Why is the Tamron 70-180mm G2 the best telephoto zoom?
The Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Sony FE lens is an outlier among lightweight professional telezooms. The previous version of this lens for the Sony E-mount lens already delivered top performance and received several awards. Good news: G2 version is even better. Whether you're shooting portraits in the studio, capturing sporting events or photographing landscapes, this lens delivers stunning images time after time. This is why this bright and universal telephoto zoom is an attractive addition to your camera kit.
Optical performance is better than ever
The first thing you judge a lens on is the optical performance it delivers. After all, you want to be able to shoot beautiful images. The Tamron 70-180mm G2 offers you that high image quality you are looking for. The first Tamron 70-180 already had very good optical performance, but the G2 version, overall image quality has been improved even further.
By using XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements, colour aberrations and distortions are greatly reduced. This ensures high image sharpness and contrast across the entire zoom range. In addition, the bokeh is nicely even, which looks natural and calm in your photos. Faces really come alive in your portraits and close-ups become very nice as well. This lens also lets you play with the composition when photographing a vast landscape.
"This ensures high image sharpness and contrast across the entire zoom range."
Compared to its predecessor (Model A056), the minimum focusing distance has been shortened to 30cm (at 70mm) and 85cm (at 180mm). These distances are measured from sensor to subject so the minimum working distance to the front lens is about 12cm in the 70mm mode.
A strong point of this telephoto zoom is its maximum image size of 1:2.6 at 70mm, (almost half life size) and 1:4.7 at 180mm, which allows you to use the Tamron 70-180mm G2 to frame even a butterfly or watch. The larger working distance of 85cm at 180mm is useful in this regard, as you are less likely to cast shadows or disturb the shy subject.
Powerful VC image stabilisation
One of the most striking improvements in the G2 version, compared to the previous version, is the built-in Tamron VC image stabilisation. VC stands for ‘Vibration Compensation’. This is a technology from Tamron that helps reduce camera and lens vibrations, allowing you to take sharper photos. This is especially useful if you don't really have a steady hand and want to use longer focal lengths. Of course, image stabilisation is also very useful if, out of hand, you want to use slower shutter speeds.
In reportage, concert and wedding photography, too, you will benefit greatly from VC image stabilisation, as the large F/2.8 aperture and powerful VC image stabilisation make it possible to capture sharp shots even when the light is not optimal. You capture the cutting of the cake, or a tear of joy, discreetly without interference. This gives you the freedom to shoot relaxed.
Fast, accurate VXD autofocus
The Tamron 70-180 G2's autofocus is very fast and accurate, as it uses the Tamron VXD autofocus motor. That highly accurate AF is also really necessary, because the lens takes incredibly sharp shots, and the depth of field can be very small. Then you can't have the focus system getting it wrong. The AF is also available at the shortest focusing distance, so taking close-up shots is very easy.
"With a good AF system, you take full advantage of all the AF capabilities of your Sony camera."
By applying improved autofocus algorithms, the 70-180mm G2 can track, and keep tracking, a moving subject very well. By using a professional lens with a good AF, you take full advantage of all the AF capabilities of your Sony camera. Think Eye-AF, Fast Hybrid AF and DM (direct manual focus).
Because the VXD focusing motor developed by Tamron is so fast (and silent!), you can also use it when you go to a sports game, for example. This telephoto zoom is bright and then the fast-paced game of basketball or indoor football can be captured just fine.
Using Tamron Utility software
In October 2021, Tamron introduced the Tamron Lens Utility software for computers. This software makes it possible to customise numerous functions of Tamron lenses via the lens' built-in USB-C port. This ensures that the lens perfectly suits the way photographers and videographers work, for a particular shoot.
Some examples include setting A-B focus points with automatic focus progression between set points, Focus Preset of a certain distance, Focus Limiter for speeding up focusing and, adjustment of focus ring operation for photo or video. Finally, the lens can also be kept up-to-date, as you can quickly and easily update the firmware yourself. Since a year, all adjustments can also be done via an Android Smartphone, useful for on-location filming, for example.
Construction method and materials of the telezoom
From a professional bright telephoto zoom, you expect not only high image quality, but also good construction. With the Tamron 70-180mm G2, solid materials have therefore been used for a high-quality robust body. This makes it very comfortable to hold. This is also partly because this lens is the most compact and lightweight professional F/2.8 telephoto zoom in its focal length range. Because the telephoto zoom weighs only 855g and has VC image stabilisation, handheld shooting is definitely a possibility.
In addition, the lens has several splash-proof seals that make it resistant to dirt, dust and moisture. There is also a special moisture- and dirt-resistant fluorine coating on the front lens.
Telephoto zoom with good value for money
Despite all the improvements, the Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 remains an affordable telephoto zoom. Compared to a similar bright telephoto zoom, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, the Tamron 70-180mm G2 offers similar performance at a fraction of the price. This makes the G2 an affordable but high-quality telephoto zoom.
Brief summary
The Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is a professional all-purpose lightweight telephoto zoom. Compared to its predecessor, optical performance has been further improved by refining image sharpness and effectively reducing colour aberrations and distortions. This is due to improved lens elements that ensure sharp images, contrast across the entire zoom range and natural bokeh.
Another important feature of the 70-180mm G2 is the Tamron VC image stabilisation, which compensates for camera shake and therefore enables sharper photos. This is especially true at slower shutter speeds or in situations where the 180mm telephoto mode is used in low light. The autofocus is also of professional class by using the fast and accurate Tamron VXD motor which, in this G2 version also works at the shortest focusing distances. The Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 received a TIPA 2024 Award for ‘Best Telephoto Lens’ and an Eisa Award 2024 for ‘Best buy telephoto zoom lens’. So for those looking for a versatile, bright and affordable telephoto zoom lens, the Tamron 70-180mm G2 is an excellent choice.
