Focal length 18mm
Focal length 90mm
Focal length 270mm
Macro close-up down to 49cm | Focal length 270mm | 1/1000s @ f/13 | ISO 800
With Vibration Reduction OFF
With Vibration Reduction ON
Overview
 
In addition to being the most compact and lightest lens in the world1 with 15x magnification, the Tamron 18-270mm high-power zoom lens boasts the PZD (Piezo Drive) internal autofocus drive, Tamron's first standing wave ultrasonic motor system. Angle performance is virtually guaranteed with an unshakable new2 VC (Vibration Compensation. All that and with a 62mm filter diameter and weighing in at 450g3, this lens is the cumulation of uncompromising research and development to make a lightweight, compact, all-in-one super zoom lens.
The trailblazing PZD (Piezo Drive) delivers smooth, quick autofocus. Combined with VC (Vibration Compensation), this is a winning partnership delivering clear, stable shots even in low light or at the telephoto end. The overall lens size is reduced, easing your ability to capture clean, clear images of high resolution.
The result: express yourself without limits. Whether you're toting it to a casual picnic or an off-road mountain biking expedition, this is a high-powered zoom lens that's not only versatile but also light and compact. At the telephoto end, the 18-270mm is ideal for sports shots or when using distance to capture wildlife in habitat or natural expressions on subjects who normally be overly conscious of the camera. Whether on vacation or in your own back yard, the wide end gives you the tools to shoot expansive landscapes. Every angle for photographic expression and all in a lens that delivers sharp, clear photos.
And yet, measuring 88mm from mount face to the tip of the lens, and 74.4mm in diameter with a filter diameter of 62mm – and weighing in at just 450 grams – it's also a remarkably compact, highly portable lens.
- For SLR camera high-zoom-ratio lenses with 15x magnification capability as of December 2010.
- PZD (Piezo Drive) is a standing wave ultrasonic motor system developed by Tamron. The motor is faster and quieter than DC motors when the AF drive is operated, and compared with arc-type ultrasonic motors, it has an actuator that facilitates lens design and reduced size.
- The Sony mount is not equipped with the VC image stabilisation mechanism, as the body of Sony's digital SLR cameras has a built-in image stabilisation function. Consequently, the lens with a Sony mount is referred to as the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD and does not include the VC description.
*For SLR camera high-zoom-ratio lenses with 15x magnification capability. Current as of December 2010. (Source: Tamron).
Design features
Improved VC – low light and telephoto was never like this
Tamron's Vibration Compensation just got even better. Previously, the heavy magnet was positioned near the lens element. In the new VC mechanism, we've reversed the positioning of the magnet and connected the stablising lens to the coils. Less load is activated on the drive and, combined with lighter coils, contributes to a lightweight but more effective VC lens.
Super-smooth and accurate with PZD (Piezo Drive)
The new PZD (Piezo Drive) piezoelectric drive makes another Tamron first in its autofocus SLR lenses, an internal standing wave ultrasonic internal motor system. Innovations to reduce parts and simplify operation also contributed to the len's reduced size and weight.
[Read more about PZD technology]
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Minimum focus distance of 49cm over the zoom range, with macro capability to 1:3.8
Designed exclusively for APS-C sized digital SLR cameras, this all-in-one zoom covers every angle. Its minimum focal distance of 0.49m (19.3 in.) through the entire zoom range and macro capability to 1:3.8 allows you to enjoy serious, high-quality macro photography with astonishing convenience.
 Cleaner, crisper images without flare or ghosting
The new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coatings reduce the lens reflection and dispersion that cause ghosting and flare. The coatings enhance light transmission in both the short and long wavelength ranges, ensuring excellent performance in all photographic conditions. Additionally, internal surface coatings are applied to cemented surfaces of all lens elements to deliver sharp, high-contrast images and flawless colour reproduction. |
- For SLR camera high-zoom-ratio lenses with 15x magnification capability as of December 2010.
- PZD (Piezo Drive) is a standing wave ultrasonic motor system developed by Tamron. The motor is faster and quieter than DC motors when the AF drive is operated, and compared with arc-type ultrasonic motors, it has an actuator that facilitates lens design and reduced size.
- The Sony mount is not equipped with the VC image stabilisation mechanism, as the body of Sony's digital SLR cameras has a built-in image stabilisation function. Consequently, the lens with a Sony mount is referred to as the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD and does not include the VC description.
*For SLR camera high-zoom-ratio lenses with 15x magnification capability. Current as of December 2010. (Source: Tamron).
Technology
 Vibration Compensation
Compensates for camera blur on long shutter speeds – for sharp images in much less light
Tamron's unique VC mechanism uses a proprietary actuator and algorithms to deliver an extremely stable viewfinder image with excellent tracking. The tri-axial system uses three driving coils to move internal optical components within the VC lens electromagnetically, based on signals originating from three steel ball bearings. The VC lens elements are held in place only by contact with the steel balls, achieving smooth movement with minimal friction.
Tamron's original moving magnet system employed a heavy magnet positioned near the moving VC lens element. The improved VC reverses the positions of magnet and coil and attaches the VC optic to the coil. This moving coil is lighter than the magnet, and as this reduces the load on the drive system, both the VC unit and the lens are lighter and more compact.
 Piezo Drive
'Standing waves' drive a smaller, lighter, but highly accurate AF mechanism
Tamron's piezoelectric drive is an internal standing-wave ultrasonic internal motor system. Instead of the travelling wave of a USD lens, in a PZD lens a standing wave turns and extends the piezoelectric element. The entire element moves in a standing wave pattern, moving the metal tip (the contact surface) in an elliptical motion. The friction of this movement moves the rotor for a smooth, precise autofocus.
Lighter and smaller than other autofocus drives, the piezoelectric drive features simplified operation and requires fewer components, contributing to the reduction in size and weight of a lens.
 Aspherical
Far superior image quality – while reducing lens size and weight
Tamron uses several hybrid aspherical lens elements in its lenses bearing the Aspherical designation. The benefits are two-fold: first, their non-spherical shapes virtually eliminate spherical aberration and image distortion. Second, as one hybrid aspherical lens element can take the place of multiple elements without compromising performance, they allow the lens to be much more compact.
As a result, these innovative optics have played a crucial role in delivering uniformly high image quality across all apertures and focal lengths of extraordinarily compact ultra-zoom lenses.
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 Low Dispersion
Sharpens edges by reducing 'colour fringing'
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.
 Anomalous Dispersion
Controls the dispersion of specific wavelengths of light
AD glass is a special type of optical glass that is used to achieve more precise control of chromatic aberrations, thereby enhancing overall imaging performance. Glass of this type provides an abnormally large partial dispersion ratio (amount of diffraction) for light of specific wavelength ranges (colours) within the visible spectrum. By combining AD glass having these special characteristics with elements made of normal glass having different dispersion characteristics, it is possible to control the dispersion factors of a specific wavelength.
This enhanced level of control results much lower levels of on-axis (central) chromatic aberration for telephoto lenses (or zooms used at telephoto settings) and a significant reduction of lateral (peripheral) chromatic aberration for wide-angle lenses (or zooms used at wideangle settings).
Like LD glass, AD glass material is costly but provides clear, vivid image quality.
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Specifications
| Model no. |
B008 |
| Focal length |
18-270mm (28-419mm equivalent) |
| Maximum aperture |
f/3.5-6.3 |
| Angles of view |
Diagonal: 75°33' - 5°55'
Horizontal: 65°36' - 4°55'
Vertical: 46°21' - 3°10' |
| Lens construction |
16 elements in 13 groups |
| Minimum focus distance |
0.49m (19.3 in.) |
| Maximum magnification ratio |
1:3.8 (at f=270mm and MFD 0.49m) |
| Length from lens mount [1,2] |
88mm (3.5 in.) |
| Filter diameter |
62mm |
| Overall length [1,3] |
96.4mm (3.8 in.) |
| Maximum diameter |
74.4mm (2.9 in.) |
| Weight [1] |
450g (15.9oz) |
| Diaphragm blades |
7 |
| Minimum aperture |
f/22 (18mm) to f/40 (270mm) |
| Standard accessory |
Flower-shaped Lens Hood |
| Mounts available |
Nikon, Canon, Sony |
1. Length, entire length and weight figures are for Nikon-mount lens.
2. The distance between the mount face and the tip of the lens.
3. Entire length is the distance between the front tip of the lens and the tip of the rear protrusion.
*Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc may be changed without prior notice.
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Optical profile
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Compatibility
 Digitally Integrated for DSLRs with small sensors
Di II lenses are designed for exclusive use on digital SLR cameras with APS-C-format image sensors. This kind of sensor has dimensions smaller than that of a frame of 35mm film, so the circle of light transmitted by the lens to the sensor can be smaller. This means that the lens too can be more compact in size and often lighter in weight.
All Tamron Di II lenses are specially optimised to meet the performance characteristics of DSLRs, providing maximal resolution concentrated within the image field and assuring that light rays at the edges of the frame reach the sensor at favourable angles, thereby minimising peripheral light falloff.
As well, Di II lenses incorporate measures to increase light transmission and eliminate the ghosting and flare that are particularly noticeable with digital cameras. Tamron’s advanced multi-coatings are applied not only to external and internal lens surfaces, but also to surfaces in between cemented lens elements.
Tamron's Di-II range
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Mounts available for this lens
Nikon | Canon | Sony
New classifications for Nikon mounts
Tamron's Nikon-mount lenses featuring an internal AF have until now been designated 'N II'. Lenses using a coupler system* without an internal AF motor were designated as 'N'. As future lens introductions for Nikon will have the internal AF motor as a standard feature, Tamron has simplfiied the designation of all Nikon-mount lenses as 'N', eliminating the 'N II' designation for future models. This change was effective from the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Model B008).
The 'N'-classified lenses with coupler systems are:
* Coupler systems use a shaft which connects with the AF motor built into the camera body to operate the lens. |
More info
Tamron Lens Catalogue 2011 
AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
Australian press release/factsheet
February 2011
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![Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO Model B003](images/lens_product/b008.jpg)
18-270mm F/3.5-6.3
for digital SLRs with small sensors
