Tamron has released the 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD, a mid-priced, stabilized telephoto zoom for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.
The 50-300mm is designed to be more flexible than the traditional 70-300mm tele zoom, while remaining reasonably lightweight and compact. The new lens is 150mm (5.9″) long and 665g (23.5oz), making it 22% heavier than the company’s existing (unstabilized) 70-300mm lens but only 1mm longer. It’s almost half the weight of Tamron’s more ambitious and expensive 50-400mm lens.
The 50-300mm’s design utilizes 19 elements arranged in 14 groups, with two XLD extremely low dispersion elements and two LD low dispersion elements to help control chromatic aberration. The lens uses an internal focus design driven by a voice coil linear motor and offers Tamron’s VC image stabilization, though no figure is specified for its effectiveness.
The lens can also be used as a 75-450mm equivalent lens (with consequent increase in depth-of-field and reduction in image-level light capture) on APS-C cameras.
The 50-300mm can focus down to 22cm (8.7″) at the wide end of the zoom and 90cm (35.4″) at the long end, meaning a reproduction ratio that rises from 1:2 to 1:3.1 as you zoom in.
Price and availability
The 50-300mm is available from June 27th at a recommended price of $799.
TAMRON announces a unique tele lens that zooms from 50mm
A class-leading lightweight 6x telephoto zoom lens 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A069)
June 6, 2024, Commack, NY – Tamron announces the launch of the 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A069), a unique 6x telephoto zoom lens, starting at 50mm on the wide end for added versatility, for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras on June 27, 2024, at $799 USD / $1099 CAD.
TAMRON’s new 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC zoom provides a wide 50mm starting option in response to user feedback that “the angle of view is somewhat lacking at the wide end” when using a 70-300mm zoom. Although it extends to 300mm at the telephoto end, the 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC features an extremely compact size with a length of just 5.9” (150mm) and a class-leading light weight1 of 23.5 oz (665g). In addition, the expert arrangement of special lens elements effectively controls aberrations and produces high image quality throughout the entire 50-300mm zoom range. The lens is equipped with the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism that delivers excellent quietness and agile autofocus performance, while the VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism provides powerful support for every aspect of shooting. At the 50mm wide end, the lens attains an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 8.7” (0.22m) for a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1:2. This provides excellent close-range shooting performance that allows users to fully enjoy the world of half-macro shooting. The 67mm filter size is common to many TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras for greater enjoyment and convenience when carrying multiple lenses — or even just one during everyday excursions. The 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC is packed with features that support an enriched shooting experience, such as Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, and the connector port for the dedicated TAMRON Lens UtilityTM software developed in-house by TAMRON. Turn ordinary, everyday events into memorable shots. This Ultra Multi-Focal Length zoom lens empowers users to enjoy serious photography in a user-friendly package and expands the potential for creative expression.
Product features:
1. Unique telephoto lens with 50mm at the wide end
The 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC surpasses the conventional wisdom of 300mm-class telephoto zoom lenses in the 70-300mm focal range by expanding the wide end to 50mm. Catering to this focal length expansion at the wide end instantly opens greater possibilities of photographic expression for users needing a wider focal length. Unlike the conventional 70-300mm lens, this lens starts at 50mm at the wide end and is equipped with the VC mechanism, obtains a truly high image quality within its class and maintains the widely appreciated compactness of earlier products achieving a class-leading compact size with a length of just 5.9” (150mm) and weight of 23.5 oz (665g). The compact size also produces outstanding balance when paired with an APS-C camera2, providing exceptional mobility that allows the user to concentrate on shooting.
2. Uncompromised optical performance throughout the entire 50-300mm zoom range
The optical construction of the 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC includes 19 elements in 14 groups and is optimized for high image quality across the entire zoom range. The generous and expert arrangement of special lens elements, including two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and two LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements, efficiently controls chromatic and other aberrations. TAMRON’s BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating has been applied to suppress ghosting and flare, allowing the capture of fine details even in backlit situations. The combination delivers stunning clarity and contrast. Creative expression comes to life with uncompromising high resolution from the center to the corner of every image, while beautifully soft bokeh isolates the subject from the background for a greater dramatic effect.
3. High-speed and high-precision AF with superb subject-tracking performance
The autofocus drive is equipped with TAMRON’s VXD linear motor focus mechanism. Users can easily lock in accurate focus from the MOD to infinity thanks to the high-speed and high precision autofocus system. Additionally, focus tracking is extremely precise, allowing users to accurately capture sudden subject movements. The linear motor also suppresses drive noise and vibrations during focusing, making it ideal shooting for both still photos and video in environments that demand quietness.
4. Amazing half-macro shooting with an MOD of 0.22m (8.7”) at the 50mm wide end and a magnification ratio of 1:2
TAMRON’s 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC is capable of excellent close-range shooting performance. The MOD is 8.7” (0.22m) and the maximum magnification ratio is 1:2 at the 50mm wide end, meaning users can get exceptionally close to a subject to enjoy half-macro shooting. Even at the 300mm wide end, this new zoom attains an MOD of 35.4” (0.9m) with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1. The extraordinary level of versatility lets users highlight the charm of subjects and capture unique compositions only possible with this lens.
5. Equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism
The multitalented new 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC is equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism. This effectively suppresses camera shake that tends to occur when shooting in the telephoto range, when capturing moving objects, or during close focusing, enabling stable results overall. When shooting with an APS-C camera, the full-frame equivalent focal length ranges from 75 to 450mm, and the VC mechanism is especially useful when shooting at the telephoto end. The VC also reduces the degradation of picture quality when shooting in conditions prone to camera shake, such as dimly lit interiors or low-light landscapes. Moreover, at focal lengths up to 100mm, AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies provide additional compensation with videography in mind.
6. Proprietary software tool TAMRON Lens Utility for lens function customization and firmware updates
7. High convenience and operability
67mm filter size, same as most other TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras
Focus Set Button for assigning camera function and TAMRON Lens Utility function
Enhanced overall lens design for user-friendly operation
Zoom Lock mechanism
8. Protective features (Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating)
9. Compatible with many camera-onboard features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF
1 Among full-frame mirrorless compatible 300mm telephoto zoom lenses equipped with vibration compensation (As of May 2024: TAMRON)2 Zoom range when shooting with an APS-C camera: a full-frame equivalent of 75-450mm
Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD specifications
Principal specificationsLens typeZoom lensMax Format size35mm FFFocal length50–300 mmLens mountSony E, Sony FEApertureMaximum apertureF4.5–6.3Minimum apertureF22–32Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades9Aperture notesRounded diaphragmOpticsElements19Groups14Special elements / coatings2 XLD, 2 LDFocusMinimum focus0.22 m (8.66″)Maximum magnification0.5×AutofocusYesMotor typeLinear MotorFocus methodInternalDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight665 g (1.47 lb)Diameter78 mm (3.07″)Length150 mm (5.91″)SealingYesZoom methodRotary (extending)Power zoomNoFilter thread67 mmHood suppliedYes
