{"id":20335,"date":"2026-03-21T15:41:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T15:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/?p=20335"},"modified":"2026-03-21T15:41:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T15:41:39","slug":"every-lens-maker-needs-to-do-what-tamron-is-doing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/?p=20335","title":{"rendered":"Every Lens Maker Needs to Do What Tamron Is Doing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"fluid-iframe\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\">\n<p><iframe title=\"Why Doesn&#039;t EVERY Lens Do This?\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/haaqe1pYPaY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tamron lenses have some very cool capabilities you may not be aware of \u2014 like the ability to pull focus during a time lapse \u2014 and it\u2019s all thanks to its Lens Utility App. I want to talk about what of these abilities are, but I also want to take this opportunity to shame other lens manufacturers for not offering these same features. <\/p>\n<p>Over the last decade, lens design has moved away from features like focus, aperture, and focus limiters being controlled mechanically to being done electronically. For example, when you spin the focus ring, you\u2019re not directly shifting the lens\u2019 focus, you\u2019re activating a motor that moves the lens elements. <\/p>\n<p>This can lead to a disconnected feeling that even inspired Chris and I to do <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=j9ZNHQNq0io\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener\">an entire video<\/a> about why electronic focus, or focus-by-wire sucks. <\/p>\n<p>These electronic focus systems and controls were the tradeoff for getting smaller, faster, and sharper mirrorless lenses, so I just learned to accept that this would be the way things are going forward.  <\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a person\u2019s hand mounting a camera lens onto a digital camera body, showing a USB port on the lens and the \u201c35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor\u201d text on the camera.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>But then Tamron started releasing mirrorless lenses with a USB-C port right beside the lens mount. This could be connected to the company\u2019s Lens Utility App for desktop, and it opened up a lot of cool customization options. Cool, but not necessarily useful outside of initial setup. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-Connection-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A camera is connected to a laptop via a USB cable on a granite countertop. An SD memory card is placed beside the laptop\u2019s keyboard.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-Connection-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-Connection-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-Connection-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-Connection-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>But now, this app is available on iOS for the first time and it\u2019s been dramatically expanded for desktop and Android, too.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-iOS-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A mobile app screen displaying Bluetooth connection, with options to assign camera functions to a custom switch, including Ring Function (Focus\/Adjustment) and AF\/MF FOL (Fine Adjustment). Icons appear at the bottom.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-iOS-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-iOS-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-iOS-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-iOS-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>While previously the lenses needed to be attached by a cable to a computer or Android phone, Tamron <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2026\/02\/19\/tamron-link-dongle-lets-you-customize-and-control-your-lens-on-iphone\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">just released the Tamron Link<\/a>, a $50 Bluetooth attachment that allows it to work wirelessly. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Link-CU-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a camera lens with a black plastic cap labeled &quot;TAMRON-LINK,&quot; showing part of the lens mount and serial number 077374 beneath it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Link-CU-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Link-CU-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Link-CU-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Link-CU-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Now, weirdly, this component is the <em>only<\/em> way to connect to iOS; it doesn\u2019t support a cabled connection with Apple smartphones. I mention this because it could be an issue for situations like timelapse, where you don\u2019t want a connection interruption. Hopefully this is addressed in future updates.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of a camera lens customization software interface showing settings for customizing the focus ring and custom switch on a 150-500mm lens, with visual diagrams and adjustable options for rotation and function.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Desktop-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>So what does this app do? Firstly, you can customize all the lens controls. The lens focus direction can be correct, like on Canon and Sony cameras, or wrong, like on Nikon cameras. Your choice.  <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Linear-Focus-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A software interface shows focus rotation angle settings with options for 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees, and selection buttons. &quot;Linear&quot; method is chosen, and &quot;Save&quot; and &quot;Return&quot; buttons are at the bottom.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845057\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Linear-Focus-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Linear-Focus-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Linear-Focus-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Linear-Focus-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Focus can be set to linear response so you can make repeatable focus pulls. The degrees of rotation needed to go from minimum focus to infinity can be set for a very long or short throw, and anywhere in between. As well, the ubiquitous custom buttons can function like they do with first party lenses, but can also access some cool new tricks. My favorite is called \u201cAstro Fine Tune\u201d which gives the ability to set a perfect infinity mark for astrophotography and jump back to it with the push of a button.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Marks-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a camera control interface showing adjustable sliders for aperture (f-stops), iris, and focus distance in meters, with various markers, icons, and a \u201cConnected\u201d status on the right side.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Marks-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Marks-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Marks-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Marks-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>This has been available previously, but what really impressed me and made me want feature Tamron\u2019s system is the new focus and aperture controls. The interface looks like a traditional indexed lens, which you can control with impressive responsiveness. You can then set a focus or aperture mark by holding down the A, B, or C buttons. To jump to a particular focus distance, just tap one of the letters. Making this even more useful, you can choose how long the focus transition will take, and even if it ramps up and down while transitioning. This is incredibly useful for product photography, but could even be used for filmmaking.<\/p>\n<p>But what was most exciting to me is the ability to do extremely slow focus and exposure transitions while shooting a timelapse. Generally, these types of visual effects require an expensive and bulky mechanical follow focus. You can either dial in a custom duration for the focus pull, or my favorite, just set it to a 90 second pull and engage it mid-timelapse. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-90S-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Camera interface screen showing focus and exposure settings. Large boxes display \u201c80 s\u201d and \u201c90 s\u201d. Tabs labeled A and B are visible, along with f-stop values, adjustment sliders, and various icons at the bottom.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-90S-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-90S-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-90S-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-90S-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a huge amount you can do with this app, but the main limitation is it can only control the lens, not the camera. This means it cannot trigger the shutter during timelapses; you need to set up the camera and lens intervals separately. More inconvenient, you can\u2019t have a video feed from your camera displayed while pulling focus. You\u2019ll need a separate monitor and wireless feed to do that.<\/p>\n<p>This is why I\u2019d love to see the camera makers integrate something like what Tamron is doing, but with the ability to control camera functions as well. Panasonic\u2019s Lumix Sync is a powerful app that comes close to this and offers a live feed from the camera, but the Tamron Lens Utility app goes further with its lens features and customizability.<\/p>\n<p>Tamron\u2019s Lens Utility App is so good that it makes me question why no other manufacturer is trying anything like this. What gives?!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Camera-w-Link-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a professional camera with a large telephoto lens mounted on an iFootage tripod head, positioned outdoors with a blurred natural background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-845053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Camera-w-Link-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Camera-w-Link-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Camera-w-Link-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-Camera-w-Link-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When looking at lenses for E-Mount or Z-Mount, if a Tamron lens covers the range I\u2019m looking at, I would definitely lean in that direction for the features Tamron Lens Utility and Tamron Sync offer. To take things one step further, I\u2019d love to see a compatible Tamron power zoom lens for even more creative flexibility. If nothing else, all Tamron\u2019s hard work on this software was worth it for me the first time I racked focus during a timelapse, and couldn\u2019t contain my smile.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tamron lenses have some very cool capabilities you may not be aware of \u2014 like the ability to pull focus during a time lapse \u2014 and it\u2019s all thanks to its Lens Utility App. I want to talk about what of these abilities are, but I also want to take this opportunity to shame other [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tamron-Utility-USB-Port-800x450.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-20335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20335"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=20335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}