MAIN FEATURES

World’s first and greatest zoom ratio of 15x, covering a 28-419mm 35mm-equivalent angle of view

Going back to the basic concept of “one lens covering everything from wide angle to telephoto,” engineers at Tamron took up the difficult task of expanding the zoom range of their high power zoom lenses even further. Their unstinting efforts to extend the telephoto end beyond previous limits, while also retaining the wide-angle end at 18mm, has borne fruit as an ultra high power zoom lens that is exclusively designed for DSLR cameras and boasts the largest zoom range, at 15x, for the first time in the world.

Tamron’s original VC mechanism for effective shake-free hand-held photography: how the system works

Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism was first seen in the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC. Its powerful compensation effect employs a tri-axial system designed to let three coils drive a compensator lens electromagnetically via three steel balls. Since the compensator lens is supported on rolling steel balls with very low friction, follow-up performance is also enhanced, resulting in stabilised viewfinder images. Since the mechanism is designed to allow parallel shifting of the compensator lens solely by means of electrical control, the mechanical construction is simpler and more compact, resulting in the smallest, lightest DSLR lens possible.

Designing a high-power, compact zoom lens with VC mechanism: optical design optimisation meets optimum power distribution

In developing such a long-range zoom lens, Tamron’s optical designers pursued the optimum distribution of power within the overall optical system, which uses two LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical elements in order to effectively compensate for various optical aberrations, such as astigmatism. Yet this design allows the first optical group to be small enough in diameter to achieve the overall goal of a compact lens that also incorporates a handheld-shake compensation mechanism.

Note: In order to achieve such a high 15x zoom ratio, the optical system does not employ XR (extra dispersion) glass elements. Instead, compactness is achieved through optimisation of the power distribution within the whole optical system.

Minimum focusing distance of 0.49m over the entire zoom range for the maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.5

The lens allows close focusing down to 0.49m (20 inches) from the subject over the entire zoom range, even though it also includes VC capability. The maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.5 at its 270mm telephoto end results in class-leading capability in high-power zoom lenses designed for digital SLR cameras.

Optical system optimised for digital SLR cameras by taking incident rays of light reaching the image sensor into consideration

To effectively compensate for changes in light patterns entering the lens while zooming, the innovative optical system in this zoom lens is designed to converge the angles of rays of light entering from the centre to the periphery of the lens. The light rays thus reach the image sensor within a defined circle that assures high imaging performance and reduces light falloff.

High-resolution performance

As a lens exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras, this zoom lens delivers high resolution and contrast performance for outstanding image quality with sufficient flatness of the field under an extremely wide range of photographic conditions.

Thorough countermeasures, including advanced internal surface coatings, prevent ghosting and flare

Tamron employs multi-layer coatings in order to reduce reflections on lens surfaces as well as internal surface coatings (coatings on the cemented surfaces of lens elements) in order to minimise reflections from the sensor itself within the mirror box, a problem inherent to all DSLRs.

Zoom power of 15x plus built-in VC mechanism in a remarkably slim maximum diameter under 80mm

A lens with the world’s first and greatest zoom ratio of 15x inevitably entails a larger travel distance of the components within its optical systems. But these optics, plus the VC mechanism, are contained in a remarkably slim, compact casing. Engineering this unique zoom lens required complex optical/mechanical components and innovative manufacturing techniques including methods of further enhancing accuracy, reducing weight, and increasing the strength of many components.

Note: Metal mounts are used in both Canon-mount and Nikon-mount lenses.

Zoom lock mechanism for convenience in carrying the outfit

The lens has a built-in zoom lock mechanism to prevent its barrel from sliding forward or down when the lens is being carried on the camera.

Flower-shaped lens hood as a standard accessory

The lens is supplied with a flower-shaped lens hood as a standard accessory. It is designed to efficiently cut harmful light entering at angles other than intended angles at all four corners of the frame. This ensures clear, flare-free images.

New outer design matches the newest generation high power zoom lens in the digital era

1. The lens employs a new outer design that is more refined and smoother in its overall contours by minimising concavity, convexity, and variations in profile in order to match the latest digital SLR cameras.
2. A gold-coloured metal ring is placed at a key portion of the lens as used in other Di II lenses. The TAMRON logo, placed in the centre portion of the lens, enhances visibility of the brand while refining the overall design.
3. Delicate matte finish is added to the black paint over the lens barrel in order to enhance the high quality appearance of the lens.
4. The textured rubber pattern of the zoom and focus control rings has been improved again to a more pronounced, easy to grasp design, compared to conventional rubber patterns. It provides better feel and touch in manipulating the lens.

SPECIFICATIONS

* Dimensions are those of a Nikon-mount version of this lens.
** Cosmetic design, specifications and performance are subject to change without notice.