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. Superior, class leading imaging performance using an innovative XGM lens element
   With an optical construction consisting of 18 elements in 13 groups, including, for the first time, an XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) lens element placed in the front group, and several Molded-Glass Aspherical elements and LD (Low Dispersion) elements used throughout the optical system, aberrations such as geometrical distortion and lateral color are efficiently corrected enabling the zoom lens to deliver outstanding image quality throughout its entire zoom range from corner to corner.
2. Enhanced sharpness with exclusive VC image stabilization when shooting handheld in low light or at night
   In response to popular demand, Tamron has created the world’s first F/2.8 ultra-wide- angle zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation)*4. The VC allows shooting at slow shutter speeds and in low light conditions, and effectively compensates for minor camera shake, whilst maintaining class leading optimal performance.
3. eBAND Coating provides superior anti-reflection properties
   In addition to further optimizing Tamron’s acclaimed BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating, the eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating has also been employed in this lens. This combination offers superior anti-reflection properties especially important in ultra-wide-angle lenses which are particularly susceptible to flare and ghosting due to their wide angle of view, and provides superior quality and crystal-clear images by minimizing unwanted light reaching the sensor.
4. 15-30mm zoom covers both ultra-wide and semi-wide-angle focal lengths
   At its ultra-wide-angle settings this lens can capture, in a single photograph, broad landscapes that cannot be taken in fully by the human eye. At its semi-wide-angle focal lengths, it’s ideal for travel and street photography. In short, this unique lens utilizes the zoom function to provide maximum shooting flexibility with a wide range of subjects.
5. Fascinating background “bokeh” throughout the wide-angle range due to its fast constant F/2.8 aperture
   Utilizing its shallow depth of field at F/2.8, it enables users to capture beautiful bokeh effects even at wide coverage angles. Its advanced optical formula and 9-bladed circular diaphragm are designed with defocused photography in mind - perfect for creating images where subjects stand out from their natural, blended backgrounds.
6. Proven fluorine coating utilizing Tamron's industrial lens expertise is used on the front element
   Fluorine coating, with an established track record in Tamron's industrial lenses, such as those used in automotive cameras, has been applied to the front element. It repels water and dirt, and makes it easier to remove smudges.
7. Flexible, high-performance focusing with USD
   USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)*5 delivers high torque, high precision, and virtually silent autofocus action. A full-time manual focus mechanism permits fine focus adjustments instantly without needing to exit AF mode.
8. Lens hood designed to prevent light from striking lens at all focal lengths
   This unique lens hood provides effective shading of the front lens surface over the entire zoom range to minimize flare. It utilizes the unique characteristics of the optical system in which the front lens group recedes as you zoom in from 15 mm to 30 mm.
9. Double-hood structure provides additional strength
   A double-hood structure has been incorporated into the lens design to improve the durability of the zoom mechanism.
10. Comes with "SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron", RAW image processing software customized for Tamron SP lenses
    The SILKYPIX Developer Studio software can develop high-quality images from RAW data, incorporating adjustments that can express the personal style and taste of the photographer. These include white balance, color, sharpness, and the tonal curves recorded by digital cameras.
    The SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron provides a range of functions in addition to the basic adjustment capabilities, such as correcting aberrations (chromatic aberrations, distortion, peripheral light fall-off), based on the optical data. Used in tandem with Tamron’s SP series lenses - renowned for their crisp, high-resolution imaging - this advanced technology efficiently produces images that meet photographers’ most exacting demands.

*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.

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.