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Press Release

TAMRON DEVELOPS EPOCH-MAKING 55X ULTRA HIGH MAGNIFICATION ZOOM LENS WITH BUILT-IN OPTICAL VIBRATION COMPENSATION MECHANISM

New Lens Opens New World For Lens-Integrated Surveillance Cameras

April 1, 2009, ISC West, Las Vegas, NV—Mr. Morio Ono, president and CEO of Tamron Co., Ltd., Saitama City, Japan, announced the development of a 55X ultra high magnification zoom lens equipped with an optical vibration compensation mechanism. The new product, model DF012, is an epoch-making surveillance camera lens that opens up a whole new world in the security/surveillance field with its ultra high zoom power of 55X and a 330mm ultra telephoto focal length in a compact body that allows the lens to fit nicely in small housings, as well as its capability to reduce vibration with the lens’ state-of-the-art built-in optical vibration compensation (VC) mechanism.

THE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

The market for ultra high magnification zoom lenses has so far been limited to special applications such as border monitoring and surveillance at airports, harbors and coastal areas. However, there is a potential market for those lenses for applications at large-scale commercial establishments and highways.

Lenses conventionally available in this category are bulky, heavy and costly since total systems including housings and camera platforms are large. In addition, they are susceptible to image blurring at ultra telephoto settings. Engineering work to install such equipment is costly because of the necessity to install robust platforms to prevent camera-shake. These conditions constitute limiting factors, thus hampering the expansion of the market.

Tamron is now ready to offer solutions for those problems with the newly developed 55X Ultra High Magnification Zoom Lens with Built-in Optical Vibration Compensation Mechanism that will realize simplicity in systems requiring ultra high-magnification lenses. The lens boasts a magnification ratio as high as 55X, yet it is amazingly compact and since it is equipped with an optical vibration compensation mechanism, blurring due to camera-shake is minimized. These features, which increase the freedom in selecting installation locations and result in a cost-reduction for engineering work, are expected to contribute to the popularization of sophisticated surveillance systems using ultra high magnification zoom lenses.

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

(1) Stadiums, large-scale amusement facilities

(2) Large-scale industrial complexes (oil plants, power plants and so on)

(3) Widespread facilities such as airports, harbors and so on

(4) Highway traffic monitoring

(5) Data collection cameras for weather forecast

(6) Fixed-point observation (volcanic mountains, rivers and so on)

MAIN FEATURES

1. Supports the 1/3-inch format that is standard for security cameras.

2. Realizes ultra high magnification ratio of 55X with a focal length range of 6-330mm. The focal length of 330mm at its ultra-tele side is equivalent to 2,380mm ultra telephoto when converted to the 35mm camera format.

3. Delivers stabilized high quality images due to the employment of the optical vibration compensation mechanism. The lens uses Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation)1 technology, and its construction is robust enough to withstand security applications.

4. Dramatic downsizing by the employment of an inner-focusing system, which makes auto-focus controlling easier and helps the development of speed domes incorporating the zoom lens. Housings can be designed smaller since the lens itself is compact and camera systems can be mounted on compact platforms. These advantages contribute to total cost saving.

1VC (Vibration Compensation) Mechanism: VC is a mechanism that is based on Tamron’s proprietary technology and incorporated in Tamron interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras. The technology employs Tamron’s original “3 Coil System” designed to let three driving coils control the positions of a compensator lens (VC lens) via three steel balls. Since the VC lens is supported by friction with the balls, friction resistance is small and movement is smooth. The mechanism helps the lens provide stabilized viewfinder images. In addition, mechanical construction of the lens is simple since the VC lens moves in parallel with electrical control only, which realizes downsizing of the lens itself.

BUSINESS GOALS

Tamron believes that we have established a basic technical ground for commercializing and mass-producing the lens with the development of the new 55X Ultra High Magnification Zoom Lens with Built-in VC Mechanism for lens-integrated surveillance cameras. We plan to start marketing operations based on the product specifications as stated below, making various preparations in order to launch the product in the very near future. We hope to sell more than 10,000 units a year, taking the scale of the market into consideration.

SPECIFICATIONS

*All design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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4/09