Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens for Sony E and Fujifilm X Mount

Tamron has announced the 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD lens for Sony E and Fujifilm X mount. The new Tamron lens was designed for mirrorless cameras with image sensors in APS-C or half format. The lens contains special lens elements that are precisely arranged to ensure high resolution from edge to edge and achieve high image quality. As a result, according to Tamron’s statement, it should be the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses.

With a MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.15 m at the 18 mm wide angle and a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1: 2, this lens offers astonishingly good performance even when taking close-ups. The lens is equipped with the VC image stabilization mechanism (Vibration Compensation) developed by Tamron, which effectively reduces blurring in poor lighting conditions or in the ultra-telephoto range with slower shutter speeds.

Like most other Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras, this zoom also has a filter size of 67 mm. With a multitude of other functions for comfortable recordings, this is a versatile lens with which photographers can also benefit from high image quality over the entire focal length range from wide-angle to super-telephoto.

The Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is the world’s first lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras with a 16.6x zoom factor, the main feature of this lens. It covers a focal length range from a wide-angle to a super-telephoto, whereby it corresponds to a 35 mm focal length of 27 mm to 450 mm. It enables pictures to be taken in a variety of situations and of different subjects. It is ideal as an all-around lens and for snapshots in everyday life and when traveling but is also suitable for telephoto, landscape, and macro photography.

The 18-300mm uses the VXD linear AF motor mechanism developed by Tamron. It achieves an AF speed and precision that, according to Tamron, is among the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses. It enables precise AF control over the entire focal length range. It’s great for tracking a moving subject and is ideal for photography of animals, airplanes, trains, and other moving subjects. The autofocus is extremely quiet, so it is well suited for photo and video recordings in conditions that require a quiet operation.

With a MOD of 0.15 m at the 18 mm wide-angle and a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 2, this offers 18-300 mm compared to others All-in-one zoom lenses perform amazingly well at close-ups. When shooting with a MOD of 0.15 m (at an 18 mm wide angle), the distance between the subject and the tip of the lens is approximately 5 mm (0.2 inches). Make sure that the front element does not touch the subject when shooting with the MOD. It enables creative macro photography with heavily blurred backgrounds – a unique property of macro photography. As a pioneer among all-in-one zoom lenses, Tamron has proven unsurpassed originality for close-ups.

In order to achieve its large zoom factor and at the same time ensure high image quality, the lens has a balanced arrangement of three aspherical hybrid elements and four LD lens elements (Low Dispersion), which effectively suppress optical aberrations. It ensures a high resolution from the center to the corners over the entire zoom range.

In addition, with the help of AI technologies, the lens selects the compensation characteristic for videography at focal lengths of 70 mm or less. The zoom lens is pleasantly compact, offers user-friendly features (moisture-resistant construction, fluorine coating, zoom-lock switch). It is also compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.

Price and availability

Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD lens has been priced at $699 and is already available to pre-order via Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com websites for Sony E and Fujifilm X mount.

Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Specifications

• Focal length: 18-300mm (corresponds to small picture 27-450mm)
• Light intensity: 1: 3.5 (WW) to 1: 6.3 (Tele)
• Angle of view (diagonal): 77 ° 24 ′ to 5 ° 30 ′ (on APS-C camera)
• Optical structure: 19 elements in 15 groups
• Special lenses: 3 aspherical hybrid elements and 4 LD lens elements
• Close focus limit: 0.15m (WW), 0.99m (Tele)
• Max. Magnification: 1: 2 (WW) / 1: 4 (Tele)
• Filter size: 67mm
• Maximum diameter: 75.5mm
• Length (front to support surface): 125.6mm (model with E-mount)
• Weight: 620g
• Aperture blades: 7 (shaped for almost circular aperture openings)
• Smallest aperture: 1:22 (WW) to 1:40 (Tele)
• Scope of delivery: Flower-shaped lens hood, front, and rear lens caps
• Lens mount: Sony E / Fujifilm X mount

Recently, Tamron has also introduced two lenses for Sony E mount: a compact, lightweight Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Di III-A RXD ultra wide angle zoom and Tamron 150-500mm f5-6.7 Di III VXD ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a full-frame sensor.