Tamron's new 12-20mm F2.8 ultra-wide zoom holds F2.8 across a 12-20mm range. Sony E-mount ships July 30 at $1,699, Nikon Z mount August 27 at $1,799.
Tamron has announced the 12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084) fast-aperture ultra-wide zoom for Sony E-mount and Nikon Z mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It goes on sale July 30 for Sony E-mount and August 27 for Nikon Z mount. The Sony E-mount version launches at $1,699 and the Nikon Z mount version at $1,799.
As the simplified name compared to previous lenses from the Tamron stable indicates, this is a bit of a new beginning for the company.
The 12-20mm range covers a diagonal angle of view from 121°58′ to 94°30′, with F2.8 held constant across the zoom. The optical design uses one XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) element, three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) elements, one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) element, and three LD (Low Dispersion) elements, in 17 elements across 12 groups, aimed at controlling peripheral blur, color fringing, and sagittal coma flare.
Two coatings are also in play: AX (Anti-reflection eXpand), applied to the lens's more sharply curved convex elements, and BBAR-G2 (2nd-generation Broad-Band Anti-Reflection), aimed at ghosting and flare in backlit shots. The zoom mechanism is internal, so the barrel doesn't extend during use.
The lens measures 119.3 mm (4.7 in) long and weighs 570 g (20.2 oz) in Sony E-mount, or 121.3 mm (4.8 in) and 585 g (20.7 oz) in Nikon Z mount. Maximum diameter is 90 mm.
Autofocus uses Tamron's VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor. Minimum object distance is 0.18 m (7.1 in) at the 12mm end and 0.28 m (11.1 in) at 20mm, giving maximum magnification ratios of 1:5.8 and 1:9.1 respectively. At its closest, the working distance from the front of the lens to the subject is just 50 mm (2 in).
Other features include: a 12-blade circular diaphragm (minimum aperture F16), an integrated flower-shaped hood that is non-removable and enabled by an integrated rear filter holder in place of a front filter thread, moisture-resistant construction with fluorine coating, and compatibility with Tamron Lens Utility software. The lens ships with front and rear caps and a wrapping cloth.
Controls differ slightly by mount. Sony E-mount gets a physical aperture ring plus an Iris Lock switch, which locks the ring at "A" for camera-side control or within the F2.8-F16 manual range for lens-side control. Nikon Z mount instead gets a Control Ring and a Control Lock switch that toggles the same camera-side/lens-side choice for aperture and exposure compensation. Both mounts share a custom switch, AF/MF switch, focus set button, MF lock switch, zoom lock switch (which locks at the 12mm or 20mm end), and a click on/off switch for the aperture ring's tactile feedback.