Lens-making tycoons Tamron and Sigma recently announced that they will be releasing a handful of new lenses designed especially for micro four-thirds cameras.
Tamron has devised a 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 (28-300mm equivalent) high-power zoom for mirrorless cameras which have a micro 3/4 sensor. Available in both black and silver, it will purportedly reduce chromatic aberration thanks to its glass elements, quieten the autofocus and improve image stabilisation.
Sigma, on the other hand, has populated the range with three new lenses appropriate for all 4/3s cameras and Sony mirrorless cameras.
The first is a 60mm f/2.8 whose angle of view is equivalent to 120mm on a Micro 4/3s system and 90mm on a Sony E-Mount system. It uses special low dispersion glass to minimise chromatic aberration. On account of its seven blade rounded diaphragm, it is capable of producing a beautiful bokeh, even if a fast aperture would have been more interesting for a lens aimed to portrait photography.
The second is a 30mm f/2.8 with an angle of view equivalent to 60mm on a Micro 4/3s system and 28.5mm on an E-Mount system. It has two glass mould aspherical lenses, one of which corrects image distortion and chromatic aberration. Since its focal length is close to standard prime lenses, again I would have expected a faster aperture (f/2 or f/1.8).
The 19mm f/2.8 is the final lens, which is the equivalent of 38mm on a Micro 4/3s system and 45mm on an E-Mount system. As with the previous two lenses, chromatic aberration is reduced thanks to its three glass mould aspherical lenses. It also reduces field curvature.
All three lenses will include a linear autofocus motor for an accurate and quiet autofocus for photos and videos, as well as a telecentric design that will aid in reducing CMOS colour issues.
In comparison to the wide number of lenses available for DSLRs, there remains a dearth in high-quality lenses for the mirrorless and four-thirds range. Now that Tamron and Sigma’s have added to our choice, photographers who love mirrorless and four-thirds technology will have one more reason to drop the DSLR for the mini-mirrorless.
As of yet, there isn’t an official release date for any of these new lenses.
To find out more about Sigma’s new micro four-thirds lenses, check out their official website. To read Tamron’s official press release, head on over here.