Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E

Description

The sports and nature telephoto lens Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E in depth

The Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E is Tamron's first full-frame telephoto zoom for Sony E mount equipped with VC image stabilization. With 209.6 mm length and maximum diameter of 93 mm, the compact telephoto 150-500mm F5-6.7 is surprisingly manageable for a 500 mm ultra-telephoto lens built for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Even when extended to the 500 mm telephoto end, the lens has a contained length of around 283 mm.

The optical configuration features 25 elements in 16 groups with effective placement of special elements including XLD (extra-low dispersion), LD (low dispersion) and hybrid aspherical elements that produce clear images controlling chromatic aberrations. The BBAR-G2 (Generation 2 Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coating is used to suppress ghost images and flare that commonly occur in backlight conditions. Another distinctive feature is that the zoom ring rotation arc is small, just 75°, allowing quick adjustment to the desired focal length with minimal movement.

VXD linear motor for professional autofocus

The AF drive system of the sports and nature telephoto lens Tamron 150-500mm is equipped with the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor drive mechanism. VXD offers extreme precision and high-speed movement guaranteeing exceptional response performance. Unlike stepper motors that advance in discrete increments, VXD provides continuous movement fundamental for tracking subjects in erratic motion like birds in flight or athletes changing direction.

Even when shooting at the ultra-telephoto end with 500 mm focal length, the 150-500mm allows comfortable and stress-free focusing at all shooting distances, from near to far. Focus tracking performance is very high, facilitating capture of fast-moving subjects like wild birds, sports, vehicles and wildlife in general. The linear motor suppresses unit noise and vibrations during focusing, making it ideal for photographs and videos in environments demanding silence.

VC stabilization with three operation modes

When shooting in the ultra-telephoto range, even the smallest vibrations can cause image clarity loss. The compact telephoto Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 is equipped with the VC (Vibration Compensation) function to obtain sharp images despite inevitable camera movement. VC offers powerful support for handheld capture of scenes with low light levels, such as night scenes and indoor shots, without using a tripod.

The lens features a VC mode selection switch with three modes: Mode 1 (Standard) for static subjects where it compensates vertical and horizontal movements, Mode 2 (Exclusively for panning) for horizontal tracking of laterally moving subjects where it only compensates vertical vibrations leaving horizontal panning free, and Mode 3 (Framing Priority) that automatically detects movement type and adjusts compensation dynamically. Selecting the ideal VC mode allows adaptation to specific shooting conditions and preferences.

Versatility of 150-500mm focal lengths

The 150-500mm range covers from medium telephoto to super telephoto in a single lens, eliminating the need to carry multiple lenses. At 150 mm you capture wildlife scenes showing the animal in its habitat with environmental context. The minimum focusing distance of 0.6 m (60 cm) enables close-ups of flowers, insects or details with 1:3.1 magnification ratio, offering excellent close-up shooting capabilities for an ultra-telephoto zoom lens.

At 500 mm you completely isolate the subject filling the frame with distant birds, elusive wildlife or athletes across the field. The minimum distance of 1.8 m at 500 mm with 1:3.7 ratio maintains close-up capability even at the telephoto end. The versatile performance of the 150-500mm allows shooting a wide range of scenes, from plants and insects to tabletop photography in close-up. It also enables capturing dramatic images because it gives the illusion that the distance between objects is less than in real life, making possible interesting head-and-shoulders portraits due to this compression effect.

Rugged construction and professional features

The sports and nature telephoto lens Tamron 150-500mm incorporates moisture-resistant construction with sealing at the mount, zoom ring and all critical areas, allowing work under light rain or in environments with fog, dew or splashes. This protection is fundamental when photographing wildlife in variable conditions where you cannot control the weather.

The circular 7-blade diaphragm produces smooth bokeh in the defocused background areas, isolating the subject from the environment. The 82 mm filter diameter is standard in professional telephoto lenses, allowing you to share polarizing, UV or neutral density filters between different lenses in the same category. The included tripod collar (155 grams) allows balancing the assembly on the ball head avoiding strain on the camera mount, essential for tripod or monopod use in prolonged sessions.

Complete technical specifications

Optical construction
25 elements in 16 groups
XLD (extra-low dispersion) glass
LD (low dispersion) glass
Hybrid aspherical elements
BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating

Focal range and aperture
Focal length 150-500 mm (zoom)
Maximum aperture F5 (150mm) - F6.7 (500mm)
Minimum aperture F22 (150mm) - F32 (500mm)
Viewing angle 16°25' (150mm) - 4°57' (500mm)

Focusing
VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) motor
Minimum focusing distance 0.6 m (150mm) / 1.8 m (500mm)
Maximum magnification ratio 1:3.1 (150mm) / 1:3.7 (500mm)

Stabilization
VC vibration compensation
3 VC modes (standard, panning, framing priority)

Diaphragm
7 circular blades

Construction and weather resistance
Moisture-resistant construction
Sealing at mount and critical areas

Compatibility
Sony E mount
Full-frame sensor coverage
Compatible with Sony cameras A7 series, A7R series, A7S series, A9 series, A1

Filter diameter
82 mm

Dimensions and weight
Maximum diameter 93 mm
Length 209.6 mm (retracted) / approx. 283 mm (extended to 500mm)
Weight 1725 grams (without tripod collar)
Tripod collar 155 grams (included)
Zoom ring rotation arc 75°

What's included

Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E lens
Tripod collar
Round-shaped lens hood
Front and rear caps

Frequently asked questions about the Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E

Is the Tamron 150-500mm compatible with all Sony E cameras?

Yes, the Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E is compatible with all Sony E mount full-frame cameras like the A7 III, A7 IV, A7R V, A7S III, A9 III and A1. It's also compatible with Sony E-mount APS-C cameras, although on these the equivalent focal range will be 225-750mm due to the 1.5x crop factor. Full electronic communication enables autofocus, aperture control and EXIF data transmission.

Do I need a tripod to use the Tamron 150-500mm?

It's not essential thanks to the VC stabilization system that compensates vibrations allowing handheld shooting even at 500 mm in moderate light conditions. However, for long exposures in night photography, astrophotography or when you need maximum sharpness in windy conditions, a solid tripod with the included collar provides superior stability. The collar allows balancing the assembly on the ball head avoiding strain on the camera mount.

Is the Tamron 150-500mm suitable for bird photography?

Yes, the sports and nature telephoto lens Tamron 150-500mm is excellent for bird photography. The VXD motor provides fast and accurate focusing fundamental for tracking birds in flight. The 500 mm reach allows photographing elusive species while maintaining a safe distance that doesn't scare them. VC stabilization with specific Mode 2 for panning facilitates tracking birds in flight. The 1725-gram weight is manageable for prolonged observation and waiting sessions.

Does the VC stabilization work with Sony camera stabilization?

The VC system of the Tamron 150-500mm works independently of the IBIS (in-body image stabilization) of Sony cameras. When using this lens, it's recommended to use only the lens VC by disabling the camera's IBIS to avoid conflicts between both systems. The lens VC is specifically optimized for the characteristics of this long telephoto, providing better vibration compensation than the camera's IBIS for 150-500mm focal lengths.

What is the total weight of the Tamron 150-500mm with the tripod collar?

The lens weighs 1725 grams without the tripod collar. The included collar adds 155 grams additional, resulting in a total weight of 1880 grams when mounted. For handheld photography you can remove the collar reducing weight to minimum. For tripod or monopod use the collar is essential to properly balance the assembly and avoid strain on the camera mount.

Is the Tamron 150-500 mm F5-6.7 DI III VC VXD Sony E for you?

It's for you if:

• You photograph wildlife, birds or sports with Sony E full-frame cameras and need a compact telephoto 150-500mm with fast VXD autofocus and VC stabilization.
• You're looking for a sports and nature lens that allows capturing from contextual shots at 150mm to tight close-ups at 500mm without changing position.
• You value portability without sacrificing reach, with manageable 1725 grams and 209.6 mm length for prolonged field sessions without excessive fatigue.
• You work in variable light conditions and outdoors where VC stabilization with three modes allows handheld shooting and moisture-resistant construction protects the equipment.
• You need macro-telephoto versatility with 0.6m minimum distance at 150mm (1:3.1 ratio) for close-ups of insects, flowers or details impossible with other telephoto lenses.

It's not for you if:

• Your budget is oriented toward mid-low range telephoto lenses and the Tamron 150-500mm exceeds your current financial possibilities.
• You mainly photograph indoor sports in low light where the F6.7 aperture at 500mm is too slow and you need constant F2.8 or F4.
• You're looking for an extreme super telephoto of 600mm or more for very distant wildlife or small birds where 500mm falls short for the type of work you do.
• You prioritize absolute minimum weight over reach and prefer a shorter telephoto like 70-300mm even if you sacrifice the additional 200mm of reach.