Tamron adds series of fast 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD zoom lenses for Sony bodies

Tamron announced the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056), a large aperture telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras will be available in the U.S. on May 14 at $1199. Due to the spread of COVID-19, however, the release date or the product supply schedule could be delayed.

The 70-180mm F/2.8 features a compact and lightweight design with a 67mm filter diameter, the same as the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 (Model A046) and the 28-75mm F/2.8 (Model A036). The optical construction includes several lens elements contributing to the lens’s overall superb imaging performance, the company said. The lens has a very short 33.5” Minimum Object Distance (MOD) expands overall versatility and utilizes Tamron’s newly developed Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive (VXD) linear motor focus mechanism producing an autofocus drive that’s quieter and quicker than ever before.

Other features include Moisture-Resistant Construction for added weather protection and Fluorine Coating for easy maintenance. In addition, the 70-180mm F/2.8 is fully compatible with various camera-specific features including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.

The new 70-180mm F/2.8 lens has a MOD of 33.5-inches throughout the entire zoom range. The short MOD paves the way for telephoto shooting at a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.6 at the 180mm telephoto end. Moreover, a floating component equipped with two VXD linear focus mechanisms maintains high image quality while effectively controlling aberrations so that the 70-180mm F/2.8 ensures great image quality even at close-up, the company said. The lens features a floating mechanism ensuring great image quality at distances as short as 33.5-inches. It is possible to shoot as close at 10.6-inches on manual focus.