New Tamron lenses announced

 Tamron’s second-generation SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD telephoto zoom lens. (Source: Tamron.)
The new SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022) telephoto zoom lens is a  second generation model the has been developed to provide superior optical performance with today’s high resolution DSLRs. Available with mounts for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, it features a moisture-resistant construction plus improvements to the speed and accuracy of autofocusing and boosts VC (Vibration Compensation) to 4.5 stops. New featured added to the lens include a Flex Zoom Lock mechanism for instantly locking or unlocking the lens barrel by sliding the zoom ring, fluorine coating and support for optional tele converters. An electromagnetic diaphragm system, which has been a standard feature for Canon-mount lenses, is now employed in Nikon-mount lenses.

The upgraded optical design consists of 21 elements in 13 groups and includes three LD (low dispersion) elements to eliminate axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. Proprietary eBAND coating applies a nano-structured layer to the lens element surface in addition to the regular anti-reflection coatings.  This increases light transmission and improves anti-reflection characteristics. BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coatings minimise flare and ghosting. The new lens has a minimum focusing distance of 2.2 metres, compared with 2.7 metres for the older model. A ring-type USD (ultrasonic silent drive) motor delivers faster autofocusing with excellent control. Full-time manual focus override is available. This lens will be launched in Japan on 23 September. The Australian RRP has just been released; the lens will be priced at AU$2199.

The new SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 USD lens for Sony A-mount cameras. (Source: Tamron.)
 Tamron’s classic 90mm f/2.8 macro lens is now available with an A-mount for Sony DSLR cameras. The new SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 USD (Model F017) lens differs from other mounts because it does not include VC (Vibration Compensation) stabilisation since sensor-shift stabilisation is built into Sony cameras. Inheriting the optical design of the previous 90mm Macro lens (Model F004), the new Model F017 delivers the same high resolving power and soft background blur effects. Its optical construction consists of 14 elements in 11 groups and includes one LD (Low Dispersion) glass element that limits the dispersion properties of light and two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) glass elements that provide further dispersion correction. BBAR and eBAND coatings minimise ghosting and flare.

Additional moisture and dust-resisting sealing ensure superior environmental protections, while a fluorine coating on the front element repels water and grease. The control software program for the USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) actuator has been revised to provide substantially improved focusing speed and accuracy when using AF. Internal focusing keeps the lens balance unchanged and a focus limiter helps minimise hunting in low light levels. Users gain a comfortable working distance of at least 139 mm from the front of the lens.

 Tamron’s new TC-X14 (1.4x) and TC-X20 (2.0x) teleconverters. (Source: Tamron.)

Tamron will also launch two new teleconverters, the TC-X14 (1.4x) and TC-X20 (2.0x) in Japan on 23 September. They will be available with mounts for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras and designed to match the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens. The TC-X20 model uses one LD (Low Dispersion) element and both feature BBAR coating. Both teleconverters are dust- and moisture-resistant.

Tamron has also released a model of the Tamron TAP-in Console for Sony DSLR cameras. Canon and Nikon versions are already available. Designed to enable easy firmware updating and customised setups for Tamron lenses, the TAP-in Console works with Tamron TAP-in Utility software. Using the console and an internet connection, users can access a dedicated website and update lens firmware independently. They can also customise focus adjustment, the focus limiter function and full-time MF override and save the resulting data files for future reference.

Full details of the new products can be found on the Tamron website.