Tamron Announces the 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens for Sony Full Frame Cameras

Tamron has announced that it has completed its holy trinity of intelligently compromised f/2.8 zooms for Sony full-frame cameras: the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD.

Following the success of the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 and 28-75mm f/2.8 lenses, Tamron has just announced the third of its fast zooms. At just $1,199 and weighing a mere 1.78 lb (810 g,) it offers some serious competition to the Sony FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS which is almost twice the weight and more than twice as expensive. If you can go without the stabilization and extra 20mm of reach offered by the Sony, that’s quite a saving.

Here are the specifications:

• Focal Length: 70 to 180mm
• Minimum and Maximum Aperture: f/2.8 and f/22
• Angle of View: 34° 21’ to 13° 42’
• Minimum Focus Distance: 10.63” / 27 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
• Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
• Optical Design: 19 Elements in 14 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
• Diameter: 3.19” (81 mm)
• Length: 5.87” (149 mm)
• Weight: 1.78 lb (810 g)

As well as the price, size, and weight leaping off that list, there’s one other notable figure: a minimum focusing distance of just 10.63” (27 cm).

The lens is due to hit shelves on May 14 but Tamron has noted that “due to the spread of COVID-19, the release or product supply will be delayed.”

Tamron has used a new autofocus drive mechanism in this new lens: VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive). According to Tamron, this maintains positional accuracy down to 0.005mm (0.0002 in,) “less than one-tenth the width of a human hair.”

At 70mm, the lens promises to have a minimum focusing distance of just 10.63” (27 cm), and an equally impressive 33.5” (85 cm) when fully extended at 180mm. Tamron notes that when shooting macro images at 70mm, you may have to manual focus. If you want to check out the details, click here.

The lens has “Moisture-Resistant Construction” to keep out dust and dampness, along with a zoom lock switch to prevent unwanted barrel extension during travel.

Are you planning to buy this lens? Is the loss of 20mm worth the saving of weight and money? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.