Tamron Co., Ltd. (President: Shiro Ajisaka; Headquarters: Saitama City) has developed an Android™ *1) operating system that improves convenience at the shooting site and expands the possibilities of photography and video shooting. TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™, an application dedicated to smartphones/tablets, will be released on November 29, 2022.
This application is the mobile version of the computer software TAMRON Lens Utility™, which has been well received by many Tamron lens users since its release in October 2021.
| Application name | TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile™ |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 29, 2022 |
| Compatible OS | Android 6-12 *2) |
| Compatible lens *3) *4) | 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063) 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058) 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A062) |
Overview of TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile
In October 2021, Tamron released TAMRON Lens Utility, a PC-only software that allows users to customize the functions of various Tamron lenses according to their photography and video shooting styles. Since then, we have developed TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile for Android OS in response to requests for improved convenience from users who want to customize lens functions at the shooting site. By connecting the lens to a smartphone with the separately sold TAMRON Connection Cable *5) , you can easily customize the lens on-site using your smartphone.
In addition, a new function has been added that enables lens operation from a smartphone. Focusing can be controlled without touching the lens, such as “AB focus” that moves the focus smoothly from one subject to another.
We plan to further expand the functions in the future so that you can feel more familiar with video production.
TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile function lis
Remote Operation
- You can set functions exclusively for smartphones and operate them remotely. (Functions that can be used with the remote set button)
- AB focus: A function that smoothly moves the focus from one subject to another. *6)
- Focus preset: A function that moves the focus to the recorded focus position with a single tap. *6)
Customize a custom switch or focus set button
- AB focus: A function that smoothly moves the focus from one subject to another. *6)
- Focus preset: A function that moves the focus to the recorded focus position with a single click. *6)
- Focus limiter: A function that can limit the focus range of AF.
- AF/MF switching: A function for switching AF/MF using the focus set button.
- Focus/aperture ring function switch: This function allows you to switch the focus ring to the aperture ring by using the focus set button.
- Camera body function assignment: A function that allows you to use the function assigned in advance on the camera body you are using with the focus set button.
Customizing the focus ring
- MF rotation direction: This function allows you to set the rotation direction of the focus ring.
- MF Response: A function that allows you to set the focus movement method when operating the focus ring.
Visit the Google Play Store to check out the Tamron Lens Utility Mobile
This utility only works with 3 FE mount lenses which have USB port built in the lens itself instead of old method of having separate dock.
Agree it would be handy on the 100-500 as well, but while a single-button implementation would be possible it would differ from the superteles and that would not be ideal, IMO.
Since the 100-500 is ‘affordable’ (relative to the great whites) perhaps adding the regular focus preeet hardware would have added too much to the cost.
I think I'm correct (haven't checked) in stating that Sony, Nikon, Tamron and Sigma all have custom buttons on several of their lenses, which cost far less than the 100-500, so I do feel that Canon have let themselves and their customers down by excluding it. I could sure make good use of a custom button if they provided one.
I assume a single button implementation could work by focusing at the required distance, double-tapping the button to lock it into the memory, and that the lens could be refocused again by holding down the button for the duration of the shot? I have no idea how it's implemented on Sony, Nikon, Tamron and Sigma lenses.
Edit: Actually, come to think of it, it could even be possible (although it won't happen) to preset a focus point via a firmware upgrade that allowed the function to be assigned to a back button on the camera, as the distance data is already transmitted from RF lenses to the camera....
Bryan/TDP did not list focus preset as one of the assignable functions for those buttons on the RF 135/1.8L
Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Lens Review
He does say, "Many more...," but given that he is an avid user of Canon's supertele lenses I'd think he would have mentioned the focus preset feature if it could be assigned to the programmable buttons.
AF Stop simply locks the focus when you hold down the button, at whatever distance the lens happens to be focused. When you release the button, focusing resumes. It’s only useful with focus assigned to the shutter button, it’s useless when using back button focus (which is why I have the AF Stop buttons on my 600/4 II assigned to another function, focus peaking, on my R3).
Focus Preset saves the focus distance in memory. With a preset saved, you can focus elsewhere and shoot, but activating the preset focuses at the previously saved distance. An example is focusing on the hoop at a basketball game. You can set the preset for that distance from your position, then track players around the court taking pictures. But when one shoots a goal or runs in for a layup, you point the lens toward the backboard and twist the preset ring, and the focus instantly snaps to the hoop.
As I stated, Bryan says nothing about the RF 135L having a focus preset function. Unless you have confirmation from some other source, I suspect it doesn’t or Bryan would have mentioned it (particularly since the UI would need to be significantly re-worked to collapse the functionality of a switch+ring+button to just a single button).
Big whites do have
- a set of function buttons, the function can be customized by using the body's menu (same as the buttons in the RF135)
- a switch enabling/disabling focus preset
- a button dedicated to register the engaged focus distance as new focus preset distance
- a functional focus ring to be used to trigger the lens focussing to the preset distance or to engage power focus (video work)
- the AF with gives the options for MF, AF, and PF to make this functional focus ring work as requested.
I do not think such a nice focus preset/ power focus setup ever to happen in an ultralight telephoto lens like the RF100-500.
Yes, Big White users take advantage from this setup!