Unlock Your Lens's Full Potential with Seamless Mobile Control
The Dawn of Wireless Lens Customization for iOS and Beyond
Tamron has officially launched the Tamron-Link, a cutting-edge Bluetooth accessory that marks a significant leap in lens management. Alongside their latest 35-100mm f/2.8 Di III VXD lens, this dongle empowers photographers to personalize their Tamron lenses using a mobile device, now including Apple's iOS and iPadOS platforms for the first time. This advancement simplifies the process of tailoring lens settings to individual shooting styles and demands.
Compact Design, Expansive Capabilities: Introducing the Tamron-Link Dongle
The Tamron-Link is a small, wireless device that plugs into the USB-C port of compatible Tamron lenses. Currently, 16 Tamron lenses for Sony E, Nikon Z, and select Canon RF mounts (for APS-C lenses) support this feature. While a few lenses like the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z and 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD for Sony E-mount are not yet compatible, Tamron assures that a free firmware update in the spring will extend support to these models. Once the dongle is installed, users can connect their lens to an Android or iOS smartphone and wirelessly operate a variety of lens functions.
Empowering Videographers: Precision Control with the Tamron Lens Utility App
The Tamron Lens Utility app provides a wide array of practical functions for videographers. Users can set precise markers for both focus and aperture rings, enabling smooth focus pulls and immediate transitions to preset focus positions with a single tap. The app allows for defining A and B focus points and specifying the duration for focus transitions, ensuring consistent and repeatable results. Electronically controlled stoppers can also be set for focus and aperture rings, preventing unintended adjustments during rotation. For Sony E-mount users, these rings can even be controlled directly from the smartphone.
Advanced Control for Photographers: Beyond Traditional Lens Functions
Building on the existing Tamron Lens Utility desktop app, the mobile version offers extensive control options for photographers. Users can adjust the ring rotation direction, toggle between linear and non-linear focus ring behavior, and customize manual focus and aperture rotation angles. Time-lapse photographers will appreciate the ability to add customizable and precise focusing to their sequences, allowing for gradual focus shifts over multiple frames. Astrophotographers will find it easier to achieve precise focus with focus-by-wire lenses, thanks to the app's ability to save specific focus positions and its night mode, which dims the screen and turns it red to preserve night vision.
Seamless Integration and Accessibility: The Tamron Lens Utility Ecosystem
Beyond specialized functions, the Tamron Lens Utility app facilitates essential tasks such as setting focus preset positions, assigning functions to lens buttons, and updating lens firmware. Version 5.0 of the app is now freely available for iOS, Android, and PC/Mac. While Android users can connect via a cable, iOS device owners require the Tamron-Link accessory. The Tamron-Link is currently priced at $50 in the United States and $69.99 in Canada, making advanced lens control more accessible than ever.