Commack, NY—The new Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (model A057) is a Nikon Z-mount ultra-telephoto zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Tamron will launch the lens, which was developed and manufactured under a license agreement with Nikon Corp., on October 31, 2023.
“The 150–500mm f/5–6.7 lens has a focal length of 500mm on the telephoto end, yet it provides remarkably compact size and extremely high image quality throughout the entire zoom range,” Tamron announced. “It lets users enjoy spontaneous shooting in the ultra-tele realm where conventional wisdom once dictated a tripod.”
While made for Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless cameras, on APS-C-format mirrorless cameras, the lens has an approximately 225–750mm-equivalent zoom range.
Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD in Z Mount
The ultra-telephoto zoom employs Tamron’s VXD (voice-coil eXtreme-torque drive), a high-speed linear motor autofocus mechanism, as well as a proprietary VC (vibration compensation) image stabilization mechanism.
Like the E-mount version that launched in June 2021 and the X-mount model released in October 2022, this lens is also compact. The Z-mount version measures 8.4 inches long, has a 93mm maximum diameter and weighs in at 60.7 ounces without its tripod mount. When extended to the 500mm telephoto end, the lens is still relatively compact at 11.3 inches long.
Its sophisticated optical construction features 25 elements in 16 groups. Further, the use of special lens elements controls aberrations, including axial chromatic aberrations. The design comprises one XLD (eXtra low dispersion), five LD (low dispersion) as well as two hybrid aspherical elements. As a result, the lens offers high resolving power across the entire image. In addition, Tamron’s BBAR-G2 (broad-band anti-reflection generation 2) coating reduces glare and ghosting to achieve clarity and contrast.
Key to the 150–500mm f/5–6.7 lens is its VXD linear motor autofocus mechanism. Tamron developed the VXD to deliver high-speed, high-precision movement as well as to ensure responsive performance. Even when shooting at 500mm, the lens provides fast, accurate focusing from near to far. Also, focus tracking allows the clear capture of fast-moving subjects. In addition, the linear motor reduces drive noise and vibrations produced during focusing (compared to conventional drive systems). Consequently, the lens is a solution for shooting both still photos and video in low-noise environments.
Complementing this is Tamron’s VC mechanism. It delivers image stabilization that reduces image blur caused by camera shake. VC also supports handheld shooting of scenes in low light, without a tripod.
Additional Features
Furthermore, the lens’s telephoto-macro feature unlocks close-range shooting performance. The lens’s close-up shooting capabilities are notable for an ultra-telephoto lens. It achieves a 23.6-inch MOD at the 150mm end and 70.9 inches at the 500mm telephoto end. The maximum magnification ratio at 150mm is also high at 1:3.1. As a result, you can shoot telephoto-macro images of subjects while maintaining a reasonable shooting distance.
Other features include a flex zoom lock mechanism for greater usability; a switch for ease of operation and handling; a 7-blade circular diaphragm aperture; as well as a “linear/nonlinear” switch that is handy when focusing manually. Moreover, the arc of rotation of its zoom ring is only 75º.
With moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine coating to provide extra protection, the lens comes with a hood that has a flexible, protective front portion and an Arca-Swiss-compatible tripod mount with strap attachment holes.
The Tamron 150–500mm f/5–6.7 Di III VC VXD has a suggested retail price of $1,199.
