The patents for the new E mount Tamron lenses have been filed and, if they go into production, one of them would be the fastest zoom on the Sony Platform.
After holding back for a few years in regard to making lenses for Sony Mirrorless cameras, Tamron has now gone all-in on the platform. We have seen some spectacular lenses from Tamron, including the 28-75mm Di II RXD f2.8, the 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD, and even their new affordable f2.8 primes (which are currently on sale for $299 each). As another sign of intent when it comes to the Sony platform, Tamron has recently filed two patents for ultra-fast zooms and, if they go into production, one of them (a 70-130mm f2) will become the fastest zoom lens on the Sony Platform. Let’s talk about this after the break.
The Sony platform has a myriad of both first and third-party lenses to pick from, so users are quite spoiled for choice, but one area where the platform is lacking is in fast zoom lenses. Tamron has noticed this hole in the market, and according to a recent article which appeared on Sony Alpha Rumors, they intend to do something about it.
First up is a 70-130mm f2 zoom lens. Seeing as this lens covers most of the desired focal lengths for portrait photography (85mm, 90mm, and 105mm), it will no doubt become a firm favorite with portrait shooters. Throw in the fast f2 aperture and Tamron will have a winner on their hands. The Tamron 70-130mm f2 would also become the fastest zoom lens on the platform.
The second patent shows a Tamron 200-400mm zoom with a constant aperture of f4. While not as fast as the 70-130mm f2, this zoom lens will give Sony users another super zoom to choose from. This lens will go head to head with the Sony 100-400mm. While the Tamron lens will lose 100mm on the wide end, it will boast a constant f4 aperture.
If both of these lenses from Tamron do make it into production, they will be something to get excited about. Third-party lens manufacturers make the lens market much more competitive, and all photographers benefit greatly from that competitin. What’s not known about these lenses are the size, weight, and potential prices of them.
It’s easy to imagine that the 70-130mm f2 may be quite hefty thanks to its constant f2 aperture, and we imagine it would be quite pricey by Tamron standards. Still, for those in the portrait game, it would likely be a must-have lens. One thing for sure is that it would be cheaper than a Sony-branded equivalent. The 200-400mm f4 would also be another huge lens simply because of the focal lengths involved and the constant aperture that’s in place. The Sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 GM currently retails for $2,498, and history has shown that Tamron’s prices on lenses that are similar to Sony’s are quite a bit cheaper, but we still think the price might be up there compared to other recent offerings from Tamron.
Both of these lenses would likely be a departure from what we have seen so far from Tamron when it comes to their Sony E mount lenses. To date, Tamron E mount lenses have been kept on the smaller end of things when it comes to size and weight, and they have all been priced competitively, with most of their offerings being less than $1,000. We have a feeling that, if these lenses make it to market, they will break that mold quite easily; time will tell, though. What do you think about these two potential lenses from Tamron? Are they something you would buy? Let us know in the comment section below.