Tamron Announces Super Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Digital SLR Cameras

September 25, 2002 -Tamron announces the release of a new super wide-angle zoom lens perfect for digital single- lens-reflex cameras:

SP AF17-35mmF/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF] (Model A05)

This super wide-angle zoom lens replaces the popular SP AF20-40mm F/2.7-3.5Aspherical [IF] (Model 266D) that earned the trust of professional and dedicated amateur photographers alike with its high definition capabilities. The new SP AF17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical [IF] provides the extended focal length covering 17mm that is desired by today's advanced and pro photographers, especially those using digital SLRs. In addition to the wider focal length, the lens features an entirely new optical system designed for optimal performance with digital SLR cameras. In order to correct optical aberrations, both a compound Aspherical element and an LD (Low Dispersion/Low Refraction) element are used. Moreover, when used on a camera with a near-APS sized image pickup device (CCD/C-MOS, etc.), the17mm-focal length wide-angle lens can achieve a 35-mm SLR equivalent of approximately 24mm, allowing photographers to fully utilize its vast perspective and depth of field.

* Di: Stands for "Digitally integrated", a designation Tamron puts on lenses featuring optical systems designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras.

Main Features:

Increased corner luminosity. Reduced ghost flare.
The super wide-angle lens has increased luminosity over the previous lens (Model 266D) resulting in minimal peripheral light fall-off. Furthermore, the ghost flare that is common in backlit situations has been vastly reduced in the new SP AF17-35mm, enabling clear, high-definition photography.

Aberrations corrected through the use of compound Aspherical and LD elements.
Image distortion, spherical aberrations and other aberrations have been effectively corrected and eliminated through the use of a compound Aspherical element, enabling high-definition pictures at any focal length. Moreover, color aberrations characteristic of wide-angle lenses have been diminished through the use of an LD element.

Super high definition picture maintains contrast
Due to highly balanced optical instrumentation, high contrast is achieved in the low frequency range, leading to high-resolution pictures. Sharp, super high definition images are uniformly displayed from the center of the frame to its edges.

Form and texture that embodies the high performance, high precision qualities of the SP series, and a design to match a new generation of lenses
This lens features the two gold metal rings that symbolize the SP series, and other design elements that boost its looks and make it even more recognizable as a Tamron SP series lens. A more detailed pattern has been employed for the rubber covering of the zoom and focus rings to improve grip and visual uniformity when the lens is attached to a camera body. Tamron has also improved the readability of important imprinted information on the lens such as the distance scale and f-numbers. The SP AF17-35mm features a sleek burnished-black finish on the lens barrel to impart a further touch of refinement.

Specifications
Focal Length: 17-35mm
Maximum Aperture: F/2.8-4
Angle of View: 104°~63°
Optical Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Object Distance: 0.3m (11.8") (entire zoom range)
Filter Size: f77mm
Overall Length: 86.5mm (3.4")
Maximum Diameter: f83.2mm (3.3")
Weight: Undecided
Diaphragm Blades: 7 blades
Minimum Aperture: F/22
Standard Accessory: Flower-Shaped Hood
Compatible Mounts Models: Canon AF, Minolta AF-D, Nikon AF-D and Pentax AF