23/03/2026 7:51 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
Which Tamron glass should I be looking at for Nikon Z mount portraits if I want to avoid using the FTZ adapter entirely? I am currently rocking a Z6ii and I have a few outdoor senior portrait sessions lined up for next month here in Chicago so I need to make a decision pretty soon. I have been doing a ton of reading online and I am honestly torn between the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 and the newer 70-180mm f/2.8 G2.
I read that the 35-150 is basically the holy grail because you dont have to swap lenses but man it looks massive and I am worried about my wrist after a three hour shoot at the park. On the other hand, some reviewers are saying the 70-180 has better bokeh for those creamy backgrounds but then I am worried I will be constantly backing up into traffic or bushes to get the framing right since it starts at 70mm. My budget is capped at about $1800 which covers either but I can only pick one right now. Does the weight of the 35-150 really get annoying for portraits or is the versatility worth the extra gym time? Or should I just stick to the 70-180 and maybe use a cheap prime for the wide stuff...
3 Answers
11
23/03/2026 8:55 pm
Unfortunately, the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is kind of a letdown for handheld work. At 1165g, the center of gravity is way too far forward on a Z6ii. I also noticed some annoying chromatic aberration at the wide end that I didnt expect. The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has better linear motors and technical sharpness, though its a bummer you lose that 35-70mm range for your budget.
10
23/03/2026 7:52 pm
I've tried many setups over the years and honestly the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is the safest bet. In my experience, swapping lenses in the wind is just asking for sensor damage and dust...
- Keep the sensor sealed
- One lens does it all
- No fumbling gear I once dropped a lens while rushing a swap during a shoot. The weight is worth the peace of mind.
3
23/03/2026 8:25 pm
TL;DR: Honestly, Tamron optics have been pretty disappointing lately. Just grab any of their Z mount zooms. They all feel heavy and unbalanced on the Z6ii regardless of the specs.
