Tamron just announced a new ultra-telephoto lens with a massive zoom range: the 150-500mm f//5-6.7 Di III VC VXD for Sony full frame cameras.
The new lens follows on from Tamron’s 160-600mm f/5-6.3 lens for Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras released back in 2013, and continues the manufacturer’s tradition of producing physically smaller glass that's often more affordable. At just 60.8 oz (1,725 g), Tamron claims that its compact size makes it comfortable for handheld shooting. It’s 8.3 in (209.6 mm) in length and 3.66 in (93 mm) in diameter which Tamron, perhaps justifiably, describes as “astoundingly compact.”
In addition to its relatively small size, Tamron has incorporated its VC (vibration compensation) mechanism in order to stabilize the lens. VC has three modes available depending on what you are shooting — standard, panning, framing.
25 elements sit in 16 groups, offering an excellent minimum focusing distance of 23.6 in (0.6 m) when zoomed out and 70.9 in (1.8 m) when zoomed in. As well as its macro capabilities, Tamron is keen to point out that zooming from 150mm to 500mm requires turning the ring just 75°, less than one-quarter of a turn.
The lens uses Tamron’s VXD autofocus motor, the same as that seen in the well-received and popular 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD. Similarly, the construction is moisture and dust resistant. The lens comes with a Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount with strap attachment holes and also has a "FLEX ZOOM LOCK mechanism" for when you want to lock off your zooming:
The lens will be on shelves in June at a price of $1,399.
How is this "massive"? Sigi and Tammy both have had 150-600 zooms for both Nikon and Cannon for years now.
That's what I was coming down here to ask. I'm curious as well. It could be "massive" by comparison to other existing Sony mirrorless lenses though.
It's massive compared to the second lens they've announced today - 11-20mm f/2.8 ;)
The article should actually say:
"Tamron Announces a New Ultra-Super-Mega-Telephoto Lens with a Ginormous Zoom Range of 150-500mm" because the current title is not click-baitish enough.
Massive range compared to the small size (closer to a 100-400). A better headline would be:
"Tamron Announces a New Compact Ultra-Telephoto Lens with a Massive Zoom Range of 150-500mm"
I know this is full frame, but is it alpha mount or fe?
E-mount. A-mount is dead™
nope
Owning a Z camera this does nothing for me.
Same 😂 Nikon needs to get it together and allow third party lens production. Its been such a huge win for Sony camera sales.
Do we know it's Nikon's fault, or have the third-party manufacturers just not been interested in selling lenses for the Z-mount (due to lack of demand compared to the E/F/EOS mounts, for instance)?
Yes, Sony released the specs for the E mount long ago, making it easy for third party manufacturers to make lenses - royalty free even, they just need to be approved by Sony. Nikon is doing whatever they can to prevent third party lenses it seems, or at least feels like. Third parties would have to reverse engineer everything, and (possibly) also deal with lawsuits following that, because of patents and whatnot.
For what it's worth, tamron and sigma could already have lenses available for nikon Z and EOS R, but are just not allowed to sell them because of patenting.
From C/N's perspective, I can see the problem with Tamron and Sigma potentially flooding the market with altered versions of their E-mount lenses, but that still sucks. Here's hoping C/N open their mirrorless mounts up once they are a little more established, they've sold a few lenses, and they've more or less completed their initial lineups.
Do you have any sources where I can read more?
This looks like they took the 150-600 G2 and chopped off the big bell-shaped front element bulge. Much more compact while only losing 100mm of reach. At that price, though, I would be looking at used first-party 100-400s instead.
What's with the f6.7? I get mirrorless means better AF performance at narrower apertures isn't an issue but the previous 150-600mm were able to retain f5.6 until 400mm.
We'll judge this lens when we get the ability to test it. It's more affordable than the 100-400 from Sony, it's cheaper, lighter and more compact than the 200-600 - but is it as sharp as those wide open? We'll wait and see.