TECHWEEK
Early last month, Tamron announced the development of a second-generation 70-180mm f/2.8 telezoom for Sony E-mount. Today the company revealed new details about this lens, including a release date and price.
The new fast zoom lens has received many improvements, including Tamron’s proprietary Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism, which, however, does not make the lens much larger: it weighs only 855 grams and is 156.5 millimeters long.
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
The first version, which lacks optical image stabilization, is slightly lighter and shorter: 811 g and 149 mm.
Thanks to stabilization, the new lens will allow you to take significantly clearer pictures at long shutter speeds. Tamron claims its 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is “the world’s smallest, lightest full-frame, fast f/2.8 telezoom lens with stabilization . ”
While VC is perhaps the most notable new feature in the second-generation telezoom lenses, Tamron has changed the optical design. It now has 20 elements in 15 groups, rather than 19/14 like its predecessor.
“The design has been completely redesigned and includes a more efficient arrangement of special elements, including one XLD (extra-low dispersion), one hybrid aspherical, three LD (low dispersion) and two GM (molded glass aspherical), ” Tamron explains ‘e, adding that the new optical formula promises better control of chromatic aberrations and delivers higher resolution. The lens also features a second-generation broadband anti-reflective coating (BBAR-G2) to reduce ghosting and flare.
Like the first generation 70-180/2.8 lens, the new version uses a VXD linear motor focusing mechanism. However, Tamron says tracking performance has improved.
Additionally, the new lens has a shorter minimum focusing distance. The G2 can achieve a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.6 when using autofocus, which is better than its predecessor’s 1:4.6 ratio.
Of course, the lens is compatible with Tamron Lens Utility. The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 features a weather-resistant design, a fluorine coating on the front element, and the same front filter thread diameter (67mm) as most other Tamron lenses for E-mount cameras, and supports many features of Sony cameras, including fast hybrid autofocus and eye autofocus.
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Specifications
- Bayonet: Sony E-mount
- Maximum aperture value: F2.8
- Minimum aperture value: F22
- Aperture: 9-blade, round
- Viewing Angle (Diagonal): 34°21′-13°42′
- Optical design: 20 elements in 15 groups.
- Minimum shooting distance: 0.3m (wide angle) / 0.85m (tele)
- Maximum magnification: 1:2.6 (wide angle) / 1:4.7 (tele)
- Filter thread diameter: 67 mm
- Dimensions: Ø83 x 156.5 mm
- Weight: 855 g
Video presentation
What about the prices?
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A065) will be available on October 12 for $1,299, which is $100 more than the original version’s suggested retail price.
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