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Tamron has released details of a new lens it claims is the finest it has ever produced. Made to celebrate 40 years of the SP range, the SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD will be the ‘embodiment of all the optical technology and manufacturing know-how Tamron has developed to date,’ a sentiment Tamron shared with us in an interview back in April.
The lens will use 14 elements in 10 groups, including four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements. Tamron notes this combination will limit chromatic aberration and will produce high-resolution across the frame as well as ‘beautiful, appealing background bokeh’.
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The lens will also feature a new coating called BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2). Tamron says this reduces reflections, minimizes flare and allows it to achieve better levels of contrast. Powering the focus mechanism inside the lens is Tamron’s Ultrasonic Silent Drive, and a new Dynamic Rolling-cam mechanism has been added to reduce the drive load on the main focusing group to allow the large elements to move more quickly in all operating conditions.
The lens will be available in Nikon F mount first at the end of June, and then for Canon EF at the end of July. It will cost $ 899 / £929.99. it’s available to pre-order from both Adorama and B&H.
Press release:
The “ultimate” lens to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Tamron SP Series lenses
Fast fixed focal SP 35mm F/1.4 Di USD (Model F045) that boldly demonstrates
Tamron’s lens-making expertise.
Tamron launches the finest lens in its history with the new fixed focal lens, the SP 35mm F/1.4 Di USD (Model F045), for full-frame DSLR cameras.
Tamron’s SP (Superior Performance) lens series was born in 1979, based on the concept of delivering lenses for taking the perfect picture for those who love photography. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the series. In celebration, Tamron has developed the 35mm F/1.4 (Model F045), the distillation of Tamron’s accumulated lens-making expertise and craftsmanship. This orthodox fixed focal lens, which some consider the most desirable of all interchangeable lenses, is the embodiment of all the optical technology and manufacturing knowhow Tamron has developed to date.
The 35mm F1.4’s (Model F045) unprecedented high-resolution image quality and beautiful, appealing background bokeh let photographers capture any scene down to the finest details. The external lens barrel was developed through tireless pursuit of operability and durability, focusing constantly on the needs of photographers. This lens is equipped with a large F/1.4 aperture and high-speed, high-precision AF functionality offering exceptional reliability, plus various other features for increased convenience, making it the perfect everyday lens for your creative pursuits. It is ideally suited for nearly every photographic genre, including photojournalism, landscape, sports, street life, wedding groups and family snapshots.
Product Development Background
“To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Tamron’s renowned SP series lenses that are designed and constructed to deliver the highest levels of performance, we drew upon our accumulated expertise and technologies to create the ‘ultimate lens’ — the Model F045,” said the person responsible for product planning. “Our goal was to achieve high resolution, fidelity of point light source and beautiful bokeh,” he continued. “We deployed existing skills, like our highly regarded knowhow for producing bokeh, and combined them with new innovations like BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating for anti-reflection performance. Today we announce with sincere pride that the Model F045 embodies Tamron’s philosophy for manufacturing and is the finest lens in Tamron’s history.”
PRODUCT HIGLIGHTS
1. Consummate image quality across the entire frame from edge-to-edge
The optical construction (14 elements in 10 groups) leverages the best of Tamron technology and features a generous arrangement of special glass materials including four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements. This combination of components successfully eliminates the effects of chromatic aberrations (which are particularly perilous for high-speed lenses) as well as other optical aberrations to the greatest extent possible. Even at its maximum aperture of F/1.4, high resolution performance is achieved from the center of the frame to the edges, providing superior aberration correction to maintain perfect fidelity of point shapes. The result is ultimate ultra-high image quality. This exceptional optical performance extends to the quality of defocused bokeh areas. With this lens, photographers can capture dramatic images that neatly sculpt their subjects against large and beautifully appealing background bokeh.
2. Next-generation BBAR-G2 Coating
To maximize the optical performance and ultra-high image quality of this lens, special measures are in place for optimal correction against ghosting and flare. Tamron has developed BBAR-G2 Coating through continued research into the coating technologies they have developed over many years. This new BBAR-G2 Coating vastly exceeds the performance of the original BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating that enjoys a long and well-established reputation in its own right. In addition to minimizing ghosting and flare, BBAR-G2 Coating enables clear images with stunning, unprecedented contrast.
3. Exceptionally reliable, fast and accurate AF
The AF drive is equipped with Tamron’s proprietary USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). This technology affords an autofocusing system with high speed, precision and quiet operation—even in a large aperture lens, which is typically bigger and heavier. Additionally, thanks to the Dynamic Rolling-cam mechanism that has been newly developed specifically for this lens, Tamron has succeeded in minimizing the drive load placed on the focus lens component. This breakthrough ensures stable AF operating performance and improves reliability even under the harsh shooting conditions of professional use, including high and low temperature extremes. This exceptional lens is also equipped with a Full-Time Manual Focus override system so photographers can instantly make fine adjustments to the point of focus, even when using the AF mode.
4. Vastly improved highly durable Fluorine Coating
The front surface of the lens element is coated with a Fluorine Coating based on a newly developed fluorine compound with high water- and oil-repellent properties. The lens surface is easier to wipe clean and is less vulnerable to the damaging effects of dirt, dust, moisture, and fingerprints, and enabling your important lenses to be continually protected on a long-term basis.
5. Moisture-Resistant Construction
Seals are located at the lens mount area and other critical locations to prevent infiltration of moisture and/or rain to provide Moisture-Resistant Construction. This feature affords an additional layer of protection when shooting outdoors under adverse weather conditions.
6. Compatible with TAMRON TAP-in ConsoleTM, an optional accessory
The Model F045 is compatible with the TAMRON TAP-in Console, an optional accessory product that provides a USB connection to a personal computer, enabling users to easily update a lens’s firmware as well as customize features including fine adjustments to the AF.
7. Locking lens hood for precise positioning
The included lens hood is equipped with a locking mechanism. Being able to reliably attach the hood prevents it from unintentionally shifting position or coming off at the wrong time.
8. Consistent with Tamron’s sophisticated design concepts
The smoothly contoured body and the texture of fine details reinforce simple operation and ensure intuitive use. The shape boasts a high-grade feel worthy of a next-generation model that’s packed with advanced technologies. The form snugly houses the internal components, while the carefully finished Luminous Gold brand ring and painstakingly precise construction speak loudly of the extreme high quality of the lens. Combined with the ergonomic switch box shape, highly legible distance-scale window and sturdy metal mount, the lens boasts a finely-finished rugged and functional design.
Price and Availability
The SP 35mm F1.4Di USD lens will be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts with a UK Suggested retail price of £929.99.
It is expected to be available in the UK as follows:
Nikon mount: End of June 2019
Canon Mount End of July 2019
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)