Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC USD and Tamron SP 90MM F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD
Tamron have now announced the price and availability of their two new image stabilized, ultrasonic focusing lenses, the Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC USD and Tamron SP 90MM F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD. I had a chance to briefly check these lenses out at the PhotoPlus show in New York last month and they both seemed like well made lenses, with fast and silent AF and what appeared to be an effective stabilization system. I didn't get the chance to take any test shots, but I hope to be getting samples of both lenses to test in the near future.
Both lenses have full frame coverage, a rounded aperture for smoother Bokeh and have what is described by Tamron as "Moisture Resistant" construction.
The Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC USD (above) will be available in December at a price of $1499.
The Tamron SP 90MM F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (above) will also be available in December at a price of $849
Here are the press releases from Tamron
The redesigned 90mm macro lens with VC (Vibration Compensation)[1] and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)[2] available starting November 30, 2012 in Canon Mount.
November 6, 2012, Commack, NY - Tamron USA, Inc. announced the release date of a next generation 90mm Macro lens for full-size SLR cameras. The lens features completely redesigned optics, a proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation), and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony[3] mounts. The lens will sell for approximately $849 and will be available in Canon mount starting November 30, 2012. Nikon and Sony mount to follow.
Product Features
- Tamron has updated their legendary 90mm Macro lens with a new, state-of-the-art optical design. The lens, reborn for the age of digital photography, offers VC (Vibration Compensation) and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive).
- Adopting a state-of-the-art optical design and a rounded diaphragm[4], this lens carries on the long tradition of Tamron's 90mm Macro lens in delivering spectacular blur effects. Two XLD[5] (Extra Low Dispersion) glasses and one LD (Low Dispersion) element reduce chromatic aberrations, yielding sharp images and outstanding resolution.
- Tamron's newly developed eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating[6] delivers a dramatic improvement in antireflection performance-significantly reducing flare and ghosting for clearer, crisper images.
- The VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism reduces camera shake to deliver sharp images.[7]
- Features USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual focus mechanism.
- Incorporates IF (Internal Focus) system, which focuses by moving only the internal lens group, rather than the front lens elements. The overall length of the lens therefore does not change when focusing, thus ensuring a broad working distance.
- Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.
2. USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron's proprietary ultrasonic motor drive.
3. 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"
4. This rounded diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even when taken two stops down from its fully open state.
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. The eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating is a new nanotechnology-based coating technique developed by Tamron to reduce unwanted reflection.
7. From 3m, the benefits of VC (Vibration Compensation) gradually decrease as the focus distance becomes closer.
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] available starting November 30, 2012 in Canon mount.
November 6, 2012, Commack, NY - Tamron USA, Inc. announced the release date of the new 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 will sell for approximately $1499 and will be available in Canon mount starting November 30, 2012. Nikon and Sony mount to follow.
Product Features
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. This lens was the recipient of the 2012-2013 European Sounds and Imaging Association Best Product Award: Lens.