Lens News

When Tamron introduced the SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD telephoto zoom three years ago it became an almost instant hit due to it’s powerful range, impressive image quality, and vibration-compensation capabilities. Now Tamron has upped the ante with a vastly improved version of the lens; the new SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022)

Key enhancements include a new optical design, enhanced coatings, improved focusing speed, and a more robust build quality.

The new optical formula features 21 elements in 13 groups, with three Low Dispersion (LD) elements that Tamron claims, “completely eliminate axial and transverse chromatic aberrations.” Combined with improvements in manufacturing technology, the new optical design promises superior sharpness, contrast, and color rendition.

The new telephoto zoom also incorporates Tamron’s nano-structured eBand Coating to enhance light transmission and significantly minimize flare and ghosting.

To make the new 150-600mm zoom even more versatile than its predecessor, Tamron has reduced the minimum focusing distance by 20 inches to 86.6 inches for telephoto macro photography with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.9. This makes it possible to take close-up images of skittish or dangerous subjects from a safe working distance.

Focusing with the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is now considerably faster both with static and moving subjects. When shooting in the AF mode, the lens offers a full-time manual override for instantly fine-tuning focus. Tamron says the vibration-compensation performance of the lens now extends to 4.5 stops, with three modes for different situations; Mode 1 for an optimum balance of viewfinder stability and stabilization effects, Mode 2 for panning, and Mode 3 that prioritizes stabilization of the captured image over viewfinder stability.

The SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 telephoto zoom is expected to be available later this month in mounts for Canon and Nikon at a price of $1,400, with a Sony A-Mount version to follow at the same price.

Also unveiled today are two premium-quality teleconverters that will extend the reach of the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 zoom; a 1.4X (Model TC-X14) and a 2X (Model TC-X20). Both feature moisture proof and dustproof construction, a rugged die-cast aluminum body, and permit normal autofocus and vibration compensation functions with compatible lenses. The teleconverters will be available later this month in both Canon and Nikon mount at a price of $419 for the 1.4X and $439 for the 2.0X.

The above announcements have yet to pop up on Tamron’s website, but we expect they will shortly.