SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012)
Tamron’s state-of-the-art lens design features an XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical)*1 lens element and eBAND Coating*2 for outstanding detail and performance from the center to the edges of the frame over the entire zoom range.
Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, announces the release of a groundbreaking F/2.8 ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for full-frame DSLR cameras.
Since 2012, Tamron has been expanding its lineup of interchangeable lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras. The Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A007) was the world’s first F/2.8 high-speed standard zoom lens to include image stabilization, followed by the development of the unique SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009), SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004), and SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011) lenses, all of which have been highly acclaimed among the photo enthusiasts around the globe. Now, we have developed SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012) to expand the world of imaging possibilities in the wide-angle range.
Product Name: SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012) for Canon/Nikon/Sony*
Date of Launch: Launching in Europe in the middle of February
* The launch date of the Sony mount model will be announced at a later date.
*1 The XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) lens element is capable of efficiently correcting aberrations in the angle of view that changes significantly with an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens. Furthermore, it has an especially significant impact on minimizing distortion and enhancing sharpness of the image at its periphery.
*2 eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating is a new nanotechnology-based coating technique developed by Tamron to reduce unwanted reflections.
*3 The Sony mount version does not include VC since Sony digital SLR bodies incorporate built-in image stabilization functionality. The name of the Sony mount model is “SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di USD” without the VC designation.
*4 VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron's proprietary image stabilization mechanism.
*5 USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron's proprietary ring-type ultrasonic motor.
Focal Length [mm] | 15-30 |
Maximum Aperture | F/2.8 |
Minimum Object Distance [m] | 0.28 |
Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:5 |
Filter Size [mm] | N/A |
Weight [g] | 1100 |
Item No | A012 |
Groups-Elements | 13-18 |
Angle of view | 110°32-71°35’ |
Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Minimum Aperture | F/22 |
Diameter x Length [mm] | 98.4 x 145 |
Available Colors | Black |
VC (Vibration Compensation)
VC is Tamron’s proprietary image stabilization system. Tamron’s VC employs a three-coil system, whereby three driving coils activate the shake-compensating VC lens group electromagnetically via three ceramic ball bearings. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the ceramic ball bearings, achieving smooth movement with little friction. And since the VC mechanism is moved in parallel using only the motorized control, the mechanical structure has been simplified, enabling the development of more compact lenses.
The Ultrasonic Motor
In the ultrasonic motor, a piezoelectric element arranged in a ring formation generates ultrasonic vibrations in a metallic ring stator, and this vibration energy is used to rotate a metallic ring rotor that is attached to the stator. The rotation energy is in turn transferred from the metallic ring rotor to operate the focusing mechanism of the lens.
eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating
eBAND Coating, developed by Tamron, is a new coating technique that radically improves anti-reflection properties. A nano-structured layer (1nm = 1/1,000,000mm), with dimensions smaller than the wavelengths of visible rays of light, is deployed on top of multiple coating layers to maximize light transmission efficiency.
Reflections occur at the interface between the lens and the air because of the difference in refractive indices of the two substances. The nano-structure of the eBAND Coating makes possible an extremely low refractive index by minimizing the differential with that of air while actively inducing air to its own structure, thus significantly suppressing the extent and degree of reflections.
In addition, the total anti-reflection efficiency at the lens surface is further improved by means of integrating the conventional coating technique based on an active utilization of the “interference of light” principle, attenuating the level of reflections by overlaying reflected light on the coating front surface and that of the back side with its phase shifted, thus increasing the net transmissivity.
As a hybrid technology that integrates the newly developed nano-structured layer with an extremely low refractive index and conventional multiple-layer coatings, the eBAND Coating provides superb anti-reflection performance, delivering crisp, razor sharp images, and eliminating the flare and ghosting that can tangibly damage image quality to a remarkable degree.