I have one of the older model (A16N) Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 for Nikon. I like the lens for its value even though it does have a flaw related to FLASH photography in TTL-BL mode. Lately, Tamron has announced update to this lens with a built-in AF motor.
A vendor in Malaysia has received the lens and posted a short review on PhotoMalaysia. In summary, the new version has:
- No screw drive hole for AF. AF motor is now built-in. This makes the lens compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, and the new D60 DSLR cameras.
- AF/MF switch. It is no longer needed to set the focus mode on camera. I doubt it can do focus override (typically only on AF-S lens) though.
- Smoother but much lower AF. I hope it can provide more precise auto-focus and the accurate distance information to the camera so the old problem can be avoided.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on March 4th, 2008.
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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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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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This new lens (Model A18N II) is described as “a lightweight, compact and ultra high power (13.9X !) zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized image sensors with a built-in motor for Nikon”. It will be available in Japan starting December 13, 2007.
This is an especially good news for Nikon D40 and D40X users who have been limited by lens choices because Nikon has removed the AF motor from these cameras. As a result, only AF-S lens can be used on D40/40X. With the release of this lens, Tamron apparently is trying to grab a piece of the market even though Nikon has extensive offerings in the low-end AF-S zooms. Read More…
Posted in
Lens on December 4th, 2007.
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The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II LD Aspherical IF lens has received some good reviews (see review by PhotoZone.de) and appear to be a nice low-cost alternative to more expensive offerings from larger camera and lens manufacturers like Canon and Nikon. However there have been quite a few complains (including myself) of the lens overexposing in flash photography, especially in Nikon TTL-BL mode. Here are some threads I found on the Internet. Read More…
Posted in
Flash photography,
Lens on October 24th, 2007.
10 Comments.
