Tamron’s New 15x Zoom Lens

November 12, 2008: Tamron’s new AF 18-270mm lens F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens will shortly be available in Australia.
Designed for photographers who want a single ‘all-purpose’ lens, it is the first 15x zoom interchangeable lens with image stabilisation. Covering a focal length range that approximates to 28-419mm in 35mm format and designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized image sensors, the new Tamron lens is available in Canon and Nikon mounts. The new lens consists of 18 elements in 13 groups with two LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical elements to correct common aberrations. Multi-layer coatings minimise ghosting and flare. In order to achieve its high zoom ratio, the optical system has no XR (extra dispersion glass) elements. Instead, compactness is achieved by optimising the power distribution within the entire optical system.
Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism, which uses three coils to drive a compensator lens electromagnetically via three steel balls, allows users to shoot with shutter speeds up to four EV steps slower than would otherwise be possible without stabilisation. The VC system enables users to achieve sharp images at long focal length settings. Since the compensator lens is supported on rolling steel balls with very low friction, it also provides stable viewfinder images to make framing shots easier. The mechanical construction is simpler and more compact, resulting in the smallest lightest DSLR lens possible.
The new lens measures 101mm in length and has a diameter of 79.6mm. It weighs only 550 grams and has a maximum aperture range of f/3.5 to f/6.3. Minimum aperture is f/22. The minimum focusing distance is 49 cm over the entire zoom range. Filter diameter is 72mm and seven diaphragm blades close to provide a near-circular iris. A flower-shaped lens hood is supplied as a standard accessory, while a built-in zoom lock mechanism prevents the barrel from sliding forward or down when the lens is being carried on the camera.
The new lens is available in both Canon and Nikon mounts and is due to arrive in stores by the middle of November at an RRP of $969. For more information, visit www.maxwell.com.au or phone Maxwell International Australia on (02) 8756 6400.