Tamron announces 14-150mm superzoom for m4/3s

[demiro]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/06/19/tamron-launches-14-150mm-superzoom-for-micro-four-thirds?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=news-list&utm_medium=text&ref=title_0_0

Nice to see this option, but a 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 lens selling for $589 does not seem too exciting to me, unless it has some killer IQ. No IS, which is obviously limiting. Slightly faster and maybe slightly cheaper than the Oly 14-150? But I don't know anyone who paid full sticker for the Oly.

 

[davidzvi]

I'd like to know what the selling price and not he MSRP is going to be. DPReview has it at $589, but 43rumors says $255.

 

[davidzvi]

Scratch that, B&H has it for pre-order at the $589 price. That's a none starter for me as the version I of the 14-140 Panasonic is selling new for $399.

 

[demiro]

Scratch that, B&H has it for pre-order at the $589 price. That's a none starter for me as the version I of the 14-140 Panasonic is selling new for $399.

Yikes, I didn't even think of the 14-140 as a point of comparison. Very good lens with OIS for $399. Just a hair slower and shorter. That Tamron better be pretty darn good. Or get to $255 in a hurry!

I'd much rather see Tamron do something equivalent to the 17-50/2.8 they offer for APS-C cameras. That lens was always a strong value when I shot Canon DSLRs. And a high-value (yeah, lower priced) fast standard zoom would fill a serious void in m4/3s world.

 

[Zee]

Seems like an unremarkable entry, though we've yet to see IQ, so I shall hold me tongue.

If it were a constant F4, it may have been more interesting...

Z...

 

[hazwing]

this is sorta *yawn*

 

[yakky]

At $299 I would have been tempted, but at $589...no way. I guess I'll pick one up on clearance for $199 in a year or so.

 

[nstelemark]

The B&H price lists VC in the specs as well so something it out of whack. At $299 this is a winner as $589 there is no point.

I would certainly rather have the Tamron 18-200 Di III VC for $499...

 

[davidzvi]

Yikes, I didn't even think of the 14-140 as a point of comparison. Very good lens with OIS for $399. Just a hair slower and shorter. That Tamron better be pretty darn good. Or get to $255 in a hurry!

I'd much rather see Tamron do something equivalent to the 17-50/2.8 they offer for APS-C cameras. That lens was always a strong value when I shot Canon DSLRs. And a high-value (yeah, lower priced) fast standard zoom would fill a serious void in m4/3s world.

Actually what I want is a better travel zoom and not something trying to be a super-zoom or dslr 18-135/140/200 type lens. A M4/3 version of the Zuiko Lens ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD. More reach than the 12-40, variable aperture within reason, and not a drive by wire zoom. These last two rule the 12-50 out. Basically something to replace my 24-120 f4 Nikon or like the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 APS-C.

Seems like an unremarkable entry, though we've yet to see IQ, so I shall hold me tongue.

If it were a constant F4, it may have been more interesting...

Z...

Yes constant f4 might be interesting. But then $589 would be cheap.

The B&H price lists VC in the specs as well so something it out of whack. At $299 this is a winner as $589 there is no point.

I would certainly rather have the Tamron 18-200 Di III VC for $499...

At 14-150 isn't it the 18-200?. But $499 would be better than $589.

 

[nstelemark]

At 14-150 isn't it the 18-200?. But $499 would be better than $589.

Lenses are usually quoted in 135 equivalent. In the case of the Tamron:

Focal distance:
18-200mm (27-300mm on Sony NEX sensor)
Maximum aperture:
F/3.5 – 6.3

So for m43 it would be a 36 to 400. I personally just find it easier to think in FF equivalent focal length and know I have a two times crop factor (some people disagree with me :tongue.

 

[davidzvi]

Lenses are usually quoted in 135 equivalent. In the case of the Tamron:

Focal distance:
18-200mm (27-300mm on Sony NEX sensor)
Maximum aperture:
F/3.5 – 6.3

So for m43 it would be a 36 to 400. I personally just find it easier to think in FF equivalent focal length and know I have a two times crop factor (some people disagree with me :tongue.

Yes the 18-200 on APS-C would be 27-300 on 35mm. The 14-150 on m4/3 would be a 35mm eq of 28-300. 14-150 would be about 36-400 on a Nikon 1 with it's one inch sensor. But not on m4/3.

 

[drd1135]

OK, so 14-150 on mft and 18-200 on APS-C are both FL equivalent to FF 28-300. So when some of these sites are saying a Tamron 18-200 for mft they mean a real FL of 14-150. If true, that's a pretty awful way of reporting it. Using FF equivalent is one thing, but the APS-C equivalent is pushing it. For example,

http://www.adorama.com/TM14150MFTB....ate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid67913

Look at the descriptive paragraph a bit down the page.

 

[davidzvi]

Yes, as reported on 43rumors, the Adorama site is an error. It is not an 18-200 m4/3 lens, it is 14-150 m4/3.

Tamron announced 3 lenses, all with a 28-300 35mm equivalence. 14-150 m4/3, 18-200 for Canon EOS M, and 28-300 full frame with both Canon and Nikon mounts.

 

[nstelemark]

Errrr..... These are two totally different lenses:

The 18-200 for E mount is:

SPECIFICATIONS
Model:
B011
Focal distance:
18-200mm (27-300mm on Sony NEX sensor)
Maximum aperture:
F/3.5 – 6.3
Minimum aperture:
F/22-40
Minimum focus distance:
.5m (19.6 in) through the range
Maximum magnification ratio:
1:3.7 at f=200mm
Filter thread:
62mm
Length:
96.7mm (3.8in)
Weight:
460g (16.2oz)
Standard accessories:
Flower-shape lens hood
Compatible mounts:
Sony E-Mount



Model name C001
Focal length 14-150mm (28-300mm 35mm-format equivalent angle of view)
Brightness F/3.5-5.8
Angle of view (diagonal angle of view) 15 minutes ★ 1 22 minutes to 8 degrees 75 degrees
Lens constitution 17 pieces of 13 group
Minimum focusing distance 0.5m (entire zoom range)
Maximum magnification 1:3.8 (f = 150mm at the time: minimum focusing distance of 0.5m)
Filter diameter φ52mm
★ 2 Length 80.4mm
Greatest dimension φ63.5mm
Mass 285g
Diaphragm blades The seven pieces (circular aperture)
Minimum aperture F/22
Standard accessory Flower-shaped hood
Corresponding mount Micro Four Thirds for


What I was driving at is I would prefer they released the 18-200 for m43. This would give us a new non-competitive FL (36-400 vs the 28-300 135 equivalent FOV) and another choice rather than 3 choices at 14-150.

Now they may be assuming that most m43 users don't want larger lenses and they could be right.

 

[oldracer]

The lens listed at B&H is the old announced-but-never-shipped version. It would make no sense for Tamron to pricewise position a non VC lens against the Panny with OIS. So I believe something closer to the 4/3 rumors site price is probably accurate.

I had been thinking about selling my original 14-140 in order to get the weight savings on the new version. Now, probably, Tamron has torpedoed the value of my current lens but its weight is competitive with the new Panny. So .. waiting for IQ test reports and reports of how the GX-7 IBIS handles the lens.

 

[agentlossing]

I know superzooms have their use, but I think Tamron misjudged the majority of m4/3 users in offering that type of lens, especially given the first-party offerings.

Try again, try harder. Throw us a better bone.

 

[oldracer]

I know superzooms have their use, but I think Tamron misjudged the majority of m4/3 users in offering that type of lens, especially given the first-party offerings.

Yes. The only real claim to fame here will probably be the price point. Shooting mostly travel photos, I would have liked to see a 12-150 or 12-140. Those two additional mm on the short end make a huge difference when shooting building interiors.

 

[drd1135]

Errrr..... These are two totally different lenses:

The 18-200 for E mount is:

SPECIFICATIONS
Model:
B011
Focal distance:
18-200mm (27-300mm on Sony NEX sensor)
Maximum aperture:
F/3.5 – 6.3
Minimum aperture:
F/22-40
Minimum focus distance:
.5m (19.6 in) through the range
Maximum magnification ratio:
1:3.7 at f=200mm
Filter thread:
62mm
Length:
96.7mm (3.8in)
Weight:
460g (16.2oz)
Standard accessories:
Flower-shape lens hood
Compatible mounts:
Sony E-Mount



Model name C001
Focal length 14-150mm (28-300mm 35mm-format equivalent angle of view)
Brightness F/3.5-5.8
Angle of view (diagonal angle of view) 15 minutes ★ 1 22 minutes to 8 degrees 75 degrees
Lens constitution 17 pieces of 13 group
Minimum focusing distance 0.5m (entire zoom range)
Maximum magnification 1:3.8 (f = 150mm at the time: minimum focusing distance of 0.5m)
Filter diameter φ52mm
★ 2 Length 80.4mm
Greatest dimension φ63.5mm
Mass 285g
Diaphragm blades The seven pieces (circular aperture)
Minimum aperture F/22
Standard accessory Flower-shaped hood
Corresponding mount Micro Four Thirds for


What I was driving at is I would prefer they released the 18-200 for m43. This would give us a new non-competitive FL (36-400 vs the 28-300 135 equivalent FOV) and another choice rather than 3 choices at 14-150.

Now they may be assuming that most m43 users don't want larger lenses and they could be right.

That's why this is so confusing. They released a few lenses that had the same equivalent FL, which is unusual. Like you, I was hoping for a real FL 18-200 in mft mount.

 

[nstelemark]

^^^^

Same equivalent FOV not FL, but yes I get 100% what you mean. The 18-200 would have been interesting, and about the size of the 12-60 which would be a usable size. Another 14-150 unless it really is $299 is sort of pointless.

 

[davidzvi]

^^^^

Same equivalent FOV not FL, but yes I get 100% what you mean. The 18-200 would have been interesting, and about the size of the 12-60 which would be a usable size. Another 14-150 unless it really is $299 is sort of pointless.

B&H and Tamron both have a list price of $589, spoke with both. Oh well.