Tamron has announced a new 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. The new lens will be available for Canon, Nikon and Sony Alpha mounts later this year.
The Canon and Nikon mount version of the lens will features Tamron’s Vibration Compensation, while the Sony model will not due to the presence of Sony’s sensor-based SteadyShot image stabilization system. As such, the Sony models is designated as the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di USD lens.
Pricing for the new lens has not yet been announced. However, I would expect this lens to be priced in the $1500-$2000 range. The current non-VC version is quite the bargain at $769 right now.
More details in the press release below.
TAMRON ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC USD TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS (MODEL A009)
The most compact[1] full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens, delivering leading-edge image quality and featuring Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation)[2] and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)[3]
September 13, 2012, 4PM JST, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Morio Ono / Headquarters: Saitama City), a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, announced the development of a full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation)2 image stabilization, and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)3 that achieves leading-edge image quality while boasting the most compact design in its class. The SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony[4] mounts. The lens is expected to ship by the end of 2012. Pricing information will be announced at a later date.
Product Features
One special XLD (Extra Low Dispersion)[5] glass in concert with four LD (Low Dispersion) elements minimize chromatic aberrations. This combined with a new optical design that delivers high contrast and high resolution throughout the zoom range achieves leading-edge image quality.
Tamron’s advanced multi-layer coating technology dramatically improves lens performance by reducing flare and ghosting for crisper, clearer images.
The rounded diaphragm[6] affords the photographer spectacular blur effects, delivering the kind of rich expression only achievable with a high-speed telephoto zoom lens.
The most compact full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) in its class delivers superior mobility, enabling photographers to capture the previously unattainable.
Features USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual focus mechanism.
The VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism reduces camera shake to deliver sharp images.
Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.
Image Stabilization and Focusing Systems
? VC (Vibration Compensation)
VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron’s proprietary image stabilization system. Tamron’s VC is a three-coil system, whereby three driving coils activate the shake-compensating VC lens group electromagnetically via three ceramic balls. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the ceramic balls, achieving smooth movement with little friction. This provides a stable viewfinder image with excellent tracking performance. And as the VC lens may be moved in parallel using only the motorized control, the mechanical structure has been simplified, enabling the creation of a more compact lens.
? New VC System (moving coil method)
Tamron’s original VC image stabilization mechanism utilized a moving magnet system whereby a heavy magnet was positioned near the moving VC lens element. In the new VC unit, the positions of the magnet and the coil are reversed, and because of this the VC optical lens element is attached to the coil. The new VC mechanism employs a moving coil mechanism with a lightweight coil, and the lighter coil reduces the load on the drive system. Thus, the lighter, more compact new VC unit contributes to the lens’s overall light weight and compact size.
? The Ultrasonic Motor
In the ultrasonic motor, a piezoelectric element arranged in a ring formation generates ultrasonic vibrations in a metallic ring stator, and the vibration energy is used to rotate a metallic ring rotor that is attached to the stator. The rotation energy is in turn transferred from the metallic ring rotor to operate the focus lens.
Excellent Companion to Tamron’s Fast Standard Zoom
Tamron’s SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A007) is a high-speed standard zoom lens that is also equipped with four features: superior image quality, USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), advanced VC (Vibration Compensation), and is designed for full-size SLR cameras. By combining these two lenses, the focal length will be extended from wide 24mm to telephoto 200mm.
Notice of Classification Code Change for Nikon Mounts
Since the introduction by Tamron of the first Nikon mount lens featuring an internal AF motor, the 28-300mm Di VC (Model A20), all Nikon mount lenses with the internal AF motor had used the classification code “N II.” Lenses using a coupler system[10] without an internal AF motor were designated as “N.” Because future Nikon lenses will have the internal AF motor as a standard feature, Tamron has decided to simplify the designation and consolidate all Nikon mount lenses as “N,” eliminating the “N II” designation for future models. This classification code change was made effective with the 18-270mm Di II VC PZD (Model B008).
The “N” classification lenses with coupler systems (no internal AF motor) are: SP 200-500mm Di (Model A08); and SP 180mm F/3.5 Di (Model B01).
[1] For high-speed telephoto zoom lenses for full-size SLR cameras, equipped with VC image stabilization and USD. Current as of September 2012. (Source: Tamron)
[2] VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron’s proprietary image stabilization mechanism.
[3] USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron’s proprietary ultrasonic motor drive.
[4] The Sony mount does not include VC, as Sony digital SLR bodies include image stabilization functionality. The Sony lens is designated as “SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di USD”
[5] The XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass is made from specialized high-grade glass, which offers greater chromatic aberration correction properties than LD (Low Dispersion) elements.
[6] This rounded diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even when taken two stops down from its fully open state.
[7] Length, entire length and weight values given are for the Nikon mount.
[8] Entire length is the distance between the tip of the lens and the tip of the protrusion.
[9] Length, entire length and weight values given are for the Nikon mount.
[10] Coupler system refers to a system that uses a shaft to harness the AF motor built into the camera body to operate the lens.
AudioDoc says
Nice that Tamron at least offers another new lens in Alpha mount! Not so nice — again– is that VR is not included on the Alpha mount lens, with the same lame excuse that Sony cameras have built in VR! But at the same time, the price for that lens is the same as the Canon and Nikon versions (that do have VR)! None that makes sense. First NEX cameras have no in-body VR. Second, what if I prefer to use in- lens VR ? What is I still shoot with Minolta Film cameras? Almost seems like Tamron and Sony have some agreement on this issue for no VR in lens. Why would I buy one of these lenses?