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Product Overview

The Tamron SP designation is reserved for lenses developed with special emphasis on extraordinary photographic performance. Engineers are free to innovate in an uncommon atmosphere where optical performance comes before price, resulting in lenses that satisfy the demands of discerning photographers.

Fast becoming a benchmark for this category, the SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC is an ideal choice for a two-zoom system—complimenting a wide-to-moderate-tele zoom perfectly. Delivering class-leading sharpness, brilliant color and striking contrast, discriminative APS-C and full-frame digital SLR photographers alike are quick to laud its performance. The first lens to feature Tamron's USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) auto-focus drive mechanism and VC (Vibration Compensation)* image stabilization, these proprietary technologies are teamed with XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) glass in a 17 element, 12 group formula. APS-C-sensor photographers will enjoy extreme telephoto subject magnification, with a resulting picture angle range approximating a 109-465mm lens on a 35mm film or full-frame DSLR. Sharpness, enhanced by Tamron's exclusive tri-axial VC image stabilization is amazing. Combating blur from camera shake, Tamron VC enables shooting handheld at as many as four shutter speeds slower than would be possible otherwise. Full-time manual focus makes fine tuning easy.

70-300 VC USD sample image 70-300 VC USD sample image
VC OFF VC ON
70-300 VC USD Off 70-300 VC USD On

Tamron Di lenses are performance optimized for digital SLR cameras and usable with DSLRs featuring sensors commonly referred to as APS-C, measuring approximately 24mm x 16mm, as well as larger full frame (36mm x 24mm) sensors and 35mm film SLRs.

* Image stabilization is an integrated function of Sony Alpha-mount DSLRs and would conflict lens-based IS. Therefore, the Tamron VC function is omitted from models manufactured for Sony Alpha-mount DSLRs.

Recommended for APS-C photographers who…

- Practice a passion for sports and wildlife photography.
- Need the expanded low light and handheld shooting potential that Tamron VC offers.
- Demand optical performance once reserved for much costlier lenses.

Tamron Di lenses are performance optimized for digital SLR cameras and usable with DSLRs featuring sensors commonly referred to as APS-C, measuring approximately 24mm x 16mm, as well as larger full frame (36mm x 24mm) sensors and 35mm film SLRs.

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Specifications

Model A005
Lens Construction (Groups/Elements) 12/17
Angle of View
 34°21'-8°15'
Diaphragm Blade Number 9
Minimum Aperture F/32-45
Minimum Focus Distance 1.5m (59.05 in)
Macro Magnification Ratio 1:4 (at f = 300mm: MFD 1.5m)
Filter Diameter ø62
Weight 765g * (26.98 oz)
Length * 142.7mm † (5.61 in)
Full Length ** 151.1mm †(5.9 in)
Diameter 81.5mm (3.21 in)
Accessory Flower-shaped Lens hood
Mount Canon
Nikon with Built-In Motor
++Sony
* Length means the size from the head of the barrel to the flange of the mount.
** Full Length means the size from the head of the barrel to the end of the lens.
† Length and weight values given are for the Nikon mount. Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc., may be changed without prior notice.
++ The Sony mount does not include the VC image stabilization functionality, as the body of Sony digital SLR cameras include image stabilization functionality.		  

For service updates click here.

 

Technology

Di II Tamron Di lenses are performance optimized for digital SLR cameras and usable with DSLRs featuring sensors commonly referred to as APS-C, measuring approximately 24mm x 16mm, as well as larger full frame (36mm x 24mm) sensors and 35mm film SLRs
Low Dispersion

Super Performance for Discriminating Shooters
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.
Aspherical

Tamron’s Unique State-of-the-Art In-Lens Image Stabilization System
Handheld camera shake is the leading cause of blurry and unsharp pictures. Several leading companies now make lenses with built-in optical image-stabilization systems that sense the amplitude and direction of the shake and compensate by moving optical groups within the lens. Tamron’s exclusive new Vibration Compensation (VC) system that’s built into the Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro and the Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lenses performs a similar function, but it executes it much more effectively due to its innovative breakthrough design.
Internal Focusing

Ultrasonic Silent Drive
Tamron’s USD works with the high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations that are produced by a ring called a ‘stator’. Energy from the vibrations is used to rotate an attached metallic ring known as the ‘rotor’. Piezoelectric ceramic, an element that produces ultrasonic vibrations when voltage of a specific frequency is applied is arranged in a ring formation on the stator. This electrode configuration of piezoelectric ceramic causes two ultrasonic vibrations to occur in the stator.

By effectively combining these two ultrasonic vibrations, it is possible to convert the energy from the vibrations that produced simple motion into energy known as ‘deflective traveling waves’, which then moves around the circumference (rotation direction) of the ring.

With the USD, the friction between these deflective traveling waves created on the metallic surface of the stator and the surface of the rotor produce force, causing the rotor to rotate. The focusing ring lens, which is linked to the rotor, is thus moved, creating a fast and smooth auto-focus drive.
XLD

Extra Low Dispersion
A sophisticated XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from specialized high-grade glass that has lower dispersive properties than standard LD lenses (where refraction causes the dispersion of white light into spectral hues). The dispersive properties of the XLD lens are at a level similar to fluorite, and in combination with LD elements make for an optimal optical design that delivers best in class resolution with advanced axial chromatic and magnification aberration correction - major inhibitors of image quality enhancement. The result is a lens that delivers sharp contrast and better descriptive performance throughout the entire zoom range.
FTM Full Time Manual Focus makes fine tuning easy
All Tamron lenses have high autofocus precision and are designed to capture subjects easily in almost any situation, yet sometimes a photographer wants to fine tune and make adjustments on the fly. The integration of full time manual focus offers just that: instead of fumbling with switches, photographers can switch from autofocus to manual focus by simply adjusting the focus ring. This feature helps the lens produce impressive results even in telephoto situations where the depth of field is narrow.
   

Warranty

6 year warranty logo

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Tamron USA, Inc., or its authorized agents, will not repair any product that is not an officially imported product and sold through an authorized Tamron USA dealer. In other words, there will be no authorized repair service under any circumstance for gray market products. In such a case, the user must return the product to the dealer at which it was purchased for unauthorized repair service.

Tamron USA, Inc. Six-Year Limited Warranty
(Six-Year Limited Warranty Valid in USA Only)

Only Tamron lenses imported officially by Tamron USA, Inc. and distributed by authorized Tamron USA, Inc. dealers carry a Six-Year Limited USA warranty.

Check Authenticity of Your Product:
You can check the authenticity of the product you have/plan to purchase by locating the silver hologram Tamron USA Authorized Dealer/Six-Year Warranty logo sticker on top of the lens box and/or by completing the Tamron Online Warranty Registration. You may also call Tamron at 1-800-827-8880 to verify the serial number.

Authorized Dealer Logo  Look for this logo. Dealers not authorized by Tamron USA, Inc. cannot offer any warranty and cannot use this logo. All authorized Tamron USA dealers are requested to place this logo on their website; however, some dealers, even if authorized, may not have the functionality to add this logo to their website. We highly recommend that you check with the dealer or Tamron USA, Inc. to determine whether the dealer is authorized. You can find a list of authorized Tamron USA dealers by clicking here or by calling 1-800-827-8880.

[Print a copy of this Tamron USA, Inc. Six-Year Limited Warranty Statement]

The limited warranty set forth below is provided by Tamron USA, Inc. and is applicable to new Tamron Photographic Lenses purchased in the USA through an authorized dealer. Open box sales or used equipment do not apply. The Warranty shall not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of the lens or the person for whom the lens was purchased as a gift. This Warranty is valid only in the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, and is valid only upon presentation of a valid proof of purchase from an authorized Tamron dealer (valid proof of purchase must be a dated bill of sale that includes price, model and serial number of lens and/or when fully completing Tamron’s Online Warranty Registration at www.tamron-usa.com).

This Tamron lens is warranted against defective materials or workmanship for Six Years from the date of original purchase, and is limited to repair, adjustment and/or replacement of defective parts. This Warranty covers all defects encountered in normal use of the lens. This Limited Warranty does not cover normal wear and tear such as scratches, etc.

This Warranty does not apply to defects due to abuse, mishandling, tampering or removal of serial number, repair by a non-authorized agent, unsuitable storage, transport damage, sand damage, liquid damage, fungus damage, impact damage, or tampering.

This Warranty also does not cover defects due to the use of accessories, attachments, product supplies, parts or devices that do not conform to Tamron specifications. This Warranty does not cover lenses that have been serviced or modified by anyone other than Authorized Tamron Service Agents.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that vary from state to state.

ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, SHALL BE OF DURATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR GUARANTY EXCEPT AS STATED ABOVE, GIVEN BY ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS LENS SHALL BE BINDING TO TAMRON. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. NEITHER TAMRON NOR ANY OTHER PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION IS OR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS EQUIPMENT. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Warranty Claim Instruction:
While the lens is under the term of this warranty, if you have a claim, please return the lens to the dealer where you purchased it. If that is not possible, return it to Tamron USA, Inc., New York. Include with the lens proof of purchase from an authorized Tamron dealer (valid proof of purchase must be a dated bill of sale that includes price, model and serial number of lens and/or warranty registration ID number assigned upon completion of Tamron’s Online Warranty Registration at www.tamron-usa.com) and a description of the defect claimed. If you have an online warranty registration ID number, please include that number in your description. If Tamron determines your lens to be defective, we will repair or replace it at NO CHARGE.

If you return the lens by mail or delivery service, be sure to pack it in its original box or comparable packaging and insure it. You must pre-pay all postage, shipping charges, handling and insurance costs when returning the lens to the dealer or Tamron USA, Inc., 10 Austin Blvd., Commack, NY 11725. If we determine that the warranty has been voided, we will notify you and give you a repair cost estimate. Your authorization will be necessary before any repairs are made at your expense.

he Risk of Purchasing Gray Market Products:
In looking for our products, you may find that products not supplied through our regular channel are sold in your market. Such products are generally called “gray-market products” and may involve quality problems.

Interchangeable lenses are precision optical and mechanical products. Therefore, if handling during transportation or storage is not adequate, defects or malfunctions may occur. As for our products supplied through our regular distribution channel, meticulous care is taken in transportation and storage in order to ensure quality protection. However, in the case of gray-market products, it is more likely that they are handled inadequately during transportation or storage; are exposed to undesirable conditions such as high temperatures, vibration, shock, high humidity, dust, dirt and so on; or that they have been mixed up with used products since they are not under our strict control. Therefore, we are unable to warrant the quality of gray-market products.

Always look for Tamron products that are supplied through our authorized distribution channel. By purchasing Tamron products from an authorized dealer, you can ensure the quality of the product, which will be also covered by Tamron USA's Six-Year Limited Warranty, the only warranty accepted by Tamron USA, Inc. in the USA as of October 1, 2007. To find an authorized Tamron dealer near you, please click here.

If you have any question as to the authenticity of a dealer or product, please do not hesitate to contact our Service Department at 1-800-827-8880, Option 1, to discuss your impending purchase.

Online Warranty Registration:
Registration provides the following benefits: Instant serial number verification to insure that you have purchased a Tamron USA imported lens with 6-Year Limited USA Warranty and eligibility for any qualifying rebate; Access to product information in the event of loss or theft; Personal support if service is ever required; Priority contact in the rare event we discover an issue with the product; Invitations to local workshops, seminars and sales events; Subscription to the quarterly Tamron Viewfinder PDF newsletter; and Exclusive promotional offers.