Cables. Always just a little too short, just a little in the way, and catching on your rig or gimbal at exactly the moment you want to shoot a take. Tamron aims to solve that problem with the new Tamron-LINK (TL-01): a mini Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the USB-C port of a compatible Tamron lens, allowing you to control focus and aperture (iris) from your phone. Completely wireless and, above all, practical for video and hybrid shooters who prefer a light and flexible setup.
Tamron-LINK works exclusively with Tamron Lens Utility Mobile version 5.0, which was released at the same time and now supports iOS too. This finally makes the app—and therefore lens control—cross-platform.
What Is Tamron-LINK?
The Tamron-LINK TL-01 is a compact Bluetooth 5.4 adapter weighing just 2 grams. Plug it directly into the lens’s USB-C port and your smartphone becomes a wireless remote control for key lens functions.
It is especially useful for:
- Gimbal/cage rigs where the lens rings are difficult to reach
- Solo video work without a focus puller, where focus and iris jumps need to be planned in advance
- Location shoots where you want to work faster and spend less time on “cable management”
iOS Support
Until now, a compatible Tamron lens could only be connected to an Android device using Lens Utility Mobile and a USB-C cable. Tamron Lens Utility Mobile 5.0 adds iOS support for the first time, while Tamron-LINK also makes the connection wireless.
One practical detail: lens firmware updates must, for the time being, be installed using the PC/Mac version of Tamron Lens Utility.
Which Lenses Are Compatible?
Tamron added the new Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD and now offers 17 lenses for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts with a built-in USB‑C port that are compatible with the new Tamron-LINK.
Important to know:
- Full support for Tamron-LINK and Lens Utility 5.0 often requires a firmware update.
- Two popular models still had to wait for a firmware update:
- 28–75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (A063 for Nikon Z)
- 35–150mm F/2–2.8 Di III VXD (A058 for Sony E)
At the time of the announcement, these updates were scheduled for spring 2026.
Tamron Lens Utility 5.0
With version 5.0, Tamron Lens Utility is increasingly positioning itself as a “lens control hub” for both photography and video. These are the most notable additions to the mobile app:
- Focus (FC) / Iris Marker Link
Set markers for both focus and aperture, then jump to a preset with a single tap—useful for repeatable takes. - Ring Stopper
An electronic “stop” that prevents overshooting focus or iris positions. - Adjustable Rotation Angle (Focus & Aperture)
Choose a rotation range that suits your way of working and the scene. - Focus Time-Lapse
Combines with interval shooting to shift focus gradually during a time-lapse. - Astro Focus Lock (Fine Adjustment)
Focus precisely on the night sky and save positions. - Night Mode (Red/Dim)
Useful for night shoots: less eye strain and less disturbance to others.
Availability and Price
At the time of the announcement, Tamron-LINK had a recommended retail price of € 59,00 including VAT. Tamron Lens Utility v5.0 for PC/Mac and mobile devices running iOS and Android was expected to become available free of charge around the same date via Tamron.eu.
Who Is It For?
If you mainly shoot stills and rarely use the Lens Utility app, this is mostly “nice to have”. But for anyone who:
- regularly films with a gimbal/cage,
- works solo and wants repeatable focus pulls,
- or is simply tired of USB-C cables on set,
…Tamron-LINK can be a small accessory that brings a surprising amount of calm to your workflow.
See also: Tamron 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD.
