After experiencing an especially prolific 2019, Tamron has been picking up speed over the past few years and reinvigorating its lens lineup with popular new options for both SLR and mirrorless systems. Splitting these releases between the two camera types, Tamron also makes a point of developing lenses specifically for mirrorless or for SLR, versus using the same optical design for everything. This helps to achieve smaller designs for mirrorless and retain the integrity of the SLR designs for the larger camera systems.
Looking at the SLR releases first, 2019 also happened to be the 40th anniversary of its SP series of premium lenses and, to celebrate this, Tamron introduced the SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD for both Canon EF and Nikon F. The 35mm f/1.4 is already a popular lens, due to its comfortably wide field of view and bright f/1.4 design, and Tamron’s newest take on it is intended to improve on sharpness and clarity through the use of a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements, along with an updated BBAR-G2 coating for improved contrast and flare suppression. It also has an updated Ultrasonic Silent Drive focusing system along with a moisture-resistant design and a fluorine-coated front lens element.
The second SLR lens of the year for Tamron was the unique wide-to-medium tele zoom 35-150mm f/2.8-4 Di VC OSD, which is also available for Canon EF and Nikon F. Spanning a useful array of focal lengths, this lens also sports a bright design that, despite it being a variable maximum aperture, is f/2.8-4 to suit working in available lighting throughout the zoom range. Specialized elements, a BBAR coating, and an Optimized Silent Drive AF system all further benefit shooting, as well as Vibration Compensation image stabilization to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to five stops.
Moving over to mirrorless, Tamron has been actively developing new lenses for full-frame Sony E shooters lately, beginning with last year’s immensely popular 28-75mm f/2.8. This year, continuing the trend, the company released the 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD; a wide-angle zoom featuring a bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture. Similar to the 28-75, this 17-28 keeps an overall sleek form factor, and retains a 67mm front filter thread diameter, despite its fast design. The lens also features the Tamron RXD AF stepping motor, BBAR and fluorine coatings, and a series of low dispersion elements to help achieve high clarity and color accuracy throughout the zoom range.
Finally, Tamron closed out 2019 with a trifecta of primes for Sony E-mount: the 20mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2.8, and 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 lenses. These three wide-angles have a very similar premise of providing a comfortable field of view with a sleek and lightweight design, along with impressive half life-size 1:2 magnification for close-up performance. Each of the lenses have OSD stepping motors for quick and quiet focus and have weather-sealed designs for use in inclement conditions.
What are your thoughts on Tamron’s lenses of 2019? What are you hoping to see from them 2020? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
2 Comments
Hoping to see Tamron offer lenses in the Canon RF mount soon.
Waiting for a Tamron super telephoto for Sony e-mount. Please!