in) at 70mm. At 400mm, the ultra-telephoto has an MOD of 1.5m and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.

Additionally, the upcoming lens incorporates Tamron’s BBAR-G2 lens coating, weather-sealed construction, and a Fluorine coating for the front element. The lens also features a customizable Lens Body Switch, an Assignable Focus Button, and a Zoom Lock Switch. Users will also have the option to purchase the A035TM Arca Swiss Compatible Tripod collar for the Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD.

Is this lens for me?

If you are a photographer looking for a reasonably priced standard to telephoto zoom lens then the Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD would be a perfectly good choice. When mounted on a full-frame Nikon body, it gives users the versatility of its 8x zoom range while delivering sharp images. The lens is meant for photographers who want just one lens to take photos of outdoor sporting events, portraits, or wildlife. When mounted on Nikon’s DX-format (APS-C) Z bodies, the lens gives you an extended reach of 75mm to 600mm.

Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD on the Sony A7 IV @ 400mm 1/1000 F6.3 ISO 1000

We expect that the forthcoming Nikon Z version will perform similarly to its two-year-old Sony counterpart. The Sony E-mount lens received glowing reviews from DPreview’s Chris Niccolls and FroKnowsPhoto’s Jared Polin.

However, based on reviews done on the Sony E-mount version, the lens does have its weaknesses. The ultra telephoto has been found lacking when used indoors and in lowlight situations given its maximum aperture of F/4.5-6.3. Even with the Vibration Compensation and High ISO performance of current Nikon Z bodies, getting photos indoors or at night will be challenging. The variable aperture on the lens will also prove to be an inconvenience for photographers who are used to working with fast constant aperture telephoto zooms.

The upcoming Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is expected to be similarly priced to the Sony E-mount variant which currently retails for $1,299. 

Source: Camera Insider and Nikon Rumors