Tamron Scores a First with its AF 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 Di III VC NEX Zoom Lens

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Tamron_18-200_18200_B011 image Tamron has been designing and manufacturing lenses since 1952, when it introduced the world’s first interchangeable mount system, the “T” mount, for 35mm SLR film cameras. The company’s first T-mount lens was the 135mm f/4.5. Since then, Tamron has brought many popular lenses to the market, and that tradition continued when digital photography technology was invented. Today, Tamron is generally considered the leader of superzoom lenses, especially for beginner or enthusiast DSLR photographers.

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It’s no surprise that it scored another first during December 2011, when it announced the first superzoom for Sony NEX mirrorless cameras from a third-party manufacturer. It is the Tamron AF 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 Di III VC NEX (E-mount) lens.

During the future, 2011 will be considered by many the watershed year for interchangeable lens camera systems (ILS), or mirrorless cameras, as Sony and other manufacturers’ models took a giant leap forward in popularity (and sales) among photographers looking for an alternative to a compact or a big, bulky DSLR. Sony, as well as many industry observers, would consider itself as the leader in ILS cameras with the NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-5, NEX-5N and more recently the NEX-7 and the new NEX-6, released during September 2012.

Now, not only are photographers able to choose from an excellent line-up of Sony ILS models, but also have the first alternative lens choice in the Tamron AF 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 Di III VC superzoom.

Just as Tamron has done with its AF 18–270mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC PZD superzoom for DSLRs, the new Sony E-mount lens provides ILS photographers with an all-purpose lens that covers essentially all of the focal lengths they would ever want, from wide-angle to complete telephoto. Since a mirrorless camera has a cropped sensor similar to an APS-C DSLR, the 35mm equivalent of this lens is 27–300mm. Take note that the Di III designation, or Digitally integrated design, means this lens is not compatible with DSLRs with a built-in mirror box.

Four features will grab everyone’s attention immediately.

The sleek, modern design in black or silver beautifully complements the look of the Sony NEX models.

It weighs only 16.2 oz. (460g), so it won’t cause any feeling of imbalance when attached to any of the small, lightweight Sony NEX bodies.

It’s built with Tamron well-respected Vibration Compensation technology, so less-experienced photographers will have no problem producing sharp, crisp images when handholding it in low-light conditions and the slow shutter speeds needed.

This Tamron lens is designed with a stepping motor, making it fully compatible with contrast-detection AF.

Body Smarts

To keep the weight low, Tamron cleverly designed and constructed the 18–200mm E-mount with good quality plastics, and then coated it with either of the metallic finishes, and added a metal mount too. It will definitely feel like a well-made, precision instrument in your hands. It does seem to dominate an NEX body, but Tamron has included a locking switch to eliminate any lens creep, so it remains in place while actively using it. As is typical on most Tamron lenses, the focusing is internal, so the 62mm filter does not turn, allowing you to use graduated and polarizing filters.

Optimal Operations

Not only is the stepping motor the perfect partner with the contrast-detection AF system in Sony NEX cameras, but also it optimizes AF performance during video recording. Once the AF has established focus, you can use the Direct Manual Focus (DMF) capability to fine tune focus manually. The stepping motor also makes for exceptionally quiet AF operation because there is no intermediate reduction gear.

Tamron’s Vibration Compensation helps in two ways. First, it reduces camera shake, operating at approximately 4 shutter speed settings slower than without VC. Second, it stabilizes your screen view of subjects or scenes at telephoto focal lengths, so you’re more likely to produce a sharp image.

Image Performance

Although superzoom lenses often have some sharpness issues (it’s just the science of the lens), the AF 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 Di III VC does an excellent job of producing highly acceptable sharpness at shorter focal lengths, with some softness at telephoto distances. Across-the-frame sharpness is also quite remarkable at maximum aperture, with the ultimate between f/5.6 and f/8. Even at 200mm, center sharpness is very good, although corner and edge sharpness suffers a bit. It’s important to remember, however, that a Sony NEX ILC camera and Tamron lenses are typically marketed to beginners and enthusiasts whose eyes are not as critical as a professional’s would be. As good as an NEX camera is, it is not generally considered professional equipment.

Barrel distortion, chromatic aberrations and vignetting are generally well controlled, although, as would be expected in a lens at this price point, these issues become a bit more prominent at extreme focal lengths.

Comparison to the Sony 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 E-mount Telephoto Lens

Just as Tamron does in the DSLR market, it’s more than willing to compete with camera manufacturers’ comparable lens. The following chart makes that comparison with Sony’s 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 E-mount lens for its NEX cameras.

Superzoom Sony E-Mount Lens Comparison

Feature	Tamron 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 E-mount	Sony 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 E-mount
Lens Construction	17 elements/13 groups	17 elements/13 groups; 4 aspherical and 2 ED elements
35mm equivalent focal length	27–300mm	27–300mm
Angle of View	76°10’ – 8°03’ (diagonal) 66°16’ – 6°43’ (horizontal) 56°51’ – 4°27’ (vertical)	76° – 8°
Diaphragm Blade Number	7	7
Minimum Aperture	f/22–f/40	f/22–f/40
Minimum Focus Distance	19.7” (0.5m)	12.0” (0.3m)
Macro Magnification Ratio	1:3.7 (at f=200mm MFD 0.5m)	1:3.7
Filter Diameter	Approx. 62mm	67mm
Weight	16.2 oz. (460g)	18.5 oz. (524g)
Length	3.8” (96.7mm)	3.8” (96.7mm)
Entire Length	4.0” (102mm)	4.0” (101.6mm)
Diameter	Approx. 2.7” (68mm)	2.68” (68mm)
Accessory	Flower-shaped lens hood	Petal lens hood, caps
Mount	Sony E-mount	Sony E-mount
MSRP	$739.00	$899.99

For its higher price, the Sony 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 E-mount lens does include a more comprehensive array of lens elements and it focuses closer; however, it is also heavier.

The Tamron AF 18–200mm f/3.5–6.3 Di III VC E-mount superzoom lens is available from Amazon for $739.00

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