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Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD: A Constant Aperture “Full Frame” Zoom
Equipment Reviews, Lenses
Jack Neubart • May 06, 2013 • Published: Apr 01, 2013 • 2 comments
The difference between a “constant” aperture zoom and other standard zooms is that when you increase the focal length on the standard zoom the maximum aperture narrows. This might make the difference between being able to hand hold or not when zooming in, and may indeed force the use of higher ISOs. Known as “fast” lenses, constant aperture zooms are pricier and bulkier than their variable-aperture counterparts. And to sweeten the pot, we’ve seen more and more fast lenses with built-in image stabilization, which gets you even more low light and steady shot capability.
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Tamron SP AF 300mm f/2.8 LD [IF] Lens And AP AF Tele-Converter
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Jul 01, 2000 • 0 comments

Renowned for its line of award-winning broad range zoom lenses, Tamron also offers several single focal length models. Perhaps the least well-known of this line is model No. 360: the SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF, available in autofocus and manual...
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Tamron SP AF10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 DiII LD Aspherical (IF) Super Wide, Lightweight Zoom
Lenses
George Schaub • Apr 06, 2009 • 4 comments

There was time when those seeking super-wide lenses for APS-C size sensor cameras didn’t have much choice, but new light gathering systems that distribute light evenly from lens to sensor, as well as new optical formulas from camera makers and independent lens manufacturers, have changed that point of view. The latest in this welcome new class of glass is from Tamron, with their 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 offering. Priced at around $500 (street) and weighing in at about 14 oz., the Tamron 10-24mm is useable for cameras that require “motor in the lens” operation, such as the Nikon D40X, on which this lens was tested.  The DiII designation tells you that this lens is for digital SLRs with APS-C sensors.

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Tamron's SP AF17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF] Zoom
A New Lens For Film And Digital SLRs
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Aug 01, 2004 • 0 comments

Because of the increasing popularity of digital SLR cameras, Tamron has undertaken an ambitious plan to develop a full range of Di (Digitally Integrated) lenses. Optimized for digital SLRs, the Di-series is just as desirable for use with 35mm cameras, as mentioned in my review of the first two...
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Tamron’s 17-50mm F/2.8 Lens; A Constant Aperture, Image Stabilized Zoom
Lenses
Jack Neubart • Aug 01, 2010 • 1 comments

The new Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) joins a growing community of wide-zoom lenses. In contrast to an earlier version of this lens, which is available in several mounts, this APS-C Tamron optic (designated Model B005/$649 street price) is only available in Nikon DX (with built-in motor) and Canon mounts. Given that I mated this lens to a Nikon D300, that effectively...
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Tamron’s AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Lens;
Lenses, Test Reports
Joe Farace • Nov 01, 2005 • 1 comments

Tamron's AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 lens is part of their digitally integrated (Di II) lens series that's designed for digital SLRs and is not recommended for use with cameras having image sensors larger than 24x16mm, or 35mm film cameras. The lens is available in Canon EF, Konica Minolta AF-D, Nikon AF-D, and Pentax AF mounts and is maximized for smaller-sized imaging...
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Tamron’s AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro; A 13.9x Zoom (!) For D-SLRs
Lenses
Peter K. Burian • Aug 01, 2007 • 0 comments

Although Tamron makes some wide aperture, pro-grade lenses, the affordable "multi-platform" 28-300mm zoom and the "digital only" 18-200mm zoom have been their best sellers. That's understandable, since those are unusually versatile and portable lenses. Now, Tamron is marketing a newer 18-250mm Di II model, the first lens on the market with a 13.9x...
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Tamron’s AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO; A Lens For All Seasons And Reasons
Lenses
Peter K. Burian • Apr 01, 2009 • 0 comments

Designed specifically for Nikon and Canon D-SLRs with APS-C-size sensors, Tamron’s latest all-purpose lens is even more desirable than the previous 18-250mm Di II model.
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Tamron’s AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro; The First Tamron Lens With Vibration Compensation Stabilizer
Lenses
Peter K. Burian • Apr 01, 2008 • 1 comments

Tamron's various 28-300mm "ultra" zooms have been best sellers since their first model of this type was introduced in 1999. Each subsequent version featured improvements and this latest "4th generation" product is the most desirable to date, since it includes a Vibration Compensation stabilizer aside from a wealth of advanced optical technology. A...
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Tamron’s SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro; A Macro Tele Lens For 35mm, APS-C, And Digital SLRs With Full-Frame Sensors
Lenses
Jason Schneider • Aug 01, 2006 • 0 comments

This fairly large (6.5" long, 3.3" in diameter), reasonably lightweight (32.5 oz, including removable tripod collar) macro tele covers the 24x36mm format in film or digital as well as the smaller APS-C digital format. The Di (Digitally Integrated) designation indicates that it's "optically designed for digital SLR cameras." To translate the remainder...
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Tamron’s SP AF60mm F/2 Di II; A 1:1 “True” Macro For APS-C D-SLRs
Lenses
George Schaub • Dec 01, 2009 • 0 comments

Long considered the focal-length sweet spot for macro work, the 60mm focal length of the new Tamron 60mm f/2 lens ($569 MSRP) converts out to 96mm for Canon and 90mm for Nikon APS-C D-SLRs.
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Tamron’s SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro; A Digitally Optimized, Wide Aperture Pro-Grade Zoom With Close-Focusing Ability
Lenses
Peter K. Burian • Nov 01, 2008 • 0 comments

Because of the increasing number of D-SLRs with full-frame sensors, Tamron is upgrading several of their multi-platform lenses to the Digitally Integrated standard. The most recent model, the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di, is optimized for D-SLRs regardless of the sensor size but also provides outstanding results with 35mm SLRs. This zoom has benefited from several improvements, including closer focusing...
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Tamron’s SP AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD; Ultrasonic Silent Drive—Quiet, Fast Autofocusing
Lenses
Jack Neubart • Mar 01, 2011 • 2 comments

For the first time, Tamron has incorporated an Ultrasonic Silent Drive, or USD, with full-time manual override in this zoom lens, making it a competitive technology with Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor, Canon’s Ultrasonic Motor (USM), and Sony’s Super Sonic wave Motor.
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Telephoto Lenses For View Cameras
The Long And The Short Of It
Lenses
Joseph A. Dickerson • Jan 01, 2003 • 0 comments

Telephoto Lenses For View Cameras

I shoot multiple formats ranging from 35mm to 4x5, depending on subject matter and my...
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The Leica Lens Saga; An Interview With Peter Karbe
Lenses
Jason Schneider • Aug 01, 2009 • 1 comments

Editor’s Note: Our intent in bringing you this interview is to give you a look inside the technical development of new products and laud the achievements of engineers, scientists, and designers who contribute to advances in photography and imaging. We look forward to publishing a series of these interviews from many different aspects of the photographic world in the future.

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