This year is turning out to be a pretty awesome one for camera gear so far. Today, Tamron is announcing two new lenses. One–and perhaps the more coveted of the two–is the Tamron SP 85mm f1.8 Di VC USD. It’s the first 85mm f1.8 lens with image stabilization designed for full frame 35mm DSLR cameras.
I’m sure the portrait photographers in the audience just started to drool…
the 85mm f1.8 is promising 3.5 stops of vibration compensation. Plus it offers weather sealing, a metal exterior, 13 elements in 9 groups, 9 aperture blades, plus eBAND and BBAR coatings plus Advanced Anti-Reflection Technologies. No word yet on pricing, but considering Tamron’s pricing strategy I think it’s going to be pretty damned affordable.
Then we’ve got the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 Di VC USD 1:1–which is an update to the previous lens. This one, like many of the company’s new lenses, offer a metal exterior, weather sealing, 9 aperture blades, 14 elements in 11 groups and 4.5 stops of vibration compensation. You’ll be able to score this lens for $649 when it launches.
Here’s a highlight from the press release:
The advanced construction includes one LD (Low Dispersion) specialized glass element that maximally limits the dispersion properties of light and two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) glass elements that correct dispersion properties to an even greater extent. The special elements optimally compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations from macro shooting range to infinity. Furthermore, the design ensures the best imaging performance at any range by adopting the Floating System that shifts the location of a group of elements to the best possible position as the focusing group travels relative to shooting distances. From 1:1, life-size close-ups to the most distant horizon, this new 90mm Macro lens achieves outstanding image quality.
These lenses will come in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony A mounts. Sorry Pentax K mount users–but maybe now with the Pentax K-1 more manufacturers will start thinking more about Pentax…I honestly hope so at least.
Lastly, Tamron is also announcing that they’re pretty much taking after Sigma’s lead. The TAP-in console is a USB dock that lets you update firmware, adjust the focus, adjust the vibration compensation, and other stuff. No word on the price yet for this, but it shows Tamron’s commitment to improving on their products even more.