DCWatch Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Interview

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 23, 2021

Tamron has released a formidable lineup of lenses for Sony E-mount over the past few years and now they are releasing lenses for X-mount starting with the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061). Tamron does not have a lot of APS-C mirrorless lenses at this time, but I have heard good things about the few they have released and I really enjoy their full-frame lineup. Of course with this announcement, Tamron is giving interviews and the first big one is with DC.Watch and you can read the translated summary below:

  • Tamron started development for X-mount more than a years ago
  • Tamron started the development because they want as many people as possible to get into photography
  • Sony has a larger market, but Fujifilm’s X mount has a sufficiently large market share now to support 3rd party lenses
  • Many have been asking Tamron to release lenses for more than just Sony too
  • Tamron choose to make a high magnification zoom first because Fujifilm doesn’t really have one except for the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR and Sony can’t match the 18-300mm either
  • Mr. Yukio Misawa says this lens is for photographers that want to be able to shoot everything with one lens and to make travel easier
  • There are no 16.6x high magnification zooms at this time for mirrorless and the ones that are out do not provide high image quality like the 18-300mm
  • Even within Tamron there was a desire to limit the lens to 200mm for safe performance and size, but accepted the challenge of 300mm and succeeded
  • The prototype was initially much larger, but Tamron was able to get the size down while maintaining high optical performance and operability
  • The 18-300mm needs 3 motors to control the lens AF, Aperture, and IBIS
  • The optical system had to be lightweight to be driven by small motors which made it very difficult to design
  • The biggest problems they ran into were with the mechanic shop which caused Tamron to have to go back to the drawing board to start over again
  • High magnification zooms require the barrel to be expanded and contracted so the lens groups move through the lens right and this is the most difficult thing to arrange which is why the mechanical work took a lot of effort and adding IBIS made it even more difficult
  • The first prototype had a diameter of 80.5mm, but Tamron was able to shrink it and give the lens its standard 67mm filter size and it is even sharper now
  • They were able to balance the zoom torque and diameter well by increasing the number of metal cylinder parts
  • The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD will be about 620g so you could shoot it with one hand, but it is not recommended
  • Achieving 620g required the precise engineering of metal and plastic parts
  • The close focus shooting distance at 18mm will be about 0.15m with a working distance of about 5mm
  • Wide-angle macro is very exciting and interesting
  • Smartphone photographers are used to getting close so they wanted to remove restrictions to see what photographers do with a focus distance that is close enough to touch the front element
  • This is Tamron’s sharpest high magnification zoom with 7 lens groups for image quality
  • The image quality is high enough to be good on even the best mirrorless camera even without digital correction
  • This is Tamron’s first high magnification lens to use a linear motor VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive)
  • The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD was their first lens to use this motor and it’s very fast and accurate
  • The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD should be fast enough for users thanks to the VXD motor
  • VXD motors are also very quiet so they can be used for shooting video
  • Many Tamron users like to take photos and video

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D (Coming Soon):
B&H Photo / Amazon

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via DC.Watch

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Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Listed By B&H Photo

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 22, 2021


The new Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 is now listed on B&H Photo, which is a bit odd since the press release for its announcement mainly focuses on the lens being developed.

Key Features

  • X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 27mm-450mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/22
  • VXD Linear AF Motor
  • Maximum Magnification: 1:2
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

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Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Preorders Open

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 21, 2021


The new Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 can now be ordered from B&H Photo and the price is pretty reasonable considering most Voigtlander lenses have been launching around $1k in recent years.

Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 X Nokton Overview
Distinguished by its extremely fast maximum aperture, the Nokton 35mm f/1.2 X from Voigtlander is a versatile wide-angle prime lens optically optimized for FUJIFILM APS-C image sensors. The bright f/1.2 aperture benefits working with selective focus techniques and aids when shooting in low-light environments. The optical design employs one abnormal partial dispersion element for improved clarity and sharpness throughout the aperture range. The lightweight, compact design and manual focus operation permits working with subjects as close as 11.8″ away. The wide aperture and 12-blade diaphragm contribute to a pleasing bokeh quality, making it well suited to portraiture in addition to general photography.

The Nokton 35mm f/1.2 X incorporates electronic contacts to provide Exif data and focus check with feature-enabled camera bodies. Camera firmware update may be required.

  • New optical formula designed exclusively for FUJIFILM X-mount
  • Information communication with the body through electronic contacts
  • Precision and durable all-metal lens barrel
  • Manual focus for reliable, precise focus operation
  • Focus Check with enabled camera bodies
  • Aperture ring for direct mechanical aperture operation in 1/3-Stop increments
  • Beautiful enhanced bokeh with 12 aperture blades

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Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D Development Officially Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 20, 2021


Tamron’s first Fujifilm X-mount lens developed at the same time as Sony E-mount * 1) , a high-magnification zoom that achieves a zoom ratio of 16.6x

Tamron Co., Ltd. (President: Shiro Asaka, Headquarters: Saitama City), a comprehensive optical equipment manufacturer, announces that it is developing our first Fujifilm X-mount lens at the same time as Sony E-mount.

With the release of the large-diameter standard zoom lens “28-75mm F / 2.8 Di III RXD (Model A036)” compatible with 35mm full-size mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras for Sony E-mount in 2018, it is compatible with mirrorless cameras for Sony E-mount. We have expanded the lineup of lenses. During that time, many users have asked us to expand the lens lineup for mirrorless cameras and to develop mounts from other companies, and we have been studying development for some time. This time, as the first lens for Fujifilm X mount, we have a prospect of developing a high magnification zoom lens, which we are good at, and for Sony E mount and Fujifilm X mount, the world’s first * 1) , zoom ratio 16.6 times. We are pleased to announce the “18-300mm F / 3.5-6.3 Di III-A * 2) VC VXD (Model B061), a high-power zoom lens compatible with APS-C size mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras .

We will continue to strive to develop unique products and expand compatible mounts so that people all over the world can enjoy photography more.

Product name18-300mm F / 3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
(Model B061)
Sony E mount / Fujifilm X mount
Release dateScheduled to be released within 2021 * 3)
Suggested retail priceUndecided

* 1) For APS-C size mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera compatible zoom lenses. (As of June 2021. According to Tamron research)
* 2) Di III-A: APS-C size equivalent Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera lens.
* 3) Due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection in the future, the release date and supply may be delayed.

18-300mm F / 3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) Overview
Model B061 was developed based on the concept of “realizing a high-magnification zoom lens that covers a wide-angle range of 27 mm to a super-telephoto range of 450 mm in 35 mm format with a single lens and enables various shooting.” It is the world’s first zoom lens compatible with APS-C size mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, achieving a zoom ratio of 16.6x. The AF drive is equipped with a linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), which is excellent in quietness and agility. By arranging the special glass material in a well-balanced manner, it maintains high depiction performance from the center to the periphery of the screen, and achieves the highest level of high image quality among high-magnification zoom lenses compatible with APS-C size mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras.

In addition, the shortest shooting distance at the wide-angle end is 0.15m, and the maximum shooting magnification is 1: 2, which is a high-magnification zoom lens, yet it demonstrates amazing close-up shooting performance. Equipped with Tamron’s original image stabilization mechanism VC (Vibration Compensation), it supports stable shooting even in the super-telephoto range.

The filter diameter is φ67mm, which is the same as most of our mirrorless lens series. It is a highly practical lens that has a full range of functions to support comfortable shooting, and allows you to easily enjoy high image quality from wide-angle to super-telephoto.

Main features

  1. World’s first 16.6x high magnification zoom lens
  2. Equipped with best-in-class high-speed, high-precision AF and VXD
  3. Achieves a minimum shooting distance of 0.15 m and a maximum shooting magnification of 1: 2 at the wide-angle end of 18 mm.
  4. Best-in-class high image quality
  5. Equipped with image stabilization mechanism VC
  6. Compact design
  7. Shooting support function (simple drip-proof, antifouling coat, zoom lock switch mechanism, etc.)
    * As this is a product under development, specifications, appearance, performance, etc. are subject to change without notice.

via Tamron

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Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D Rough Size Comparison

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 20, 2021


Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D (Coming Soon):
B&H Photo / Amazon

At one point I owned every lens Tamron made for Sony-E mount and they were all excellent to very good for the price. My guess is this lens will end up being very good for the price/size/weight compared to the various X-mount lenses on the market, plus Fujifilm doesn’t really have a lens to directly compare. Above I created a rough comparison between the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D, Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, and Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR using Camerasize.com.

The lens size is probably only off by a few millimeters compared to the others due to the angle of the photo, but it seems to be about the same size or even smaller than all of the lenses above. It will also be lighter than any of the above lenses, but it will not have the solid feel that Fujinon lenses have. This should be a great lens for travel covering a crazy 27mm-450mm due to the 1.5x crop factor of APS-C and it might even be good enough for professional use knowing Tamron.

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Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D is Tamron’s First Lens For X Mount

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 20, 2021


Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VX D (Coming Soon):
B&H Photo / Amazon

Slough, July 20st. 2021. Transcontinenta UK Ltd., Tamron UK and Ireland distributor, announces that Tamron starts the development of its first lens for FUJIFILM X-mount and Sony E-mount cameras simultaneously.

Since the launch of the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A036), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens for Sony E-mount Full-Frame mirrorless cameras in 2018, Tamron has continually expanded its line of lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras. The popularity and wide adoption of these lenses prompted many user requests for the manufacture of the lens for other camera brands.

As a specialist in the all-in-one zoom lens category, Tamron recognized the potential to develop the first all-in-one zoom lens for the FUJIFILM X-mount. The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) is the world’s first all-in-one zoom lens for Sony and FUJIFILM APS-C mirrorless cameras featuring a 16.6x zoom ratio. To provide the pleasure of photography to more people around the world, Tamron will continue to develop unique products and expand the number of lenses compatible with more camera brands.

Overview of the Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) features
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) covers a wide zoom range from approximately 27mm to 450mm (Full-Frame equivalent focal length). The first APS-C mirrorless camera zoom lens in the world with a 16.6x zoom ratio, the lens delivers the benefits of a versatile all-in-one zoom lens ideal for a broad array of photographic possibilities. Its AF drive system uses Tamron’s linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) for superior quietness and agile performance. The lens includes special lens elements arranged precisely to maintain high resolution performance from edge-to-edge and provide high image quality that is among the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses.

With an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.15m at the wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, this lens performs astonishingly well in its category when shooting up close. It is equipped with Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism that supports stable photography even at ultra-telephoto focal lengths. And it features a unified 67mm filter size, the same as other Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras

Main features
1. The world’s first 16.6x all-in-one zoom.
2. Extremely fast and precise AF, VXD linear motor focus mechanism, the highest-level in its class.
3. MOD: 0.15m, maximum magnification ratio: 1:2 at 18mm wide end.
4. The best image quality in its class.
5. Outstanding VC (Vibration Compensation).
6. Comfortably compact.
7. User-friendly features (Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, Zoom Lock switch)

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via Photorumors

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