Tamron Announces 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC Superzoom (Update)

Update: thanks to reader Steve, here is last year’s patent for the lens.

We thought it was an already amazing 150-500mm lens but Tamron surprised us with a even broader zoom range: 150-600mm, and it has image stabilization (VC).

Cutting-edge eBAND Coating*¹ and three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements deliver superior imaging performance, while the latest built-in VC (Vibration Compensation)*² system broadens users’ horizons in achieving sharper handheld photographs.

Specifications and press release after the break.

Focal Length : 150-600mm

Maximum Aperture : F/ 5-6.3

Angle of View (diagonal) : 16°25’ – 4°8’ (for full frame format)

: 10°38’ – 2°40’ (for APS-C format)

Lens Construction : 20 elements in 13 groups

Minimum Focus Distance : 2.7m

Maximum Magnification Ratio : 1:5

Filter Size : φ95mm

Maximum Diameter : φ105.6mm

Length* : 257.8mm

Weight : 1951g

Diaphragm Blades : 9 (circular diaphragm)*5

Minimum Aperture : F32-40

Standard Accessories : Lens hood, detachable tripod mount

Compatible Mounts : Canon, Nikon, Sony

Tamron press release:

November 7, 2013, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the development of an innovative ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm for full-frame and APS-C format DSLR cameras. The lens sample will be on display in showcase at the Tamron booth at the Salon de la Photo 2013 which will be held from November 7 to 11 in Paris, France.

This all-new ultra-telephoto zoom lens features VC (Vibration Compensation)*² image stabilization, speedy, precise USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)*³, state-of-the-art eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating*¹, which significantly reduces the unwanted light reflections that cause flare and ghosting, and, in addition a sophisticated and stylish new external finish.

Its 4x ultra-telephoto zoom capabilities, with a focal length range from 150mm to 600mm, enhance the creative potential of telephoto photography, a captivating feature for all photographers, particularly nature, wildlife, and sports shooters.

Prices and availability: TBA

Product Highlights

1. 4x ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a focal length range of 150mm to 600mm

The focal length range of this lens was extended by 50mm on the wide-angle side and 100mm on the telephoto side compared to the existing model (Model A08), making it possible to take even more striking photographs of birds, wildlife, sports, and other distant subjects. Mounted on APS-C DSLR cameras, it has a stunning equivalent focal length range of 233mm to 930mm, almost to 1000mm.

2. World class image quality

Employing 20 elements in 13 groups and boasting an advanced optical design, it delivers a superior balance of resolution and contrast for sharp, clear images. The front group contains three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements (two in the first group, one in the third) for enhanced optical correction effectiveness, enabling the lens to thoroughly compensate for on-axis aberrations at the telephoto end.

The lens also adopts eBAND Coating*¹, developed from state-of-the-art coating technologies, and conventional BBAR(Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating to greatly suppress ghosting and flare even when shooting under adverse lighting conditions.

3. Achieves a 600mm focal length in a compact easy-to-handle package

Ingenious optical design features minimize the movement of lens groups within the lens when zooming. This reduces the amount of barrel extension needed to cover the complete focusing range, making the entire lens more compact.

4. Beautiful background blur effects 

Adopting a 9 blade circular diaphragm enables users to create beautiful background blur effects (bokeh), which provide even greater potential for creative expression. This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even at two stops down from its maximum aperture.

5. VC (Vibration Compensation)*² 

Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization system uses a three-coil system, delivering significantly sharper images and creating greater opportunities for handheld ultra-telephoto photography.

6. Comfortable autofocus

Tamron’s new SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD features a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ultrasonic motor drive*³ for swift and accurate AF response, it delivers high torque, very fast response times, and very low noise. The full-time manual focus mechanism allows users to make fine manual focus adjustments at any time even when AF is engaged.

7. New elegant, high-class external finish

Tamron has upgraded the cosmetic design and finish of this lens to create a more sophisticated, high-end look in keeping with the demands of discerning full-frame DSLR users.

Employing a sophisticated linear pattern rubber grip on the zoom and focus rings and an attractive and stylish tungsten silver name-brand ring, this newly designed model accentuates its visceral presence with understated elegance and class.

8. Easy-to-use tripod mount

The tripod mount has been completely redesigned to provide superior stability, durability, ease of use, and portability.

9. Comes with “SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron”, RAW image development processing software for Tamron’s SP lenses

The SILKYPIX Developer Studio software can develop high-quality images from RAW data, incorporating adjustments that can express the personal style and taste of the photographer. These include white balance, color, sharpness, and the tonal curves recorded by digital cameras.

The SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron provides a range of functions, in addition to the basic adjustment capabilities, such as correcting aberrations (chromatic aberrations of magnification, distortion, peripheral light fall-off), based on the optical data. Used in tandem with Tamron’s SP series lenses – renowned for their high-depiction capability – this advanced technology efficiently produces images that meet photographers’ most exacting demands.