According to DPReview, Tamron announced the SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro at PMA 2008. It seems to be an interesting addition to the camp of Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro and Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm f/2.8 as a low cost alternative to the expensive OEM counterparts. Although not mentioned in the DPReview coverage, the Nikon mount version will have a built-in auto focus motor so it works on all Nikon DSLR cameras including D40/D40X/D60, which do not have in-body AF motor. Quoting from the product overview from Tamron:
While overall dimensions are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens is packed with features that allow stress-free photography: a versatile MFD of just 37.4″ over the entire zoom range; best-in-class maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm; and an advantageous internal focusing (IF) system. The new tele-zoom lens covers a desirable focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on full-size format SLR cameras and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm* ultra telephoto when mounted on a DSLR camera with an APS-C sized imager.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on February 7th, 2008.
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Being a owner of five quality Sigma EX lenses, I am happy and impressed with the latest Sigma lenses announcements at PMA 08. The gigantic green beast Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 EX DG is a showcase of Sigma’s achievement in the photography lens market. Labeled as the “ultimate wildlife lens”, APO 200-500 f.2.8 is “the world’s first lens to offer an f/2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length”. It was actually displayed at PMA 2007 as prototype. Read More…
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on January 31st, 2008.
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Tamron just announced at PMA 2008 three new lenses with built-in AF motor for Nikon mount SLRs. This is a great news for users of Nikon D40(x) and future users of the newly announced D60, which do not have a AF motor in the camera. The press release is posted at Tamron USA website with the specifications.
- AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II (model A14NII)
- SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II (model A16NII)
- 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di (model A17NII)
The first two are designed for cameras with APS-C sized (DX) sensors (labeled as “Di II” lens) and the last one also works for camera with full frame (FX) sensor. No word on availability yet.
Previously, Tamron announced AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro with built-In auto focus motor for Nikon. Sigma also has a similar 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC with a built-in motor for Nikon.
Many have seen over-exposure problems with the 17-50 f/2.8 in TTL-BL flash mode that might be a design flaw. I hope this new version brings a fix to it.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on January 30th, 2008.
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