Tamron 16-50mm F2.8 A lens for Nikon Z 

Tamron 16-50mm f2.8 A for APS-C cameras

A fast-aperture standard zoom with a constant f2.8 aperture. Designed exclusively for APS-C cameras.

At just 79.6mm long and weighing only 305 grams, this is the smallest f2.8 standard zoom in the Tamron line-up. The 16-50mm f2.8 is designed as the standard zoom that always stays on your camera: wide enough for landscapes and group shots, with sufficient telephoto reach for beautiful portraits and a fast aperture for beautiful bokeh and evening shots. It is the perfect step up for anyone looking to upgrade from a standard kit lens.

Zoom range from ultra-wide-angle to portrait telephoto

The Tamron 16-50mm f2.8 A covers a highly practical focal range, equivalent to 24-75mm on a full-frame camera (25.6-80mm for Canon RF). At the 16mm setting, you can easily capture expansive landscapes, architectural shots, and group photos, even in confined indoor spaces. The extra-wide angle of view is also useful for selfies and vlogs: you can include yourself in the frame while keeping the background in the composition.

For video,16mm also provides extra leeway when the camera uses electronic stabilization and the image is cropped as a result. Zoom in to 50mm and you get a natural portrait focal length for street photography, travel portraits, and precious moments with children and pets. Thanks to the constant f2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range, brightness remains consistent, allowing you to use faster shutter speeds indoors or at dusk and reduce motion blur.

Compact, lightweight, and weather-resistant

At 79.6mm long, weighing 305 grams, with a maximum diameter of 64.4mm and a filter size of 55mm, the 16-50mm f2.8 A also fits perfectly on the most compact APS-C bodies without making the combination feel top-heavy. This is made possible by an optimal balance between an advanced optical design with special lens elements and refined mechanical engineering. Carefully selected materials for the barrel and a well-considered internal construction provide high structural rigidity. This makes the zoom ideal for travel, walks, and everyday use, while its good balance also makes it comfortable to use on a gimbal or video grip.

For all-round use, it is reassuring to know that the Tamron 16-50mm f2.8 A features Moisture-Resistant Construction with multiple seals around the lens barrel. The front element also has a Fluorine Coating that repels water and oil, making it harder for dirt, dust, moisture, and fingerprints to adhere and making the front element easier to clean.

Good close-up capabilities

The Minimum Object Distance is just 15cm at the 16mm setting and 29cm at the 50mm setting, with Maximum Magnification Ratios of 1:4.5 and 1:4.8. This allows you to work close to your subject while still taking advantage of the expansive wide-angle perspective: flowers or your favourite dish in a café, fill the frame while the background remains clearly recognizable. At the telephoto end, the fast f2.8 aperture produces soft, smooth bokeh, for example for a beautiful portrait.

The aperture consists of 7 blades and stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture. This produces attractive highlights in the out-of-focus areas of the image and contributes to beautiful rendering, including creative close-ups of everyday objects.

The optical construction consists of 14 elements in 10 groups, including 1 LD element, 2 GM elements, and 2 hybrid aspherical elements. For focusing, the 16-50mm is equipped with Tamron's VXD linear motor focus mechanism. It delivers fast, precise, and quiet autofocus and effortlessly tracks the unpredictable movements of your subjects for both still photography and video shooting.

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