Intro

This autumn, Tamron will start shipping a VC G2 version of its popular Sony E-Mount tele-zoom, the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD. The updated lens is called the 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2. The big news is that the new lens now has in-lens ‘VC vibration compensation’, or Optical Image Stabilisation, missing from the current lens.

Tamron’s 70-180mm f/2.8 is an interesting design, which has been around for three years. It’s not a legacy DSLR lens; it’s mirrorless through and through. It’s an attractive a zoom range and even more attractive for its f/2.8 constant maximum aperture. It’s also relatively small and light, and more affordable than some alternative lenses with a similar optical specification.

From an industry viewpoint, the 70-180 is also interesting because, earlier this year, Nikon announced an own-branded version of the lens, the Nikon Z 70-180mm f2.8. Nikon is remaining silent, but there is no denial that Tamron makes the Nikon version, for Nikon.

The new G2 version has a number of improvements, besides the addition of VC, including:

• Closer minimum focusing from 0.85m to 0.3m
• Revamped optical design (though no specific details were provided)
• Compatibility with Tamron’s Lens Utility software apps

Firm pricing and availability are to be confirmed.