Tamron Officially Launches SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

From Tamron:

Tamron's state-of-the-art lens design features an XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) lens element and eBAND Coating for outstanding detail and performance from the center to the edges of the frame over the entire zoom range.

Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Morio Ono), a leading manufacturer of precision optics, announces the release of a groundbreaking F/2.8 ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for full-frame DSLR cameras.

Since 2012, Tamron has been expanding its lineup of interchangeable lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras. The Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A007) was the world's first F/2.8 high-speed standard zoom lens to include image stabilization, followed by the development of the unique SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A009), SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004), and SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011) lenses, all of which have been highly acclaimed among the photo enthusiasts around the globe. Now, we have developed SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012) to expand the world of imaging possibilities in the wide-angle range.

Product Highlights

• Superior, class leading imaging performance using an innovative XGM lens element
  With an optical construction consisting of 18 elements in 13 groups, including, for the first time, an XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) lens element placed in the front group, and several Molded-Glass Aspherical elements and LD (Low Dispersion) elements used throughout the optical system, aberrations such as geometrical distortion and lateral color are efficiently corrected enabling the zoom lens to deliver outstanding image quality throughout its entire zoom range from corner to corner.
• Enhanced sharpness with exclusive VC image stabilization when shooting handheld in low light or at night
  In response to popular demand, Tamron has created the world's first F/2.8 ultra-wide- angle zoom lens with VC (Vibration Compensation). The VC allows shooting at slow shutter speeds and in low light conditions, and effectively compensates for minor camera shake, whilst maintaining class leading optimal performance.
• eBAND Coating provides superior anti-reflection properties
  In addition to further optimizing Tamron's acclaimed BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating, the eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating has also been employed in this lens. This combination offers superior anti-reflection properties especially important in ultra-wide-angle lenses which are particularly susceptible to flare and ghosting due to their wide angle of view, and provides superior quality and crystal-clear images by minimizing unwanted light reaching the sensor.
• 15-30mm zoom covers both ultra-wide and semi-wide-angle focal lengths
  At its ultra-wide-angle settings this lens can capture, in a single photograph, broad landscapes that cannot be taken in fully by the human eye. At its semi-wide-angle focal lengths, it's ideal for travel and street photography. In short, this unique lens utilizes the zoom function to provide maximum shooting flexibility with a wide range of subjects.
• Fascinating background "bokeh" throughout the wide-angle range due to its fast constant F/2.8 aperture
  Utilizing its shallow depth of field at F/2.8, it enables users to capture beautiful bokeh effects even at wide coverage angles. Its advanced optical formula and 9-bladed circular diaphragm are designed with defocused photography in mind - perfect for creating images where subjects stand out from their natural, blended backgrounds.
• Proven fluorine coating utilizing Tamron's industrial lens expertise is used on the front element
  Fluorine coating, with an established track record in Tamron's industrial lenses, such as those used in automotive cameras, has been applied to the front element. It repels water and dirt, and makes it easier to remove smudges.
• Flexible, high-performance focusing with USD
  USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) delivers high torque, high precision, and virtually silent autofocus action. A full-time manual focus mechanism permits fine focus adjustments instantly without needing to exit AF mode.
• Lens hood designed to prevent light from striking lens at all focal lengths
  This unique lens hood provides effective shading of the front lens surface over the entire zoom range to minimize flare. It utilizes the unique characteristics of the optical system in which the front lens group recedes as you zoom in from 15 mm to 30 mm.
• Double-hood structure provides additional strength
  A double-hood structure has been incorporated into the lens design to improve the durability of the zoom mechanism.
• Comes with "SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron", RAW image processing software customized for Tamron SP lenses
  The SILKYPIX Developer Studio software can develop high-quality images from RAW data, incorporating adjustments that can express the personal style and taste of the photographer. These include white balance, color, sharpness, and the tonal curves recorded by digital cameras. The SILKYPIX Developer Studio for Tamron provides a range of functions in addition to the basic adjustment capabilities, such as correcting aberrations (chromatic aberrations, distortion, peripheral light fall-off), based on the optical data. Used in tandem with Tamron's SP series lenses - renowned for their crisp, high-resolution imaging - this advanced technology efficiently produces images that meet photographers' most exacting demands.

Date of Launch: Gradually launching from January 30, 2015
Dedicated Tamron Page: http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/lineup/a012/index.html

Note: B&H doesn't have the lens available for preorder yet and the product pages do not indicate a price. However, Adorama has the lens available for preorder for $1,199.00 with free expedited shipping.

Update: Adorama's product page says, "NEW ITEM, NOT RELEASED YET. This Item is currently in Developement and has not been released yet. The price has not been set yet."

So either one of two things has happened:

• Adorama has filled in an expected MSRP for the lens, but it isn't the official price (to be updated later) or
• Adorama has published the actual MSRP but has not updated the status of the item

It seems that you can go through the preorder process at Adorama, so the second possibility may be the answer.