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| Tamron's new SP AF28-75mm XR zoom maintains its fast f/2.8 maximum aperture at all focal lengths. It's also the most-compact high-speed zoom in its range. |
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| The SP AF180mm 1:1 macro lens also serves as a dandy short telephoto (actually, equivalent of a 288mm for this shot made with a digital SLR with a 1.6X "crop" factor). Photo by Mike Stensvold |
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| Photo by Ron Leach |
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| Photo by Ron Leach |
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| The SP AF28-75's wide-to-tele zoom range, with focusing down to 13 inches at any focal length, gives you lots of compositional versatility, while the lens's fast maximum aperture (which remains constant at all focal lengths) allows you to use slower films (or lower ISO settings with digital SLRs) for better image quality. Contrast is crisp, colors are accurate, sharpness is excellent at all focal lengths, and wide-end barrel distortion is minimal. Photo by Ron Leach |
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| Photo by Ron Leach |
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| A true 1:1 macro lens, the AF180mm f/3.5 focuses closely enough to produce life-size images on film (which, of course, can be blown up to much larger-than-life size). With Canon and Nikon versions, you can quickly switch between AF and MF modes merely by sliding the focusing ring. Photo by Ron Leach |
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| Photo by Lynne Eodice |
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| With its compact size, wide-to-tele focal-length range and fast maximum aperture, the AF28-75 is a versatile all-around lens. It will easily take you from group portraits to individual head shots. Photo by Lynne Eodice |
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| Photo by Lynne Eodice |
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Compact high-performance lenses for popular AF SLRs, both 35mm and digital.
Tamron has introduced a dandy pair of compact high-performance lenses designed for both 35mm and digital AF SLRs: a fast 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom and a 180mm f/3.5 1:1 true macro lens. The SP AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro (Model A09) is the lightest, most-compact high-speed zoom lens of its range, and the SP AF180mm f/3.5 Di LD [IF] MACRO 1:1 (Model B01) is the lightest lens in its class.
First, let's sort through the alpha-numerology. SP means the new units are members of Tamron's top-of-the-line Super Performance lens family. AF means they're autofocus lenses. Di stands for Digitally Integrated, meaning the lenses' optical systems were designed to meet the more-stringent needs of digital SLR cameras, with improved resolution, minimized peripheral light fall-off, compensation of ghosting and flare, and reduction of chromatic aberrations (these things don't hurt with film cameras either!). XR means the 28-75mm zoom employs extra-high refractive-index glass, which helps make the extra-compact design possible. LD indicates the use of extremely low-dispersion elements, which minimize chromatic aberration for sharper images. Aspherical means the lenses contain aspherical elements that compensate for spherical aberration and distortion, making for better performance with fewer elements (and thus allowing for smaller, lighter lenses). [IF] means the lenses employ internal focusing, which offers several advantages: the front element doesn't rotate during focusing (handy when using orientation-sensitive lens attachments such as polarizers and graduated filters); the lens doesn't change physical length during focusing (for better balance); and autofocusing is quicker because the elements are smaller and don't have as far to move during focusing. Macro actually has different meanings with each of these lenses. With the 180mm, it indicates a true macro lens that focuses down to a 1:1 (life-size) reproduction ratio. With the 28-75mm, it means it focuses closer than standard short-focal length zooms (and in fact closer than competing fast zooms—down to 13 inches at any focal length), although its maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.9 (about 1/4 life size) isn't truly "macro."
Now, let's look at the lenses.
SP AF28-75mm f/2.8
Maintaining its fast f/2.8 aperture at all focal lengths, the AF28-75mm zoom is great for low-light shooting, allows you to use slower films and lower ISO settings on digital SLRs for better image quality, and produces beautiful blurred backgrounds for wide-open selective-focus shots.
The AF28-75 nicely eliminates one of our big gripes about other zooms. We frequently take cameras on long hikes, and find it annoying to have a zoom lens gradually slide out to its longest physical length as we walk. The AF28-75 has a handy zoom lock that fixes the lens at its shortest physical length, eliminating that problem.
We also like the lens' quality feel. The separate focusing and zoom rings operate firmly and precisely, and are positioned for easy operation with the camera in shooting position. While internal focusing keeps the lens' physical length constant during focusing, the barrel does extend about 1.25 inches as you zoom it from 28mm to 75mm. However, balance remains excellent throughout the zoom range.
Specs include 16 elements in 14 groups, a minimum object distance of 13 inches (MOD is the distance from the film plane to the subject, not the distance from the front of the lens to the subject) for a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.9 at the 75mm focal length, 7 diaphragm blades, a filter size of 67mm, a length of 3.6 inches, a diameter of 2.9 inches and a weight of 18 ounces. The lens comes with a flower-shaped lens hood for maximum flare protection without vignetting, and Tamron USA's 6-year warranty. List price is $543.95.
SP AF180mm f/3.5 Macro
The main advantage of a longer-focal-length macro lens is its greater working distance. The AF180mm f/3.5 produces a life-size (1:1) reproduction ratio with the subject 9.4 inches from the front of the lens, compared to 3.5 inches from the front of the lens with a 90mm macro lens. That gives you more room to position flash units, reflectors and diffusion panels, makes it less likely that you'll cast a shadow on the subject, and keeps you farther away from skittish—or dangerous—live subjects. While macro lenses are optimized for close-up shooting, the AF180 performs well at normal shooting distances, too, and can be used for any work that requires a short telephoto lens.
Among the AF180's other benefits are easy switching between AF and MF modes with Canon and Nikon versions (just slide the focusing ring forward for AF or back for manual focusing, although at 1:1, it's easier—with any lens—just to move the camera forward or back until the subject appears sharp in the finder, rather than use the focusing ring or AF system), a removable magnesium-alloy tripod mount (which allows for easy rotating between horizontal- and vertical-format shooting when the lens it attached to a tripod, and quick removal for hand-held shooting—we strongly suggest using a camera support for maximum-magnification work), and the unique patent-pending Tamron Filter Effect Control, which allows you to rotate a filter to the desired orientation with the lens hood attached (interesting design: when you rotate the ring clockwise, the filer rotates counterclockwise; this takes a bit of getting-used-to, but we did adapt quickly).
Specs include 14 elements in 11 groups, a minimum object distance of 18.5 inches (for a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1), 7 diaphragm blades, a filter size of 72mm, a length of 6.5 inches, a diameter of 3.3 inches and a weight of 32.5 ounces. The lens comes with lens hood and soft case, and Tamron USA's 6-year warranty. List price is $1177.
Bottom Line
These two new Tamron lenses are sturdily built and handsomely finished, perform very well with both film and digital SLRs, and are smaller, lighter and cost less than their competition. This certainly makes them well worth a look if you're seeking a lens in these categories. Both lenses are available in mounts for Canon, Minolta (AF-D) and Nikon (AF-D) AF SLRs, and the AF28-75 is also available in a Pentax mount. For more info on these lenses and other Tamron products (look for more Di lenses in Fall 2003), contact Tamron USA, Inc., 10 Austin Blvd., Commack, NY 11725; 631/858-8400; www.tamron.com/di.htm.
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