Tamron 150-500mm for Nikon Z Review - Telephoto magic in the Dolomites
When you think of landscape photography, you usually picture wide-angle images: expansive landscapes, striking foregrounds and broad panoramas. However, during my photography trip through the Dolomites, I noticed that a telephoto lens, in my case the Tamron 150-500mm f/5.0-6.7 Di III VC VXD for Nikon Z, brings the landscape to life in a surprisingly different way.
About Chalana Smissaert
Chalana discovered her love for photography while capturing landscapes during a tour of Indonesia. Capturing landscapes developed her eye for light, composition and atmosphere. That foundation grew into capturing people and stories that touch the heart, including as a wedding photographer. Her style is colour-fast, slightly cinematic and full of feeling. She works intuitively and is always alert to small details and genuine emotions.
Bringing the Dolomites closer
The Dolomites are a mountain range in northern Italy, known for their jagged, dramatic peaks. Many of those peaks are miles away, but with the Tamron 150-500mm, I was able to bring them closer. Zooming in enhances the natural compression of the landscape, bringing the mountain layers closer together optically. This gives your compositions more depth and makes the different layers clearly visible.
Tamron 150-500mm telephoto lens for Nikon Z Full Frame
The Tamron lens I used with my Nikon Z8 has a flexible range: from 150 to 500 mm. You can easily vary between different focal lengths: 150-200 mm: for layers and compression in the landscape 300-400 mm: for isolating mountain peaks 500 mm: for truly minimalist compositions.
Pin sharp, especially around the sweet spot: f/8
Like many telephoto lenses, the Tamron 150-500 has an aperture at which the lens performs at its best. f/8 is the sweet spot that I have used a lot for:
- Maximum sharpness
- More beautiful microcontrast
- Improved details in rock structures
Lens for Nikon Z Full Frame that is compact and surprisingly light
With a lens that reaches up to 500 millimetres, you would expect something heavy. However, the Tamron lens is pleasantly portable at 1720 grams. Although I also brought my tripod, I was able to walk longer distances with it without any difficulty. This Tamron lens, in combination with my Nikon Z8, was very suitable for travelling in the mountains. Because this lens for Nikon Z is easy to carry, you always have the opportunity to capture small, modest landscapes that you might otherwise skip.
In short, the Tamron 150-500mm lens is ideal for the mountains! Wildlife along the way? Check. Details of mountains, rock structures, patterns in nature? Check. Intimate compositions within gigantic landscapes? Definitely!
Useful facts about the Tamron 150-500mm for Nikon Z Full Frame
The image stabilisation does its job
The Tamron 150-500mm is equipped with image stabilisation (VC), allowing you to shoot handheld for a short time at long focal lengths. Vibrations are effectively absorbed. Because Nikon Z cameras control the stabilisation themselves, there is no separate switch on the lens. You can therefore switch VC on or off directly via the camera.
Fast and quiet autofocus that can also focus very close up
The VXD linear focus motor ensures fast and accurate autofocus. This is useful when capturing fast-moving or distant subjects. The minimum focusing distance of just 0.6 metres at 150mm makes it possible to capture subjects up close with surprising sharpness. The maximum image scale at 150mm is extremely high at 1:3.1, so you can also take beautiful telephoto macro photos.
Manual focus: switch between linear and non-linear
On the Tamron 150-500mm Nikon Z lens, you can choose between two ways of manual focusing: linear and non-linear. In linear mode, the focus responds evenly to how far you turn the ring. In non-linear mode, the focus responds to the speed at which you turn, which can be useful for quick adjustments. This allows you to adjust the focus behaviour to what you need at that moment, for example for distant subjects or precise landscape compositions.
The smallest details are just right
Zooming in and out with the Tamron 150-500mm is quick thanks to the short rotation stroke of 75 degrees. And with the FLEX ZOOM LOCK, you can easily lock the zoom position, which is handy when shooting at an angle. The control buttons are logically placed and easily accessible. The included tripod mount is Arca-Swiss compatible and has additional attachment points for a carrying strap.
Register the lens for a free 5-year warranty
Tamron lenses have been known for their exceptional quality for decades. For this reason, Tamron offers a free 5-year extended warranty. All you have to do is register the lens within two months of the purchase date. This is valid for all purchases made through authorised Tamron dealers.
