Highlights

The world’s first 85mm fast-aperture lens with image stabilization

Tamron’s VC image stabilization system enables handheld use in dim light without flash. Camera movement—often too minute to be perceptible to the photographer—is the leading cause of blur in photographs. In addition, newer DSLR cameras with higher resolution and higher pixel densities are even more susceptible to subtle camera shake. The VC System, Tamron’s time-proven Vibration Compensation, keeps the sharpness at hand, even in moody, dim light when shutter speeds tend to be longer.

Superior resolving power and attractive bokeh

Experienced optical design technique combined with LD and XLD lens elements have virtually eliminated on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations that might otherwise appear as colour fringing. In addition, by thoroughly reducing chromatic aberrations (distortion of off-axis point source) and astigmatism, subjects that appear as a distinct point source will be captured as a distinct point source even at the edges and corners of the frame. Furthermore, optical simulations were thoroughly conducted, and the 85mm achieves natural bokeh— that dreamy, semi-focus blur that separates the portrait subject from the background with a snap.

Moisture-Resistant Construction

Special seals are located at the lens mount area and other critical locations to help prevent moisture and/or dust from penetrating the lens and provide Moisture-Resistant Construction. This feature provides an additional layer of protection when shooting outdoors under adverse weather conditions.

A durable Fluorine Coating on the front element repels water

The Fluorine Coating is a water and oil repellant coating applied to the front element surface making it much easier to keep clean & remove dust & deposits with ease.

Sophisticated eBAND and BBAR coatings plus Advanced Anti-Reflection Technologies

Two highly developed lens coating technologies, eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) which uses nanotechnology, and BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection), combine to increase light transmission and to reduce flare and ghosting to imperceptible levels. Additional techniques are employed to prevent reflections inside the lens barrel so that the 85mm lens delivers high contrast, sharp and clear images worthy of a fixed focal lens. This lens clearly captures detailed tones even in the shadows.

Electromagnetic diaphragm system now used also for Nikon-mount lens

An electromagnetic diaphragm system, which has been a standard feature for Canon-mount lenses, is now employed in Nikon-mount lenses*4. More precise diaphragm and aperture control is possible because the diaphragm blades are driven and controlled by a motor through electronic pulse signals.

USD actuator maximized for fast and accurate focusing

Fast, quiet AF is achieved by using a USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) ring-type ultrasonic motor which enables remarkably precise focusing drive with high torque and responsiveness.. In addition, Full-time Manual Focus override is available at any point during the autofocus operation for deliberately shifting focus without switching the AF-MF.

Compatibility with TAMRON TAP-in Console

You can update firmware, customize autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the 85mm lens by simply attaching it to the TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a personal computer. (The TAP-in Console is an optional accessory that will be released in March.)

Compatibility with Adobe and Silkypix software

Supplied with SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.0, advanced editing software that features correction menus for various aberrations (lateral color, distortion, relative illumination) based on the optical design data of this specific lens. In addition, lens profile information has been supplied to Adobe Systems, Inc. to facilitate selecting the precise lens data required for more sophisticated adjustments in RAW processing when using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Shooting RAW image files enables creation of more stringent and high-fidelity image quality.

Price is $749

Preorder available - http://www.adorama.com/TM8518NK.html

The lens is selling in mainland china for 2650 rmb (408usd) full warranty - great deal I'm getting one. Saw it in Shanghai today.

Ok, so I went back to the shop (I knew it was too good to be true!) - seems some clown mixed up the price tags with the Nikon 85/1.8G. I picked one up anyway for about $700 - still cheaper than what B&H or Amazon are charging. Anyway, haven't had a ton of time to test it , only took about a couple hundred shots - first impression is the excellent build quality - it's a huge chunk of glass. It's very, very sharp - and bokeh to my eyes is better than the CaNikon 85/1.8 counterparts. About AF - with the little time I had playing with it, IMHO is relatively fast (compared to the Nikon 1.8G) and accurate - there were 2 shots that totally misfired, one was a portrait wide open under mixed lighting and the other was a still object under natural light (this one may be user error). Anyway, I can't offer anything scientific as of yet (my body is a Nikon D750).

I also found this review:

http://www.canon-board.info/testy-sprzetu-25/recenzja-tamron-85-1-8-vc-usd-102837/

Tests show the new Tamron lens delivers very good performance: it's very sharp across the full-frame sensor right up into the corners whether at infinity or normal distances. In fact it produces the sharpest FF/FX-corners of any 85mm I've seen. It has very low coma and low longitudinal color aberrations with relatively moderate magenta ghosting.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Tamron_SP_85mm_f1-8_Di_VC_USD/

Center and edge sharpness are outstanding between f/2.8 and f/11. At f/16 sharpness is beginning to drop off to diffraction.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_sp_85mm_f1_8_di_vc_usd_review/

http://www.dpreview.com/samples/2216754839/tamron-85mm-f1-8-di-vc-usd-real-world-samples

http://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/tamron/85mm-f1.8-di-vc-usd-sp-model-f016/review/

Thinking about getting this lens.

Nice cat btw.

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/special/1020095.html