President and CEO Morio Ono of optical equipment
manufacturer Tamron Co., Ltd., announced another advance in their
pursuit of high resolution images in the telephoto lens category with
the development of a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens featuring
image stabilization––VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic
auto-focus drive –– USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The SP 70-300mm
F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) high-resolution DSLR telephoto zoom lens
has been produced for the Nikon mount, with the development of
compatible mounts for Canon and Sony to follow.
While this new lens is designed for
digital SLR cameras, it can be used with both full-frame sensor and AF
35mm cameras with a zoom range of 70-300mm; or with APS-C sensor cameras
where the angle of view will change the zoom range equal to 109-465mm.
With superior optical performance,
Tamron’s own USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) and VC (Vibration
Compensation), the SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) provides
the performance of a high-end premium telephoto zoom that is appealing
to a broad spectrum of photography enthusiasts.
Unparalleled optical performance
in a fast and steady telephoto zoom lens
In the pursuit to achieve the most outstanding
image resolution in the 70-300mm class, Tamron’s Anniversary lens – the
SP AF70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) – utilizes an advanced
optical design that features a LD (Low Dispersion) and an XLD (Extra Low
Dispersion) lens element made from specialized materials that prevent
chromatic aberration. As a result, the SP AF70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD
(Model A005) boasts sharper contrast and greater descriptive performance
than all others in its class.
In addition, it is the first Tamron lens
sporting a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), Tamron’s very own ultrasonic
auto-focus drive mechanism. This USD mechanism delivers fast focusing,
making it a perfect telephoto zoom choice for photographing sports,
racing, or other fast-moving subjects. The lens also boasts Tamron’s
proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization to assist in
hand-held photography, not only at long focal length ranges where
blurring is common, but also under low-lit conditions, dramatically
enhancing photographic freedom.
This combination of best in class image
resolution, Ultrasonic Silent Drive and Vibration Compensation is a new
achievement of Tamron technology, culminating in the production of a
premium 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens.
Product Features
New optical system optimized for digital cameras
achieves top resolution in the 70-300mm class with specialized glass
elements including an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens
This lens’ advanced optical design employs a sophisticated
XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from specialized high-grade
glass that has lower dispersive properties than standard LD lenses
(where refraction causes the dispersion of white light into spectral
hues). The dispersive properties of the XLD lens are at a level similar
to fluorite, and in combination with a LD element make for an optimal
optical design that delivers best in class resolution with advanced
axial chromatic and magnification aberration correction – major
inhibitors of image quality enhancement. The result is a lens that
delivers sharp contrast and better descriptive performance throughout
the entire zoom range.
Fast focusing USD (Ultrasonic
Silent Drive), the ultrasonic autofocus drive
The lens is equipped with Tamron’s first-ever
ultrasonic auto-focus drive USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). It achieves
faster focusing making this telephoto lens perfect for photography of
sports, motor racing, and other fast-moving subjects. With advanced
motor technology and newly developed software, Tamron’s USD delivers
precise and noiseless focusing at turbo speed.
USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)
Tamron’s USD works with the high-frequency ultrasonic
vibrations that are produced by a ring called a ‘stator’. Energy from
the vibrations is used to rotate an attached metallic ring known as the
‘rotor’. Piezoelectric ceramic, an element that produces ultrasonic
vibrations when voltage of a specific frequency is applied is arranged
in a ring formation on the stator. This electrode configuration of
piezoelectric ceramic causes two ultrasonic vibrations to occur in the
stator.
By effectively combining these two
ultrasonic vibrations, it is possible to convert the energy from the
vibrations that produced simple motion into energy known as ‘deflective
traveling waves’, which then moves around the circumference (rotation
direction) of the ring.
With the USD, the friction between these
deflective traveling waves created on the metallic surface of the stator
and the surface of the rotor produce force, causing the rotor to
rotate. The focusing ring lens, which is linked to the rotor, is thus
moved, creating a fast and smooth auto-focus drive.
Equipped with Tamron’s VC
(Vibration Compensation) image stabilization
The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD employs Tamron’s esteemed
image stabilization mechanism–VC (Vibration Compensation) seen in both
the AF18-270mm Di II VC (Model B003) and SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC
(Model B005). With VC, the photographer has the freedom to shoot at a
shutter speed that is an extra four stops slower without having to worry
about blurring. This makes capturing handheld, evening, night, and
interior shots much easier.
VC (Vibration Compensation)
Tamron’s VC mechanism employs a three-coil system, whereby
three driving coils activate the shake-compensating VC lens group
electromagnetically via three steel balls. The VC lens elements are held
in place only by contact with the steel balls, achieving smooth
movement with little friction. This provides a stable viewfinder image
with excellent tracking performance that eliminates the blur from camera
shake for cleaner, crisper shots.
Full time manual focus at your fingertips
Auto-focus has many benefits but sometimes the photographer
needs the control of manual focus. Full time manual offers just that:
the crossover from auto-focus to manual focus by simply adjusting the
focus ring, allowing the photographer to make adjustments on the fly.
This feature helps the lens produce impressive results even in telephoto
situations where the depth of field is narrow.
Better balance and consistent
length with internal focusing
When focusing, the internal elements of the lens move and
the lens’ external size does not change. This offers better balance and
easier telephoto shots. Moreover, the barrel is not subject to stray
light entering from external helicoids that can negatively affect
images. And because the external elements do not move, it makes it
easier to utilize polarizing filters and the flower shape hood to
control the amount of light that enters the lens.
Enjoyable photography for a wide
range of enthusiasts, from those using traditional film cameras, to
digital SLRs with full-frame or APS-C size sensors
With a full-frame digital or 35mm SLR, portrait and medium
telephoto shots can be achieved on the wider 70mm end of the range and
spectacular telephoto shots at the longer 300mm side. When using an
ASP-C sensor camera the angle of view changes, giving it the equivalent
range of 109-465mm for bold ultra-telephoto shots. And with a maximum
magnification ratio 1:4, the lens can be used to explore in the realm of
semi-macro photography.
Uncompromising countermeasures to
reduce ghosting and flare
Digital photography requires extreme precision, which is why
Tamron incorporates new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti Reflection) multilayer
coatings that reduce reflection into the lens elements. This ensures
excellent performance in all photographic conditions and enhances light
transmission on both long and short wavelengths. Also, Tamron applies
internal surface coatings on cemented surfaces of lens elements to make
images sharper with better color reproduction and balance.
Simple yet beautiful exterior
design
Tamron adopted a simple design with a smooth silhouette to
ensure that this lens fits well with various SLR cameras. The exquisite
textured paint gives a well-crafted finish to the exterior.
Flower-shaped hood with excellent stray light
shielding properties–a standard accessory
The flower-shaped hood has been designed specifically to
block out damaging light rays and ensures clear, sharp descriptive
performance.
