Tamron released three new lenses yesterday under their "Di" line of lenses, that are specifically designed to meet the increased performance of digital SLR cameras while still being compatible with 35mm film cameras. “Digitally Integrated” lenses have special glass and internal surface coating that minimises ghosting, flare and unwanted reflections inside the lens - letting the photographer take far better photos. The three lenses are a standard zoom lens (the SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Asperical (IF)), a high power zoom lens (the AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Asperical (IF) Macro) and a telephoto zoom lens (the AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2).
The standard zoom lens (1) has the newer Di-II system which is specially designed for smaller camera sensors (that are no bigger than 24 x 16, or 35mm film). The fast aperture of F2.8 allows for a great out-of-focus effect that is perfect for close-ups and portraits, and a minimum focus of 27cm makes the lens quite useful as 1:4.5 macro lens. Finally the lens has a zoom lock mechanism for storage.
The high power zoom lens (2) is an update of its popular product line which was introduced in 1992. XR “Extra Refractive” glass means its compact and lightweight for its features and in conjunction with the Di technology it offers a 7x magnification when used on a digital SLR.
Finally the telephoto zoom lens (3) can offer an ultra-long zoom equivalent of 465mm, and at the other extreme can be used as a macro lens (magnification of 1:2) at a focus of 95cm, making it a useful zoom and macro lens. The latter function can be toggled with a special macro button on the lens barrel.
All three lens are finished in the Tamron high-quality, high-texture black rubber/metal finish, with the Di gold label on the barrel. To show the standard zoom is Di-II it boasts a gold coloured metal ring between the zoom and focus rings. They will be available Spring 2006.
For more information on Tamron click here.
 |
 |
 |
|
|
SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Asperical (IF)(1) |
AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Asperical Macro(2) |
AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2(3) |
|
Focal Length |
17-50mm |
28-200mm |
70-300mm |
|
Max Aperture |
F/2.8 |
F/3.8-5.6 |
F/4-5.6 |
|
Size |
73.6 x 81.3mm |
71.1 x 76.2mm |
76.2 x 116.8mm |
|
Weight |
434g |
354g |
435g |
|
Lens Mount |
Canon AF Konica Minolta AF-D Nikon AF-D |
Canon AF Konica Minolta AF-D Nikon AF-D Pentax AF |
Canon AF Konica Minolta AF-D Nikon AF-D Pentax AF |
|
 |