Headed to WPPI? Make it a point to put Tamron on your dance card right out of the blocks. Right off the bat, this year's exhibit will give you a chance to check out all of the new lenses.

With live shooting you've got an opportunity to take Tamron's fast zooms and prime lenses for a test drive right there in the booth. So, remember to bring a camera with you and do a little of your own portrait shooting. Receive a free gift after shooting and be entered to win the Tamron prime lens of your choice.

Plus, buy any new Tamron lens while at WPPI and get a $100 bonus rebate - that's on top of regular mail-in rebates along with instant savings from $30 - $200.

NOTE: Lens/lenses must be purchased at the WPPI convention from an exhibiting authorized Tamron dealer. Rebate forms will be available at the Tamron booth.

Already a Tamron user? Bring your Tamron lens/lenses with you for a clean and check by Tamron's outstanding service team. They'll perform a four-point check on your lens while you wait, checking all lens functions, cleaning the outside elements, cleaning the lens exterior and if needed they'll recommend the right service.

If a repair is necessary, you'll need to ship the lens to the Tamron service department after the show, but you'll be able to take advantage of their 3-Business Day Repair Service. And if the lens is out of warranty you'll receive a 15% WPPI show discount for repair of this same lens.

And best of all from my perspective is getting to know the Tamron Tech Team. Several members of the team will be in the Tamron booth at WPPI. Make it a point to introduce yourself.

Every convention is about building your network, and the Tech Team is top notch. They represent some of the most diverse artists and educators in professional photography, and are always willing to help you with any challenges that come your way!

Wandering into Tamron USA's Event Center on their website, I noticed a great link to the Chicago Travel & Adventure show coming up January 21-22. Tamron is an exhibitor at the show and the perfect product line to enhance your vacation plans, regardless of your specialty as a photographer.  The reality is, we all do our best to take a vacation now and then. When it's a true adventure, you take some of your favorite camera gear. In describing the upcoming exhibit Tamron wrote:

"See the latest TAMRON All-in-One Travel Lenses for today's most popular DSLR cameras at the Photo Enrichment Adventures & TAMRON booth #2026 and take advantage of Show Discounts!  Why carry extra lenses, when you can have it All-in-One from TAMRON!"

Ralph Velasco, of Photo Enrichment Adventures, was recently featured in an episode of "Why?" and works closely with the Tamron team. Listen to his backstory and then think about how much you'd learn on a Photo Enrichment trip.

Now, put the timing of the Travel & Adventure show together with Tamron's Winter Savings, and you've got the perfect recipe to help you decide what new "glass" you want to add to your camera gear.

Visit Tamron USA's video channel on YouTube, and you'll find a video on every lens in the winter program.

I picked one of my favorite product videos from the Tamron archives. This one is a favorite because it so loaded with good content and truly shows the versatility of this lens.

Tamron doesn't just make great "glass", they're a leader in optics, technology and educational support for photographers all over the world. 

In the mean time, if you're in the Chicago area, check out the two day Travel Show! Here's a thirty second promo video they're running on their website. It's a great way to get the latest information on great vacations and a trip by the Tamron booth will give you a chance to check out Tamron's lens lineup.

​...But if you're not in the area, find the Tamron retailer nearest you with a click on the link below.

Intro by Skip Cohen

I've commented a number of times about the best thing about this industry - It's not about photography directly, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft!

Erik Valind is in the spotlight this morning and we met through Tamron's Image Masters program. Over the last few years we've caught up to each other at various conventions and when Tamron introduced two of their new prime lenses in 2015, the SP 35mm and SP 45 mm, Erik joined the group of journalists at the press introduction in New York. The two images above were featured in a blog post which included a sound byte from Erik talking about the new lenses. Click on either image above to link to the post.

What I love about this new video feature from Tamron USA is they're introducing us to the backstories about how each artist got started and the source of their inspiration. Erik is an accomplished artist, writer and educator.  His website is just a click away. And, check out his book with a click on the cover to the right.

Tamron is responsible for some of the finest optical glass in photography, but don't take my word for it. Visit a Tamron dealer and check out the complete product line for yourself!