Dynamic shots require dynamic lenses
An XLD lens element to deliver high resolution, image stabilisation and turbo-speed silent autofocus
The optical design of Tamron’s advanced telephoto zoom lens delivers a whole new world of possibilities. It allows the photographer to draw the subject close and separate them from their background, creating photographs with spectacular contrast and depth. This lens also boasts Tamron’s USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) and proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilisation*. It gives the photographer the ability to capture fast moving subjects without blurring even in low light, and its new optical design that employs an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made with highly specialised glass delivers crisp, clear images with sharp contrast. * The Sony mount does not include VC, as Sony digital SLR bodies include image stabilisation functionality. The Sony lens is designated as “SP AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD”.
Key Features
Super Performance series
Performance takes priority for superb image quality
Ultrasonic Silent Drive
‘Travelling waves’ generate a fast, smooth AF movement
This extremely quiet motor is ideal for photography of events, weddings, theatre or musical performances, as well as crucial moments on the golf course – any situation where autofocus noise is obtrusive. Major improvements in autofocus response and tracking ability over standard DC motors make for instantaneous focusing and spontaneous shooting of rapidly moving subjects. 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 is a material 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 produce simple motion into energy known as ‘deflective travelling waves’, which move around the circumference of the ring. The friction between these deflective travelling waves created on the metallic surface of the stator and the surface of the rotor produces force, causing the rotor to rotate. Attached to the rotor is the focusing lens, which is given a fast, smooth autofocus movement.
Vibration Compensation
Compensates for camera blur on long shutter speeds – for sharp images in much lower light
Tamron’s unique VC mechanism uses a proprietary actuator and algorithms to deliver an extremely stable viewfinder image with excellent tracking. The mechanism employs a tri-axial system in which three driving coils move internal optical components within the VC lens electromagnetically. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with three ball bearings – which in the latest Tamron VC lenses are ceramic – achieving smooth movement with minimal friction. The simplicity of this mechanical structure is also one of the secrets of Tamron’s compact lens sizes.
Full-time manual focus at your fingertips
Autofocus has many benefits but sometimes the photographer needs the control of manual focus. Full-time manual offers just that: the crossover from autofocus 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 shallow.
Internal Focusing
Focusing elements inside the optical design make for better handling
In many lenses, the front elements move back and forth to alter the focus distance. With an internal focusing (IF) mechanism, the focusing elements are inside the optical design. Because the front lens elements remain static, the lens’ actual length does not change. This provides several benefits both to the image and during photography:
- The barrel is not subject to stray light entering from external helicoids that can adversely affect image quality
- A non-rotating front filter thread makes it easier to use filters such as graduated filters and polarisers
- A flower-shaped lens hood will remain in the correct position to most effectively shield the lens from stray light
- Better balance and more predictable handling because the lens length does not change during focusing
- Generally, a much closer minimum focusing distance throughout the zoom range
- Improved optical performance by minimising loss of illumination at the corners of the image field (vignetting)
- Suppression of other aberrations that become more troublesome at different focusing positions.
Integrated focus cam optimises internal focusing
Tamron’s Integrated Focus Cam is a precision mechanical component that optimises the co-ordinated movement of the Internal Focusing (IF) system with the Multiple Cam Zoom Mechanism. This ingenious mechanism ensures accurate and seamless positioning of all the internal elements within the lens and coordinates them with the external zoom and focus controls.
Flower-shaped hood is supplied with the lens to shield stray light
Included as a standard accessory, the flower-shaped hood matches the rectangular shape of the image sensor to most effectively block the interference of superfluous light rays entering from outside the borders of the image area, helping to ensure sharp, clear, flare-free images with crisp detail in the shadow areas.
Simple yet attractive exterior design
For this lens Tamron has adopted a streamlined silhouette to ensure that this lens looks good with a variety of SLR cameras. The subtle texture of the paint gives a well-crafted finish to the exterior.
Enjoyable photography for a wide range of enthusiasts using all types of SLRs
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. When using an APS-C sensor camera the angle of view narrows, giving it the equivalent range of 109-465mm* for bold ultra-telephoto shots. And with its maximum magnification ratio 1:4, the lens can be used to explore the realm of semi-macro photography.
Focal length range for digital SLR cameras with full-size sensors, 35mm film format SLR cameras | Focal length range with converted angle of view for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors* |
70mm | 109mm |
200mm | 310mm |
300mm | 465mm |
* Approximate equivalent angle of view at Tamron’s conversion value of 1.55x.
Optical Design
Extra Low Dispersion
Dispersive properties even lower than LD elements
Extra Low Dispersion lens elements are made from a special high-grade glass that has dispersive properties (i.e. where refraction causes the dispersion of white light into spectral hues) even lower than standard LD lenses, in fact being similar to those of fluorite. In combination with LD elements, these make for an optimal optical design that delivers superb resolution with advanced correction of axial chromatic and magnification aberrations – major inhibitors of image quality. The result is a lens that delivers sharp contrast and better descriptive performance throughout the entire zoom range.
Low Dispersion
Sharpens edges by reducing ‘colour fringing’
Chromatic aberration occurs when a lens element refracts different wavelengths of a ray of light – its rainbow colours – at very slightly different angles. This results in the ‘colour fringing’ that reduces the sharpness of an image. LD elements are made from special glass materials with extremely low dispersion indices (i.e. the refraction of a ray of light into rainbow colours is extremely narrow). Thus they effectively compensate for chromatic aberration at the centre of the field (on axis), a particular problem at long focal lengths (the telephoto end of the zoom range), and for lateral chromatic aberration (toward the edges of the field) that often occurs at short (wideangle) focal lengths. Although costly, LD glass materials result in clear, vivid image quality.
Broad-Band Anti-Reflective coating
Cleaner, crisper images without flare or ghosting
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 colour balance and reproduction.
Specifications
Model no. | A005 |
Focal length | 70-300mm |
Maximum aperture | f/4-5.6 |
Angle of view | 34°21′ to 8°15′ |
Lens construction | 17 elements in 12 groups |
Diaphragm blades | 9 |
Minimum aperture | f/32–f/45 |
Minimum focus distance | 1.5m (59.1in.) |
Macro magnification ratio | 1:4 (at f=300mm: MFD 1.5m) |
Filter diameter | 62mm |
Weight* | 765g (27.0oz) |
Diameter x length* | ø81.5 x 142.7mm (ø3.2 x 5.6in.) |
Supplied accessory | Flower-shaped Lens Hood |
Mounts available | Nikon, Canon, Sony (Konica Minolta)** |
* Values given are for Nikon mount. ** The Sony-mount model is not equipped with the VC image stabilisation mechanism, as anti-shake functionality is included in the body of Sony digital SLR cameras. Consequently, the name of the Sony-mounted lens, SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD, does not include the VC description.