Zoon Lens has 73 mm dia (max) and 83.7mm length.
Press Release Summary:
Tamron 28-300 XR's optical system employs XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass and complex aspherical elements. Lens also uses 3 Hybrid Aspherical elements and 2 high-grade LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements. Macro capabilities are available with minimum focusing distance of 0.49 m throughout entire zoom range. Maximum magnification ratio is 1:2.9 at 300 mm. Lens includes 9-blade diaphragm, zoom lock mechanism, and flower-shaped lens hood.
Original Press Release:
Tamron Takes a Dramatic Leap Forward in Downsizing the Popular 28-300mm High Ratio Zoom Lens
AF28-300mm XR Ultra Zoom
F/3.5-6.3 LD ASPHERICAL [IF MACRO
(Model A06)
The World's Most Compact And Lightweight
August 1, 2002, Commack, NY-Tamron Co., Ltd., announced the release of the much-anticipated 28-300mm high ratio zoom lens in the new compact and lightweight "XR" design. Since the delivery of last year's breakthrough product, the Tamron 28-200 XR Super Zoom, users have questioned when a new version of the 28-300mm in this style would become available. The new Tamron 28-300mm is astounding in both size and performance making it sure to become the favorite lens of advanced amateur photographers.
The new Tamron 28-300mm XR is significantly smaller than the previous model:
o 11 % shorter
o 9% smaller maximum diameter
o 28% lighter
Design Objectives
Tamron is the leader in developing high-ratio zoom lenses for everyday use. Since the release of the first-generation 28-200 zoom (Model 71D) in 1992, Tamron has proven to the world the value of high-magnification zoom lenses. With an aggressive persistence to make Tamron's high ratio zoom lenses meet user expectations, Tamron has consistently developed several generations of the 28-200 and 28-300 and has garnered more than 22 internationally prestigious awards for its products in this category. The latest versions of these lenses offer the user a combination of features long desired by photography enthusiasts and newcomers to SLR photography: a) compact size and lightweight; b) extended focal length range; c) smaller filter size; d) outstanding optical performance; e) improved mechanical construction.
Features and Characteristics
o The world's most compact, lightweight lens in its class.1
The new Tamron 28-300mm XR Ultra Zoom provides superior convenience in handling through an all-new, highly compact design. Upon initial inspection, one clearly notices that the front filter diameter is dramatically smaller than the previous model. The new filter size of only 62mm is made possible by a large-scale reduction of lens diameter. Compared with the current 28-300 (model 185D), the filter size is two steps smaller in diameter, at 62mm versus 72mm. Next, Tamron has successfully reduced the maximum diameter to 2.87 inches (73mm), the length to 3.3 inches (83.7mm), and the weight to a remarkable 14.8 ounces (420g) making Tamron's 28-300mm XR Ultra Zoom the world's smallest, most lightweight in its class.1
o XR Technology
Remarkable downsizing of the 28-300 is achieved; yet outstanding optical quality is improved by the development of a new optical system employing XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass and complex aspherical elements. XR (Extra Reflective Index) glass is efficiently used to reduce the size and improve the optical quality. In addition to the XR glass, three Hybrid Aspherical elements and two high-grade LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements are incorporated into the A06 to ensure low distortion and to eliminate flare and chromatic aberrations. In fact, one of the elements is an AD-Hybrid Aspherical element: an element of AD (Anomalous Dispersion) glass with an aspherical coating. First incorporated in the Tamron SP AF24-135mm, AD glass provides better light dispersion at both wide angle and telephoto.
o Real Close-Up Capability
Amazing macro capabilities are available with a minimum focusing distance of a mere 19.3 inches (0.49m) throughout the entire zoom range, and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9 at 300mm. This allows the photographer to fill the frame with objects of 4.11" x 2.74" in size, or about the size of a music cassette.
o Super Hybrid Mount
The bayonet mount on the new lens uses hybrid materials made of stainless steel and engineering plastic. Tamron originated the SUPER HYBRID MOUNT by developing an innovative injection molding technology to create this entirely new material that achieves remarkable reduction in weight while providing excellent strength-equal to that of the metallic (brass) material conventionally used for the mount portion of a lens. The Super Hybrid Mount is very strong since the engineering plastic material, in which a stainless steel plate is embedded, is injection-molded simultaneously. Furthermore, the stainless steel plate is designed to extend to the flange portion of the mount, which is the important connecting point between the lens and the camera.
o Improved Zoom Torque
Through the incorporation of new mechanical designs like the Moving Triple Cam, the lens zooms smoothly and consistently from wide angle to telephoto.
o Nine-Blade Diaphragm
The nine-blade diaphragm design provides a soft blurred background that is very pleasing in portraiture and macro photography. The blurred background isolates the subject from a distracting background and provides a professional-looking image. This 9-blade diaphragm enhances the blurred background effect at high magnification, like the true telephoto range of 300mm on the 28-300mm, and/or open aperture settings, for softer, more natural images.
o Moving Triple Cam
The Moving Triple Cam was developed for the AF28-200 XR Super Zoom (model A03), and now, an improved moving triple cam is found in the AF28-300 XR Ultra Zoom.
The moving triple cam, which was fixed in previous lenses, enables the entire mechanism to move with the zoom action. By incorporating a new moving barrel into this latest, more compact lens barrel, it is possible to accommodate a complex mechanism in a smaller space. In addition, it provides a two-step extension to the 300mm position with solid, stable action. By incorporating this improved moving triple cam mechanism, compactness is achieved, greater extension of the barrel is possible, and at the same time, zooming torque is smooth, improving the operational ease.
o Zoom Lock Mechanism
The Zoom Lock was a feature praised by users when it was incorporated in the original Tamron 28-300mm (model 185D). The Zoom Lock prevents unwanted barrel extension when carrying the lens/camera combination. The user simply retracts the lens to the 28mm position and locks the barrel in place. This eliminates the danger of accidentally knocking the lens into something while walking around. On the new 28-300mm, the Zoom Lock is re-designed for easier use.
o Flower-Shaped Lens Hood
A glare-reducing flower-shaped lens hood is included as a standard accessory. Tamron was the first manufacturer to use the specially cut hood to provide optimum shading from superfluous light rays that may enter the rectangular frame from outside the picture angle. From 28mm wide angle to 300mm telephoto, the flower-shaped lens hood allows for sharp and clear image quality free from glare.
o Attractive New Exterior
An attractive new exterior employs superior pearl black coating that expresses "high-performance, high-precision" and improves the high-end quality look and feel of the lens. A new rubber pattern has also been incorporated on this new generation lens.
SPECIFICATIONS
AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR LD Aspherical (IF) Macro ULTRA ZOOM
Model A06
Focal Length 28-300mm
Maximum Aperture F/3.5-6.3
Minimum Aperture F/22
Angle of view 75°-8°
Lens Construction 13 groups/15 elements
M.O.D. 19.29 in (0.49m) - throughout the range
Max. Mag. Ratio 1:2.9 (at 300mm)
Filter Diameter 62mm
Length 3.3 in (83.7mm)
Diameter 2.87 in (73mm)
Weight 14.8 oz (420g)
Diaphragm Blade Number 9
Lens Hood Flower-shaped hood (included)
For Canon AF / Nikon AF / Minolta AF / Pentax AF
1) As of March 1, 2002. Based on Tamron comparison with lenses in the same class.
