Tamron “17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD” E-Mount
Tamron will release the 17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD (hereinafter referred to as 17-50mm F4) on October 19, 2023. This lens is a wide-angle zoom lens for Sony E-mount compatible with 35mm full-frame mirrorless cameras. Suggested retail price is roughly $800.
The 17-50mm F4 is a wide-angle zoom lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths from 17mm to a standard 50mm. It achieves high depiction power throughout the entire zoom range. This draws the images evenly to the end of the screen.
The autofocus drive uses VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), a linear motor focus mechanism with excellent quietness and agility, achieving high-speed, high-precision AF. In addition, by adopting an inner zoom mechanism, the length does not change when zooming, making it easy to balance when shooting still images. Also, when mounted on a gimbal, the lens works well for video shooting.
Furthermore, it has excellent close-up shooting capabilities. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.19m at the wide-angle end and 0.30m at the telephoto end, it allows photographers to get as close to the subject as possible. Thanks to its excellent mobility and convenience, it can be used for both still images and videos, from dynamic landscapes to snapshots, without changing lenses.
Product Features
Wide-angle zoom lens with F4 aperture
At the 17mm wide-angle end, it is possible to capture dynamic expressions that can only be achieved with an ultra-wide-angle lens. At the 50mm telephoto end, this lens can capture natural landscapes and snapshots with an angle of view that is close to that of human vision, without having to change lenses. In addition, by setting the aperture to F4 throughout the entire zoom range, exposure can be kept constant even when changing the focal length, making it recommended not only for still images but also for video shooting.
High optical performance
15 lenses in 13 groups are effectively arranged, including LD (Low Dispersion) lenses (3 elements), compound aspherical lenses (2 elements), and GM (glass molded aspherical) lenses (1 element). This effectively suppresses various aberrations, including chromatic aberration, and provides clear images down to the smallest details around the screen.
Easy-to-handle size and easy balance
The 17-50mm F4 has a weight of 460g and a length of 114.4mm, achieving a well-balanced size even when combined with the camera body. In addition, an inner zoom with a fixed overall length is used for framing when shooting still images and videos, and to make it easier to balance with video equipment such as gimbals. This inner zoom mechanism has a highly airtight lens barrel and is dust and splash resistant, making it easy to handle and easy to use in active situations such as mountain climbing and outdoors.
Optimized autofocus
The 17-50mm F4 uses a linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) for AF drive, achieving the highest level of high-speed and high-precision AF in its class. Focusing on moving objects is smooth and tracking performance is high, allowing for fast-paced shooting. The AF operation is quiet, making it ideal for still image and video shooting in environments where silence is required.
Close-up shooting ability
The shortest shooting distance of the 17-50mm F4 is 0.19m at the wide-angle end and 0.30m at the telephoto end. The working distance at the 17mm wide-angle end is approximately 5.7cm, which reduces the stress of not being able to get close to the subject. By moving closer to the subject, the photographer can zoom in on the subject and blur the background, or comfortably adjust the focus without changing the shooting position, even in places where the range of movement is limited, such as indoors.
Compatible with TAMRON Lens Utility
TAMRON Lens Utility is equipped with functions that support not only still images but also focusing operations when shooting video. “AB Focus” allows users to move the focus from subject to subject by simply setting the distance between two focus points, and the travel time and clicking the focus set button, and “MF Response” allows setting the amount of rotation of the focus ring. By customizing functions according to various shooting styles, this creates more fulfilling and creative shooting.
In addition to being equipped with a focus set button, the lens has been designed with consideration to achieve high levels of convenience and operability. The simple drip-proof structure and anti-fouling coating support comfortable shooting. The filter diameter is φ67mm, which is the same for the full-frame mirrorless series.
Tamron E-Mount “17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD” Specification
| Model name | A068 |
| focal distance | 17-50mm |
| Brightness | F4 |
| Angle of view (diagonal angle of view) | 103°41′-46°48′ (when using a 35mm full-frame mirrorless single-lens camera) |
| Lens configuration | 13 groups of 15 pieces |
| Minimum shooting distance | 0.19m（WIDE）/0.30m（TELE） |
| Maximum shooting magnification | 1:4.6（WIDE）/1:3.8（TELE） |
| Filter diameter | φ67mm |
| Maximum diameter | φ74.8mm |
| length | 114.4mm (from lens tip to mount surface) |
| quality | 460g |
| Aperture blade | 9-blade (circular diaphragm) maintains an almost circular aperture shape from wide open to 2 steps closed down. |
| minimum aperture | F22 |
| Standard accessories | Flower-shaped hood, lens cap |
| Compatible mount | For Sony E mount |
Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 large aperture E-Mount telephoto zoom lens
Tamron will release the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2, a Sony E-mount large-diameter telephoto zoom lens, in October 2023. The estimated price is $1400.
The 70-180mm F2.8 G2 has evolved further from the large-diameter telephoto zoom “70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056).” This model is newly equipped with Tamron’s unique camera shake correction mechanism VC (Vibration Compensation). This design enables more stable shooting while maintaining the mobility of the smallest and lightest camera in its class.
Product Features
Smallest and Lightest in E-Mount lineup from Tamron
Like the first Model A056, the 70-180mm F2.8 G2 pursues thorough miniaturization and weight reduction. By setting the telephoto focal length to 180mm and adopting a full-length variable zoom mechanism, it has achieved the smallest and lightest size in its class, even though it has an aperture of F2.8 and is equipped with a VC image stabilization mechanism. (filter diameter φ67mm, maximum diameter φ83mm, length 156.5mm (at 70mm), weight 855g).
Due to this overwhelming mobility, the lens has a good balance with the camera body, making it easy to enjoy large-diameter telephoto zoom photography.
Tamron E-Mount Lens with Zoom range of 70-180mm
The lens configuration is 20 elements in 15 groups. The optical design was reviewed from the ground up, and special glass lenses (XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) lens (1 piece), compound aspherical lens (1 piece), LD (Low Dispersion) lens (3 pieces) were luxuriously and appropriately arranged. GM (glass molded aspherical) lenses (two lenses) effectively suppress chromatic aberration and other aberrations, delivering uncompromising high resolution performance throughout the entire zoom range.
In addition, by adopting BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating that suppresses the occurrence of ghost and flare, it is possible to precisely capture the details of the subject even in backlit conditions, giving an overwhelming sense of focus and clear images. enable.
Another feature is the beautiful, soft bokeh that is unique to the large aperture F2.8.
Equipped with VXD
The 70-180mm F2.8 G2 is equipped with the linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), which was first installed in the first Model A056. While maintaining the highest level of high-speed, high-precision performance in Tamron’s history, the ability to track moving objects such as sports and vehicles that are often targeted with telephoto zoom lenses has been further improved. It is useful not only for still image shooting but also for video shooting.
Furthermore, compared to conventional drive systems, linear motors are less prone to vibration during AF operation and are quieter, making them ideal for still image and video shooting in environments where silence is required.
Tamron’s original image stabilization mechanism VC
The 70-180mm F2.8 G2 is newly equipped with Tamron’s unique image stabilization mechanism VC. It effectively suppresses camera shake that tends to occur when shooting telephoto shots, moving objects, or close-up shots, allowing for stable shooting.
In addition, by suppressing camera shake that tends to occur when handheld shooting in low-light situations such as dimly lit rooms or night scenes, the camera dramatically increases the freedom of handheld shooting.
Additionally, at focal lengths of 100mm or less, AI (artificial intelligence) technology (especially the new tech present in new Sony cameras) can be used to obtain correction effects that are suitable for video shooting.
0.3m at wide-angle end and 0.85m at telephoto end
By optimizing the optical design, the minimum focusing distance at the wide-angle end was successfully shortened from 0.85m of the original Model A056 to 0.3m. This allows the shooter to get one step closer to the subject and take advantage of the soft, beautiful bokeh.
Additionally, the maximum image magnification is an extremely high 1:2.6, allowing unique and powerful images that can only be achieved with this lens.
Tamron Lens Utility Compatibility
The 70-180mm F2.8 G2 can use Tamron’s proprietary software TAMRON Lens Utility and TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile. This makes it possible to customize functions to suit various shooting styles, such as still images and videos.
Convenience and operability
- Lens design with convenience and operability in mind
- Equipped with focus set button and custom switch
- Equipped with zoom lock mechanism
- Simple drip-proof structure and anti-fouling coat to support comfortable shooting
- Compatible with various camera functions such as “Fast Hybrid AF” and “Eye AF” installed in Sony cameras
- Unified filter diameter φ67mm for full-size mirrorless series
Tamron 70-180 f2.8 Sony E-Mount Specifications:
| Model name | A065 |
| focal distance | 70-180mm |
| Brightness | F2.8 |
| Angle of view (diagonal angle of view) | 34°21′-13°42′ (when using a 35mm full-frame mirrorless single-lens camera) |
| Lens configuration | 15 groups of 20 pieces |
| Minimum shooting distance | 0.3m（WIDE）/0.85m（TELE） |
| Maximum shooting magnification | 1:2.6（WIDE）/1:4.7（TELE） |
| Filter diameter | φ67mm |
| Maximum diameter | φ83mm |
| Length *2 | 156.5mm |
| quality | 855g |
| aperture blade | 9 pieces (circular aperture) |
| minimum aperture | F22 |
| Standard accessories | Flower-shaped hood, lens cap |
| Compatible mount | For Sony E mount |
