Introduction
The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 is a funds telephoto zoom which gives a formidable vary of focal lengths. This $1300 lens is on the market each for Sony E and Nikon Z, and as quickly because it was introduced, our readers instantly began asking me to assessment it. I’m joyful to convey you our full checks at present.
Though the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 is on the market for each Sony and Nikon, I believe it’s particularly enticing for Nikon shooters. There simply aren’t many comparable selections for Nikon Z photographers in the mean time – a funds telephoto zoom – which might be why I’ve gotten so many requests to check it. Probably the most related Nikon Z lenses are the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (spectacular, however greater than 2x the value at $2700) and the Z 28-400mm f/4-8 (cheap in value, however a slower superzoom). Tamron’s personal 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 can also be compelling given the $700 value, though it has a extra restricted zoom vary on each ends.
Talking of zoom vary, I don’t wish to mince phrases – the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 is a superzoom. The 8x zoom ratio is simply as excessive as what you’d get with a hypothetical 25-200mm lens. Superzooms are getting higher annually, and this lens remains to be not as excessive as one thing like Nikon’s 28-400mm f/4-8. However in the event you had been hoping for record-breaking sharpness, take into account the class of lens we’re coping with! Superzooms sometimes don’t carry out in addition to different lenses.
So, earlier than getting my arms on the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3, my fundamental query was whether or not the efficiency could be at the least usable in any respect focal lengths. To date, Tamron has impressed me with their mirrorless lenses, however the 50-400mm is making an attempt to perform loads for the value. Does it succeed at balancing issues like picture high quality, weight, and value? Is it acceptable, or higher, all through the zoom vary? This hands-on assessment of the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 will reply these query and extra!
This assessment is a mixed effort between me and Libor Vaicenbacher. He examined it within the subject, and all pattern pictures belong to him, whereas I examined it within the lab.
Construct High quality
The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 is constructed within the model of most fashionable telephoto zooms. That’s to say, it makes use of a high-quality plastic development and zooms externally slightly than internally. The lens weighs 1155 grams / 2.55 kilos (Sony model) or 1180 grams / 2.60 kilos (Nikon model). Whereas that is heavy in a normal sense, it’s really fairly mild for the kind of lens. For instance, the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S weighs 1435 grams / 3.16 kilos! (Granted, the Nikon is a higher-end lens with a barely brighter most aperture, nevertheless it additionally doesn’t zoom all the best way out to 50mm.)
Though the lens zooms externally, Tamron went with a single barrel telescoping design slightly than twin telescoping barrels. When zooming into 400mm, the entrance of the lens extends considerably, and I discovered that I may wobble the entrance barrel barely. This is usually a signal that sand and mud will finally make the zoom mechanism a bit stiffer over time, and it’s not uncommon amongst exterior zooms. However the climate sealing itself is in depth on the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3. Whereas testing this lens within the subject, Libor skilled humid and wet circumstances, and the lens carried out with none points.
It’s not an enormous lens when collapsed, however is fairly substantial when zoomed, particularly with the lens hood hooked up. Right here it’s with the Nikon Z7 for reference:
Considerably surprisingly given the dimensions of the lens, the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 doesn’t include a tripod foot. You might take into account shopping for one individually, with the official Tamron A035TM costing $130 (suitable with each this lens and the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3, an older DSLR lens). As is typical for Tamron today, this tripod foot is Arca-Swiss suitable.
Now let’s cowl the dealing with options of the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3.
Dealing with
The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 handles fantastically, particularly for the value. There are quite a few controls, as you may see from the photograph beneath:
Observe the customized perform button, a customizable swap, the USB-C port (in shadow close to the mount) and the standard auto/guide focus swap. There’s additionally a zoom locking swap on the opposite aspect of the lens.
By default, the button on the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 is assigned to carry out no matter perform you’ve set in your digital camera’s menu, identical to the perform button on any name-brand Nikon or Sony lens. Nonetheless, utilizing the USB-C port on the aspect of the lens, you may join the Tamron 50-400mm to the Tamron Lens Utility and modify the features of this button additional. Specifically, you may set the button to carry out totally different features relying upon whether or not the swap is in place 1, 2, or 3. Most of those features are associated to the lens’s focusing conduct, akin to saving and recalling a spotlight distance when the customized button is pressed. If you find yourself getting this lens, I encourage you to place the USB-C port to good use and check out these choices!
Observe that in early 2025, the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 acquired Tamron’s firmware replace to permit 120 FPS taking pictures on Sony cameras – albeit not with steady autofocus. (Many third-party lenses are restricted to fifteen FPS max with Sony.) This can be a nice characteristic for a lens that always can be used for sports activities and wildlife pictures, and it goes to point out the usefulness of a USB-C port on third-party lenses. New copies of the 50-400mm ought to ship with this firmware replace put in, however in the event you purchased the lens beforehand, be certain that to put in it your self.
Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Specs
- Full Identify: Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Mannequin A067 or A067 Z)
- Mount Sort: Sony E and Nikon Z
- Focal Size: 50-400mm zoom (8x zoom)
- Most Aperture: f/4.5 to f/6.3
- Minimal Aperture: f/22 to f/32
- Aperture Blades: 9 (rounded)
- Filter Dimension: 67mm
- Lens Components: 24
- Lens Teams: 18
- Particular Components: 2 XLD, 3 LD, 1 molded aspherical, and 1 hybrid aspherical
- Picture Stabilization: Sure
- Inner Focusing: Sure
- Management Rings: Zoom, focus
- Perform Button: Sure
- Switches: AF/MF and customized swap
- Focus Motor:VXD linear focus
- Minimal Focus Distance: 24.9 cm (9.8 inches)
- Most Magnification: 0.5× (1:2) at 50mm, 0.25× (1:4) at 400mm
- Mount Materials: Steel
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 186 x 89 mm (7.3 x 3.5 inches)
- Weight: 1155g / 2.55 lbs (Sony) or 1180g / 2.60 lbs (Nikon)
- MSRP: $1299 (Test Sony E and Nikon Z costs and gross sales)
The subsequent web page of this assessment covers the optical traits of the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness checks within the lab. So, click on the menu beneath to go to “Optical Efficiency”: