| Image: Tamron |
Tamron has announced that it’s bringing its 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 zoom lens to Nikon’s Z mount, after releasing it for Sony E mount in late 2023. We loved it on that system thanks to its great performance and much smaller and lighter form-factor compared to a traditional 70-200mm F2.8, so it’s great to see it coming to this system. It’s also a big deal for Nikon users, who haven’t always had the greatest access to third-party lenses.
Like the E-mount version, the lens uses a 20-element, 15-group design with one extra low dispersion lens, three low dispersion elements, two glass molded aspherical elements and a hybrid aspherical element. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m (11.8″), and can take 67mm filters, the same as its 16-30mm F/2.8 G2 and 28-75mm F/2.8.
It weighs 865g (30.5oz), which makes it substantially lighter than Nikon’s 70-200mm F2.8 VR S, which weighs 1360g (48oz). Giving up the extra 20mm also nets you a substantially smaller lens; the Tamron is 83mm wide and 158.7mm (6.2″) long, versus the 88.5mm diameter and 220mm (8.7″) Nikon.
It’s also substantially cheaper than the Nikon, at an MSRP of $1149 (around $50 more than the Sony version currently retails for). Given that Nikon still seems to keep relatively tight control over what lenses third parties can release for Z-mount, it’s nice to see that Tamron is getting to make such a compelling option for the system.
Press release:
TAMRON Announces the Class-Leading Compact and Lightweight Telephoto Zoom 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 with Vibration Compensation for the “Nikon Z mount system”
October 7, 2025, Commack, NY – TAMRON announces the launch of the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (Model A065), a fast-aperture telephoto zoom lens for “Nikon Z mount system” full-frame mirrorless cameras on October 23, 2025. The lens will retail for $1,149 USD / $1,549 CAD.
With this announcement of the Nikon Z mount, TAMRON expands the availability of the highly acclaimed 70-180mm F2.8 VC G2, previously announced in 2023 for Sony E-mount. Additionally, the TAMRON Trinity is now complete for Nikon Z camera users:
- 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A064)• 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A064)
- 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063)
- 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (Model A065)
The 70-180mm F2.8 VC G2 is a fast-aperture telephoto zoom lens that combines TAMRON’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism with a class-leading compact size and weight design offering both outstanding portability and greater stability across a wide variety of scenes. It delivers uncompromising image quality throughout the entire zoom range. At the wide end, the lens achieves an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of just 11.8” (0.3m), allowing for close-up compositions that allow expressive imagery unique to this lens. For autofocus, the lens features TAMRON’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism that delivers excellent quietness and responsiveness for high-speed, high-precision auto-focusing whether shooting stills or video. Additionally, the lens supports the TAMRON Lens Utility™, software that can be used to customize functions based on various shooting styles for still photography and video. The lens is designed with a focus on operability and scratch resistance. This well-balanced lens combines portability, high imaging quality, and excellent usability.
Product features
- World’s smallest and lightest f2.8 tele-zoom lens is designed to fit comfortably in your hand
- Fast f2.8 aperture performance captures the world in vivid detail from portraits to landscapes
- Tamron’s proprietary VC image stabilization mechanism empowers mobility
- Decisive moments are never missed with improved fast and precise AF tracking performance powered by TAMRON’s VXD linear autofocus mechanism
- MOD of 11.8” (0.3m) opens new possibilities such as tabletop photography
- Compatible with TAMRON Lens Utility™ software (desktop and mobile app)
- Comfortable ergonomic design for ease of use
- Unified Ø67mm filter size
- Complete G2 trinity, “daisangen”, covers 16mm to 180mm focal length range
- Supports key camera functions
- Protective features (moisture-resistant construction and fluorine coating)
1. Among full-frame compatible fast-aperture F2.8 telephoto zoom lenses equipped with Vibration Compensation (As of October 2025: TAMRON)
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
This product is developed, manufactured, and sold under the license agreement with Nikon Corporation.