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.
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.
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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).
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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.
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.
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.
When in use at the 70mm focal range, shooting at close-focusing ranges (shorter than the minimum object distance of 0.85m) is possible down to a minimum range of 0.27m with manual focusing only. By positioning the subject in the center of the image, you can enjoy creative photographic expression utilizing peripheral bokeh (background blur) and stretching (lateral/radial blur) effects. Why not try experimenting to find new ways of expressing your own creativity.
1. When shooting flat subjects, stretching at the edges of the image will stand out significantly.
2. The image quality at the edges of the image will be degraded.
If you focus on lettering near the edges of the image, distortion and stretching effects will occur
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.
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BBAR G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating Innovative coating technology that prevents ghosting and flare
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Circular Aperture A several-blade diaphragm is configured to retain a smooth, circular-shaped aperture opening even when stopped down by two stops from the wide-open aperture
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Moisture-Resistant Construction Leak-resistant seals throughout the lens barrel help protect your equipment when shooting outdoors
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GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements GM lens elements have a significant impact on minimizing distortion and enhancing the sharpness of the image at its periphery
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XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) lens elements XLD lens elements made from specialized ultra-high-grade glass allow much greater control over chromatic aberration and magnification aberrations
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LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements The characteristic of less of a tendency to separate a ray of light into a rainbow of colors effectively compensates for chromatic and lateral chromatic aberration
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Fluorine Coating A highly durable protective fluorine compound that is water- and oil-repellant
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VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) A linear motor focus mechanism for the highest levels of autofocus speed and precision
Accessories
Catalog Download
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General Lens Catalog
Published November 2023
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70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
Published January 2020
