News

I tend to travel on the wide side when it comes to lens selection, so it was exciting to get ahold of Tamron’s new super telephoto zoom—the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022). And what better way to give this big beauty a try than to take it on safari?

I tend to travel on the wide side when it comes to lens selection, so it was exciting to get a hold of Tamron’s new super telephoto zoom—the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022). And what better way to give this big beauty a try than to take it on safari? Admittedly, this “safari” was of the local variety with a quick trip to the recently renovated Audubon Zoo barely two miles from my home in New Orleans. I also spent an afternoon with the Tamron 150-600mm G2 ($1,399) on one of the many bayous running through Southern Louisiana to shoot some gators and less exotic wildlife.

One lens that should be in the arsenal of every photographer is a moderate telephoto zoom like a 70-200mm. Lenses in this category offer a great compromise between power, mobility, and versatility. They enable you to get in tight on nearby subjects, and unlike longer telephoto zooms, moderate telephotos are relatively lightweight, compact, and easy to carry.

If you read my article “Sweet Glass: My 10 Favorite Lenses For Portrait, Boudoir & Wedding Photography” you know I’m fond of the 85mm focal length for portraiture. If you didn't read it, please check it out after reading this review. And Tamron’s SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens surely rings this bell. It’s available for Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts and as part of Tamron’s Di family is designed to work with APS-C format and full-frame SLR cameras. I tested the Canon EF version ($749.)

The new SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF), an ultra wideangle
zoom lens, is designed for exclusive use on digital SLR cameras with smaller-size
image sensors. The lens uses a new optical system specially designed for digital
SLR cameras, in addition to the use of a glass-molded aspherical element having
a large clear aperture, hybrid aspherical elements, and elements using such
special glass materials as high index/high dispersion glass and low dispersion
optical glass, for outstanding optical performance.

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Tamron USA, Inc. has announced a free new learning program that’s specifically targeted at
first-time Digital SLR owners, but also likely to appeal to a broad spectrum of shooters including
experienced enthusiasts, and those who simply want to get a better handle on all the exciting
features built into their new Digital SLR cameras.

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