Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Telephoto Prime Lens Canon EF

Vibration Compensation

Tamron's VC image stabilisation system enables handheld use in dim light without flash. Camera movement - often too minute to be perceptible by the photographer - is the leading cause of blur in photographs. In addition, newer DSLR cameras with higher resolution and higher pixel densities are even more susceptible to subtle camera shake. The VC System - Tamron's time-proven Vibration Compensation - keeps the sharpness at hand, even in moody, dim light where shutter speeds tend to be longer. 

Lens elements

The 85mm SP lens uses LD (Low Dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements in its optical design to minimise colour fringing and to achieve outstanding sharpness and clarity, plus Tamron's fluorine coating has been applied to the front element to help repel water & oil, making it easy to keep clean & condensation free. 

Two highly developed lens coating technologies, eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) which uses nanotechnology, and BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection), combine to increase light transmission and to reduce flare and ghosting to imperceptible levels. Additional techniques are employed to prevent reflections inside the lens barrel, so that the 85mm lens delivers high contrast, sharp, and clear images worthy of a fixed focal lens. The lens clearly captures detailed tones even in shadows.

Resolving power and bokeh

Experienced optical design techniques have virtually eliminated on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations that might otherwise appear as colour fringing. In addition, by thoroughly reducing chromatic aberrations (distortion of off-axis point source) and astigmatism, subjects that appear as a distinct point source will be captured as a distinct point source even at the edges and corners of the frame. Furthermore, optical simulations have been thoroughly conducted, and the 85mm achieves natural bokeh - that dreamy, semi-focus blur that separates the portrait subject from the background.

Construction and design

In addition, this new lens is constructed with Tamron's new SP design, incorporating a new look & feel which includes larger and more tactile switches, together with Tamron's Moisture-Resistant Construction, to give photographers the confidence to use the lens in more wide-ranging scenarios. Special seals are located at the lens mount area and other critical locations to help prevent moisture and/or dust from penetrating the lens. This feature provides an additional layer of protection when shooting outdoors under adverse weather conditions.

The superior technology inside the Tamron 85mm is matched by advanced external ergonomic features under a design philosophy called Human Touch'. Improvements include altering the geometric shape and resistance of the AF/MF and VC switches to deliver comfort with secured operational feedback, and enlarging the distance scale window to maximise visibility and legibility. Even the font style has been newly developed to enhance legibility as part of the overall product design.

focusing

Fast, quiet AF is achieved by using a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ring-type ultrasonic motor which enables remarkably precise focusing drive, with high torque and responsiveness. In addition, Full-time Manual Focus override is available at any point during the autofocus operation for deliberately shifting focus without switching the AF-MF. Combined with the f/1.8 maximum aperture, this enables photographers to create sharp images at maximum aperture with amazing background blur (bokeh).

Tamron TAP-in console

Photographers can also update firmware, customise autofocus positions, and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the 85mm lens by simply attaching it to the optional Tamron TAP-in Console.