Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC gains 120fps shooting ability with the Sony A9 III
Today, Tamron released a firmware update for its 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC telephoto super-zoom lens for the E-mount which adds compatibility with Sony A9 Mark III's 120fps shooting mode, as well as AF performance improvements during zooming when shooting videos and still images in AF-C mode.
Users can update to the latest firmware by visiting the TAMRON Lens Utility Download Page on TAMRON’s global website.
Sony A9 III with the Tamron 50-400mm VC Lens
The 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC becomes the second Tamron lens to supprot this mode, the first one is the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2. However, just like the Sigma lenses that we reported earlier that provides this support, Tamron lenses has a serious limitation: They support continuous shooting at 120fps only when the camera is set to one of the AF-S, DMF, or MF modes, so the AF-C continues focusing is not supported.
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 VC Key Specs
- 50-400mm Focal Range
- F4.5-6.3 Max Aperture
- Image Stabilization
- Weather-sealed
- Filter Thread: 67mm
- Max Format: 35mm FF
- Sony E Mount
- 24 Elements in 18 Groups
- 9-blade Diaphragm
- Weight: 1155g
- Diameter x Length: 89mm x 183
- Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
- Max Magnification: 0.5x
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
The 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC is now the second Tamron lens to support this mode, following the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2. However, similar to the Sigma lenses we reported on earlier that offer this feature, Tamron lenses come with a significant limitation: They only support 120fps continuous shooting when the camera is set to AF-S, DMF, or MF modes. As a result, AF-C continuous focusing is not supported, unlike Sony lenses that support this speed.
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
it is still good to be able to shoot at this speed with full resolution, thanks to the Global-shutter sensor and the fast processors of the Sony A9 III, but you have to buy a native Sony branded E-mount lens to fully enjoy this mode.
Here is the full list of Tamron and Sigma lenses that partially support 120fps continuous shooting with the Sony A9 III:
Sony A9 III with the optional battery grip
Sony A9 III Key Specs
- Announcement Date: 2023-11-07
- 24MP - Full frame Global Shutter Sensor
- No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
- ISO 250 - 25600 ( expands to 250-51200)
- Sony E Mount
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization( Up to 8.0-stops)
- 3.20" Fully articulated Screen
- 9440k dot Electronic viewfinder
- 30.0fps (120.0fps Electronic) continuous shooting
- 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution
- 120fps High-Speed Video
- Built-in Wireless
- 678g. 136 x 97 x 83 mm
- Weather-sealed Body
- Replaced Sony Alpha A9 Mark II Compare
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
Press Release:
TAMRON Lens Firmware Update Enhances AF Performance During Zooming and Supports Continuous Shooting with Sony α9 III
For 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A067)
Commack, NY, January 20, 2025 – TAMRON announces a new firmware update scheduled for release on January 20, 2025, 11pm ET, for the TAMRON 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A067) for Sony E-mount.
With this new firmware update, AF performance during zooming is improved when shooting videos and still images in AF-C mode. Additionally, with the Sony α9 III, when the focus mode is set to AF-S, DMF, or MF, the lens will support continuous shooting at up to approximately 120 frames per second.
Users can update to the latest firmware by visiting the TAMRON Lens Utility Download Page on TAMRON’s global website.
