Tamron Announces 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC Lens For Full-Frame DSLRs

 

Second announcement for Tamron today, after the 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 for APS-C DSLRs.

Tamron press release:

Tamron is developing an advanced new all-in-one™ wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens for full-frame DSLR cameras

Innovative all-in-one™ zoom integrates state-of-the-art optical design, PZD (Piezo Drive)*1 and Tamron’s exclusive VC (Vibration Compensation)*² system to achieve superb image quality in a remarkably compact, lightweight package.

February 6, 2014, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, has announced the development of 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD (Model A010), an advanced new all-in-one™ zoom lens for full-frame DSLR cameras. The lens sample will be on display at the Tamron booth at the CP+ 2014, which will be held from February 13 to 16 in Yokohama, Japan.

Since the launch in 1992 of the 28-200mm (Model 71D) high-power zoom lens – which featured a revolutionary compact, lightweight design – Tamron has been continually expanding its portfolio of world class optics to benefit consumers.

Having revolutionized the optical design of the previous 28-300mm (Model A20), Tamron is developing a powerful new, high-power zoom lens for full-frame DSLR cameras that enhances image quality and incorporates the PZD (Piezo Drive)*¹—a standing-wave ultrasonic motor system optimized for swift, quiet AF—and the acclaimed VC (Vibration Compensation)*² mechanism in an amazingly compact configuration.

Featuring a new, sophisticated external finish, this lens complements the performance and style of full-frame DSLRs, while delivering the practical advantages of an all-in-one™ zoom lens.

Product highlights and full specifications after the break.

• State-of-the-art optical design technology delivers superior image quality

The advanced optical construction of this lens includes four elements of LD (Low Dispersion) glass, three Molded-Glass Aspherical elements, one Hybrid Aspherical element, one XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass element, and one element of UXR (Ultra-Extra Refractive Index) glass, which has greater refractive index than XR. The full use of specialized glass elements in its design contributes to making this outstanding lens as compact and lightweight as possible, while minimizing aberrations, resulting in superior image quality. Particularly impressive is the thorough compensation of chromatic aberrations at the telephoto end, yielding images of enhanced clarity and crispness.

• Focus on portability – The lens is now even smaller and lighter

In addition to state-of-the-art optical design that facilitates downsizing of the lens body, the mechanical design, which incorporates a highly sophisticated multi-stack-cam layout that takes up far less space, and PZD (Piezo Drive), an autofocus drive system with a simpler, more compact structure, has made it possible to reduce the overall dimensions of this lens compared to the existing Tamron 28-300mm (Model A20). These technologies are the fruit of Tamron’s more than 20 years of research and development in the high-power zoom lens field.

• Advanced anti-reflection coating

The application of BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coatings for suppressing reflections on lens element surfaces minimizes unwanted flare and ghosting to deliver sharp, crisp, high-contrast images.

• Upgraded cosmetic design – Elegant tungsten silver brand ring

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 elegant tungsten silver name-brand ring, this newly designed model accentuates its visceral presence with understated elegance and class.

• PZD (Piezo Drive) delivers faster, quieter autofocus action

The PZD (Piezo Drive)*¹, a standing-wave ultrasonic motor system, delivers faster, quieter, more precise action when the autofocus is engaged. The full-time manual focus system is easy and intuitive, enabling quick and convenient manual focus at any time.

• VC (Vibration Compensation)

Tamron’s acclaimed VC (Vibration Compensation)* 2 mechanism reduces image blur caused by camera shake to deliver significantly sharper images even when shooting handheld.

• Circular diaphragm facilitates achieving spectacular blur effects

Using a circular diaphragm*4, this lens achieves spectacular background blur effects that enable creative use of depth of field.

• Moisture-resistant construction for outdoor shooting

Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.

*1 PZD (Piezo Drive) is a standing-wave type ultrasonic motor system developed by Tamron. It delivers outstanding speed and quiet operation in the AF mode. It also provides greater flexibility in design compared with ring-type ultrasonic motors, thus contributing to reduced lens size.
*2 VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial image stabilization mechanism.
*3 The Sony mount model does not include VC, since the bodies of Sony DSLR cameras include built-in image stabilization functionality. The name of the Sony mount model is “28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di PZD” without the VC designation.
*4 This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even at two stops down from its maximum aperture.

Specifications

Model	A010
Focal Length	28-300mm
Maximum Aperture	F/3.5-6.3
Angle of View (diagonal)	75°23′ – 8° 15′(for full-frame format) 52°58′ – 5° 20′(for APS-C format)
Lens Construction	19 elements in 15 groups
Minimum Focus Distance	0.49m (19.3 in)
Max. Magnification Ratio	1:3.5 (at f=300mm: MFD 0.49m)
Filter Size	φ67mm
Maximum Diameter	φ74.4mm
Length*1	96mm (3.8 in)*
Weight	540g (19 oz)*
Diaphragm Blade Number	7 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture	F/22-40
Standard Accessory	Flower-shaped lens hood
Compatible Mount	Canon/ Nikon/ Sony

Specifications, appearance are subjected to be changed without notice.
*Length and weight are based on figures for the Nikon mount model.
*1 Length is the distance between the front tip of the lens and the mount face.

Detailed Feature Explanation

PZD (Piezo Drive)

Ultrasonic motors are classified into two types depending on how the energy used to move the drive is generated: traveling-wave motors and standing-wave motors. Traveling-wave motors include the ring-type ultrasonic motor that has been adopted for the 70-300mm F/4-5.6 VC USD (Model A005) and other lenses.

On the other hand, the PZD (Piezo Drive) adopted for the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 VC PZD (Model B008) and the new Model A010 is classified as a standing-wave ultrasonic motor system. The standing-wave ultrasonic motor system utilizes ultrasonic-frequency voltage to extend and turn the piezoelectric (piezoceramic) element, which causes the entire element to vibrate in an “S” pattern known as a standing-wave motion. The vibration of the element generates an elliptic motion at the metal tip, which is attached to the tip of the element and in contact with the rotor. Friction of the metal tip with the rotor caused by this elliptic motion turns the rotor to focus the lens. Innovations to reduce parts and simplify operation also contributed to the lens’s reduced size and weight.

 

VC (Vibration Compensation)

Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) system uses a three-coil system. This system employs three coils that move the VC lens elements electromagnetically via three ceramic ball bearings. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the ceramic ball bearings, thus achieving smooth movement with little friction. This provides a stable viewfinder image with enhanced image stabilization and excellent tracking performance.