Tamron Announces the Smallest, Lightest Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens in its Class

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A sophisticated balance of outstanding optics and matchless mobility
August 6, 2018, Commack, New York— Tamron announces the launch of a new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037), for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. The vision behind the Model A037 is that of an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that has a separate concept from SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012), with superb image quality and easy portability. At just 3.5 in in length and 16.2 oz. in weight, it is the smallest and lightest in its class. The focal length ranges from an ultra-wide 17mm that is suitable for professional landscape photography to a standard 35mm perfect for snapshot photography. As for F-stops, the wide-angle end is a large aperture F/2.8, and at the telephoto end is a fast F/4. The Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating help to enhance the user’s photographic experience. For those looking to try out an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the first time, as well as...

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Sep 19, 2016
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I still have and love the original Tamron 17-35...spec wise it doesn't look much different with the old one being 14 elements in 11 groups versus the 15 elements in 10 groups with the new. It would be interested either way to see how much they improved. The only thing of course about the 35mm end is the f/4 which doesn't scream fast like say Canon or Sigma 35 f/1.4 but for the price I can't complain. Last unit I bought was a mint condition (practically new) for $200. That's a steal.
 
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If I were into full frame and ultrawide, an interesting lens which is marginally heavier than EF-S 10-22 and substantially brighter & has nearly the same dimensions. But I am more the tele type and then the APS-C format helps - and with the wonderful new sensors (200D, M50 in my case) really shine.
But if I will look deeper into FF with my old 5D maybe an option - especially the 2.8 @ 17mm for night sky or night skylines. Tamron-speak lets me expect wonders!
 
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Apr 23, 2018
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That seems weird, they are doing the Nikon mount first and then Canon, I don't remember seeing that happen before. It seems like they do Nikon and Canon and if they do another mount that coming out later.

true. Simple explanation, though:
1) Tamron needs to hurry their lens with legacy Nikon mirrorslapper F-mount, because soon nobody will buy them any longer, but rather Nikon Z-Mount lenses only.
2) As for Canon .. Tamron is not sure about future of EF mount.
:p :D
 
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I still have and love the original Tamron 17-35...spec wise it doesn't look much different with the old one being 14 elements in 11 groups versus the 15 elements in 10 groups with the new. It would be interested either way to see how much they improved. The only thing of course about the 35mm end is the f/4 which doesn't scream fast like say Canon or Sigma 35 f/1.4 but for the price I can't complain. Last unit I bought was a mint condition (practically new) for $200. That's a steal.

I feel they will bring a new version of the 16-35 G2 out with fixed aperture and VC.. maybe at a higher price point. Personally I would not mind if Tamron brought out a 24-105mm F4
 
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true. Simple explanation, though:
1) Tamron needs to hurry their lens with legacy Nikon mirrorslapper F-mount, because soon nobody will buy them any longer, but rather Nikon Z-Mount lenses only.
2) As for Canon .. Tamron is not sure about future of EF mount.
:p:D
*Just wondering would Tamron and Sigma not already have been informed about the technology behind the new upcoming lens mounts by Canon and Nikon?. Both Canon and Nikon might find it to their advantage to have a portfolio of applicable lenses so people will not as easily move over to the competitors camera due to more lenses? The compatibility of the mount can be given/licenced that way so Tamron Sigma can start designing the mount and lenses , they just might wait a little bringing out the communication protocols
 
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*Just wondering would Tamron and Sigma not already have been informed about the technology behind the new upcoming lens mounts by Canon and Nikon?. Both Canon and Nikon might find it to their advantage to have a portfolio of applicable lenses so people will not as easily move over to the competitors camera due to more lenses? The compatibility of the mount can be given/licenced that way so Tamron Sigma can start designing the mount and lenses , they just might wait a little bringing out the communication protocols
It all depends on mindset of both Nikon and Canon either open up protocol like current Milc makers and allow 3rd party makers to join in to bring lenses in early so they dont have to do too much work from get go or close the protocols like their current DSLR systems locking out 3rd party makers from get go which might turn away potential new users to system.
 
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Apr 23, 2018
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I am holding out for an even more compact, lighter and less expensive 15-35/4.0 IS STM for upcoming Canon mirrorfree FF system. :)

I'm done with variable aperture zooms. Either hi-end IQ with f/2.8 all the way and size/weight/cost be damned.
Or really small, light, decent IQ, inexpensive and f/4.0 all the way.

f/2.8-f/4.0 lens just combines the worst of both concepts.
 
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It all depends on mindset of both Nikon and Canon either open up protocol like current Milc makers and allow 3rd party makers to join in to bring lenses in early so they dont have to do too much work from get go or close the protocols like their current DSLR systems locking out 3rd party makers from get go which might turn away potential new users to system.

Canon will have no issue, because all EF glass will remain fully functional on their mirrorfree FF system. Either natively - if they bring some or all mirrorfree cameras with EF mount or by means of a simple little extension tube "adapter" if they go with new mount ("EF-X).

Nikon has a bit more of a problem, because many of their F-mount lenses will face severe functional limitations on their Z-mount mirrorfree FF system.

But I would be extremely surprised if they would license their lens mount (mechanical, electrical, communications protocol, algorithms for AF system, flash, etc.) to 3rd party lens makers. And even more so for Canon. Sigma, Tamron, Tokina will have to wait until CaNikon stuff is available, purchase cameras and lenses, start reverse-engineering efforts and try their luck by spoofing some old lens ID codes. Maybe they'll find that Canon and Nikon have closed that route in their new mount system by using protected individual lens ID data in some proprietary chip in each lens. I'd be rather nervous if I were invested in 3rd party lens makers. :)
 
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I agree with Fullstop that constant aperture even at f4 is preferable to variable aperture at f2.8-4. My wide angle zoom (16-35) and standard zoom (24-70) are both Canon L series f4 and I love them. (Though ironically my two telephotos are f2.8 ). I wonder why they do variable? Is it because having 2.8 in the title makes a better sell? Or is it because variable aperture is easier/cheaper to design and build than constant aperture (even if you use the smaller aperture for the constant)?
 
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Sharlin

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A 16-35mm f/2.8 Di VC USD would have been better even it's somewhat heavier and a bit more expensive. I surely will wait for it. :)

That doesn't make any sense. It would be a completely different lens, much more expensive one too. And as has been mentioned, Tamron already has that, it's just 15-30mm instead of 16-35mm. And twice the price of this one.
 
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Sharlin

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17mm/4.0 = 4.3mm
17mm/2.8 = 6.1mm
35mm/4.0 = 8.8 mm

With a constant aperture the apparent size of the aperture needs to change quite a bit between the zoom endpoints which constrains the optical design space. A constant f/4 aperture would most likely not make the lens any lighter or cheaper. Plus it's almost certainly good marketing to have the f/2.8 there. Plus it's very nice for those who need it (astro, anyone?)
 
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Quirkz

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I agree with Fullstop that constant aperture even at f4 is preferable to variable aperture at f2.8-4.

Really???

Much prefer something that affords me the opportunity at 2.8 @ 17mm even if by 35 it’s 4.0, as long as the image quality is there and not compromised. At least I get a choice this way :)

I never understand when people say things like this. Give me less!!!
 
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