Tamron: Lens Development Histories
Tamron maintains three complementary first-party histories. Its brand timeline catalogs the company's lenses across eight decades, while two long-form development features trace the engineering of the 90mm Macro family and the all-in-one zoom from their first models through the latest generations.
Tamron Lens History
The official Tamron Lens History begins with the 135mm F4.5 Model 280 from 1958 and follows the company's interchangeable lenses through the mirrorless era. It records model numbers, dates, and technologies including interchangeable mounts, telephoto and mirror lenses, Adaptall, SP, autofocus, vibration compensation, and current Di III designs.
The following models in that timeline have exact catalog matches. Years follow Tamron’s timeline; model numbers distinguish similarly named generations.
| Introduced | Lens | Surface & Stop |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70–180mm F2.8 Di III VXD (A056) | A056 |
| 2017 | 18–400mm F3.5–6.3 Di II VC HLD (B028) | B028 |
| 2014 | 28–300mm F3.5–6.3 Di VC PZD (A010) | A010 |
| 2014 | 14–150mm F3.5–5.8 Di III (C001) | C001 |
| 2013 | SP 150–600mm F5–6.3 Di VC USD (A011) | A011 |
| 2012 | SP 24–70mm F2.8 Di VC USD (A007) | A007 |
| 2012 | SP 70–200mm F2.8 Di VC USD (A009) | A009 |
| 2012 | SP 90mm F2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (F004) | F004 |
| 2011 | 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 Di III VC (B011) | B011 |
| 2010 | SP 70–300mm F4–5.6 Di VC USD (A005) | A005 |
| 2009 | SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD [IF] MACRO 1:1 (G005) | G005 |
| 2008 | SP AF 70–200mm F2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO (A001) | A001 |
| 2008 | AF 18–270mm F3.5–6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (B003) | B003 |
| 2006 | SP AF 17–50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] (A16) | A16 |
| 2004 | SP AF 200–500mm F5–6.3 Di LD [IF] (A08) | A08 |
| 2004 | AF 28–300mm F3.5–6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (A061) | A061 |
| 2003 | SP AF 28–75mm F2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (A09) | A09 |
| 2003 | SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD [IF] MACRO 1:1 (B01) | B01 |
| 2001 | AF 28–200mm SUPER XR F3.8–5.6 Aspherical [IF] MACRO (A03) | A03 |
| 1980 | SP 70–150mm F2.8 SOFT, Adaptall-2 (51A) | 51A |
Because this is a broad catalog rather than a single-lens article, the two lineage features below provide the more detailed development narratives.
The 90mm Macro Lineage
Tamron's History of the 90mm Macro Lens follows the family from its modified-Gauss portrait-macro concept through autofocus, 1:1 magnification, digital coatings, vibration compensation, and its 2024 mirrorless redesign.
| Introduced | Lens | Model | Surface & Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD | F072 | 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD (F072) |
| 2016 | SP 90mm F2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD | F017 | — |
| 2012 | SP 90mm F2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD | F004 | SP 90mm F2.8 Di Macro (F004) |
| 2004 | SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro 1:1 | 272E | — |
| 1999 | SP AF 90mm F2.8 Macro 1:1 | 172E | — |
| 1996 | SP AF 90mm F2.8 Macro 1:1 | 72E | — |
| 1988 | SP 90mm F2.5 | 52BB | — |
| 1979 | SP 90mm F2.5 | 52B | — |
The All-in-One Zoom Lineage
The History of Tamron's All-In-One Zoom was updated through the 2025 25–200mm F2.8–5.6 G2. Its seven chapters explain how optical design, high-index and aspherical glass, internal focusing, autofocus drives, vibration compensation, and mirrorless construction changed the category.
| Generation | Representative lenses | Official article | Surface & Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 — 2017–2025 | 18–400mm B028; 28–200mm A071; 18–300mm B061; 28–300mm A074; 25–200mm G2 A075 | New Possibilities: Birth of Fast All-In-One Zooms | 18–400mm (B028) |
| 6 — 2014–2015 | 16–300mm B016; 28–300mm A010; 14–150mm C001; 18–200mm B018 | Maturity of Functionality and Performance | 28–300mm (A010); 14–150mm (C001) |
| 5 — 2010–2011 | 18–270mm B008; 18–200mm B011 | New Actuator Introduction and VC Downsizing | 18–200mm (B011) |
| 4 — 2007–2008 | 18–250mm A18; 28–300mm A20; 18–270mm B003 | VC Introduction Period | 18–270mm (B003) |
| 3 — 2004–2006 | 28–300mm A061; 18–200mm A14; 28–200mm A031 | Digital Technology Introduction Period | 28–300mm (A061) |
| 2 — 2001–2002 | 28–200mm A03; 28–300mm A06 | Downsizing Period | 28–200mm (A03) |
| 1 — 1992–2000 | 28–200mm 71D/171D/371D; 28–300mm 185D | Introduction Period | — |
The tables use Tamron's model numbers to distinguish generations that otherwise share similar focal lengths and apertures. Surface & Stop links are added only when the catalog prescription identifies the same model or generation.