VARIViews. FeatureProducts Tamron Launches Two New High Resolution Vari-Focal Lenses

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1 VARIViews News for Security Professionals Fall 2006 Vol. 2 / No. 2 Tamron USA, Inc., 10 Austin Blvd., Commack, NY IN THIS ISSUE Feature Product New High Resolution Vari-Focal Lenses Tech Corner Tamron Hybrid Aspherics Company News Tamron Celebrates Vari-Focal s 20th On Site I Tamron Scores at ADI, Riverside Tamron.com New Website Launched TechCorner Tamron Hybrid Aspherics: Why Tamron CCTV Lenses Outperform the Competition! When we asked leading systems integrators why they consistently choose Tamron lenses for mission-critical CCTV systems, two factors were at the top of their lists unmatched reliability and superb imaging performance. The former is obviously the result of meticulous quality control and employing state-of-the-art, high-precision manufacturing methods. But achieving outstanding image quality over the entire field, at all apertures and focal lengths, with wideratio, wide-aperture, Vari-Focal lenses required something even more than a commitment to excellence-it entailed nothing less than a creative breakthrough in optical design! That breakthrough is Tamron's Hybrid Aspheric Technology, and it's the reason why Tamron Aspherical Vari-Focal CCTV lenses consistently outperform others in comparison tests. What are aspherics, and why are they so important? A standard lens is constructed by assembling groups of optical elements that are all spherical-the surface of each piece of glass is evenly curved. The problem is that light rays entering the center (axis) of the lens and those entering at the edge may not be perfectly focused on the same point, a defect known as spherical aberration that adversely affects sharpness and contrast. In general, the negative effects of spherical aberration increase as the optical design of a lens becomes more complex. That's why reducing or eliminating spherical aberration is crucial in designing high-performance, high-speed Vari- Focal CCTV lenses that cover a wide range of focal lengths. By employing aspherical-shaped elements in its CCTV lenses, Tamron corrects the problem at its source, creating elements that focus both central and edge rays on the same point, yielding critically sharp focus across the entire image plane. In addition to correcting spherical aberration, aspheric elements insure that the light is evenly distributed across the field, minimizing light falloff, and virtually eliminating distortion at image edges. Of course, Tamron is not the FeatureProducts Tamron Launches Two New High Resolution Vari-Focal Lenses Tamron recently launched new high resolution versions of the popular mm and 5-50mm Vari- Focal lenses designed for higher image quality monitoring cameras. Read about them on page six... CompanyNews Celebrating 20 Years of the Vari-Focal Lens: An Interview with Koji Masunari by Jason Schneider When Tamron first entered the rapidly expanding CCTV and surveillance field back in 1986, there was no such thing as a varifocal CCTV lens. Now 20 years later, Tamron Vari- Focal lenses are a dominant force in an industry that is bigger and more important than ever a linchpin in protecting individual, corporate, and national security. To get a clearer picture of how Tamron took a brilliant idea and expanded it into one of the (cont. on pg. 7) (cont. on pg. 2)

2 CompanyNews cont. from pg. 1 Celebrating the the Vari-Focal s 20th Anniversary most successful optical lines in the world, we posed some probing questions to Tamron's Koji Masunari, Manager, Sales Dept., Industrial Optics Business Unit, the man who inspired the Tamron Vari-Focal project. We hope you find his answers as illuminating, inspiring, and entertaining as we did. JS: What particular needs or demands of the security/surveillance/ entry control market was Tamron addressing in designing the first Vari-Focal lens for CCTV applications? KM: Twenty years ago, back in 1986, there were no CCTV optics on the market other than single-focal-length and zoom lenses with manual or motorized zoom control. If anyone required a lens having a precise angle of view for some specific application, his only solution was to buy a manual zoom lens, which was very expensive at the time. So most people used single-focal-length lenses due to budgetary constraints and gave up the idea of achieving the exact coverage they really wanted. Tamron was well aware of this situation and we gave the matter some thought. We concluded that if we could provide lenses that offered the capability of changing focal lengths at reasonable cost, we could satisfy this rather sizeable market sector. That was original idea behind the creation of Tamron Vari-Focal lenses. JS: Was it technically easier to design a series of Vari-Focal lenses rather than true zoom (parfocal) lenses for these applications? Or did the Vari-Focal design enable you to produce better performing, more compact lenses at a more competitive price point that still met your customers' needs? KM: In terms of the technology, designing Vari-Focal lenses is every bit as difficult as designing high-performance zoom lenses. However, we realized that these Vari-Focal lenses also had strict physical design requirements namely they should be able to fit into standard camera housings so they could be easily installed in place of the single-focal-length lenses most people were using at the time. Designing high-performance Vari-Focal lenses that compact was challenging to begin with, and producing them at a reasonable price was even tougher. Although we succeeded in trimming the cost, and achieving a price structure that was well below that of competitors' zoom lenses, our Vari-Focal line was still more costly than single focal-length lenses. Rather than compromise quality, we realized that we had to educate our consumers on the numerous benefits of Tamron Vari-Focal lenses, and their ability to overcome many problems that would otherwise be insurmountable. In short, it was essential that our customers understand that a moderate increase in cost was actually giving them a much better value for their money. JS: Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses enjoy an excellent reputation for reliability and durability even under adverse conditions factors that are extremely important to installers and security specialists. Are there any particular design or construction factors other than superior quality control that allow you to achieve this level of dependability? KM: In order to achieve superior reliability and durability, Tamron is doing the following things in terms of lens design and construction: 1) Using strong glass materials, particularly those that are resistant to air pollution and high humidity, rather than glass types commonly used for general applications. 2) Using more robust optical designs and mounts that perform to a high standard over a wide temperature range. 3) Subjecting our lenses to a comprehensive testing program, assuring compatibility and excellent performance with a wide range of equipment. This is essential because CCTV lenses are used with many different kinds of cameras that are manufactured in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Europe, the USA all over the world. At Tamron, we are conscientious in testing our CCTV lenses with major cameras on the market, checking to make sure the DC auto iris and all other functions perform correctly and to our critical standards. JS: Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses are noted for their fast maximum apertures that provide superior light-gathering ability. How important is the use of aspheric surfaces and lens elements, special glass types and the latest multi-coating techniques in achieving top performance at wide apertures? then... First Vari-Focal Type Lens: 2/3 8-16mm F/1.6 Introduced by Tamron in 1986! The first Vari-Focal lens ever marketed for the security industry was designed for the then-popular 2/3 format and covered a telephoto range with its 2X magnification. Twenty years later, Tamron offers magnifications in its Vari-Focals of up to 10X, as in the 5-50mm. TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL

3 KM: Aspherical lens elements are used for various purposes. One of their chief benefits is allowing us to produce wide-aperture lenses that perform exceptionally well in low-light environments while delivering superior performance. However, aspherical technology is not the only method we use to achieve speed along with high image quality. We also employ exacting mechanical design, precision tooling technology, and state-of-the art coating to help us to make our lenses brighter. Many people don't realize this, but obtaining high-resolution images at wide apertures not only entails using precision optical components, but also mechanical components manufactured to the highest possible standards. JS: Which particular lenses or focal length ranges have proven to be most successful in the marketplace, and which applications for Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses are showing the most rapidly increasing demand? KM: It's difficult to pick one lens. The Tamron 2/3- inch 8-16mm was the world's first Vari-Focal lens in its class and it certainly qualifies as a technological landmark. The Tamron 1/3-inch 3.5-8mm ( model 13V-358) became the industry standard focal length for 1/3-inch CCDs and many lens manufacturers are still following our lead in producing this focal length. Our model 13V-308AS was also extremely successful because of its very wide f/1.0 aperture that gave excellent performance in very low light. It became our best-selling Vari-Focal lens. Finally, both the Tamron model 13V-2812AS, and the 5-50mm model 13V-550 became industry standards in the mid-range Vari-Focal lens category. In short, it is not an exaggeration to state clearly that as a whole, Tamron lenses dominate the CCTV market. JS: Is Tamron planning to introduce any new Vari-Focal CCTV lenses in the near future, and if so, what type, and which market segments are they primarily aimed at? KM: Sorry, but I cannot answer this question specifically, except to say that there are many exciting new Tamron CCTV lenses presently under development. JS: How will new CCTV systems, formats and advances in imaging technology impact Tamron's plans for the future? KM: Tamron is designing and manufacturing lenses for various applications such as Digital Still Cameras, and even more demanding applications in the imaging field such as machine vision, that require even higher picture quality than CCTV. We therefore believe that we will be able to adapt to any foreseeable advances in CCTV systems in the future, and produce lenses that will meet our customers' requirements. JS: While much of Tamron's success in dominating the CCTV market is certainly the result of producing properly aimed superior products, marketing and promotion are also very significant. How have marketing efforts contributed to Tamron's success and how do you see the marketing thrust for these products going forward? KM: Tamron has business connections with most of the major camera manufacturers worldwide, and we also do business with major distributors all over the globe. The information we exchange with these people in an ongoing dialogue helps us to make the correct products because we are very much attuned to their needs. JS: A partnership relationship with your clients has also been a key element in helping Tamron to develop and target products to meet their needs. How do you see these kinds of relationships as an element in your overall strategy, and how can they be strengthened and made even more productive going forward? KM: We certainly have a cordial relationship with our clients that we maintain by having a constant interchange of ideas in the areas of technology and its applications. However, we know that the real basis of that cordial relationship is excellence. Only by assuring that our products always deliver a combination of high performance and high quality can we maintain a true partnership with our clients. now... Tamron 3.0-8mm F/1.0 Vari-Focal Named Masters Circle All-Star ABOUT THE AWARD Products named to Security Sales & Integration s Masters Circle All-Stars are the industry s classic, best-selling performers. These products may not be the latest and greatest, but they are not on the bleeding edge of technology either. They are the tried-and-true devices on which the industry s most respected installing security systems integrators stake their reputations and livelihood. They are the products that allow the owners and operators of these companies to sleep at night knowing their customers are in good hands. However, it is not just about the products, but also the manufacturers responsible for them. These suppliers not only produce exemplary, field-tested goods, but also provide superior support in the event of a problem. Now in its fifth year, Security Sales & Integration salutes these manufacturers and their creations with its annual Masters Circle All-Stars. Based on research culled from SSI s Brand Awareness Study, wholesale distributors, dealers/integrators and other industry sources, five to 10 companies in each of eight product categories have been identified. Each category includes the best-sellers from each of the represented manufacturers, arranged alphabetically, for a total of 40 products. SSI, August TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL

4 OnSite Tamron CCTV Lenses Score Big Where Rubber Meets the Road! by Jason Schneider If you want to know why Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses dominate the security industry in surveillance, fire control, and entry access applications you can ask the managers of any of the small-to-medium sized companies that design and configure CCTV installations for stores, casinos, and a myriad of other businesses. Or you can ask a guy who works in the trenches at a really big company where the rubber meets the road namely, one of the largest and most respected suppliers of the equipment CCTV installers buy. That really big company is ADI (Ademco Distributing Inc.) whose corporate office is in Melville, NY. ADI, which describes itself as a customer-centric company, has been serving the security industry for over 20 years and has 105 locations in the US alone as well as centers in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The guy in the trenches is Paul Ortiz, an Inside Sales Associate at ADI s Riverside, California branch, who deals directly with the installers. Since my customers are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the performance of the systems they configure and install, they demand high quality and reliability, notes Ortiz, and because many installations require dozens of lenses, they re also price sensitive and demand a lot for their money. Because my customers know, on the basis of their own hands-on experience, that Tamron Vari-Focal lenses provide very high image quality at a relatively moderate price, they are by far our most popular lenses, accounting for over 90% of the lenses we sell. They are also extremely reliable defects are almost unheard of, and when Tamron lenses are installed, they simply never break down. Reliability and durability are very important to installers because maintenance is labor intensive and expensive. And they know that installing Tamron lenses means less maintenance. Because my customers know, on the basis of their own hands-on experience, that Tamron Vari-Focal lenses provide very high image quality at a relatively moderate price, they are by far our most popular lenses, accounting for over 90% of the lenses we sell. The most popular CCTV lenses we sell at ADI are the Tamron 3.0-8mm f/1.0 Vari-Focal, the mm f/1.4 Vari-Focal, and the 5-50 Vari- Focal, all wide-aperture, high resolution aspherical lenses that provide a very bright screen image even in low-light applications, says Ortiz. Most of the equipment we sell winds up in store security systems. For example, one California grocery store chain has 12 stores and 88 cameras, all fitted with Tamron lenses. For these guys, reliability means savings and enhanced operational efficiency. At ADI, continues Ortiz, the security companies who buy from us really know the field inside out, and they know they have to deliver the goods for their clients if they re going to succeed in their businesses. To me, the fact that these companies demand Tamron lenses in pref- Paul Ortiz, ADI, Riverside, CA erence to other brands sends a simple message that Tamron lenses perform to a very high standard, and give security systems installers and their customers the best value for their money. For more information on ADI, its impressive credentials and range of products and services, go to TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL

5 They are also extremely reliable defects are almost unheard of, and when Tamron lenses are installed, they simply never break down. Vari-Focal Lenses Mentioned in On Site 1/ mm F/1.4 Aspherical Vari-Focal The mm features Aspherical optical technology to enhance overall performance by eliminating image distortion and providing superb corner to corner sharpness. The lens offers a versatile focal range from extremely wideangle to telephoto. Its fast F/1.4 - F/360 aperture range combined with a 3-blade diaphragm makes it ideal for use in extreme lighting conditions. Lightweight and compact design. Available in Manual Iris, DC Auto Iris and Video Auto Iris. Also available in IR version. 1/ mm F/1.0 Aspherical Vari-Focal Tamron's 3.0-8mm F/1.0 Aspherical Vari-Focal offers superb image quality plus a desirable 91 angle of view. It features a fast maximum F/1.0 aperture, and a minimum F/360, making it quite versatile in a variety of lighting conditions. High resolution is achieved through aspherical design and superior multi-coatings that reduce flare and ghosting. Stability of image is ensured with locking rings for focus, zoom and iris (manual only). Compact design fits any housing. Available in Manual, DC Auto and Video Auto Iris. Available in IR version. 1/3 5-50mm F/1.4 Aspherical Vari-Focal The Tamron 5-50mm features Aspherical Optical Technology and offers installers a 10X magnification in a compact design (2.2"). The fast F/1.4 maximum aperture combined with a minimum F/360 aperture ensures excellent imaging around the clock. Zoom, iris (on manual iris only) and focus locks. Available in Manual Iris, DC Auto Iris and Video Auto Iris. 5 TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL 2006www.tamron.com

6 FeatureProducts cont. from pg mm II: Improved Optical Design Provides Both High-Resolution and High-Contrast The mm (Model 13VX2812ASII) is an improved version of the popular mm that, with its capability to cover a wide field of view while allowing close-up surveillance of subjects at working distances as short as 10-20cm, has been highly acclaimed in the security/surveillance market as a lens suitable for a wide variety of applications that cannot be covered by the 3.0-8mm or 3.5-8mm class of standard Vari-Focal lenses. Now, Tamron has revamped the unique mm Vari- Focal lens by employing a new, highly innovative optical system that uses several aspherical elements. The new mm Vari-Focal lens provides high-resolution and high-contrast images at both its wide and tele ends thanks to the improved optical design. In renewing the lens, Tamron also reviewed and improved the mechanical construction in order to optimize its match with the outstanding optical performance of the lens. The result is a reintroduction as a high resolution Vari-Focal lens boasting a high degree of perfection. Main Features of the mm II: 4.2X high-resolution Vari-Focal lens The highly advanced optical design using aspherical elements provides clear, high-resolution and high-contrast images over the entire focal length range. Wide dynamic range Improvements in the ND-filter mechanism have resulted in high resolution images from the F/1.4 maximum aperture down to the F/360 minimum aperture. High optical performance without image degradation is assured even at the minimum aperture setting. 5-50mm II: New Optical and Mechanical Construction Yields a High Resolution Vari-Focal Lens Boasting a High Degree of Perfection The 5-50mm lens (Model 13VX550ASII) is an improved version of a high power Vari-Focal lens in the current line-up that covers popular focal lengths in the telephoto range (13VX550). The current model has been highly acclaimed as a lens most suitable for various outdoor applications including monitoring of parking lots or building surroundings as well as traffic surveillance. However, Tamron has made further improvements to the well-accepted surveillance lens by now employing two aspherical lens elements in its original optical system to ensure high resolution and high contrast image quality consistently from the wide-end through to the tele-end, while making it compact enough to be used in standard camera housings. In renewing the lens, Tamron also reviewed and improved the mechanical construction in order to optimize its match with the outstanding optical performance of the lens. The result is a reintroduction as a high resolution Vari-Focal lens boasting a high degree of perfection. Main Features of the new 5-50mm II: Clear, high-resolution, high-contrast images The employment of two aspherical elements has resulted in a Vari-Focal lens that realizes a 10X zoom power while providing high-resolution and high-contrast images over the entire range through the use of two aspherical elements. Wider dynamic range The minimum aperture has been extended to F/360 from F/185 on the previous model for an expanded dynamic range, which results in excellent image capturing capability without the "white out" phenomenon that can occur when capturing images of bright subjects outdoors. Also, an improvement in the ND-filter mechanism has resulted in high optical quality without image degradation even when smaller apertures are used. Improvements Common to Both New High Resolution Vari-Focal Models Improved mechanical construction Thanks to improvements in mechanical designs for optimum precision - including the focusing system-controls operate even more smoothly. Durability and anti-vibration performance have both been improved resulting in a robust Vari- Focal lens. Broadband multi-layer coatings Broadband multi-layer coatings ensure clear image quality and prevent ghosting and flare. Focus/zoom locking mechanisms The lens is equipped with focus/zoom locking mechanisms to prevent unwanted shifts of zoom and focus positions. Environmentally friendly design The environmentally-friendly design is compatible with the RoHS, a strict European directive on environmental standards. Format: Manual Iris Model: DC Auto Iris Model: Focal Length: F/Number: Zoom Ratio: Overall Length: Focus Range: SPECIFICATIONS mm II 5-50mm II 1/3 1/3 13VM2812ASII 13VM550ASII 13VG2812ASII-SQ 13VG550ASII-SQ mm 5-50mm X 10X 58.8m 59.2mm 0.3m to infinity 1.0m to infinity (wide) 0.3m to infinity (tele) TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL

7 TechCorner cont. from pg. 1 Compensation for Spherical Aberration Spherical aberration with a normal spherical lens (1) and compensation effect with an Aspherical lens element (2). Distortion Correction (Barrel Type) Aspherical surface spherical surface (A) (B) (1) (2) Spherical element Aspherical element image plane image plane Unbalanced height of oblique incident light rays causes distortion at the image plane. Tamron s aspherical lens design continuously corrects the refracting angles of these unbalanced light rays. image plane (A) The corrected height of incident light rays at the image plane; (B) the uncorrected height of incident light rays through a conventional spherical element. only lens manufacturer employing aspheric elements-but it's the unique and exclusive way in which aspherics are employed that gives Tamron CCTV lenses an edge over their competitors. Tamron Hybrid Aspherics: An ingenious method for achieving sharper images and much more The genius of Tamron's Hybrid Aspheric Technology is that it allows molded aspheric surfaces to be applied to the very special AD (Anomalous Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) glass used in Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses. Both AD and LD glass are needed to virtually eliminate secondary (residual) chromatic aberration, a defect that cannot be removed by conventional optical glass. These costly materials work by helping to control the dispersion (light-bending) characteristics of specific wavelengths. This not only allows more effective control of chromatic (color) aberrations that are especially troublesome at telephoto focal lengths, but also affords the lens designer greater freedom in designing lighter, more compact lenses with improved light transmission. As a result Tamron CCTV lenses yield clear, vivid images that are completely free of image degradation and visible color fringing. The knotty problem Producing Hybrid Aspherics of consistently high quality to stringent specifications is a daunting task. In the end, it meant that Tamron's engineers had to develop entirely new methods of lens manufacturing. The characteristics of the optical resin used to form the aspheric surface requires a precisely optimized temperature during the molding process, and the fragile physical nature of LD and AD glass during the polishing and coating process all but prevented the use of these materials in tandem until Tamron's engineers solved this complex, multifaceted problem. The brilliant solution They did so by devising a proprietary process in which a specially treated aspherical layer can be bonded to the finished glass element, insuring a perfect fit between these components. The key breakthrough was developing a reliable method of precisely monitoring and controlling the temperature during the production process. The successful outcome, we are pleased to say, has resulted in Tamron CCTV lenses that provide image quality that other lenses simply cannot match. It has also led to the production of CCTV lenses offering unprecedented speed along with remarkable focal length ranges, and conveniently compact dimensions. A stellar example is the new Tamron mm f/1.6 Aspherical Vari-Focal, which is only 4.3 inches long. A Tamron CCTV lens for every application The full range of super-speed Tamron Vari-Focal CCTV lenses employing Tamron Hybrid Aspheric Technology is equally impressive, with optics available for virtually any surveillance or security application. The normal range includes, in addition to the aforementioned mm, the Tamron 2.8-6mm f/1.2, the mm f/1.4, the 3.0-8mm f/1.0, and the 5-50mm f/1.4. Tamron IR lenses are optimized for use with IR cameras at night, or where the light level is too low for traditional CCD cameras, but they can also handle daytime imaging. The IR range includes the Tamron mm f/1.4 IR, the 3.0-8mm f/1.4 IR, the 4-12mm f/1.4 IR, and the 10-40mm f/1.4 IR. Needless to say, all are superb quality optics providing extraordinary low-light performance, and brilliant imaging even under adverse conditions. Now you know why. TAMRON VARIVIEWS / FALL

8 tamron.com Tamron Redesigns Website for Easier Navigation Users searching for information on Tamron industrial optics will be pleased with the new easier-to-navigate Tamron website launched just a few months ago. The url leads you to a splash page highlighting Tamron USA s two divisions: photo and security. Just one click brings you to the CCTV home page where product information and PDF catalog downloads are easily accessed. The new CCTV home page also directs you to two special areas where educational and informative articles about new Tamron products and technology are featured. A link to the popular online lens calculator is found under the Featuring box. A drop down menu at the top right of the page guides you to other areas including about us, contact us and customer service. Additionally, you can locate your local sales representative or find out how to become a dealer by clicking on links at the bottom of the page. Clicking on the blinking arrow in the large graphic box (after the words quality, reliability and performance) brings you to a learning area where you can find trouble shooting information and a section of tutorials on various lens types and technology. The area is worth the visit as it will arm you with solid facts to help you better select and sell Tamron products. Tamron USA, Inc. 10 Austin Boulevard Commack, NY VARIViews News for Security Professionals