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SP AF200-500mm F/5.6-6.3 Di LD [IF] Model A08SP AF200-500mm F/5.6-6.3 Di LD [IF]
Model A08

Ultra-telephoto zoom with useful focal length range in a compact size

Di - for use on both film and digital SLRs. Click to read more SP - Special Performance. Click to read more LD - Low Dispersion. Click to read more IF - Internal Focusing. Click to read more

Faraway subjects come up close while compressing the distance between the main subject and the background for professional-looking results. Even while covering up to a 500mm – which enables ultra-telephoto shots of subjects further than the eye can see – its design is extremely lightweight and compact. When mounted on a digital SLR, it provides a much greater focal length equivalent – around 750mm – for super-ultra-telephoto imaging.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model no. A08
Lens construction 13 elements in 10 groups (2 LD elements)
Angle of view 12°–5°
Focal length 200mm to 500mm
Maximum aperture F/5–6.3
Diaphragm blade number 9
Minimum aperture F/32
Minimum focus 2.5m (98.4") over entire zoom range
Macro mag. ratio 1:5.0 (at 500mm)
Filter diameter 86mm
Weight 1237g (43.6oz)
Diameter x length 93.5 x 227.0mm (3.7 x 8.9in.)
(200mm setting, no hood)
Supplied accessories Deep lens hood, detachable Filter Effect Control, carrying case & strap
Mounts available Canon
Sony (Konica Minolta)
Nikon-D

NOMENCLATURE

DiDigitally Integrated Design

Di is a Tamron designation that applies to lenses that have been optimised for digital capture using advanced multi-coating techniques and optical designs that assure excellent image quality across the entire picture field. Because of these characteristics, Di lenses provide outstanding performance on cameras with full-frame and APS-C format sensors as well as on 35mm film.

SPSuper Performance series

Tamron SP (Super Performance) series is a line of ultra-high-performance lenses designed and manufactured to the exacting specifications demanded by professionals and others who require the highest possible image quality. In creating SP lenses Tamron’s optical designers put their foremost priority on achieving superior performance parameters – they are all designed to a higher standard with little regard for cost constraints. As a result, Tamron lenses bearing the SP designation feature impressive and innovative designs that have established an enviable reputation for excellence among those knowledgeable photographers that demand the very best.

Low Disperison glassLDLow Dispersion

Chromatic aberration occurs when a lens element refracts different wavelengths of a ray of light – its rainbow colours – at very slightly different angles. This results in the 'colour fringing' that reduces the sharpness of an image. LD elements are made from special glass materials with extremely low dispersion indices (i.e. the refraction of a ray of light into rainbow colours is extremely narrow). Thus they effectively compensate for chromatic aberration at the centre of the field (on axis), a particular problem at long focal lengths (the telephoto end of the zoom range), and for lateral chromatic aberration (toward the edges of the field) that often occurs at short (wideangle) focal lengths. Although costly, LD glass materials result in clear, vivid image quality.

IFInternal Focusing

Tamron's internal focusing (IF) mechanism provides numerous practical benefits to photographers including:

  • a non-rotating front filter ring that facilitates the positioning of polarising and graduated filters
  • more predictable handling because the lens length does not change during focusing
  • a much closer minimum focusing distance (MFD) throughout the zoom range
  • improved optical performance by minimising loss of illumination at the corners of the image field (vignetting)
  • suppression of other aberrations that become more troublesome at different focusing positions.

Specifications, design, product name and standard accessories may differ by country or area. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, these matters are subject to change by the manufacturer without notice or obligation.

© Copyright 2001–2010 Tamron Co Ltd

Click to go to the focal length comparison guide at the Tamron Learning Center

Compare the coverage of various Tamron lenses with this handy online interactive guide!

Images taken with this lens – click to enlarge

Kanangra Walls at 200mm - click to expand and again to reduce

Above: 'Kanangra Walls, NSW' taken by Paul Gibbs with Nikon D70s and Tamron SP AF200-500mm at 200mm.
Below: As above at 500mm.

Kanangra Walls at 500mm - click to expand and again to reduce

 
 
 
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