The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD is the most compact full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens. Equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), the Tamron 70-200m F/2.8 lens is currently under development with no launch date or price set. It will be available for Nikon, Canon and Sony mounts.

Tamron Press Release

The most compact*1 full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens, delivering leading-edge image quality with Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive).

SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009)

September 13, 2012, Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Morio Ono / Headquarters: Saitama City), a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, announced the development of a full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens equipped with VC (Vibration Compensation)*2 image stabilization, and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)*3 that achieves leading-edge image quality while boasting the most compact design in its class.

Product Name: SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009) for Canon, Nikon and Sony*4
Launch Date & price: TBA

Product Features

1. One special XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) *5 glass in concert with four LD (Low Dispersion) elements minimize chromatic aberrations. This combined with a new optical design that delivers high contrast and high resolution throughout the zoom range achieves leading-edge image quality.

2. Tamron’s advanced multi-layer coating technology dramatically improves lens performance by reducing flare and ghosting for crisper, clearer images.

3. The rounded diaphragm*6 affords the photographer spectacular blur effects, delivering the kind of rich expression only achievable with a high-speed telephoto zoom lens.

4. The most compact full-size, high-speed telephoto zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) in its class delivers superior mobility, enabling photographers to capture the previously unattainable.

5. Features USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) to power a speedy AF drive together with a continuous manual focus mechanism.

6. The VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism reduces camera shake to deliver sharp images.

7. Moisture-resistant construction helps prevent moisture from penetrating the lens.

*1   For high-speed telephoto zoom lenses for full-size SLR cameras, equipped with VC image stabilization and USD. Current as of September 2012. (Source: Tamron)
*2   VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron’s proprietary image stabilization mechanism.
*3   USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron’s proprietary ultrasonic motor drive.
*4   The Sony mount does not include VC, as Sony digital SLR bodies include image stabilization functionality. The Sony lens is designated as “SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di USD”.
*5   The XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass is made from specialized high-grade glass, which offers greater chromatic aberration correction properties than LD (Low Dispersion) elements.
*6   This rounded diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even when taken two stops down from its fully open state

Specifications
Focal length: 70-200mm
Maximum aperture: F/2.8
Angle of view (diagonal): 34°21?- 12°21? (with full-size SLR cameras)
22°33?- 7°59? (with APS-C sized sensor digital SLR cameras)
Lens construction: 23 elements in 17 groups
Minimum focus distance: 1.3m (51.2 in)
Maximum magnification ratio: 1: 8 (at f=200mm: MFD 1.3m)
Filter size: Ø 77mm
Length*1:       188.3mm (7.4 in)*
Entire length*2:       196.7mm (7.7 in)*
Diameter: Ø 85.8mm
Weight: 1470g (51.9 oz)*(including detachable tripod mount)
No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
Minimum aperture: F/32
Standard accessory: Flower-shaped lens hood
Compatible mounts: Canon, Nikon, Sony

Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. may be changed without prior notice.
*Length, entire length and weight values given are for the Nikon mount.
*1: Length is the distance between the mount face and the tip of the lens.
*2: Entire length is the distance between the tip of the lens and the tip of the protrusion.

VC (Vibration Compensation)
VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron’s proprietary image stabilization system. Tamron’s VC is a three-coil system, whereby three driving coils activate the shake-compensating VC lens group electromagnetically via three ceramic balls. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the ceramic balls, achieving smooth movement with little friction. This provides a stable viewfinder image with excellent tracking performance. And as the VC lens may be moved in parallel using only the motorized control, the mechanical structure has been simplified, enabling the creation of a more compact lens.

New VC System (moving coil method) 
Tamron’s original VC image stabilization mechanism utilized a moving magnet system whereby a heavy magnet was positioned near the moving VC lens element. In the new VC unit the positions of the magnet and the coil are reversed, because of this the VC optical lens element is attached to the coil. The new VC mechanism employs a moving coil mechanism with a lightweight coil, and the lighter coil reduces the load on the drive system. Thus, the lighter, more compact new VC unit contributes to the lens’s overall lightweight and compact size.

The Ultrasonic Motor
In the ultrasonic motor, a piezoelectric element arranged in a ring formation generates ultrasonic vibrations in a metallic ring stator, and the 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 focus lens.

Notice of Classification Code Change for Nikon Mounts
Since the introduction by Tamron of the first Nikon mount lens featuring an internal AF motor, the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC (Model A20), all Nikon mount lenses with the internal AF motor had used the classification code “N II.”  Lenses using a coupler system* without an internal AF motor were designated as “N.” Because future Nikon lenses will have the internal AF motor as a standard feature, Tamron has decided to simplify the designation and consolidate all Nikon mount lenses as “N,” eliminating the “N II” designation for future models.  This classification code change was made effective with the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Model B008).

The “N” classification lenses with coupler systems are: SP AF200-500mm F/5-6.3 Di (Model A08); and SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di (Model B01).
*Coupler system refers to a system that uses a shaft to harness the AF motor built into the camera body to operate the lens.

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