Lenses: July 2008 Archives
If you're a "one lens fits all" type of shutter jock, then Tamron's announcement today of a 15x monster zoom for consumer digital SLR cameras will be a siren's song for your ears.
The new lens, which has a moniker that's more of a warehouse designation than a product name--it's called the Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model B003), has a zoom range that's the equivalent of a 28-419mm zoom in the 35mm film world.
Designed for DSLRs with APS-C image sensors, the new glass contains Tamron's exclusive anti-shake technology which, the company boasts, allows a photographer to "enjoy the convenience of handheld photography in virtually any situation, from shooting candid images, to covering sporting events, to news photography, without worrying about camera shake having an adverse effect on image quality."
Other features of zoomzilla include a minimum focusing distance of 19.3 inches throughout its entire zoom range, a compact 80mm diameter, a zoom lock to prevent the barrel of the lens from sliding forward when it's being carried on the camera and a flower-shaped hood.
Initial editions of the lens will be made for cameras with Canon and Nikon mounts. When those editions will reach market and how much they will cost when they do was not divulged by the company today in its statement announcing the lens.
