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Tamron has announced the forthcoming release of its latest all-in-one APS-C zoom lens for Sony E-mount camera systems, the 18–300mm F3.5–6.3 Di III-A VC VXD.
The lens, which is roughly a 27–450mm full-frame equivalent, is constructed of 19 elements in 15 groups, including three hybrid aspherical elements and four low dispersion (LD) elements. It features a maximum aperture range of F3.5 through F6.3, a minimum aperture range of F22 through F40, uses a seven-blade circular aperture diaphragm and has a 67mm front filter thread.
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| Optical construction diagram of the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD for Sony E-mount cameras. |
Autofocus is driven by Tamron’s Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive (VXD) linear motors and optical image stabilization is powered by Tamron’s proprietary vibration compensation (VC) technology. Although it doesn’t elaborate on what is being done, Tamron nots that at focal lengths of 70mm or less, ‘AI technologies […] will choose the [vibration] compensation characteristic for videography.’
Below is a trio of sample images, provided by Tamron:
The lens’ minimum focusing distance is 15mm (5.9″) on the wide end and 99cm (39″) at the tele end, with magnification ratios of 1:2 and 1:4, respectively. The lens measures 75.5mm (3″) in diameter, weighs 621g (21.9oz) and features ‘moisture-resistant construction’ as well as fluorine coatings and a Zoom Lock switch.
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The lens will go on sale starting September 24, 2021, but pre-orders are available starting today for $699 / £779 (Adorama, B&H, Wex. Tamron says a Fujifilm X-mount version will be available later this year.
Press release:
TAMRON Announces the Launch of the World’s First All-In-One Zoom with 16.6X Zoom Ratio for Sony E-mount
18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061)
August 25, 2021, Commack, NY – Tamron USA, Inc. announces the launch date of the previously announced 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD. The Sony E-Mount model B061S will be on sale September 24, 2021, at $699 USD. Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change. The launch of the previously announced Fujifilm mount under development is expected this Fall.
The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD covers a wide zoom range from approximately 27mm to 450mm in full-frame equivalent focal length. The first1 APS-C mirrorless camera zoom lens in the world with a 16.6x zoom ratio, the lens delivers the benefits of a versatile all-in-one zoom lens ideal for an extensive array of photographic scenarios. Its AF drive system uses TAMRON’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism for superior quietness and agile performance. The lens includes special lens elements arranged precisely to maintain high resolution performance from edge-to-edge and provide high image quality making it the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses.
Moreover, with an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.15m (5.9 in) at the 18mm wide end and a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, this lens performs astonishingly well when shooting up close. The lens is equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, effectively reducing image blur caused by camera shake in low-light conditions or in the ultra-telephoto range at slower shutter speeds.
Also, same as most other TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras, the lens features a unified 67mm filter size. With a wide variety of other features for comfortable shooting, this is a highly versatile lens that allows you to easily enjoy high image quality from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
1. The world’s first 16.6x all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras
The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD is the world’s first lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras with a 16.6x zoom ratio, the greatest feature of this lens, covering wide angle to an ultra-telephoto range. The full-frame equivalent focal length range is from 27mm to 450mm. With this broad coverage, it empowers shooting in a wide variety of situations, including everyday life and travel snapshots, both wide-angle and dynamic ultra-telephoto landscape photography and macro photography.
2. Best-in-class, extremely fast and precise AF provided by VXD linear motor focus mechanism
The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD utilizes TAMRON’s proprietary VXD linear motor focus mechanism. It achieves AF speed and precision that stand among the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses. Throughout its range, from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto, it provides precise AF shooting. Excellent when tracking a moving subject in focus, it is ideal when photographing animals, aircraft, railways, and other moving subjects. It’s extremely quiet, and therefore perfectly suited for both still and video shooting in conditions that demand silent operation.
3. MOD of 5.9” and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at wide end
With an MOD of 5.9” at the 18mm wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, the 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD performs amazingly well when shooting up close compared to other all-in-one zoom lenses. It enables users to enjoy creative macro photography with highly blurred backgrounds, a feature unique to macro photography. As a pioneer in all-in-one zoom lenses, TAMRON demonstrates unmatched originality in close-up shots.
4. The best image quality in its class
In terms of image quality, this new 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD is one of the best-performing all-in-one zoom lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras. To achieve a zoom ratio of 16.6x while ensuring high image quality, the lens features a well-balanced arrangement of three hybrid aspherical elements and four LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements to effectively suppress optical aberrations. Throughout the zoom range, it maintains high resolving power from the center to the corners.
5. Outstanding VC stabilization
Despite its compact size, the lens is equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism. With or without image stabilization in the camera body, the VC included in this lens effectively mitigates camera shake that is likely to occur in low-light conditions indoors and at night. Furthermore, using AI technologies, the lens will choose the compensation characteristic for videography at focal lengths of 70mm or less.
6. Comfortably compact
7. User-friendly features (Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, Zoom Lock switch)
8. Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF
Author:
Gannon Burgett
Source: Dpreview
