TAMRON Product Naming Convention: What the New Lens Names Mean
The TAMRON product naming convention is changing with the introduction of the new 12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084). TAMRON is introducing a simplified naming system for new lenses that puts greater emphasis on the two specifications photographers often look for first: focal length and maximum aperture.
The new naming format is designed to make TAMRON lens names clearer and easier to understand at a glance. It also simplifies several technical designations that previously appeared in the product name.
What Is the New TAMRON Lens Naming Convention?
The new TAMRON lens naming convention simplifies the way future lenses are identified.
Previously, TAMRON lens names could include several technical terms describing the lens’s optical format, focusing technology, and other characteristics.
For example, the original name for the A084 was:
12-20mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A084)
Under the new naming system, it becomes:
12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084)
The focal-length range and maximum aperture remain immediately visible, while technical designations such as Di III and VXD are removed from the main product name.
What Changed in the TAMRON Product Naming Convention?
The TAMRON product naming convention introduces several important changes.
1. Greater Emphasis on Focal Length and Maximum Aperture
The focal length and maximum aperture are now the most prominent elements of the product name.
For example:
12-20mm F2.8
This immediately tells photographers the lens’s zoom range and maximum aperture without requiring them to interpret additional abbreviations.
Focal length is one of the most important factors when choosing a lens because it determines the angle of view and perspective. Maximum aperture is also important because it affects light-gathering capability and creative control over depth of field.
By placing these specifications at the center of the name, TAMRON aims to make lens selection easier.
2. The Slash Is Removed From the F-Number
One of the simplest changes is the removal of the slash from the aperture designation.
Under the previous naming format:
F/2.8
Under the new format:
F2.8
The specification itself has not changed. The new format is simply a more streamlined way of presenting the maximum aperture.
For example:
12-20mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
becomes:
12-20mm F2.8
This change applies to new products introduced under the new naming system.
What Happened to Di III and Di III-A?
Another major change in the TAMRON lens naming convention is the removal of the Di III and Di III-A designations from the main product name.
These terms previously appeared in TAMRON lens names to identify the type of mirrorless camera system for which a lens was designed.
Under the new naming convention, these designations are no longer included in the main product name.
For example:
12-20mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
becomes:
12-20mm F2.8
This creates a shorter product name while keeping the primary specifications easier to recognize.
The removal of Di III and Di III-A from the product name does not change the lens’s compatibility or optical characteristics. It is a change to how the product is named and presented.
What Happened to VXD?
The VXD suffix is also being removed from the main product name under the new naming system.
VXD stands for Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive, TAMRON’s linear motor focusing technology.
For lenses introduced under the new convention, VXD will no longer appear in the primary product name. Instead, focusing technology and other technical specifications can be communicated separately in the product description and specifications.
This makes the main lens name shorter while still allowing photographers to learn about the autofocus system through the product’s detailed specifications.
What Does the “A” Mean on Future APS-C Lenses?
The new naming system also introduces a simplified approach for future APS-C products.
For future TAMRON lenses designed for APS-C cameras, TAMRON says that only the suffix “A” will be used at the end of the product name.
This replaces the longer Di III-A designation that appeared in previous APS-C lens names.
The goal is to make the main product name easier to read while maintaining a clear distinction for the product lineup.
TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8: The First Lens With the New Naming Format
The TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 naming format is the first example of the new system.
The lens is identified as:
12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084)
It is an ultra-wide-angle zoom designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras and is available for Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount systems.
Its 12-20mm focal-length range and constant F2.8 aperture remain the key specifications presented directly in the name.
The A084 therefore provides a practical example of how the new naming convention works: the most important lens specifications are immediately visible, while additional technical information is provided separately.
Previous vs. New TAMRON Lens Names
The change can be summarized with the A084 example:
| Previous Naming Style | New Naming Style |
|---|---|
| 12-20mm | 12-20mm |
| F/2.8 | F2.8 |
| Di III | Removed from main name |
| VXD | Removed from main name |
| Model A084 | Model A084 |
The full previous name was:
12-20mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A084)
The new name is:
12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084)
The result is a shorter and more straightforward product name.
Why Is TAMRON Simplifying Its Product Names?
The new TAMRON lens naming convention is intended to make lens names clearer for photographers.
Modern lenses can include several technical abbreviations. While these terms can provide useful information to experienced photographers, they can also make product names longer and more difficult to understand for people who are less familiar with lens terminology.
By emphasizing focal length and maximum aperture, TAMRON is making two of the most important lens specifications immediately recognizable.
Other technical information, including mount compatibility, focusing technology, optical construction, and camera format, can still be found in the detailed product specifications.
What Do TAMRON Lens Names Mean Going Forward?
With the new naming system, photographers can focus first on the core specifications presented in the product name.
For example:
12-20mm F2.8
tells you that the lens covers a 12mm to 20mm focal-length range and has a constant maximum aperture of F2.8.
Additional information can then be used to determine whether the lens is compatible with a particular camera and whether its features suit a specific type of photography.
This approach makes the product name easier to scan while preserving the detailed technical information photographers need when choosing a lens.
Understanding the New TAMRON Naming Convention
The TAMRON product naming convention is designed to make future lens names simpler and more intuitive.
The main changes include:
Greater emphasis on focal length and maximum aperture
Changing F/2.8 to F2.8
Removing Di III from the main product name
Removing Di III-A from the main product name
Removing VXD from the main product name
Using A as the suffix for future APS-C lenses
The TAMRON 12-20mm F2.8 (Model A084) is the first lens introduced using this new naming format.
A Simpler Way to Understand TAMRON Lenses
The TAMRON lens naming convention is evolving to make product names shorter and easier to understand.
Instead of requiring photographers to interpret multiple technical abbreviations, the new format puts the focal-length range and maximum aperture at the forefront.
The change does not eliminate the technical information photographers need. Instead, it separates the most important specifications from the more detailed product information.
As TAMRON introduces future lenses using this system, photographers can use the focal length, maximum aperture, model number, mount information, and full specifications together to choose the lens that best fits their camera and shooting style.
