Tamron announced the development of its 60th anniversary model, the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, belonging to the company’s telephoto zoom line-up. Its highlights are image stabilization and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive.

The lens has been produced for Nikon DLSR cameras, Sony and Canon mounts will follow. It can be used with both full- and sub-frame digital cameras; on the latter its focal length range will be equal to 109-465mm.

The lens’s construction combines 17 elements in 12 groups including XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) and LD glass elements for advanced aberration correction. As a result, the lens delivers sharp contrast and better descriptive performance throughout the entire zoom range.

The lens also uses new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti Reflection) multilayer coatings that reduce reflection in the lens elements. Tamron also applies internal surface coatings on lens elements to make images sharper.

It is the first Tamron lens to feature a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) AF drive motor. It ensures fast precise and noiseless focusing. The technology incorporates an elaborate mechanism based on two ultrasonic vibrations and deflective traveling waves formed by them to rotate the focusing ring.

The SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 also boasts Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization for hand-held photography. It gives you the possibility to shoot at shutter speeds four stops slower that it would be otherwise and ensures blur-free images in low-lit conditions.

Other benefits of this lens include internal focusing system for convenient usages of filters, and full time manual focus for you to make adjustments on the fly.

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 70-300mm
• Diagonal Angle of View: 34° 21′-8° 15′
• Maximum Aperture: F/4 – 5.6
• Minimum Aperture: F/32-45
• Lens Construction: 17 Elements/12 Groups
• 9 Diaphragm Blades
• Minimum Focus: 1.5m (59.1in.)
• Maximum Magnification: 1:4 (at f = 300mm: MFD 1.5m)
• Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD)AF Motor
• Image Stabilization
• Filter Thread: 62mm
• Weight: 765g(27.0oz.)
• Diameter 81.5mm / 3.2 in
• Length 142.7mm / 5.3 in
• Compatible Mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sony

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is a standard zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR photography. It features constant maximum aperture f/2.8 and is compact and lightweight as well offering excellent portability.

The lens meets the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras. It’s Digitally Integrated Design (Di) that makes it compact and gives a feeling of an ordinary standard zoom lens. But due to other factors it can be placed this in the category of professional lenses by Tamron. The fast constant aperture will also broaden your photographic horizons.

This high-end consumer lens incorporates such an optical system that minimizes well peripheral light fall-off. It incorporates LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements that reduce various aberrations. It also makes an efficient use of XR (extra refractive index) glass.

The 28-78mm uses Internal Focusing system, which allows the usage of 67mm filters and polarizers. The Zoom Lock feature, in its turn, prevents unwanted “zoom creepeng” when carrying the lens. Other features include a minimum focusing distance of 13 inches, 75-degree angle of view and a rotation-type zoom.

Overall, the lens feels solid and well made with a metal lens mount. Its front element does not rotate during focusing or zooming.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Lens – Specifications:

• Focal Length: 28-75mm
• Lens construction: 16 elements in 14 groups
• 7 Diaphragm Blades
• Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
• Minimum Aperture: F/32
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 13 inches
• Auto-Focus, Manual-Focus
• Angle of View: 75 Degrees
• Zooming type: Rotary Zoom System
• Internal Focusing
• Filter Diameter: 67mm
• Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:3.9 (at 75mm)
• Accessories: Lens Hood
• Mount: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony
• Dimensions: 2.9 inches (Diameter) and 3.6 inches (Length)
• Weight: 18 Ounces

What’s new: SLRgear posted a full review of this lens!

Tamron have announced the new versatile SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC that covers the very popular 26-78mm focal length range (in full-frame 35mm format). Its wide aperture provides practical advantages in low-light shooting.

This high-speed, high-definition f/2.8 standard zoom lens features Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilization mechanism for extended hand-held shooting possibilities even in low-light conditions. This helps the new lens deliver impressive sharpness and contrast over its entire focal range.

Its maximum aperture of  f/2.8 it produces beautiful images enhanced by shallow depth of-field, and smooth, natural transitions in out-of-focus areas of the image.

The lens’s optical system uses special glass for multiple elements: XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass for advanced correction of optical aberrations, three compound aspheric elements, and two LD (low dispersion) lens elements to make effective corrections for chromatic aberrations.

To reduce ghosting and flare, the latest BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) multi-layer coatings are used. In addition, internal surface coatings have been applied to all cemented surfaces, for sharpness, optimum color reproduction performance and excellent color balance.

The SP 17-50mm has beautiful exterior design and a flower-shaped hood is provided as a standard accessory to block light rays coming in from outside the borders of the image area ensuring clear and flare-free performance.

The lens is designes specially for Canon and Nikon APS-C sized dSLR cameras.

Lens Reviews:

Slrgear.com:
The lens is not bad with regard to sharpness, just not as good as the non-VC (Vibration Control) version, leading potential buyers to decide how badly they need Vibration Control.

Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC – Specifications:

• Focal Distance: 17-50mm
• Maximum Aperture: F/2.8
• Minimum Aperture: F/32
• 7 Diaphragm Blades
• Angle of View (diagonal): 78°45 ′- 31°11 ′
• Lens Construction: 19 elements, 14 groups
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.29m (11.4 in)
• Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:4.8
• Filter Thread: 72mm
• Zoom Lock Mechanism
• Length: 94.5mm (3.7 in)
• Diameter: 79.6mm (3.13 in)
• Weight: 570g (20.15 oz)
• Standard Accessories: Flower-shaped Lens Hood
• Compatible Mounts: Canon and Nikon (with built-in AF motor)

Press Release

Tamron has announced the the SP AF 60mm F/2.0 Di II Macro 1:1 fast life-size macro lens that is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors. Its maximum aperture of F/2.0 is one stop faster than the F/2.8 maximum aperture found on conventional macro lenses in the same class.

The SP AF60mm is a high performance and versatile lens that is suitable not only for macro photography of textiles, small creatures, flora and more, but also for portraiture by making good use of its easy-to-use focal length and high optical quality even in low-lit conditions.

When converted to the 35mm format the lens covers an equivalent angle of view of 93mm. Its design lets you achieve 1:1 magnification at a working distance of 100mm and maintains a well-balanced relationship between sharp image performance and beautiful out-of-focus background effects.

The SP AF60mm employs two large LD (low dispersion) glass elements in its first group to compensate for various aberrations and attain high optical quality.

Tamron’s new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) multi-layer coatings ensure optimum performance in all photographic situations. In addition, internal surface coatings enhance sharpness, high color reproduction performance and superior color balance.

The lens features a full-time manual control mechanism and you can manually adjust focus without engaging the AF/MF switch-over button, even when in the auto-focus mode. Its large focus control ring ensures a solid grip and precise control when manually focusing.

The SP AF 60mm will be available in mounts for Canon, Nikon and Sony. And as the lens uses an internal focusing (IF) system it operates also on the D40, D40X and D60 bodies.

Tamron SP AF 60mm F/2.0 Di II MACRO 1:1 - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 60mm
• Focal Length Equivalent 93mm
• Diagonal angle of view: 27°
• Maximum aperture: F2.0
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Lens Construction: 14 elements/ 10 groups
• 7 Diaphragm Blades
• Minimum focus distance: 0.23m
• Minimum Working Distance: 100mm (3.94in.)
• Maximum magnification Ratio: 1:1
• Filter thread: 55mm
• Weight: 400g (14.1 oz)
• Compatible Mounts: For Canon, Nikon, Sony

According to dpreview.com.

New Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD (IF) MACRO is defined as a medium telephoto 1:1 life-size macro lens featuring a fast maximum aperture of F/2.0 that strikes a fine balance between attractive out-of-focus effects and sharpness; and is designed for APS-C size digital SLR cameras.

This lens covers an equivalent angle of view of 93mm when converted to the 35mm format and boasts a maximum aperture of F/2.0 - faster than the F/2.8 found on conventional macro lenses in the same class!

The lens employs special low-dispersion glass elements to thoroughly compensate for various aberrations and attain high optical quality, and features full-time manual control mechanism with which you can manually adjust focus without engaging the AF/MF switch-over button, even when in the auto-focus mode. And, what is also important, the lens uses an internal focusing (IF) system.

Tamron’s new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) multi-layer coating is used in this lens, which enhances the light transmission factors in both the short and long wavelength ranges. In addition, Tamron employs internal surface coatings for sharpness, high color reproduction performance and superior color balance.

Tamron has also realized the long working distance of 100mm from the front element of the lens to the subject in 1:1 life-size macro photography. The long working distance allows you to take macro shots at sufficient distance from subjects – that may be useful in wild life photography. Additionally, a longer working distance can prevent capturing the shadow of the lens barrel.

Simple and attractive outer design will match various digital SLR cameras. The lens barrel features a delicate matte finish, which enhances the high quality appearance of the lens.

Price and launch schedule will be announced later .

Tamron SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD (IF) MACRO – Specifications:

• Focal Length: 60mm
• Maximum Aperture: F/2.0
• Minimum Aperture F/22
• Angle of View (diagonal): 26° 35’ (APS-C size equivalent)
• Optical Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups
• 7 Diaphragm Blade Number
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 9.1in. (0.23m)
• Max. Magnification Ratio: 1:1
• Minimum Working Distance: 3.94in. (100mm)
• Filter Diameter: 55mm
• Overall Length: 3.15in. (80mm)*
• Maximum Diameter: 2.9in. (73mm)
• Weight 14.1oz. (400g)
• Compatible Mounts: For Canon, Nikon (with built-in AF motor) and Sony

More thoughts at imaging-resource.com.