tamron

Tamron's 24-70mm lens takes image-stabilization lead

Lensmaker Tamron announced a new 24-70mm F2.8 zoom lens today, beating Nikon and Canon with a model that brings image stabilization to this premium lens category.

The SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens includes Tamron's vibration compensation technology, which can counteract camera shake to stabilize photos. It's a feature that Canon and Nikon haven't added to their 24-70mm F2.8 lenses.

Such lenses don't have a huge zoom range, but they're popular among photo pros and enthusiasts, in particular because their wide aperture is good for low-light shooting with smoothly blurred … Read more

Tamron, Kenko Tokina boost Micro Four Thirds lens alliance

Tamron and Kenko Tokina, two third-party lens manufacturers, have thrown their weight behind the Micro Four Thirds alliance, helping Olympus and Panasonic during a major shift in the camera industry.

Olympus and Panasonic were the early entrants to a new class of interchangeable-lens cameras much more compact than traditional SLRs. They're both members of the Micro Four Thirds partnership that governs image sensors and lenses, meaning that Micro Four Thirds lenses can be used on either company's camera bodies.

The new membership, like that of third-party lensmaker Sigma before, means photographers can expect more variety for Micro Four … Read more

Is every gadget purchase tinged with potential regret?

Dateline: November 9, Manhattan. I'm inside B&H Photo, carrying a Nikon D70 SLR camera my dad was kind enough to pass down to me. It doesn't have a lens, or a memory card, or a case. Those are my responsibilities. This is why I'm spending close to an hour staring at various lenses ranging from 18-55 all the way up to 18-200mm, all the while knowing nearly nothing about SLR technology.

November 10: 11 a.m. After a long shower this morning and a fretful commute to work, I'm carrying my D70 with the … Read more

Tamron updates 17-50mm lens for shaky hands

Tamron has updated its higher-end 17-50mm zoom lens with its vibration compensation technology to counteract camera motion.

The company released a 17-50mm model with a constant F2.8 aperture last year, but updated it with vibration compensation to a new model called the SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC. Tamron added the new feature "without materially increasing its size and weight," the company said.

But one thing is different: price. The earlier version costs about $450--and note that it's not being discontinued--while the image-stabilized version costs about $650. Tamron is selling a Nikon version initially and a model for Canon SLRs shortly afterward, it said. … Read more

Tamron announces new ultrawide-angle zoom lens

This week Tamron announced a new ultrawide-angle zoom lens, the SP AF 10-24mm Di II LD f3.5-4.5, for use with Canon and Nikon APS-C sensor-size dSLRs. Versions for Pentax and Sony will be announced in the future.

The lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 16mm to 37mm. It offers a wider focal length range, and a faster aperture than Tamron's current SP AF 11-18mm Di II f4.5-5.6 lens. A flower shaped lens hood is included with it. The lens has a close focusing distance of 9.4 inches, a 77mm filter size, is 3.… Read more

Tamron updates 28mm-300mm for Nikon D60, D40x, and D40

Tamron announced yesterday that its 28mm-300mm f/3.5-5.6 XR Di VC LD Aspherical Macro lens will now have a built-in AF motor allowing it to be used with Nikon's D60, D40x, and D40 DSLRs. Tamron's compact superzoom was first introduced in October 2007. It has a broad zoom range stretching from 28mm to 300mm, and employs Tamron's Vibration Compensation image stabilization system. It earns its macro designation by maintaining a 19.2-inch minimum focusing distance over the entire zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 1:3 at 300mm. It will be launched in Japan … Read more

Tamron details four new zoom lenses

LAS VEGAS--Tamron, one of the larger third-party SLR (single-lens reflex) lens makers, on Monday detailed four new lenses and March launch plans, the week that the Photo Marketing Association trade show begins here. However, the company didn't reveal prices.

For telephoto fans, the company announced its SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di. Its close-focus distance of 0.95 meters provides a magnification ratio of 1:3.1 (which means a subject will appear on the image sensor nearly a third the size it does in real life), and it features a constant f/2.8 aperture across its zoom … Read more

Tamron's superzoom lens set to launch

Tamron will start shipping its image-stabilized 28-300mm lens on Monday--but only in Japan and for Canon SLRs, the company said.

The lens, formally called the AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC, is one of a host of new image-stabilized superzoom lenses on the market. Nikon has said its 18-200mm model is its all-time bestseller. Sigma recently added its own 18-200mm competitor. And Panasonic, whose lenses are compatible with Olympus SLRs and vice versa, also offers a 14-150mm model, which is the same range when translated into 35mm camera terms.

Tamron had planned to release the lens in August, … Read more