Tamron unveils the 11-20mm f/2.8 zoom, an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. Despite its fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens is very small and light. The f/2.8 maximum aperture is a world’s first for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless in this category.

Because the fast-aperture lets you maintain a high shutter speed even when shooting in dark conditions, photographers can capture sharp images with minimal handshake. Also, special lens elements have been optimally arranged to suppress optical aberrations. These features combine to produce clear images and high-resolution performance. The lens is so lightweight and compact that it is hard to believe it is a fast-aperture ultra-wide-angle zoom lens.

The lens, which has a 16.5mm-30mm full-frame equivalent focal length, is constructed of 12 elements in 10 groups, including two Glass Molded Aspherical (GM) elements, one Extra-Low Dispersion (XLD) element, and two Low Dispersion (LD) elements. Tamron has also used its Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2 (BBAR-G2) coating, which it claims keeps ghosting and flares to a minimum. The lens shines in various scenarios, including architecture, landscape, indoor environmental portraits, and of course street photography.

The lens uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm and features a minimum focusing distance of 5.9” at 11mm and 9.4” at 20mm. Powering the focusing is Tamron’s Rapid Extra-silent stepping Drive (EXD) stepping motor, which Tamron specifically mentions is compatible with Eye AF modes on Sony mirrorless cameras.

Despite its constant f/2.8 aperture, the lens comes in a rather compact (and moisture-resistant) package, measuring only 86mm (3.4”) long, 73mm (2.87”) in diameter and weighing only 335g (11.8oz).

The AF drive on the 11-20mm f/2.8 includes an RXD motor unit to help the photographer stay focused on the action. RXD uses an actuator to precisely control the rotational angle of the motor, allowing it to directly drive the focusing lens without passing through a reduction gear. A sensor that precisely detects the position of the lens enables high-speed and accurate AF, which is ideal when shooting continually moving subjects or recording video.

Here some sample pictures:

TAMRON’s new 11-20mm f/2.8 is compatible with many of the advanced features that are specific to mirrorless cameras. These includes:

• Fast Hybrid AF
• Eye AF
• Direct Manual Focus (DMF)
• In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion)
• Camera-based lens unit firmware updates

The Tamron 11–20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is expected to go on sale starting June 24 for $829. Tamron does note though that “Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change.”

More info on Tamron’s website.