Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron has revealed patent filings for two new ultra-telephoto zoom lenses designed for mirrorless cameras. The patents outline optical designs for a 200-800mm f/6.7 lens and a 200-600mm f/5.6 lens. The 200-800mm lens, if produced, would offer significant reach for photographers specializing in wildlife and sports, potentially reducing the need for multiple lenses or heavier prime lenses. While patents do not guarantee production, they indicate Tamron’s research and development goals, suggesting an intention to compete in the super-telephoto market, possibly focusing on Sony E-mount full-frame systems where Tamron has a strong presence.
Details within the patent application describe the 200-800mm f/6.7 lens optical formula. An 800mm focal length is highly desirable for capturing distant subjects like birds, wildlife, or athletes. The f/6.7 aperture is presented as a balanced choice, offering reasonable light gathering capabilities while managing the lens’s overall size. A 200-600mm f/5.6 variant is also detailed, suggesting Tamron is considering different options for this category of zoom lens. Despite the typically large size of ultra-telephoto lenses, Tamron’s designs incorporate optical grouping and potentially specialized elements to limit dimensions. The 200-800mm design is specified to be around 41.5cm long, and the 200-600mm design slightly shorter at 35.4cm.
These lenses are clearly aimed at wildlife and sports photographers who prioritize focal length for capturing distant subjects. Currently, photographers in these fields often use 150-600mm zooms combined with teleconverters, or invest in expensive prime lenses of 600mm or 800mm. A single 200-800mm zoom could offer greater convenience, similar to the recently popular Canon RF 200-800mm lens. The versatility of such a lens would be beneficial across various sports and wildlife scenarios, allowing photographers to adjust from wider views to extreme close-ups quickly. Tamron has a history of producing popular and relatively affordable telephoto zooms, like their 150-600mm series.
Key considerations for these potential lenses will be optical performance across the 4x zoom range, including sharpness and aberration control, and the final retail price. While Tamron’s existing 150-600mm and 50-400mm lenses are priced in the $1,300-$1,400 range, a more complex 200-800mm f/6.7 lens would likely cost more, potentially exceeding $2,000, but still offering a more accessible price point compared to super-telephoto primes. It is important to note that this is currently a patent and not a confirmed product announcement. Companies frequently patent designs as part of ongoing research and development. However, the patent being a divisional application from a 2018 filing indicates Tamron has been exploring this lens concept for some time, raising hopes for a future product release.
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