Man, Tamron had a week.
I've been a Tamron skeptic for years - call it a Lumix GH7 bias, call it sticker shock from the old SP era, whatever - but this week they basically forced me to sit up and pay attention. Two big lens announcements in five days. That's not normal. The company's promised ten new lenses this year and so far they're on pace to actually deliver.
First one: the 12-20mm f/2.8 (model A084). Not a refresh, not a 'G2' - they told PetaPixel this is a from-scratch optical formula. Dropped the Di III VXD from the name, redesigned the barrel, added an IRIS LOCK switch on the Sony E version, kept the constant f/2.8 across the whole zoom range, and stuffed a 12-blade circular diaphragm in there. 570 grams. 4.7 inches long. Looks properly compact.
I dug into the spec sheet on Tamron Americas and the marketing copy is unusually honest - they explicitly say it's 'poised to become the new protagonist for astrophotography.' That's not a thing brands say unless they know the coma flare numbers are good. Preorder goes live July 30 for Sony E at $1,699, Nikon Z ships August 27 at $1,799.
And then two days later they quietly dropped the 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 - completes the G2 trinity for Sony E and Nikon Z. Under $1,000 this time, around $929 at B&H. I haven't shot with the G2 yet but the original 16-30mm f/2.8 was already a sweet spot for travel and astro, so the G2 with the VXD linear motor and presumably better coatings should be a no-brainer for hybrid shooters who don't want to drop G Master money.
Fujifilm finally went wide on GFX
You know what's been weird about the GFX system since day one? No proper ultra-wide cinema zoom. The 20-35mm f/4 still exists but it's a stills lens and it's slow. So when Fujifilm announced the GF 19-35mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR this week - that's a power zoom cinema lens, 19 to 35mm, T3.5 across the range, with optical stabilization - I actually got a little excited. Even though I shoot mostly MFT, the GFX Eterna 55 is starting to look like a real indie cinema camera and this lens is the wide end it's been missing.
$5,499.95, shipping July 23. Yes, that's a lot. Yes, that's cinema glass. Cine folks will probably rent it more than buy it, but the existence of this lens means Fujifilm is finally committing to the GFX Eterna as a serious platform.
Read the full announcement on Fujifilm-X.com.
CP+ 2027 dates are set - and yes, it's still in February
CIPA finally locked in CP+ 2027: February 25 to 28 at Pacifico Yokohama. Free entry with pre-registration, registration opens early December. Last year pulled 58,329 visitors and 149 exhibitors - both records - and the under-40 / female demographic share keeps climbing. For Western brands this is increasingly the place to be, especially since Photokina collapsed in 2020 and never came back.
What I'm watching for: every February at CP+ we get either a major body announcement or a big lens reveal from at least one of Canon / Nikon / Sony / Fujifilm. Sometimes two. If you're planning a 2027 camera purchase and can wait five months, I'd wait until after CP+ to see what drops.
Sony a7 V still owns Japan's map camera chart
PetaPixel dropped the June Map Camera sales numbers and - no surprise - the Sony a7 V is back at #1 after Fujifilm's X100VI stole the crown for exactly one month. The a7 V has been the best-selling new digital camera in Japan every single month since its December release. That's wild. The new a7R VI landed at #2 with 'many preorders' but couldn't topple it.
Two aging Canon PowerShots - the 2018 SX740 HS and the 2019 G7X Mark III - are still in the top 10. Both sold out at B&H. Canon told PetaPixel they're 'approaching new model development very cautiously' because they're not sure if the compact boom is sustained demand or just a Gen Z TikTok thing. Honestly, both can be true at the same time. I'd bet on Canon dropping a G7X Mark IV within 12 months.
Quick hits you might have missed
- SmallRig dropped a 25L modular outdoor camera backpack with anti-drop baffle flaps - pre-order $200, actually looks like it might be the most thoughtful camera bag design of the year.
- Ricoh is releasing a special GR IV to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the GR1 film camera. The compact camera collector in me is losing it.
- The Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2026 finalists were announced - 12 photographers, winner revealed October 8 in Wetzlar. Worth scrolling through the shortlist if you're into documentary work.
That's it for this week. Saturday's weekly roundup will hit your inbox tomorrow with everything I couldn't fit here. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to figure out if I can justify pre-ordering a third Tamron lens in twelve months.