p.2 #1 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Arrived today, size & weight feels manageable and fits into my ThinkTank (extended) belt bag with hood attached and velcros shut (paired with z8). AF-S/AF-C feels excellent, instantaneous, no hunting, silent, impressive so far. Stabilization for stills seems excellent. My main worry was for video with the new VC/VR pairing with z8 IBIS could cause jittering, but so far I haven't seen anything noticeable in EVF or short test footage. Close min focus distance MFD is appreciated, I don't really notice the softness mentioned in DA's review video.
I do not own nor planned on owning a 1.4x or 2.0x TCs since the f/2.8 is a main attraction, however, knowing the Tamron does not function with it and a later Nikon version probably will (?) is sort of a downer. I thought only Sony limits 3rd party lens functionality with TC-incompatibility and fps, so maybe this is a decision by Nikon licensing *or* just a reality of adding VR/VC into the G2 version.
I'm curious what others consider as alternatives for portable, smaller sized tele zooms. Nikon has the much larger 70-200mm f/2.8 S-line and the older re-branded Tamron 70-180mm G1. Tamron has the 18-300mm, 70-300mm or 50-400mm for a one-lens-to-rule-them-all type carry, but reviews and speed seem disappointing and targets a lower price point. If Nikon had an S-version with TC-compatibility and seamless VR I'd probably prefer it at a higher price point, but perhaps this would cannibalize the 70-200mm S and they leave this space to 3rd party. I'm not sure what other options are there, as I'm coming from a Fuji x-h2s with xf 70-300mm as my preferred light carry setup for spontaneous close wildlife encounters like moose on trail.
Nikon version is redesigned, not rebranded. It may have the same optical formula but it has full support for TC which the Tamron brand lacks, not just because of any licensing issues but because of rear element clearance. Nikon version also has the additional function ring.
p.2 #3 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
indusphoto wrote:
Nikon version is redesigned, not rebranded. It may have the same optical formula but it has full support for TC which the Tamron brand lacks, not just because of any licensing issues but because of rear element clearance. Nikon version also has the additional function ring.
Yup, always described as "rebranded" or "reskinned" Tamron, plus an extra coating. Maybe it's that Tamron engineers couldn't figure out how to design the TC clearance, or perhaps prevented by licensing
p.2 #4 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
kalani_kane wrote:
Yup, always described as "rebranded" or "reskinned" Tamron, plus an extra coating. Maybe it's that Tamron engineers couldn't figure out how to design the TC clearance, or perhaps prevented by licensing
It has nothing to do with their capabilities. The lens was released for Sony mount where TC is still prohibited. When they redesigned for Nikon they made appropriate changes because it was going to be first party lens. The new G2 version is still the Sony DNA with Z mount slapped on. So it can't take TC. Building a version specific to Nikon wont be economical for them unless Nikon again asks them to create a G2 version. (which is obviously not planned or they wouldn't have relaased the G2).
p.2 #5 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Tamron 70-180 Di III VXD and Nikon Z 70-180 are the SAME identical lens as data provided by Tamron and Nikon show unambiguously: same optical scheme, same MTF plots! Both the MTF curves and the optical scheme are completely superimposable!
Nikon didn't make any design change; moreover, the performance of the Z 70-180 with TCs is rather poor, as all tests clearly show.The Nikon branded lens likely uses slightly different coatings; this is irrelevant to the lens's performance; it may allow for similar color rendition to other Nikkor Z lenses (just).
p.2 #6 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Ripolini wrote:
Tamron 70-180 Di III VXD and Nikon Z 70-180 are the SAME identical lens as data provided by Tamron and Nikon show unambiguously: same optical scheme, same MTF plots! Both the MTF curves and the optical scheme are completely superimposable!
Nikon didn't make any design change; moreover, the performance of the Z 70-180 with TCs is rather poor, as all tests clearly show.The Nikon branded lens likely uses slightly different coatings; this is irrelevant to the lens's performance; it may allow for similar color rendition to other Nikkor Z lenses (just).
Didn't I say that they may have the same optical formula but still different design.
The tamron design you linked clearly does not have clearance for TC, Nikon's does.
Do you have Nikon's 70-180 and a TC? I do and do I am speaking from experience. The lens is not the sharpest in its class (as 70-200mm) go. So adding 1.4x TC obviously degrades performance further but it is still very good, although not very useful (barely 250mm). 2x TC of course, like one would expect, yields pretty poor results. It is not even the sharpness but the fringing that bothers me.
Anyway, all this is to say that people who claim that nikon version is simply a rebadged tamron have mostly not handled/used both lenses, which I have (tamron E mount and nikkor).
p.2 #7 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
indusphoto wrote:
The tamron design you linked clearly does not have clearance for TC, Nikon's does.
The E-mount Tamron design I linked only shows different bayonet diameter (Z-mount is larger).
Moreover, some tests even showed that "the Nikon lens is indeed a bit less sharp than the Tamron lens despite both having the same optical formula" (see link below). But this might be due to sample variation.
I don't need to waste money and buy the lens to know how it performs without and with TCs. There are well-done tests that provide the information: https://www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-70-180mm-f2-8-review/
Facts and figures do actually prove that Nikon Z 70-180 is just a rebranded version of the Tamron that can "mechanically" (just) accept TCs. Optics is the same. The barrel too is obviously different. A single photo, even taken in poor and harsh light, proves nothing.
p.2 #8 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Ripolini wrote:
The E-mount Tamron design I linked only shows different bayonet diameter (Z-mount is larger).
Moreover, some tests even showed that "the Nikon lens is indeed a bit less sharp than the Tamron lens despite both having the same optical formula" (see link below). But this might be due to sample variation.
I don't need to waste money and buy the lens to know how it performs without and with TCs. There are well-done tests that provide the information: https://www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-70-180mm-f2-8-review/
Facts and figures do actually prove that Nikon Z 70-180 is just a rebranded version of the Tamron that can "mechanically" (just) accept TCs. Optics is the same. The barrel too is obviously different. A single photo, even taken in poor and harsh light, proves nothing....Show more →
It proves that it takes TC and that TC works. The sony version doesn't and it doesn't even have clearance for one. This is as opposed to sigma lenses which, even in sony version, do have clearance. As for image quality, Show me another zoom lens in this price range which performs better with TC.
I never said that optically it is any different, but it certainly is not a rebrand. Rebrand is when there is nothing different except the name. Rokinon is rebrand of Samyang.
The redesign of housing to accommodate TC, is a redesign. It is not rebrand.
p.2 #9 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Comparing size and field of view between Nikon z 24-120mm and Tamron 70-180mm, overall I'm pleased with the slightly longer lens for 50% more focal length reach (120mm to 180mm). AF speed feels the same if not faster on Tamron, and low light performance achieves lower ISO on f/2.8 vs. f/4 as expected using A priority on z8.
Close focus at 70mm on both lenses gives an edge to Nikon I think, as f/2.8 DOF is thin and perhaps softer than the f/4, or I missed focus (I posted only the Nikon in the last shot, but both achieved focus at MFD around the same FOV for comparison). Overall, pleased so far with the Tamron. First significant snow overnight, so these are shots from last night and early this morning. JPEGs SOOC, EXIF data in filename (f2p8 = f/2.8)
p.2 #10 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
indusphoto wrote:
Rebrand is when there is nothing different except the name. Rokinon is rebrand of Samyang.
Well, this is a semantic subtlety. I bet the budget Nikon Z f/2.8 zooms aren't even made by Nikon... at most, they're assembled in Nikon factories with glass elements made by Tamron or companies who supply the same glass elements to Tamron...
kalani_kane wrote:
Overall, pleased so far with the Tamron.
p.2 #11 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
Mounted the Tamron 70-180 on z8 and received a "Lens initialization failed. Turn camera off and on again" error. Same firmware on both camera and lens since first successful test, other Nikon lenses (24-120, 180-600) mount seamlessly, and lens is new, never used outdoors, and sat in a dry cabinet since first successful test. Any ideas, perhaps is this a Tamron specific issue perhaps with certain settings to try? New from B&H Photo. Thanks!
p.2 #13 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
It's weird since the lens out of the box in Nov, z8 was up to date (ver 3.10 released 9/17/25) and lens mounted fine with no updates since, so if it was a SW issue it should be consistent and continue to work. Checking now, I'm unable to check the actual lens version since I can't access z8 menu function due to the error, it bricks completely. I'll see if I can update SW on the lens with the camera bricked I guess. bummer
p.2 #16 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
OUTSTANDING experience with Tamron repair service to diagnose and fix the Tamron 70-180 G2 issue I had on the z8. Symptom listed as: P Poor Communication or Contact Problem, with Repairs P: Adjust or Replace Contacts, and O: Complete Overhaul, Cleaning & Adjustment. All covered under Warranty Repair, with outstanding live initial customer service and single-point-of-contact via email throughout process. They sent a pre-paid FedEx label, fixed the lens, and it was returned via FedEx today. Initial testings are back to seamless connection and super responsive AF.
This was my first Tamron purchase ever, and I went from ready to simply toss the lens out to considering further purchases from Tamron. Definitely happy with their responsiveness and service! Sweet.
p.2 #17 · Official: Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Nikon Z Mount Announced
I've seen several reviews of this G2 lens that I might be interested in, to complement my 70-200/4G.
Some tests (by @BastianK@* and Dustin Abbott**) report it has a good bokeh; other tests criticize (and show with examples) the onion rings in the bokeh***.
I wonder if the appearance of onion rings could depend on sample variation, i.e., the glass grinding process and the surface finish of aspheric elements, which is not always reproducible.
Any thought? Experience?
