Should you’re a Sony digicam proprietor who’s been on the lookout for one super-versatile zoom lens for nearly any capturing scenario, you are in luck – Tamron has introduced that it is engaged on a 50-400mm lens that’ll be launched for E-mount later this yr.

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.three Di III VC VXD, to provide it its full identify, covers an unusually broad spectrum of focal lengths. On the large finish, 50mm is good for avenue pictures or portraits, whereas 400mm will cowl you for sports activities and wildlife.

Whereas the lens is designed for full-frame cameras just like the Sony A7 IV, you could possibly additionally mount it on an APS-C physique for much more attain. Pair it with a digicam just like the Sony A6600 and also you’d get the equal of a 75-600mm lens.

Regardless of its spectacular attain, Tamron’s 50-400mm manages to keep away from being prohibitively huge and heavy. It is 18.3cm (7.2in) lengthy and suggestions the scales at 1,155g (40.7oz). That is lighter than Sony’s personal FE 100-400m lens (which weights 1,395g) and Sigma’s 150-600mm (2,100g), and means it ought to slip properly into most digicam baggage.

Lacking particulars

Tamron hasn’t revealed the total specs of the lens but (or crucially, its worth). However we do know that it will have the ability to concentrate on objects as shut as 25cm away on the 50mm finish and that it will have the corporate’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear autofocus mechanism, which we have seen work properly (and quietly) in earlier lenses just like the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.eight VXD.

The one dangerous information is that we could possibly be in for a bit watch for the lens. Tamron says the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.three Di III VC VXD will likely be obtainable throughout ‘Fall 2022’ (or between September-November, for these within the southern hemisphere). Nevertheless it did additionally add that “as a result of present world well being disaster, the discharge date or product provide schedule may change”.

To this point, the lens has solely been introduced for the Sony E-mount, however we have requested Tamron if it is also being developed for others just like the Fujifilm X-mount cameras (even if they’ve APS-C sensors) and can replace this story once we hear again.

Evaluation: The final word journey companion?

Most 400mm super-telephoto lenses supply a comparatively slim 100mm focal size at their widest finish, which restricts them to capturing distant topics like wildlife. However this intriguing lens begins at an unusually large 50mm, making it a doubtlessly sensible journey companion.

Its enchantment could possibly be restricted by its price ticket, which is not but clear, and Tamron did not sound too assured that it’d have the ability to hit that “fall 2022” launch date. However when you’re a Sony fan who likes the thought of a super-versatile lens that would cowl portraits, landscapes, and normal journey capturing, it could possibly be well worth the wait.

It is unlikely to have the ability to match the outright picture high quality of extra specialised lenses, like Sony’s personal 100-400mm G Grasp. However given Tamron’s historical past of constructing extra reasonably priced lenses, it also needs to be significantly cheaper than that super-telephoto, too.

Whereas it is solely initially being made for Sony E-mount, it is attainable that Tamron may adapt the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.three Di III VC VXD for different mounts. Canon and Nikon sadly have not proven any nice urge for food for bringing third-party autofocus lenses to their RF and Z mounts, however Tamron has began making lenses for Fujifilm’s X-mount.

The slight hindrance is that this lens is designed for full-frame cameras, quite than APS-C ones like Fuji’s X-mount. Some adaptation could be required, then, however it may double as a really useful 75-600mm lens on Fuji’s cameras, if Tamron did ever resolve to make the leap.