Scanning your film treasures made easy with Plustek OpticFilm Scanners

Negatives, slides and prints will all degrade over the years. They will fade and
often become stained or speckled. Scanning them gives you the opportunity to
preserve the images forever and even improve them back to their original state
using editing software.

READ FEATURE

Photographer Sienna Anderson tests the latest Cokin Nuance Extreme ND filters. 

Previously I have become very frustrated when using filter systems due to how
fiddly and difficult it was to place and remove filters into the holders especially
in the winter months when my hands would be so painful from the bitter cold.

READ FEATURE

Metz Launches NEW - Mecablitz M360 Flash

Compact, simple and light weight - the new mecablitz M360 is perfect for flash
beginners and for mirrorless cameras. Plug and play!

With the rise in popularity of compact mirrorless cameras, accessories are also
becoming smaller and more practical hence the Metz M Range. The New Metz
Mecablitz M360 is a compact, fully-featured TTL flash that offers intuitive operation.

READ FEATURE

Introducing the latest ultra lightweight tripod from Velbon  

Lightweight, like the AiR you breathe! The Velbon UT-3AR tripod
weighs just 787g, yet is capable of supporting up to 3kg of camera
gear, making it ideal for use when travelling with mirrorless and DSLR
cameras. It is extremely compact when folded, measuring just 29.5cm
in length (2mm less, than a sheet of A4 paper!).

READ FEATURE

Billion Lim with the Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

As a photography maniac, I am very privileged to have become a professional
photographer. During my high school days, photography has yet to gain popularity
in my country. Whenever I picked up my camera, I would be overwhelmed by a
sense of contentment — one that i conquered the world. Ever since then, I never
looked back

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Introducing the new Steiner Skyhawk 4.0 outdoor binoculars

The outdoor world provides us with many experiences and this is
exactly the reason why Steiner has developed the new SkyHawk 4.0
range of binoculars; to observe nature in clear, sharp and close focus
at all times.

READ FEATURE

Introducing the new Metz mecalight S500 BC

The Metz mecalight S500 BC is a stylish, compact and powerful LED
video light, the size of a smartphone, enclosed in a high-quality aluminium
housing. It measures13cm long, weighs just 135g and is totally flat, allowing
it to fit easily into any camera bag or pocket, to become your practical companion
on any trip.  

READ FEATURE

We asked Tom Hogan owner and product designer at Vantage Point Products to field test the NEW Camranger Mini

CamRanger, the most trusted name in professional remote wireless Nikon and Canon DSLR camera control, are back with the CamRanger Mini. It’s smaller, lighter, slightly faster but with increased wireless control range of 400ft / 120m!

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Wildlife Photographer Kristofer Rowe shooting with SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

I try to provide a gateway into the very essence of bird behavior. This involves a great deal of patience and an unstated amount of trust between myself and my subjects. I try to convey emotion in my birds by catching unique facial expressions and poses. Whether it is laying in mud, on a beach or wading through icy salt marsh water I will do whatever it takes to get the shot I have envisioned. I also respect my birds and believe in practicing proper etiquette and not unduly stressing the birds.

READ FEATURE

We invited photographer Sienna Anderson to try out the latest Cotton Carrier harness for two cameras.

I first used the Cotton Harness whilst out on a Wildlife shoot. I had two cameras attached which was a considerable weight but the design of the Harness distributed this evenly. The carrier had adequate padding in the shoulder straps and the adjustment straps were very easy to use. I was able to walk around freely and comfortably.

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Professional photographer Kevin Fierroli, reviews the Samyang 14mm F2.4 XP

I have to confess, I have an addiction. This addiction involves going out every clear and moonless night searching for the best views of the Milky Way above Dorset. My addiction started about 4 years ago, using an old Canon 450D with a Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 lens. Despite managing to get some shots, this setup wasn’t producing the results I wanted, so decided to upgrade.

READ FEATURE

The world's most comfortable, secure, and accessible, Sling-Style camera and binocular harness.

Cotton Carrier have followed up on their successful line of G3 carrying systems with the sleek, simple, lightweight, and efficient new SKOUT. SKOUT maintains the classic COTTON CARRIER style plus secure, accessible, fixed position camera & binocular carrying.

READ FEATURE

John Riley reviews the new Tamron 17-35mm lens for full-frame DSLR cameras - he scored it 4.5/5 for both features and handling and full marks (5/5) for performance and value!

He particularly liked the following attributes...

• Excellent sharpness
• Well maintained performance across range
• Low CA
• Low flare
• Moisture resistance
• Fast AF
• Light and compact

Click HERE read the full review on ePHOTOzine.com...

John Riley reviews the new Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD lens for full-frame Canon and Nikon DSLRs - and it's a beauty!

Verdict: "Some lenses are impossible to dislike, and this is certainly one of them. It is compact and light compared to the f/2.8 lenses, performance is excellent and gives beautifully crisp images, handling is superb and the price very attractive. The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD is a lens for any Canon or Nikon user to put very high on their list and an Editor's Choice."

Click on the link below to read the full review on ePHOTOzine.com...

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-70-210mm-f-4-di-vc-usd-review-32256

AP magazine tests the Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 EF -
Samyang's first autofocus SLR lens, a budget option for wideangle shooters

Overall , though, Samyang's first autofocus SLR lens is a success. Not surprisingly, it's not perfect wide open, but at optimum apertures it delivers superb results.
For Canon DSLR users wanting to go ultra-wide without spending a four-figure sum, it's a great choice.

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER - 7 April 2018
TESTBENCH
RECOMMENDED
4.5 STARS

PHOTO PLUS VERDICT
Tamron's updated Generation 2 lenses have been in the limelight, but this first editiion 100-400mm is equally impressive.
It packs a performance punch into a tough but lightweight build, at a lightweight price.

• FEATURES 4.5 stars
• BUILD AND HANDLING 4.5 stars
• IMAGE QUALITY 4.5 stars
• VALUE 5 Stars
• OVERALL 4.5 stars

The Tamron 90mm VC macro lens has scooped numerous awards in Photo Plus, Digital Camera and N-Photo magazines, April 2018.

It has won all of the following -

• BEST ON TEST in N-Photo
• BEST ON TEST in Photo Plus
• BEST ON TEST in Digital Camera
• EDITORS CHOICE in Digital Camera
• GOLD AWARD in Digital Camera
• BEST FOR CANON in Digital Camera
• BEST FOR NIKON in Digital Camera

Amateur Photographer has tested the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens and the verdict is the Testbench GOLD 5 star award!

"Overall it is a fine example of a lightweight tele-zoom"

Testbench  GOLD * * * * *
Amateur Photographer 24 March 2018
 

Practical Photography magazine tested 10 fast aperture telephoto lenses and the Tamron 70-200mm G2 came out top!
it won the BEST ON TEST award!

"Tamron's image quality surely rivals Canon lenses with a £500 saving."
"Overall, this is a great lens made sweeter by the pricing."

Rating * * * * *

The Tamron 18-400mm has won the "Best Superzoom Lens" and the SP 24-75mm F2.8 G2 has won the "Best Standard Lens" in the Photography News awards 2017.
The awards are to recognise outstanding products and are voted for by the readers of Photography News magazine.

Thousands of readers voted for 34 different categories – and we would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who voted for us.

The Samyang XP 50mm f/1.2 is a large and bulky but truly excellent ultra-bright 50mm lens.

• Excellent and consistent sharpness
• Fast f/1.2 aperture
• Low distortion
• Low CA
• Beautiful bokeh
• No flare

E-PHOTOZINE "Highly Recommended"

Read the full test report here - https://www.ephotozine.com/article/samyang-xp-50mm-f-1-2-review-32043

E-Photozine and Photography Blog test the new Samyang AF 14mm lens -

E-PHOTOZINE - Samyang has consistently produced some excellent lenses for many years and now join the mainstream of AF lenses with equally powerful offerings.
The new AF 14mm f/2.8 EF takes us a step further. Hitherto, all the AF lenses have concentrated on the Sony A series, but now we see the first autofocus DSLR lens, for Canon. It performs well, produced superb images and is a real alternative at a very attractive price.
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/samyang-af-14mm-f-2-8-ef-review-31895

PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG -  The price of the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 EF is undoubtedly very attractive given the fast f/2.8 aperture, complex construction, quick and quiet auto-focusing, and the sheer cost of its main rival, the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, which officially retails at 3.5x the price of the Samyang lens. All of this combines to make the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 EF lens a worthy winner of our Highly Recommended award.
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/samyang_af_14mm_f2_8_ef_review/

E-Photozine lists their top 30 best third party anon EF fit lenses for 2018

The top, 5-star rated Canon EF/EF-S fit lens we've reviewed to date! The SAMYANG PREMIUM MF 85mm f/1.2  offers superb performance and substantially less cost than most of the f/1.4 alternatives. Provided you are happy with manual focusing, this is a very attractive lens at a very attractive price. Sharpness is excellent throughout, CA is very low and photos are flare-free. Build quality is good, bokeh is smooth and the lens handles incredibly well. Overall, the Samyang Premium MF 85mm f/1.2 is a gorgeous lens to use, with superb results and a keen price for Canon users.

Read the full round up of lenses here - https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-30-best-third-party-canon-ef-ef-s-fit-lenses-2018-31891

The Crumpler Pearler backpack is made from high-quality materials and looks and feels well made. It's an inconspicuous bag, that could also easily be used to other ventures apart from photography.
The unique design is a bit like marmite - it'll either really appeal to you or you'll find it cumbersome and odd. The fact that the bag expands is also a nice touch to give you the option of carrying larger things. The clip and zip top compartment does make it a secure design and the removable camera pouch enables you to keep the gear within safe even if it's not in the bag.

• Expandable
• Inconspicuous
• Well padded & removable camera compartment
• Water resistant
• Tough waterproof bottom
• Lightweight

Read the full test by E-Photozine here: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/crumpler-the-pearler-backpack-review--31862

…... a sleek and practical camera bag with exceptional build quality.

Overall, the Crumpler Roady 2.0 Camera Sling 2500 is a very well built bag that has a lot of comfort for a smaller shoulder bag. Two Movable dividers make it very versatile and its sleek and minimalist design enable it to blend in without screaming 'camera bag'. It's well padded, even round the edges and the fact that it has a waterproof lining adds reassurance when out and about. 

• Really well made
• Two movable dividers
• Soft, padded interior 
• Comfortable back padding
• Features 4/5
• Handling 5/5
• Performance 5/5
• Value 4/5

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/crumpler-proper-roady-2-0-camera-sling-2500-review--31815

Conclusion

The Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is an excellent alternative to the equivalent lenses from Canon (EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM) and Nikon (Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR), offering 90% of the performance at 50% of the price.

RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Read the full review here:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_100_400mm_f4_5_6_3_di_vc_usd_review/

The new Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE is a very fast and relatively affordable classic 35mm lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras that's a viable alternative to the much more expensive Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA optic.

Read the full report by Photography Blog here:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/samyang_af_35mm_f1_4_fe_review/

Photo Plus Verdict
TAMRON WINS "BEST ON TEST" AND "BEST VALUE"

For the full test read PHOTO PLUS MAGAZINE ISSUE NO JANUARY 2018

The lens is very easy and satisfying to use and the price is certainly attractive. The optical performance is actually excellent overall, the sharpness only falling off at very small apertures. Of course, one of the unavoidable facts of optics is that at longer focal lengths those small apertures soon becomes very small indeed and very susceptible to diffraction effects. Bearing in mind though that high shutter speeds will likely be needed for wildlife and sports it is hardly a major issue.

E-Photozine tests the new Samyang 35mm lens -

VERDICT:
The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is a very attractive proposition for those seeking a fast 35mm lens. The quality is uniformly excellent and the price much lower than the marque alternatives. All in all, the lens is excellent value for money.

Read the full test here: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/samyang-af-35mm-f-1-4-fe-review-31696

 

Fast Telephoto Lenses group test in Digital Photographer magazine issue 193, October 2017.
The Tamron 70-200mm G2 wins Best Buy award!

Features * * * * *
Build Quality * * * *
Handling * * * * *
Quality of results * * * *
Value for Money * * * * *

OVERALL - It outclasses the Canon in some ways,
and delivers superb performance at a modest price.

Tamron are giving it their all here, so let's see if they can impress -
Christopher Frost tests the 70-200mm G2. See his video here:

The new Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is a versatile walk-around lens with a fast maximum aperture that consistently delivers great images.

• DESIGN 5
• FEATURES 5
• EASE OF USE 4.5
• IMAGE QUALITY 4
• VALUE FOR MONEY 4.5

Read the full test report here: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_sp_24_70mm_f2_8_di_vc_usd_g2_review

The new Tamron lens performs very well indeed and has a very well balanced set of properties. It is well priced against similar lenses and definitely worth looking at. Images are sharp, well detailed and show smooth bokeh. Resistance to flare is excellent.

In summary, a very fine general purpose zoom lens, highly recommended.

Read the full test report from E-Photozine here - https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-sp-24-70mm-f-2-8-di-vc-usd-g2-review-31443

CameraJabber tests the 360Fly 4K camera
In short: the 360Fly 4K is very easy to get to grips with, and if you’ve never shot 360 images before you’ll find the whole process very natural and intuitive with this camera.........

To see the full review, visit the CameraJabber website here:
https://camerajabber.com/360fly-4k-review/

Video test on the Samyang 12mm f/2mm NCS CS lens with sample images by Christopher Frost Photography.

See the video here:

Samyang’s latest AF lens does not pretend to set the world alright with a jaw dropping list of magnificent features, but what it does do it provide a fine optical performance for a modest outlay and in a very compact body form – a quality lens weighting 85g is amazing. Sony E owners have a tremendous range of optics available especially at the top end with Zeiss and Sony itself in the vanguard, so Samyang catering for the less well healed is a shrewd move and shows that a quality performance is possible on a limited budget.

Pros Lightweight, compact, fine optical performance, great price, really useful focal length.

Photography News Issue 47

We are very excited to announce that Tamron have won two EISA awards -

The brand-new travelzoom 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD  has won the EISA European Photo Innovation of the year 2017-2018.
and the Tamron 150-600mm G2 has won the DSLR ZOOM Lens 2017-2018.
 

Excerpt from the Award Citation of the EISA Jury
“The Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD challenges our preconceptions about what we can expect from a super zoom lens. In addition to offering the broadest zoom range of any interchangeable lens in the world, at 22.2x, it also includes an effective image stabilization system to improve sharpness at lower shutter speeds, and weather resistant seals to allow users to keep shooting even in adverse weather conditions. Although especially suited to travel, safari and sports photographers, the Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD will also appeal to any photographer looking for a single lens solution to cover all their shooting needs.”

“The second generation (hence ‘G2’) of Tamron's SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD ultra-telephoto zoom lens makes an attractive lens even better. The speed and accuracy of the autofocus system have been improved, as has the effectiveness of the built-in VC (Vibration Compensation) system. A 'Flex Zoom Lock' mechanism keeps the lens barrel fixed at any chosen focal length. The Fluorine Coating and Moisture-Resistant Construction make the lens less vulnerable to dirt, dust and moisture. The optional TAP-in Console allows the owner to easily update the firmware as well as customize features including fine adjustments to the autofocus and Vibration Compensation.”

About the EISA Award
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) presents awards each year to products judged to be the best in Photography, Mobile Devices, Hi-Fi, Home Theatre Audio, Home Theatre Display & Video and In-Car Electronics categories. A panel of editors from over 50 leading imaging, sound, and electronic industry magazines in 23 countries review and vote determine the leading products on the market.

Great video test on the new Samyang 35mm AF lens by Christopher Frost.
See the full test here:
 

Photography Blog tests the new Tamron 18-400mm lens!
4 stars and "Recommended" award.
Click through to the full test including numerous sample images.

"an all-in-one lens that covers everything from wide-angle to extreme close-ups, with the added bonus of tele-macro shooting too, the Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD certainly fits the bill, especially as it's more than capable of capturing some lovely photos at a price that won't break the bank"

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_18_400mm_f3_5_6_3_di_ii_vc_hld_review/

The first test of the new Tamron 18-400mm Superzoom lens is now live on the Amateur Photographer website.
The test is also in the printed version of the magazine dated 22 July 2017.

The lens receives 4 Stars and the "Recommended" award by AP.
Here's the full test -  
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/lenses/tamron-18-400mm-f3-5-6-3-di-ii-vc-hld-review

The Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens has won the BEST ON TEST award in the "Portrait Primes" Supertest in the current issue of Photo Plus magazine.
"This feature-rich lens is a smart choice for portraiture

SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022) wins
“BEST DSLR TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS”
 

Excerpt from the Award Citation of the TIPA Jury:

This long-range zoom is built for full-frame DSLRs but can also be used on APS-C DSLRs to deliver an incredible 225-900mm focal length range (approximate, depending on camera). Tamron’s improved VC (vibration compensation) offers a 4.5 stop advantage with three modes for a variety of shooting scenarios. The lens incorporates three low dispersion elements to aid in the elimination of chromatic aberrations and is constructed with 21 elements in 13 groups, with a minimum focusing distance of 86.6 inches (220cm). Other features include eBAND and BBAR coating to help reduce ghosting and flare, a fast ultrasonic silent drive ring-type motor, and leak-proof seals on the metal barrel.

The 2017-2018 addition of the Kenko Tokina International Filter Photo Contest is now open for entries. 

Commemorating the 60th-anniversary of the company, the competition is open to all photographers but images submitted must be captured with one of the many filter types available attached to your lens. 

This time, the competition will be split into two seasons: spring/summer and autumn/winter and entries are now being accepted for the spring/summer competition via the competition website.

Judges will choose one 'Grand Prix' winner as well as four 'Jury Special Prize' winners. There will also be 30 photographers who will be awarded the 'Excellent Works' accolade. 

For more information and to enter, visit the Kenko Tokina International Filter Photo Contest website.

A 5 Star Report from Photography Blog -

The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is an outstanding telephoto zoom lens ..........
Image quality is excellent at almost every focal length, with fantastic sharpness virtually throughout the aperture range.

Read the full report here: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_sp_70_200mm_f2_8_di_vc_usd_g2_review/

If you're looking for a travel tripod to use with a small camera - an enthusiast compact,
a lightweight mirrorless CSC, or perhaps an entry-level DSLR -
then the Slik Lite AL-420M is worth a look.

Amateur Photographer - 1 April 2017
RECOMMENDED * * * *

The Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Macro is a real beauty!

In a recent round up of macro lenses in Digital Camera Magazine, the Tamron 90mm  lens was up against macro lenses from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Samyang, Sigma, Sony and Tokina and it came out as the overall winner.

With an overall verdict of 5 stars, Digital Camera Magazine says .....
Tamron's new incarnation of its classic 90mm macro lens delivers sublime image quality, is beautifully built, and boasts high-end features.

The Tamron 90mm won the following categories:

• Best on Test
• Editors Choice
• Best for Nikon and Best for Canon

N-Photo magazine recently tested 8 portrait lenses (from Nikon, Sigma and Tamron) and the Tamron SP 85mm lens takes the “Best on Test” award!

Overall the 85mm scored 5 stars and the conclusion - “Image Quality is sumptuous and the optical stabiliser is a bonus”

See the March edition of N-Photo magazine for the full test.

Details on their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/NPhotomag

The Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens is on the same level playing field as lenses costing up to twice as much, punching far above its weight. It may not have the same silky smoothness in operation as its more expensive competition, but it delivers the goods, making no compromise on image quality.

Add to that the amazing VC system and moisture and dust resistance and Tamron have a definite winner on their hands.

To read the full test report please see here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f-2-8-di-vc-usd-g2--a025--review-30649

The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD Lens is an excellent lens that can be highly recommended. It is designed with the centre of the field very much in mind, so depending on use, it should be possible to enjoy the outstanding sharpness when the main subject is fairly centrally placed. However, it is still possible to have excellent edge sharpness if the aperture used is chosen with that in mind.

It is an attractive optic, not only for its sharpness and other optical qualities but also for its smart new design ethos, matching nicely with other new Tamron lenses. Add the moisture resistance and a price competitive with its peers and we have a very useful general purpose wide angle zoom capable of very satisfactory results.

Read the full test report by E-Photozine here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-10-24mm-f-3-5-4-5-di-ii-vc-hld-review-30657

Read the E-Photozine test on the Samyang Premium 85mm lens here.
5 stars out of 5 - Editors Choice!!
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/samyang-premium-mf-85mm-f-1-2-lens-review-30232

ePHOTOzine review the 360Fly 4K action camera - the camera records 360 videos in 4K resolution and is waterproof...
See the full test report from ePHOTOzine here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/360fly-4k-review-29684

Here we have an updated version of Tamron's already excellent 150-600mm lens. With the promise of improved optical performance, faster AF, improved VC (Vibration Compensation) and many other minor improvements this looks to be a compelling upgrade. Let's see how it performs.
For the full review, visit the E-Photozine site here:
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f-5-6-3-di-vc-usd-g2-review-30082

August 15, 2016, Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces that its SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD), the world’s first fast-aperture lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) for full-frame DSLR cameras, has won the EISA Award for European DSLR Lens 2016-2017.

Excerpt from the Award of the EISA Jury
"The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD sets new standards of performance for a short telephoto portrait lens. It’s the first of its type equipped with optical image stabilization, allowing the photographer to use shutter speeds up to 3.5 stops slower than usual.  Optical performance is enhanced by the use of Low Dispersion and Extra Low Dispersion glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, and the barrel is also sealed against dust and moisture. The optical design strikes a perfect balance between sharpness at the point of focusing and producing a soft natural effect at the background, making it a perfect lens for portrait artists."

About the EISA Award
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) presents awards each year to products judged to be the best in Photography, Hi-Fi, Home Theatre Audio, Home Theatre Display & Video, In-Car Electronics and Mobile devise categories.  A panel of editors from over 50 leading imaging, sound, and electronic industry magazines in 22 countries review and vote determine the leading products on the market.

Tamron Lenses that have received the EISA Award
The receipt of this prestigious award marks the 18th year Tamron has won an EISA Award and the 11th consecutive year since 2006.