Tamron Introducing "Vibration Compensation" Lens

[LightRules]

I just returned from the Pro Photo Expo here in southern California [Pasadena Convention Center]. Lots of vendors like Canon, Tamron, Sigma, Leica, Mamiya, Lowepro, printing companies, lighting, software, etc. Link is here http://www.prophotoca.com/expo/index.html

I was speaking with a Tamron rep and he said Tamron will announce its first-ever image stabilized lens at PMA, and it will be called Vibration Compensation. So Canon has its IS, Sigma has OS, and now Tamron will have VC. He could not tell me the exact model, but it is a remake of a current one and one of their most popular lenses. My best guess is something like the 28-75 or 200-500, but that is only a guess. He said it is their "Di" line, which means it is good for FF or APS-C.

Also, they are remaking their 70-200 lens into a constant f2.8. He also said no plans are in the making for any type of ring USM/HSM units though.

I'll see if I can post a few quick snaps from today's events later in this thread. Lastly, I tried to handhold the SigMonster...what a joke! :)

Here are some of the snaps http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/photoexpo_feb07

[Bodog]

Good news! Just hope it is not a "one off" like Sigma's 80-400...

[Jaetie]

Good news! Just hope it is not a "one off" like Sigma's 80-400...

sigma is going to introduce a 18-200mm OS.

[Jaetie]

i hope tamron will make a 24-135mm VC. its going to push the ef 28-135mm IS!

but a 28-75mm f/2.8 VC will be nice too, considring no other manufacturer has a mid range f/2.8 IS/OS/VC lens yet.

[MrChad]

I just returned from the Pro Photo Expo here in southern California [Pasadena Convention Center]. Lots of vendors like Canon, Tamron, Sigma, Leica, Mamiya, Lowepro, printing companies, lighting, software, etc. Link is here http://www.prophotoca.com/expo/index.html

I was speaking with a Tamron rep and he said Tamron will announce its first-ever image stabilized lens at PMA, and it will be called Vibration Compensation. So Canon has its IS, Sigma has OS, and now Tamron will have VC. He could not tell me the exact model, but it is a remake of a current one and one of their most popular lenses. My best guess is something like the 28-75 or 200-500, but that is only a guess. He said it is their "Di" line, which means it is good for FF or APS-C.

Also, they are remaking their 70-200 lens into a constant f2.8. He also said no plans are in the making for any type of ring USM/HSM units though.

I'll see if I can post a few quick snaps from today's events later in this thread. Lastly, I tried to handhold the SigMonster...what a joke! :)

Here are some of the snaps http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/photoexpo_feb07

Since Nikon can not keep the 18-200 VR instock I would expect this might be their first VC lens. A few hundred over the standard model in price is still well under the Nikon MSRP and it would place the 18-200 hyper-zoom; a class Tamron invented, back on par with the 18-200mm from Sigma. So as to still remain one of the key class leaders in this area...

[MrChad]

i hope tamron will make a 24-135mm VC. its going to push the ef 28-135mm IS!

but a 28-75mm f/2.8 VC will be nice too, considring no other manufacturer has a mid range f/2.8 IS/OS/VC lens yet.

I owned the old 24-135mm Tammy, I doubt this would be very popular even with VC on a crop body.

[cazray]

If they could do the 200-500 and the vc system works hey hey an alternative to 100-400 canon is with a longer length pity though not usm/hsm type gearing.

[LightRules]

Since Nikon can not keep the 18-200 VR instock I would expect this might be their first VC lens

The rep said it would be a re-make of a current model lens that is in their Di line, so it needs to be FF-compatible. I don't think the 18-200 is it therefore. It could be something like a 24-105 variable aperture lens, but I don't know all of Tamrons lenses from memory well enough.

[MrChad]

The rep said it would be a re-make of a current model lens that is in their Di line, so it needs to be FF-compatible. I don't think the 18-200 is it therefore. It could be something like a 24-105 variable aperture lens, but I don't know all of Tamrons lenses from memory well enough.

Not sure why they would even bother with FF?

Canon is the only current maker of FF digital, and no offense to Tamron but I doubt I put their glass on one of Canon's FF bodies. The remainder of the DSLR market is pretty much 1.5x, excluding Olympus - not sure Tammy even makes glass for them.

But with Nikon likely being just as large a market if not larger then Canon for 3rd party glass, I couldn't see why they would waste the glass on FF. Dii would technically fit in the Di family.

There just aren't many FF Tamron lenses worth owning, perhaps they plan to VC one of their 70-300mm lenses to compete with Nikon's other big new seller the 70-300 VR.

[ChrisBlaze]

sigma is going to introduce a 18-200mm OS.

that use to be on their website, but now its not.

[Skrim17]

Also, they are remaking their 70-200 lens into a constant f2.8.

I thought their 70-200 already is a constant 2.8?

[MrChad]

that use to be on their website, but now its not.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/news/news.asp?nID=3277

[calicokat]

Thats great news, more the better

[Hurricane_777]

I thought their 70-200 already is a constant 2.8?

I didn't even know Tamron made a 70-200. :oops: I know they do make a 70-300....that in a 2.8 would be wicked. :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

This is awesome news!
I hope they do more with this than Sigma did.

[Skrim17]

I didn't even know Tamron made a 70-200. :oops: I know they do make a 70-300....that in a 2.8 would be wicked. :D

My bad, I was thinking Sigma...sorry!

[asabet]

Not sure why they would even bother with FF?

Canon is the only current maker of FF digital, and no offense to Tamron but I doubt I put their glass on one of Canon's FF bodies....

Tons of 5D users use Tamron 28-75s. If they make something great for FF, people will use it.

[Collin85]

I'd like to see them make a 17-70 f/2.8 VC lens.

[LightRules]

I'd like to see them make a 17-70 f/2.8 VC lens.

Unlikely. But I suppose it's okay to dream.

[Collin85]

Unlikely. But I suppose it's okay to dream.

Oh, I never said it was likely. ;)

[4x4rock]

Lastly, I tried to handhold the SigMonster...what a joke! :)


Really Joe, tell us how strong you are :D

That thing looks like a baseball bat on steroid. :shock:

I wonder why Tamron is not coming out with their version of USM/HSM especially for their long lens. ???

[LightRules]

Really Joe, tell us how strong you are :D

That thing looks like a baseball bat on steroid. :shock:

I wonder why Tamron is not coming out with their version of USM/HSM especially for their long lens. ???

Well, I used to be pretty buff, but the 2nd law of thermodynamics started to follow me around, and now I'm a little less buff. :cry:

The 300-800 is truly a monster. Nothing else can describe it adequately.

As for Tamron and ring USM, they just told me they have no plans for any think like it for a long while. They did emphatically tell me that PMA would reveal from them a VC lens (28-300 or the like) and a new 70-200 f2.8. I just don't see how their 70-200 f2.8 can compete with Canon and Sigma though without some kind of ring AF unit. We'll see...

[MrChad]

I guess Lightrules was correct:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-News/Tamron-SP-AF-70-200MM-F-2.8-DI-LD-IF-MACRO-Lens-Press-Release.aspx

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-News/Tamron-AF-28-300MM-F-3.5-6.3-XR-DI-VC-LD-Lens-Press-Release.aspx

[BigBlueDodge]

Yup, Lightrules was correct.

I think the 28-300 will be a hot seller. If image quality is on par with other Tamron Lenses, it should make for a great travel lens.

I'll be curious to see how the 70-200 sells, especially without some USM/HSM focusing mechanism. I think the price point will determine its success. It will need to be priced less than the Sigma 70-200 version for sure.

[Tee Why]

As for the 28-200vc, I think Tamron dropped the ball. 18-250VC would have been better. I can't see anyone with a 5D or a 1DsMii getting this lens. And on a cropped sensor, 28-300 simply isn't wide enough. Just my views, I guess time will tell. I think a person with an XTi or a 30D would more likely be into buying a megazoom walking around lens with a VC as their only lens solution. I think folks with a FF are more likely to buy several lenses. Remember I said more likely, so don't flame me.

I'm actually going to sell my Canon 70-200 f2.8L non IS for the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 if the following conditions are met:

Price: should be less than Sigma and Canon as there is no HSM/USM. I don't think it would sell well to charge close to Sigma without a HSM (unless optics are really really really better). Looking at their 180mm macro which sells for about $650, from them, I'd say $750.

AF: This AF is found in their 90 and 180 macro. Reviews say it's a bit noisy but fast enough. Kinda like the Tokina Pro series AF motors. It needs to be quiet enough and fast enough. I doubt it'll be as fast or quiet (especially this) but it' s got to be quiet and fast enough, especially if used for sports (this this range zoom is often used for).

Optics: It has to be atleast as sharp as the Canon and maybe a bit sharper than the Sigma at the long end. Canon is about 12 year old design, so they should be able to do better (I hope). Sigma's new macro version is softer than the older one at 200mm (perhaps a sacrifice for a smaller MFD).

Why would I consider buying this lens? I use my 70-200 for sports and portraits. Having a 0.95m vs 1.5m MFD with a 1:3.1 vs 1: 7.7 magnification is a big deal in opening up different compositions. Plus this is an occasional lens for me, and I'd like to keep lenses I use infrequently cheap as possible without sacrificing optics. Yes, it's worth it for me to sell the L and get this lens if I can get back about $200 for the trade.

I don't know when this will be "successfully developed" vs just in "development" like the VC lens, but I'm looking forward to seeing the tests.

[LightRules]

As for the 28-200vc, I think Tamron dropped the ball. 18-250VC would have been better. I can't see anyone with a 5D or a 1DsMii getting this lens. And on a cropped sensor, 28-300 simply isn't wide enough. Just my views, I guess time will tell. I think a person with an XTi or a 30D would more likely be into buying a megazoom walking around lens with a VC as their only lens solution. I think folks with a FF are more likely to buy several lenses. Remember I said more likely, so don't flame me.

I agree with you, Tom. IMO Tamron missed the mark. Sigma hit the bull's-eye with their soon to be released 18-200 OS. But I'm sure they will sell some VC lenses here and there.

If you get the Tamron 70-200, post a review.

[Tee Why]

talking about reviews, when are you posting the 120-300 review?

[Linkzi]

There are a couple 3rd party "IS" types.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=289906

[Tee Why]

Just got an e-mail from Tamron's Wetern US sales manager and he writes that they will have more info on the 70-200mm f2.8 in 30-45 days. Maybe it'll be out in the stores in 2-3 months.

[Layston]

Any more word on the Tamron 70-200? I'm in the market for this range and I'd be very interested to find out price point, and see some reviews.

Tee Why - you said the Western US sales manager would have more info in 30-45 days, it's been 90 since you last posted on this, anything?

[SunTsu]

I don't suppose you got any "show special" pricing there for B&H? :)

[cosworth]

Not sure why they would even bother with FF?


Not everyone shoots digital.

[LightRules]

Tamron has postponed the release of this lens due to a problem with the VC unit. It was set to release next week (8/29) in Japan. But it seems now there is no set date http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2007/0824.html

[LightRules]

FYI, Amazon has it now listed for pre-order...ships in 10 days, selling at $700 USD http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-300mm-Vibration-Compensation-Aspherical/dp/B000V6ON8I/ref=pd_bbs_3/105-0674911-8398012?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1190403877&sr=8-3

And B&H has it backordered but cheaper at $600 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/506046-REG/Tamron_AF020C_700_28_300mm_f_3_5_6_3_XR_Di.html

[vic6string]

$600 sounds about right. At that price it will give the Canon 70-300 a run for its money since it adds enough at the wide end to be a walkaround. At $700, it is really a stretch since you can get the Sigma 18-200 for $200 less.