Tamron Introduce 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Lens

Tamron has added the Tamron 150-500 F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD full-frame super-telephoto lens to its range of Sony E-mount lenses, taking the total to 9 on the list of Tamron lenses made specifically for Full Frame Sony E-Mount Mirrorless Cameras which includes the Sony Alpha A7 Mark III. 

This lens, along with the also news 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD, offers superb optical performance in a compact housing, excellent macro possibilities, a silent and fast autofocus and full compatibility with all the advanced and practical Sony camera features.

Take a look at sample images captured with the new lens below. 

Pricing & Availability: The Tamron 150-500 F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (Model A057) is expected to be on sale from 10 June 2021 with an SRP of £1379.99.

Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Specifications: 

• Model: A057
• Focal Length: 150-500mm
• Maximum Aperture: F5-6.7
• Angle of View (diagonal): 16° 25'-4° 57'　(for full-frame mirrorless format)
• Optical Construction: 25 elements in 16 groups
• Minimum Object Distance: 0.6m /23.6 in (WIDE), 1.8m /70.9 in (TELE)
• Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:3.1 (WIDE) / 1:3.7 (TELE)
• Filter Size: φ82mm
• Maximum Diameter: φ93mm
• Length: 209.6mm (8.3 in)
• Weight: 1725g (without tripod mount)
• Tripod mount: 155g
• Aperture Blades: 7 (circular diaphragm)
• Minimum Aperture: F22-32
• Standard Accessories: Round-shaped hood, Lens caps, Tripod mount
• Compatible Mounts: Sony E-mount

Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Other sample images

From Transcontinenta UK: 

Transcontinenta UK is pleased to introduce the 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (Model A057), an ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras which will launch on June 10 2021.

The 150-500mm F5-6.7 is TAMRON's first ultra-telephoto zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras that reaches the 500mm focal length. With its compact design, even when extended to the 500mm telephoto end, you can still shoot handheld, especially since the lens alone is just 1725g, plus it is equipped with TAMRON's proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism for high-level image stabilization to help capture that perfect shot. This lens enables users to enjoy handheld shooting with amazing performance and high image quality in the ultra-telephoto realm where conventional wisdom once dictated a tripod was necessary.

To support handheld shooting in the ultra-telephoto range, the new zoom is also equipped withVXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), a linear motor focusing mechanism that delivers agile performance to keep up with your subject, whilst remaining super quiet. At the 150mm end this is also particularly important as the lens offers a MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.6m for powerful and dramatic close-ups.

Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Highlights 

1. Extra compact design

A hand-holdable full-frame 500mm lens that defies conventional wisdom. The 150-500mm F5-6.7 is just 209.6mm long with a maximum diameter of 93mm, an astoundingly compact size for a 500mm-class ultra-telephoto zoom for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Even when extended to the 500mm telephoto end, the lens is still remarkably compact at only 283mm. The lens zooms from 150mm to 500mm by rotating the zoom ring through an arc of just 75° - less than one-quarter of a turn. This feature enables rapid adjustment to the desired angle of view with minimal movement, avoiding missed opportunities and facilitating intuitive composition.

2. High image quality

The optical construction features 25 elements in 16 groups. The generous and effective use of special lens elements including one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), five LD (Low Dispersion), and two Hybrid Aspherical lens elements thoroughly controls aberrations including axial chromatic aberrations. This 150-500mm F5-6.7 ultra-telephoto zoom lens is designed and constructed with strong emphasis on compact size and usability without compromising image quality, so users can enjoy exceptionally high resolving power across the entire image.

3. Quiet and Fast VXD Focussing

The 150-500mm F5-6.7 features the same highly acclaimed VXD linear motor focus mechanism that was first introduced in the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056). VXD delivers extreme high-speed and high-precision movement and ensures exceedingly responsive performance. Even when shooting at the ultra-telephoto end with a focal length of 500mm, the 150-500mm F5-6.7 provides fast, comfortable and accurate focusing at all shooting distances, from near to far.

Focus tracking has been vastly improved to facilitate capturing fast-moving subjects, for example, sporting events, birds and aviation photography. This ensures that those dramatic, action-packed moments are never missed, whether shooting still photos or video. Additionally, the linear motor also reduces drive noise and vibrations produced during focusing (as compared to a conventional drive system), making it ideal for shooting both still photos and video in low-noise environments.

4. Ultra stable with VC (Vibration Compensation)

The slim, compact 150-500mm F5-6.7 is equipped with TAMRON’s VC mechanism. The lens features a VC mode selection switch with three settings (Mode 1: Standard, Mode 2: Exclusively for Panning, and Mode 3: Framing Priority) so the ideal VC mode can be invoked to match shooting conditions. This functionality delivers excellent image stabilization performance, enabling efficient reduction of image blurring caused by camera shake.

5. Tele-macro capability as close as 0.6m

The 150-500mm F5-6.7 offers excellent close-up shooting capabilities for an ultra-telephoto lens. The MOD is 0.6m at the 150mm end and 1.8m at the 500mm telephoto end. The maximum magnification ratio at 150mm is exceptionally high at 1:3.1. Users can shoot powerful telephoto-macro images of subjects including flowers and insects while maintaining a reasonable shooting distance - closer than you can get with conventional ultra-telephoto zoom lenses.

6. Additional features for greater convenience

• Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount with strap attachment holes included
• Lens hood with flexible, protective front portion
• New switch design for improved operability
• FLEX ZOOM LOCK mechanism to support greater usability

7. BBAR-G2 Coating minimizes ghosting and flare

the BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating that suppresses ghosting and flare to a minimum level and reveals the minute details of objects even when the subject is backlit. This combination of features works in harmony to provide sharp images with natural colours and rich saturation.

8. Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating

Often Ultra-telephoto lenses are used in outdoor conditions that can be changeable so the addition of Tamron’s Moisture-resistant construction helps to protect your lens should you get caught with unpredictable weather. The front surface of the lens element is coated with a protective fluorine compound that is water- and oil-repellent. The lens surface is easier to wipe clean and is less vulnerable to the damaging effects of dirt, dust, moisture and fingerprints.

9. Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions

As with the range of lenses Tamron have created for Mirrorless Cameras in Sony E-mount, the 150-500mm F/5-6.7 lens is compatible with an array of special features and functions of the Sony Mirrorless system including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.