New Tamron 50-400mm Lens on the Way in September at $1,299

Users of Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras can look forward to a new lens model from Tamron as of September. The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD was first announced by the brand in July but now finally has a release date.

Tamron has declared the new ultra-telephoto zoom lens as the beginning of “an entirely new category for a high-performance ultra-telephoto mirrorless zoom lens”. The device offers an 8x zoom ratio extending to 400mm but starting at a portrait focal length of 50mm. Tamron has also explained that the lens is similarly sized to 100-400mm lenses but with a wider view angle for superior versatility.

The new lens is equipped with Tamron’s Voice-coil eXtreme-torque drive technology (also called VXD) and includes a linear motor focus mechanism that offers “excellent quietness and responsiveness” during autofocus performance according to the company. Other technologies packaged into the lens include patented image stabilization and Tamron’s own Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism.

The lens also has the ability to focus as much as one-half-life-size magnification during close focusing. This translates to 9.8 inches at 50mm and means that despite being a 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3, it can handle half-macro shooting.

Despite its large focal range, the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is reasonably compact at a retracted length of just 183.4mm, or 7.2 inches, and a weight of just 40.7 ounces, or just over 1.15 kg. Tamron also maintains that despite its high magnification ratio, the lens produces high image quality across its entire focal range thanks to “the effective arrangement of special lens elements”.

Another benefit of the new Tamron telephoto lens is improved ergonomics for comfortable shooting and handling. There’s also a Connector Port for Tamron Lens Utility, a software suite created by the company for letting users configure their lenses on a computer for shooting under specific conditions. This Lens Utility will offer a Focus Limiter function too.

On a final note, Tamron will offer the lens with an optional Arca-Swiss compatible accessory tripod mount that’s made for Sony cameras and compatible with important newer Sony camera functions like Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF.

Tamron claims that unless the global COVID crisis interferes in some way, they will ship the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD on September 22. It is however available for pre-order already.