Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD officially announced (updated)

SP 70-300mm
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Update: it seems Tamron announced the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD only for the Japanese market.

As anticipated, Tamron today announced the  new Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens. More information on the product page (machine translated!).

SP 70-300mm
Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Press release:

Release Announcement
External design completely revamped and Fluorine Coating now applied
improved AF speed and responsiveness,
with VC system achieving image stabilization performance level of 4.0 stops

SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A030)

February 3, 2017, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of a new telephoto zoom lens product, the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A030) (hereinafter called “Model A030”), for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. Model A030 was developed by substantially enhancing the features of the popular SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) (hereinafter called “Model A005”), which has enjoyed high acclaim since its launch in 2010 as a telephoto zoom lens with outstanding performance. With the external design completely revamped, a Fluorine Coating with outstanding durability is applied to the front element surface of the lens. Improvements have also been achieved in AF speed and responsiveness and VC (Vibration Compensation) functions. Model A030 will be sold only in the Japanese market.

Product name
SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD
(Model A030)
Date of Launch (in Japan)
February 23rd, 2017The Canon and Nikon mount models will be launched simultaneously.
(Launch only in the Japanese market）

※Model A030 is not compatible with either the Tamron TELE CONVERTER 1.4x (Model TC-X14) or Tamron TELE CONVERTER 2.0x (Model TC-X20), which are optional accessories. It is also not compatible with the optional TAMRON TAP-in ConsoleTM that enables a lens’s firmware to be updated and features to be customized.

Product Highlights

Improvements in AF speed and responsiveness

  • Improvements in the control circuit and AF algorithm of the previous Model A005 have enhanced both focusing speed and accuracy, which enables a moment to be captured without letting the photo opportunity slip away, and which makes the A030 a suitable lens for photographing fast-moving subjects.

Improved VC functions

  • Improving Tamron’s unique VC (Vibration Compensation) functions has improved the responsiveness of the VC lens elements, and Model A030 achieves a higher image stabilization performance level of 4.0 stops according to the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standard.

External design renovated

  • The zoom ring and focus ring using linear-based grid patterns and the brand ring in tungsten silver create an external design with a high-grade feel.

Equipped with Fluorine Coating to improve user-friendliness for the lens

  • The front surface of the lens element is coated with a protective fluorine compound that is water- and oil-repellant. The lens surface is easier to wipe clean and is less vulnerable to the damaging effects of dirt, dust, moisture and fingerprints.

Specifications

Model A030
Focal Length 70-300mm
Maximum Aperture F/4-5.6
Angle of View (diagonal) 34°21′ – 8°15′
Optical Construction 17 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Object Distance 1.5m (59.1 in)
Maximum Magnification Ratio 1:4 (f=300mm : MOD 1.5m)
Filter Size Φ62mm
Maximum Diameter Φ82.2mm
Length* 142.7mm (5.6 in)**
Weight 765g (26.9 oz)**
Aperture Blades 9 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture F/32-45
Image Stabilization Performance 4.0stops (CIPA Standards Compliant)
(For Canon : EOS-5D MKIII is used / For Nikon : D810 is used)
Standard Accessories Lens hood, Lens caps
Compatible Mounts Canon, Nikon

Canon release Financial Results 2016

Canoncanon published documents about the company’s financial results for 2016.

Go for the presentation material, it’s easier to grasp. Thanks Lawrence for the tip.

Some quotes (thanks Tom):

The interchangeable-lens camera market for the full year was only down 9% to 11.5 million units, despite the temporary shortage of parts caused by the Kumamoto earthquake.

As a result, our unit sales increased 2% to 5.67 million units.

canon

Rokinon introduce new SP 85mm f/1.2 and SP 14mm f/2.4 lenses

Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2
Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2

Two new lenses showed up on Rokinon’s website, the SP 85mm f/1.2 and the SP 24mm f/2.4. “SP” stays for “special performance”. So far both lenses appear to be released only for Canon EF mount.

Both lenses are available for pre-order:

Rokinon SP 85mm f/1.2 description:

The high resolution optics of the Rokinon SP 85mm F1.2 prime lens have been specifically designed to meet the extreme capabilities of Canon’s professional cameras. This superior full frame portrait-length lens provides a 28.52° field of view for Canon Full Frame DSLRs or an18.98° field of view with a 136mm equivalent focal length on Canon APS-C models.
 
A pair of high refractive index elements along with one aspherical element is used to reduce distortions and spherical aberrations to deliver a high degree of clarity and sharpness. Rokinon Ultra Multi-Coating and the removable lens hood are employed to suppress ghosting and flare and provide increased contrast and color fidelity.

The Rokinon SP 85mm F1.2 also sports an exceptionally fast f/1.2 maximum aperture to provide enhanced low light capability, faster shutter speeds and super shallow depth field for selective focus effects. Additionally the smooth, quiet and precise manual focus control provides close focusing as close as 31″, and the sleek aluminum alloy housing is both lightweight and durable to benefit handling as well as improved durability. 

Rokinon SP 14mm f/2.4
Rokinon SP 14mm f/2.4

Rokinon SP 14mm f/2.4 description:

The Rokinon 14mm F2.4 SP is a premium quality super wide-angle prime that combines an advanced optical design with simple, intuitive handling and control of focus, It has the unprecedented resolving power for 50 megapixel photo and 8K video production to meet the extreme capabilities of the newest high resolution pro cameras.

Incorporating 18 high precision glass elements in 14 groups the SP 14mm F2.4 takes no compromise when it comes to image quality. Four types of special lens elements (2 Aspherical, 1 Hybrid Aspherical, 2 Extra-low Dispersion and 3 High Refractive Index) are incorporated to reduce color fringing, aberrations, and distortions for sharp, clear, and color accurate imagery.

Rokinon Ultra Multi-Coating is also employed, as well as a built-in lens hood, to suppress lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast when working in bright, direct lighting conditions. The smooth, quiet and precise manual focus control provides close focusing as close as 11″, and the sleek aluminum alloy housing is both lightweight and durable to support working in a variety of conditions.

Canon gets a 10% profit prediction for 2017 after 2-year drop, report suggests

canon rumors

Despite all the crap thrown at Canon, the giant’s still alive.

Nikkei Asian Review reports:

TOKYO — Canon’s group operating profit is seen topping 250 billion yen ($2.17 billion) for the fiscal year ending December 2017, roughly 10% over the expected figure for 2016, reversing two years of decline on strong earnings from recent acquisitions.

Sales for the Japanese electronics company are seen growing nearly 20% to 4 trillion yen — a height last seen in fiscal 2008. Toshiba Medical Systems, acquired late last year, will likely contribute some 400 billion yen in income. Canon uses American accounting standards.

Read the report at Nikkei Asian…

Canon Showcases imagePROGRAF PRO Series Printers’ Gallery Quality with Sample Prints on New Fine Art & Photo Media

canon rumors

Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A Showcases imagePROGRAF PRO Series Printers’ Gallery Quality with Sample Prints on New Fine Art & Photo Media

Samples comprised of six photographs from Canon Explorers of Light printed on new Canon Photo and Fine Art media

MELVILLE, N.Y., January 26, 2017 – Demonstrating the quality of its large-format output, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced that customers will have the opportunity to receive fine art and photo media samples printed on imagePROGRAF PRO Series large-format printers with images taken by Canon’s Explorers of Light. With an opportunity to view finished output firsthand, those interested will be able to see with their own eyes the gallery quality of images printed on the PRO Series using its 11-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system on six different media types.

By visiting www.usa.canon.com/imagePROGRAFprintsample, those interested can request samples printed on the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000, imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 and imagePROGRAF PRO-4000 devices using the following Canon media types*: Photo Paper Pro Premium Matte, Premium Fine Art Bright White, Premium Fine Art Smooth, Premium Polished Rag, Photo Paper Pro Premium Platinum and Photo Paper Pro Luster. In addition to displaying the quality of Canon’s large-format output, this program is designed to help consumers make a more educated decision when shopping for printers and media types.

Canon’s Explorers of Light program is comprised of influential photographers and cinematographers from across the globe, each who focuses on their own creative specialty. Appearing at seminars, gallery showings and special events throughout the United States, the Explorers of Light share their photography and technical expertise with audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts. Customers who request samples will receive photographs shot using Canon EOS DSLR cameras from the following Explorers of Light: Michele Celentano, Darrell Gulin, Adam Jones, George Lepp, Ken Sklute and Jennifer Wu.

For more information on Canon’s large format devices and solutions, as well as media types, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

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