DPReview: CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Tamron is showing off two brand new lenses at CP+ this year - the SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD (shown here) and SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro. The 'SP' in the model names stands for 'Super Performance' - a designation that Tamron reserves for its high-end optics. We headed to the Tamron booth today and got our hands on the new lenses, and Tamron's upcoming TAP-in Console.

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

First up is the SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD, which slots right alongside the previously-announced 35mm and 45mm F1.8 primes that Tamron released last year. Like those lenses it is relatively compact, but feels extremely solid and has a nice weight to it, balancing well on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (provided by Tamron to get a feel for the how the lens handles). 

It's worth noting the Nikon version of this lens uses an electromagnetic aperture control, rather than the traditional aperture lever.

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

The 85mm features LD (low dispersion) and XLD (extra low dispersion) elements to reduce flare and ghosting and a fluorine coating on the front element to keep moisture and fingerprints at bay. Nine aperture blades ensure circular out-of-focus highlights. MTF (theoretical) curves suggest outstanding resolution and contrast. The VC system offers up to 3.5 stops of shake reduction (tested to CIPA standards) and its ring-type ultrasonic motor provides fast and near-silent autofocus when we tested this pre-production sample.

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

It's hard to see in this photo, but the lens mount of the new 85mm and 90mm SP primes is protected by a rubber gasket, to protect against dust and moisture incursion into the lens throat. Expected to be available in April in Canon and Nikon mount versions, a Sony A-mount version will follow later. Pricing is still TBC. 

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Next up is the SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro, which offers true macro 1:1 reproduction at a focusing distance of 13.9cm/5.5in. A 9-blade aperture ensures circular out-of-focus highlights. Tamron has been making a 90mm macro lens of some or other kind for a very very long time, and all of them have been extremely well-regarded. Our first impressions of the new 90mm are that in terms of handling, this might be the best yet. 

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Like the other recently-announced SP primes, build quality is very high, and just in terms of aesthetics, the new 90mm looks great. It seems that Tamron has been looking over its shoulder at Sigma's 'Art' range and this is no bad thing. Like those lenses, all of Tamron's new SP primes look more expensive than they are. The 90mm macro will be available next month for a very reasonable $649.

Again, we've only handled a pre-production sample but just from first impressions we're excited to get it into our studio as soon as possible. 

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Tamron's new 'TAP-in Console' is also distinctly Sigma-esque. (An early engineering sample is shown here). Available for Nikon and Canon-mount versions of the SP 85mm F1.8, SP 90mm F2.8 Macro, SP 45mm F1.8, SP 35mm F1.8 lenses (the older 35mm and 45mm primes will need updating at a Tamron service center) the TAP-in Console will allow users to calibrate their lenses for precise AF, at either end of a zoom and at three different subject distance ranges (near, mid, far), as well as adjust VC performance parameters. 

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with Tamron's new SP prime lenses

Projected to be available next month, Tamron has not yet announced pricing information for the TAP-in console but after seeing coming to appreciate the value of Sigma's dock, we're very pleased to see this kind of solution being introduced by another manufacturer. Canon and Nikon take note...

from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) http://ift.tt/1WMKljc
via IFTTT