Fast-handling telephoto zoom lens with a fast F/2.8 aperture
For full-frame mirrorless Sony cameras; light weight and responsiveness make telephoto shooting better than ever
The Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056) is a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. The greatest feature is its outstanding performance even while attaining a fast F/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range and offering the world’s lightest and most compact package with a filter diameter of 67mm, maximum diameter of 81mm, 149mm (5.9 in) length (at the 70mm setting) and a weight of 810g (28.6 oz). Thanks to the generous use of special lens elements, the 70-180mm F/2.8 achieves excellent image quality, and with the short MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 0.85m (33.5 in), it also broadens the possibilities for photographic expression. For enhanced AF drive efficiency, Tamron has newly developed the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), a linear motor focus mechanism that delivers excellent quietness and agile performance, thereby producing the highest level of autofocusing speed and precision in Tamron’s history. Additionally, a floating system is used to achieve excellent optical performance at all shooting distances. By simultaneously operating two VXD units via electronic control, the system produces clear and sharp images of all objects near and far. Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating are employed to facilitate outdoor shooting, and the lens is fully compatible with camera-specific features like Fast Hybrid AF. This remarkable 70-180mm F/2.8 is the third member of Tamron’s exciting trio of fast F/2.8 zoom lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Compact and light-weight body facilitates active telephoto shooting
Tamron designed this compact and light-weight lens to be the ideal combination with a full-frame mirrorless camera. To achieve this diminutive size while maintaining the high performance of the F/2.8 aperture, Tamron selected the focal length of 180mm at the telephoto end and employed an innovative zoom mechanism. Also, the image stabilization features of the host camera body are utilized for shake-free shooting. The result is a compact telephoto zoom lens that is comfortable and easy to shoot handheld. Additionally, the filter diameter is the same 67mm as Tamron’s the other lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras in the series. This feature makes filter-related tasks simple and removes the hassle of looking for front caps with differing diameters when changing lenses. The impressive portability of this lens expands its usefulness to many different fields of photography.
The highest levels of autofocus speed and precision in Tamron’s 70 year history
Tamron developed its first-ever linear motor AF drive focus mechanism, VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive), especially for the 70-180mm F/2.8. While operating faster than ever before, the drive also maintains positional accuracy down to 0.005mm (0.0002 in), less than one-tenth the width of a human hair! This provides unprecedented fast and precise AF performance. A floating system that uses two high-speed, high-precision VXD units with advanced electronic control is also used. This innovative design produces clear and beautiful images of all objects from near to far and at the same time helps reduce size and weight. Focus tracking has been vastly improved to facilitate sports and racing photography, two common subjects for telephoto zooms. This ensures that those dramatic, action-packed moments are never missed, whether shooting still photos or video. Additionally, this zoom offers superior quietness, making it ideal for shooting in low-noise environments as the linear motor is structured to reduce the vibrations produced during drive operation (as compared to a conventional drive system).
Outstanding image quality to capture the ambience of the moment
In developing the 70-180mm F/2.8, Tamron sought to strike a balance between compact size and light weight without sacrificing high image quality. The optical construction features 19 elements in 14 groups. The generous arrangement of special lens elements including XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), LD (Low Dispersion), GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) and hybrid aspherical lens elements achieves exceptionally high resolving power and controls aberrations from image center to the edges. The BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating is used to suppress ghosting and flare and to render subjects in exacting, full-contrast detail even under backlit conditions. In short, the lens delivers outstanding sharpness and enables clear expression, capturing the mood of any scene without compromise across the entire zoom range.
MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of just 0.85m (33.5 in)
The MOD of the 70-180mm F/2.8 is just 0.85m (33.5 in) across the entire zoom range, a surprising accomplishment for a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens. Thanks to this short distance, at the 180mm telephoto end in particular, the Maximum Magnification Ratio is 1:4.6, allowing you to create powerful images. Moreover, a floating component equipped with two VXD linear motor focus mechanisms maintains high image quality while effectively controlling aberrations so that the 70-180mm F/2.8 ensures great image quality even at close-up. Users can experience unique photographic expressions and high image quality possible only with this lens.
Close-up photography at 0.27m (10.6 in) to unleash a new shooting experience
A unique capability of the 70-180mm F/2.8 is shooting in the close-up range down to 0.27m (10.6 in) at the 70mm wide-angle end in manual focus (MF). While this mode makes it difficult to focus around the image periphery, it allows you to peer into a new world that can only be rendered by this lens. Discover this entirely new shooting experience.
* For more details, please visit this website: https://www.tamron.jp/en/support/guide/closeup.html
* For more details, please visit this website: https://www.tamron.jp/en/support/guide/closeup.html
Additional Features
Tamron’s lineup of three large aperture zoom lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras
With the addition of this telephoto zoom to the lineup of light-weight, high performance lenses, Tamron has completed its assortment of three F/2.8 large aperture zoom lenses for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless. The other two models are the 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A046) ultra-wide zoom, and the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063) standard zoom. The greatest feature of the series is the excellent portability. Combined, the three lenses are unbelievably light at just 1,770g (62.4 oz), fulfilling the photographer’s dream of being able to easily carry three fast, potent zoom lenses at the same time.
Built with Mirrorless in Mind
- Fast Hybrid AF
- Eye AF
- Direct Manual Focus (DMF)
- In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion)
- Camera-based lens unit firmware updates
* Features vary by camera. Please consult your camera’s instruction manual for details.
* As of March, 2020.
- Eye AF
- Direct Manual Focus (DMF)
- In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion)
- Camera-based lens unit firmware updates
* Features vary by camera. Please consult your camera’s instruction manual for details.
* As of March, 2020.
The Exterior
Technical Information
Specifications
| Model | A056 |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-180mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F/2.8 |
| Angle of View (diagonal) |
34°21'-13°42' (for full-frame mirrorless format) |
| Optical Construction | 19 elements in 14 groups |
| Minimum Object Distance | AF: 0.85m /33.5 in (Full zoom range) (MF: 0.27m /10.6 in (WIDE), 0.85m /33.5 in (TELE))* |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | AF: 1:4.6, MF: 1:2 (WIDE) / 1:4.6 (TELE)* |
| Filter Size | Φ67mm |
| Maximum Diameter | Φ81mm |
| Length** | 149mm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 810g (28.6 oz) |
| Aperture Blades | 9 (circular diaphragm)*** |
| Minumum Aperture | F/22 |
| Standard Accessory | Flower-shaped hood, Lens caps |
| Compatible Mounts | Sony E-mount |
*At the 70mm setting, it's possible to shoot at the close range of 0.27m when manual focus (MF) is set on the camera. However, results may be less than optimum since image quality decreases in peripheral areas. For more details, please visit this website: https://www.tamron.jp/en/support/guide/closeup.html
** Length is the distance from the front tip of the lens to the lens mount face.
*** The circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture.
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.
Release Date
May 14, 2020
Optical Construction (19 elements in 14 groups)
