Tamron Releases New 20-40mm Lens That’s Smallest of its Kind
Tamron’s new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD A062 lens model is a full-frame Sony E-mount compatible optic that the manufacturer claims to be one of the lightest and smallest in its class. According to Tamron, this particular lens was made with portability aggressively in mind.
Tamron defines the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD as one of the smallest available fast-aperture zoom lenses for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. In this context, it is quite light and compact indeed.
According to its maker, the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD offers extremely high image quality and precision across the whole spectrum of its zoom range and is exceptionally suited for still shooting and vlog content creation, among other things.
The optical structure of this new lens consists of 12 elements in 11 groups that include four low-dispersion elements, two glass-molded aspherical lenses and an additional aspherical hybrid element.
This combination lets the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD balance itself out between high image quality and compact size for its whole zoom range. According to Tamron, these elements also let the new lens produce soft, nice bokeh thanks to a nine-bladed diaphragm with a very broad aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22.
A particularly innovative aspect of this lens model’s design is the overall balance it strikes between size, weight and performance. The 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is only 3.4-inches long and weighs no more than 12.9 ounces (366 grams) while being well-balanced even when used with accessories like camera grips according to Tamron.
Other physical traits include strong scratch resistance in the glass, a 67mm front filter size, high moisture resistance and a fluorine lens coating that helps keep smudges at bay.
One other cool optical design feature of the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is that despite being a zoom lens, it has an unusually close focusing distance of 6.7 inches (17 cm) that lets it be used for fairly decent macro shooting. The lens also offers a max magnification ratio of 1:3:8.
Inside the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD, Tamron has added an autofocus system that’s driven by the brand’s VXD linear motor. This provides high-performance AF with speed and precision while generating minimal noise or tremors.
Tamron also claims that the AF motor is extremely responsive at the whole of the lens’s focus range. Obviously, it’s also fully compatible with Sony’s own in-camera AF features and tracking technology -these last features are the main reason why Tamron considers the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD such a perfect video creator’s lens.
Finally, as for price and availability, the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD goes on sale as of October 27 for a pretty moderate price of $699. You can preorder now too though.
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