Tamron now offers a lightweight, compact, high-image-quality telephoto zoom lens with macro capability of 1:2 that can also be used with digital cameras—the AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 (Model A17).
The new lens is a Di type lens using an optical system with improved multi-coating designed to function with digital SLR cameras as well as film cameras. With this 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm obtains a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at a minimum focus distance as short as 95cm (37.4”), enabling close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other objects that normally require the use of a specially designed macro lens. Moreover, this is a zoom lens that casually offers the distant capture and foreshortening effect pleasures of the 300mm ultra-telephoto world.
Main Features
Improved Coatings Transform Zoom Lens into a Di Type Lens Designed for Digital SLR Cameras
By employing “Internal Surface Coatings” (i.e., multiple-layer coatings on cemented surfaces of plural elements) and new multiple-layer coating technology on ordinary elements, ghosting and flare due to reflections that occur when light enters through the front element and reflections caused by the imagers themselves are reduced to the absolute minimum. Additionally, upgraded advanced quality control raises the level of resolution performance standards and prevents flare due to aberrations, resulting in a telephoto zoom lens suitable for photography with interchangeable-lens type digital SLR cameras.
Macro Effect of 1:2 in Telephoto Zoom Range
Flipping a macro switch in the focal length range of 180mm to 300mm allows entry into the macro range, for photography as close as 95cm (37.4”) from the subject. In the macro range, one can take advantage of the telephoto effect and a maximum magnification ratio up to 1:2. (In normal shooting ranges, the minimum focus distance is 1.5m.) In addition, since the focal length in the macro range spans from 180mm to 300mm, zooming can also be used to adjust composition.
Designed for Use on Both Digital and 35mm Film Cameras
The ultra-long telephoto zoom covering up to 465mm equivalent can be used on a digital SLR camera, while the wide-end 70mm can be used with a conventional 35mm film SLR camera for portraits and other moderately mid-range shots.
Wex sample images
Below is an image taken by Katie Dix in the wex team using the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens.
wex photographic flickr page
f/18 / ISO 1600 / 1/400sec / focal length 300mm / no flash used / hand held © Katie Dix
f/10 / ISO 1600 / 1/400sec / focal length 300mm / no flash used / hand held © Katie Dix