Tamron

Lensmaker Tamron announced a new 24-70mm F2.8 zoom lens today, beating Nikon and Canon with a model that brings image stabilization to this premium lens category.

The SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens includes Tamron's vibration compensation technology, which can counteract camera shake to stabilize photos. It's a feature that Canon and Nikon haven't added to their 24-70mm F2.8 lenses.

Such lenses don't have a huge zoom range, but they're popular among photo pros and enthusiasts, in particular because their wide aperture is good for low-light shooting with smoothly blurred backgrounds. Wider-angle lenses don't need image stabilization as much as telephoto lenses, which magnify even slight wobbling, but the feature is still useful for handheld photography. The VC feature therefore gives Tamron a bit of an edge--unless rivals actually get a product to market first. There are rumors in particular that Canon will update its 24-70mm F2.8 lens soon.

Tamron didn't announce a price for the lens, but expect it to be significant in light of the competition's prices: Canon's costs about $1,300 and Nikon's $1,900. Tamron also boasts it's got "resolution at the top of its class."

The Japanese company also didn't say when the 24-70mm model would ship.

It's a new zoom range for Tamron, which right now sells a 24-85mm F2.8 model that retails for about $450.

It uses a new vibration compensation technology, Tamron said: