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 Tamron announces its 60th Anniversary Model: SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) for Nikon mount
A full-size premium telephoto zoom with Extra Low Dispersion (XLD) element delivers best-in-class resolution; Tamron’s own Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) and Vibration Compensation (VC) make the lens fast, quiet and easy to use
Tamron Co., Ltd., and Maxwell International Australia are pleased to announce another advance in the pursuit of high-resolution images in the telephoto lens category with the development of a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens featuring image stabilisation – VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic autofocus drive – USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive).
The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) high-resolution DSLR telephoto zoom lens has been produced for the Nikon mount, with the development of compatible mounts for Canon and Sony to follow[3]. While this new lens is designed for digital SLR cameras, it can be used with both full-frame sensor and AF 35mm cameras for a zoom range of 70-300mm. With APS-C sensor cameras the angle of view will change the zoom range to an equivalent of 109-465mm[4].
With superior optical performance, Tamron’s own USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) and VC (Vibration Compensation), the SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) provides the performance of a high-end premium telephoto zoom which will appeal to a broad spectrum of photography enthusiasts.
1. XLD – Extra Low Dispersion lens is made from specialised high-grade glass that has lower dispersive properties than standard LD lenses.
2. USD – Ultrasonic Silent Drive is Tamron’s proprietary ultrasonic motor drive.
3. The Sony-mount model is not equipped with the VC image stabilisation mechanism, as anti-shake functionality is included in the body of Sony digital SLR cameras. Consequently, the name of the Sony-mounted lens, SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD, does not include the VC description.
4. Tamron’s conversion 1.55x.
Unparalleled optical performance in a fast-focusing, steady telephoto zoom lens
In the pursuit of achieving the most outstanding image resolution in the 70-300mm class, this lens utilises an advanced optical design featuring an LD (Low Dispersion) and an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from specialised materials that prevent chromatic aberration. As a result, it boasts sharper contrast and greater descriptive performance than all others in its class. It's also the first Tamron lens sporting a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), Tamron’s very own ultrasonic autofocus drive mechanism. This USD mechanism delivers fast focusing, making it a perfect telephoto zoom choice for photographing sports, racing and other fast-moving subjects. The lens also boasts Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilisation to assist in handheld photography, not only at long focal length ranges where blurring is more common, but also under low-lit conditions, dramatically enhancing photographic freedom.
This combination of best-in-class image resolution, Ultrasonic Silent Drive and Vibration Compensation takes Tamron technology to a new level.
Main features
1. A new optical system optimised for digital cameras achieves top resolution in the 70-300mm class with specialised glass elements
The advanced optical design employs a sophisticated XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from a special high-grade glass that has dispersive properties (i.e. where refraction causes the dispersion of white light into spectral hues) even lower than standard LD lenses. The dispersive properties of the XLD lens are similar to those of fluorite; in combination with the LD elements, these make for an optimal optical design that delivers best-in-class resolution with advanced axial chromatic and magnification aberration correction – major inhibitors of image quality enhancement. The result is a lens that delivers sharp contrast and better descriptive performance throughout the entire zoom range.
2. Fast focusing USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), the ultrasonic autofocus drive
The lens is equipped with Tamron’s first-ever ultrasonic auto-focus drive USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). It achieves faster focusing making this telephoto lens perfect for photography of sports, motor racing and other fast-moving subjects. With advanced motor technology and newly developed software, Tamron's USD delivers precise and noiseless focusing at turbo speed.
Tamron’s USD works with the high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations that are produced by a ring called a ‘stator’. Energy from the vibrations is used to rotate an attached metallic ring known as the ‘rotor’.
A material called piezoelectric ceramic is arranged in a ring formation on the stator, and when voltage of a specific frequency is applied, this causes two ultrasonic vibrations to occur in the stator. By effectively combining these two ultrasonic vibrations, their energy is converted from simple motion into ‘deflective travelling waves’, which move around the circumference of the ring. With the USD, the friction between these deflective travelling waves created on the metallic surface of the stator and the surface of the rotor produces force, causing the rotor to rotate. Attached to the rotor is the focusing lens, which is given a fast, smooth autofocus movement.
3. Equipped with Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilisation
The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD employs Tamron’s renowned image stabilisation mechanism – the VC (Vibration Compensation) seen in both the AF18-270mm Di II VC (Model B003) and SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC (Model B005). With VC, the photographer has the freedom to shoot at a shutter speed that is an extra four stops slower without having to worry about image blurring. This makes handheld capture of evening, night and interior shots much more spontaneous, as a sharp image can be obtained more easily without having to mount the camera on a tripod.
Tamron’s VC mechanism employs three driving coils which activate the shake-compensating VC lens group electromagnetically via three steel balls. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the steel balls, achieving smooth movement with minimal friction. This provides a stable viewfinder image with excellent tracking performance that eliminates the blur from camera shake for cleaner, crisper shots.
4. Full-time manual focus at your fingertips
Autofocus has many benefits but sometimes the photographer needs the control of manual focus. Full-time manual offers just that: the crossover from auto-focus to manual focus by simply adjusting the focus ring, allowing the photographer to make adjustments on the fly. This feature helps the lens produce impressive results even in telephoto situations where the depth of field is shallow.
5. Internal focusing provides better balance and consistent length
An internal focusing system moves only the internal lens elements, so the lens’ external size does not change, offering better balance and easier telephoto shots. Additionally, the barrel is not subject to stray light entering from external helicoids that can adversely affect image quality. And because the external elements do not move, filters such as polarisers and the supplied Flower-shaped Lens Hood can more easily control the amounts and angles of light entering the lens.
6. Enjoyable photography for a wide range of enthusiasts using all types of SLRs
With a full-frame digital or 35mm SLR, portrait and medium telephoto shots can be achieved on the wider 70mm end of the range and spectacular telephoto shots at the longer 300mm. When using an APS-C sensor camera the angle of view narrows, giving it the equivalent range of 109-465mm* for bold ultra-telephoto shots. And with its maximum magnification ratio 1:4, the lens can be used to explore the realm of semi-macro photography.
Focal length range for digital SLR cameras with full-size sensors, 35mm film format SLR cameras : Focal length range with converted angle of view for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors*
70mm : 109mm
200mm : 310mm
300mm : 465mm
* Approximate equivalent angle of view at Tamron’s conversion value of 1.55x.
7. Uncompromising countermeasures to reduce ghosting and flare
The extreme precision required for digital photography is why Tamron incorporates new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti Reflection) multilayer coatings, which reduce reflection onto the lens elements. This ensures excellent performance in all photographic conditions and enhances light transmission on both long and short wavelengths. Also, Tamron applies internal surface coatings on cemented surfaces of lens elements to make images sharper with better colour balance and reproduction.
8. Simple yet attractive exterior design
For this lens Tamron has adopted a streamlined silhouette to ensure that this lens looks good with a variety of SLR cameras. The subtle texture of the paint gives a well-crafted finish to the exterior.
9. Flower-shaped hood with excellent stray light shielding properties as a supplied accessory
The supplied Flower-shaped Lens Hood is designed specifically to block out damaging light rays, ensuring clear, sharp descriptive performance.
Specifications
Model Number: A005
Focal Length: 70-300mm
Maximum Aperture: f/4-5.6
Angle of View: 34°21’ to 8°15’
Lens Construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.5m (59in.)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:4 (at f=300mm: MFD 1.5m)
Filter Diameter: 62mm
Overall Length: 142.7mm* (5.6in.)
Maximum Diameter: 81.5mm (3.2in.)*
Weight: 765g (27.0oz)**
Diaphragm: 9 blades
Minimum Aperture: f/32–f/45
Standard Accessory: Flower-shaped Lens Hood
Compatible Mounts: Nikon, Canon, Sony**
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc may be changed without prior notice.
* Length and weight values given are for Nikon cameras.
** The Sony mount does not include the VC functionality, as the body of Sony digital SLR cameras contains built-in image stabilisation functionality.
Availability, SKU & RRP
Mount in production: Nikon
SKU: 400295
Availability: September 2010
Australian RRP: $699.00
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