Soon after Sigma announced the 20-200mm f3.5-6.3, Tamron appeared to have an answer of its own. Per a new press release, the company is working on its own travel zoom lens, the 25-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2. This lens will certainly join the company’s vast portfolio, which includes models such as the 16-30mm f2.8 G2, the 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD, and the 50-400mm f4.5-6.3. What can photographers expect? Here is a look.
Tamron 25-200mm is the Successor
The new lens will be designed for Sony E-mount full-frame users and is said to be the successor to the 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (Model A071). The company states that it is the second-generation model, and hence, it has “G2” in its title to reflect that. The update was announced to mark the company’s 75th anniversary.
Tamron states that the 25-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2 will expand the focal range but preserve the telephoto range. Thanks to the Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive, it will feature ” improved image quality and faster, more precise autofocus. ” In addition, it will include a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.9, which means you can have half-macro capabilities. Furthermore, you get a unified 67mm filter size.
Since Sigma announced a much broader range, the drawback is the aperture. For many photographers, Tamron’s f2.8 offering could be what they are looking for. However, we aren’t sure when the lens will launch since the company has not revealed a date.
Tamron Develops More Lenses
A day before the announcement of the 25-200mm, we spotted a Tamron patent on Asobinet, which details various lenses, including the 25-200mm. Patent number P2025131290 was released on September 9 and showcases a new trio: the 28-70mm f2, the 25-100mm f2.8-5.6, and the 25-200mm f2.8. Each lens is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Here are the designs.
Example 1
- Focal length: 28.8361-67.9005
- F-value: 2.0600
- Half angle of view: 37.7855-16.8751
- Image height: 21.6330
Example 2
- Focal length: 25.7043-96.9898
- F-value: 2.9082-2.9109
- Half angle of view: 41.9883-11.9873
- Image height: 21.6330
Example 3
- Focal length: 25.7546-193.9096
- F-value: 2.9057-5.8078
- Half angle of view: 42.1987-6.0975
- Image height: 21.6330
Example 4
- Focal length: 25.7546-67.8990
- F-value: 2.9145-2.9111
- Half angle of view: 41.6631-16.8781
- Image height: 21.6330
The lenses are engineered to focus on being smaller, despite the larger aperture. They are also said to have great aberration control, per the filling, which will be in line with the lenses the company has launched recently. Overall, the patents are quite interesting, since nothing exists like the 25-200mm or 25-100mm lenses. Sigma may have launched one, but as mentioned above, the aperture on Tamron is also far brighter, making it more appealing. In fact, if you look at the performance of the 35-150mm f2-2.8 Di III VXD, the company achieved a great lens in a small size, and the same is expected out of the 25-200mm.
As for the 28-70mm f2, they already have competition from Canon’s RF 28-70 mm f2 L USM. While the Canon version is the best we have tested, it is large and heavy and costs $3000. Keeping that in mind, Tamron‘s offering could be helpful and will help photographers shell out less. Of course, the performance will be great, but perhaps it may or may not come close to Canon’s offering.
Either way, this is a good sign. Tamron has said they will launch 10 lenses in the coming year, including RF and Z mount versions. So, we may see some popular focal ranges but also new innovations. However, we do hope the latter is more prominent since companies like Tamron can try to break and bring new and unique focal ranges to the forefront. As zoom lenses are becoming popular, the company certainly is trying to get the of the situation. And we are here for it.