In collaboration with Bobby Tonelli
When travel and street photographer Bobby Tonelli brought the Tamron 35–100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A078Z) to the streets of Chinatown, Singapore, he had one question in mind: does this focal range make sense as a go-to zoom for Nikon Z shooters?
His verdict, captured in an honest walk-around video review, leans firmly towards yes. Watch the full review below.
The Focal Range Argument
Bobby opens the review by addressing the obvious comparison point: the 28–75mm. His take is direct. The 35–100mm offers a more useful long end for portraiture, while 35mm still covers street photography comfortably.
“I actually like this more than the 28–75mm, man. Just first impressions. I’m just loving the 100.”
For photographers who want a lens that pulls double duty across street, portrait, and travel shooting, the 35–100mm range offers a distinct practical advantage over a more conventional standard zoom.
Build Quality and Handling
Mounted on the Nikon Z8, the lens impressed Bobby with its solid construction. At around 570g, it is not a lightweight, but it feels balanced in hand and well-assembled throughout.
The USB-C port, compatible with the Tamron Lens Utility app, is present for firmware updates and customisation. The lens also features custom function buttons and a short, responsive zoom throw.
“The zoom throw on this is very, very short. So, it’s very easy to go from 35 to 100. Like, it’s just a quarter of a turn and you’re right there.”
This makes the lens particularly practical for street photographers who need to reframe quickly without hunting through a long rotation. Bobby also noted the consistent 67mm filter diameter, something Tamron has maintained across its mirrorless zoom lineup.
Autofocus Performance
VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) is Tamron’s linear motor focus system, and Bobby’s real-world impressions from Chinatown back up its reputation for speed.
“Autofocus on this is just crazy fast. This is nuts how quick this is.”
Paired with the Nikon Z8’s subject detection, the combination locked on reliably across a range of conditions, from close-up food stall subjects to birds in open spaces. For event and street photography, where the moment matters more than the setup, this level of AF responsiveness is a genuine asset.
Image Quality: Sharpness, Bokeh, and Colours
Bobby shot across the full zoom range and found optical performance consistent throughout. Sharpness held well from wide to telephoto, with no significant drop-off at the long end. Chromatic aberration and purple fringing were minimal, in line with what current mirrorless lenses are expected to deliver.
At F/2.8, background separation is smooth and well-controlled. Bobby described the bokeh as pleasant, not busy, which is a fair description of a lens that keeps rendering natural rather than aggressive.
Colour rendition was a highlight. Using Nikon’s Rich Tone Portrait picture control, Bobby noted warm, pleasing tones straight out of camera, with good skin rendering during portrait shots in the Chinatown area.
Close Focus and Low-Light Testing
At 35mm, the lens focuses close enough for detail and product-style shots. At 100mm, the minimum focus distance is more conservative, and Bobby flagged this as his only real nitpick of the review.
“The only thing I probably wish was that you had a little bit more closer focusing at 100mm. At 35, you can get very close, but at 100, you know, can’t get as close.”
For low-light performance, Bobby stepped into one of Chinatown’s temples and continued shooting. Image quality held up and autofocus remained responsive in the reduced light, which speaks well of the VXD motor’s ability to maintain performance away from bright outdoor conditions.
Who Is This Lens For?
Bobby’s summary is practical and unambiguous. If the 35–100mm focal range suits your shooting style, this lens will serve you well across a wide range of situations: street, travel, portraits, events, and everyday use.
“If I need one lens to travel with, I’m picking this up. Video and photo, this is everything I need.”
For Nikon Z shooters looking for a compact, fast-aperture zoom that works across multiple genres without the size of a longer telephoto, the 35–100mm F/2.8 is a strong option worth serious consideration.
Lens Details
Lenses Featured in this article
Model A078 | 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
| Angle of View (diagonal) | 63°26′- 24°25′(for full-frame mirrorless format) |
|---|---|
| Optical Construction | 15 elements in 13 groups |
| Minimum Object Distance | 0.22m / 8.7in (WIDE), 0.65m / 25.6in (TELE) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:3.3 (WIDE) / 1:5.9 (TELE) |
| Filter Size | Φ67mm |
| Maximum Diameter | Φ80.6mm |
| Length* | 119.2mm (4.7in) for Sony E-mount 121.5mm (4.8in) for Nikon Z mount |
| Weight | 565g (19.9oz) for Sony E-mount 575g (20.3oz) for Nikon Z mount |
| Aperture Blades** | 9 (circular diaphragm) |
| Minimum Aperture | F22 |
| Standard Accessories | Flower-shaped hood, Front cap, Rear cap |
| Mount | SONY E Mount NIKON Z Mount |
| Release Date | March 26, 2026 (SONY E Mount) March 26, 2026 (NIKON Z Mount) |
Available now at authorised Tamron dealers in Singapore