Tamron 150-600/5.6-6.3 DI VC USD Preview
Tamron 150-600/5.6-6.3 DI VC USD
UPDATE 12/13/13: Release date is January 17th 2014. No word on price yet
Tamron have announce the development of a 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC USD lens for full frame and APS-C sensor cameras. The VC indicates optical stabilization (Vibration Compensation) and the USD indicates an Ultrasonic Drive motor. It's the longest affordable telephoto zoom to date. While there are lenses like the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM, it's currently priced at $8000. No price has been announced for the new Tamron lens and Tamron may not have even decided on a price yet. One school of thought might suggests it will be in the same ballpark as the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM which currently sells for around $1000. Given that it's 100mm longer and maintains the same f6.3 aperture at maximum zoom, a price of maybe $1200-$1500 would follow from this logic. If it's competing with the Nikon 80-400 and Canon 100-400, those lenses are in the $1500-$1600 range so the new Tamron might be comparably priced. Of course all of those are mature lenses and when lenses are introduced their prices are usually higher for a while. So I'm going with the $1500 - $2000 range for an introductory price. Of course I could be wrong (in either direction).
No availability has been announced either, but since a sample has been on display at Salon de la Photo 2013 (Paris), it's clearly more than a design concept. I'm sure Tamron would like to get it out before Christmas 2013, though there as yet no hint as to whether that will be possible. It will (eventually) be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony lensmounts. As usual the Sony mount lens won't have stabilization since Sony build stabilization into their camera bodies.
Technically the specs look quite good with 3 LD elements in the front group and 20 elements in 13 groups overall. Tamron's VC stabilization technology has been very effective in all their VC lenses I've tested and their USD motors are typically very quiet and fast focusing. F6.3 at 600mm isn't super fast, but it's only 1.3 stops slower than a $10,000 600/4 lens and with today's DSLRs giving high quality images at higher and higher ISO settings, f6.3 really shouldn't be a problem.
Tamron Europe have published some MTF plots for the lens: (you can read more about what MTF is HERE)
Interpreting these charts the lens looks pretty good, but I've learned not to put too much faith in published MTF charts. You can never tell if these are measured or calculated and if calculated what assumptions have been made. I'll reserve judgment until I've actually had a chance to shoot some test charts with one, but the published data certainly look promising. For reference, here's the published MTF chart for the Sigma 150-500
The Tamron MTF chart indicates that it should outperform the Sigma, even at full zoom (600mm vs 500mm), but like I said above, I don't put absolute faith in published MTF charts, particularly when comparing between manufacturers. I'd rather trust what my eyes and my test images tell me!
From the pictures of the lens that I've seen, it looks like the tripod mount can be removed, for easier carrying and handholding.
Tamron 150-600/5-6.3 DI VC USD Specifications
| Focal Length | 150-600mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F/5-6.3 |
| Minimum Aperture | F/32-40 |
| Angle of view (diagonal) | 16°25’ - 4°8’ (for full frame format) - 10°38’ - 2°40’ (for APS-C format) |
| Lens Construction | 20 elements in 13 groups |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 106.3 in (2.7m) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:5 |
| Filter Size | Ø 95mm |
| Maximum Diameter | Ø 105.6mm |
| Length | 10.1 in (257.8mm) |
| Weight | 68.8 oz (1,951 g) |
| No. of Diaphragm Blades | 9 (circular diaphragm) |
| Standard Accessories | Lens hood, detachable tripod mount |
| Compatible Mounts | Canon, Nikon, Sony |
I have my request in with Tamron for a sample to review, but I suspect it will be a while before a sample of the lens is available. When price and availability are announced, I'll update this page and post a notice.
UPDATE 12/13/13: Release date is January 17th 2014. No word on price yet
Here's a copy of the Tamron Press Release:
Cutting-edge eBAND Coating and three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements deliver superior imaging performance, while the latest built-in VC (Vibration Compensation[) system broadens users' horizons in achieving sharper handheld photographs
November 7, 2013, Commack, N.Y. - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the development of an innovative ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm for full-frame and APS-C format DSLR cameras. The lens sample will be on display in the Tamron booth at the Salon de la Photo 2013 that will be held from November 7-11 in Paris, France. Pricing and delivery information are not available at this time.
Tamron's current 200-500mm (Model A08) is a popular, compact, easy-to-use ultra-telephoto zoom lens, but customers have shown great interest in having a lens that provides an even greater focal length range.
This all-new ultra-telephoto zoom lens features VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, speedy, precise USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)[1], state-of-the-art eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating, which significantly reduces the unwanted light reflections that cause flare and ghosting, and a sophisticated and stylish new external finish.
Its 4x ultra-telephoto zoom capabilities, with a focal length range from 150mm to 600mm, enhance the creative potential of telephoto photography, a captivating feature for all photographers, particularly nature, wildlife, and sports shooters.
Product Highlights
4x ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm
The focal length range of this lens was extended by 50mm on the wide-angle side and 100mm on the telephoto side compared to the existing model A08, making it possible to take even more striking photographs of birds, wildlife, sports, and other distant subjects. Mounted on APS-C DSLR cameras, it has a stunning near 1000mm telephoto equivalent focal length range of 233mm to 930mm.World class image quality
Employing 20 elements in 13 groups and boasting an advanced optical design, the lens delivers a superior balance of resolution and contrast for sharp, clear images. The front group contains three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements (two in the first group, one in the third) for enhanced optical correction effectiveness, enabling the lens to thoroughly compensate for on-axis aberrations at the telephoto end. The lens also adopts eBAND Coating, developed from state-of-the-art coating technologies, and conventional BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating to greatly suppress ghosting and flare even when shooting under adverse lighting conditions. Achieves a 600mm focal length in a compact easy-to-handle package Ingenious optical design features minimize the movement of lens groups within the lens when zooming. This reduces the amount of barrel extension needed to cover the complete focusing range, making the entire lens more compact.Beautiful background blur effects
Adopting a 9 blade circular diaphragm enables users to create beautiful background blur effects (Bokeh), which provide even greater potential for creative expression. This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even at two stops down from its maximum aperture.VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism creates greater opportunities for sharper handheld photography
Tamron's proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization system uses a three-coil system, delivering significantly sharper images and creating greater opportunities for handheld ultra-telephoto photography.Comfortable autofocus
Tamron's new SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD features a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ultrasonic motor drive for swift and accurate AF response, it delivers high torque, very fast response times, and very low noise. The full-time manual focus mechanism allows users to make fine manual focus adjustments at any time even when AF is engaged.New elegant, high-class external finish
Tamron has upgraded the cosmetic design and finish of this lens to create a more sophisticated, high-end look in keeping with the demands of discerning full-frame DSLR users. Employing a sophisticated linear pattern rubber grip on the zoom and focus rings and an attractive and stylish tungsten silver brand ring, this newly designed model accentuates its visceral presence with understated elegance and class.Easy-to-use tripod mount
The tripod mount has been completely redesigned to provide superior stability, durability, ease of use, and portability.Comes with "SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron", RAW image development processing software for Tamron's SP lenses The SILKYPIX Developer Studio software can develop high-quality images from RAW data, incorporating adjustments that can express the personal style and taste of the photographer. These include white balance, color, sharpness, and the tonal curves recorded by digital cameras. The SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron provides a range of functions, in addition to the basic adjustment capabilities, such as correcting aberrations (chromatic aberrations of magnification, distortion, peripheral light fall-off), based on the optical data. Used in tandem with Tamron's SP series lenses - renowned for their high-depiction capability - this advanced technology efficiently produces images that meet photographers' most exacting demands.