TAMRON pioneered the “high magnification” zoom lens starting with model 71D released in 1992. The focal length ranged from 28mm to 200mm, boasting a zoom ratio of 7.1x, the highest in its class for interchangeable lenses at the time.

Development began in 1989, about three years before the release. The development team was tasked with a clear mission; creating a convenient “high-magnification” zoom lens , a wide 28mm to 200mm telephoto in a small compact body that everyone can easily carry around, the All-In-One Zoom Lens.

While similar zoom lens existed, they were bulky, heavy and the image quality was not at expectations, it was not an easy lens to use. The team set a goal for the lens size of cigarette box, making a model using a cylindrical paper model at such size. The start of the ambitious development project.

The development of a "convenient All-in-one zoom" proved to be extremely challenging. With each prototype, resolution tests were repeated over and over. After many trials and errors, leveraging the expertise gained from designing and manufacturing high-power zoom lenses for video cameras and the successful mass production of hybrid aspherical lenses, a breakthrough was finally accomplished.

Model 71D was infused with TAMRON's unique technologies.The optimal arrangement of hybrid aspherical lenses effectively corrected aberrations, while the new function like the Triple Cam Zoom mechanism and use of lightweight engineering plastics were adopted. With additional enhancements to production precision, the lens was finally completed.

The significant difference with Model 71D was the minimum object distance. While Model 71D had a distance of 2.1m, Model 171D reduced it to 0.52m(20.47in) when using at a focal length of 135mm. The maximum magnification ratio on the film also improved from 1:9.5 to 1:4.8, enhancing the usability of the All-in-one zoom lens.

This was made possible by reevaluating the focus mechanism : switching from the front-focus design of Model 71D, where the large front lens extended forward as the shooting distance decreased, to an internal-focus design in Model 171D, where a small lens inside the barrel moved for focusing without changing the length of the barrel , allowing for closer focusing without compromising image quality. Despite the variation in minimum shooting distance depending on the focal length, the development team was not yet satisfied with this model.

In 2000, Model 371D was introduced, satisfying the development team with its close-up shooting capabilities. With a minimum object distance of 0.49m(19.29in), slightly shorter than before, the lens allowed for shooting at this distance throughout the zoom range, achieving a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at 200mm, approaching macro lens specifications.

Although Tamron's All-in-one zoom initially featured only the 28-200mm lens, the demand for longer focal lengths led to the introduction of Model 185D in 1999, extending the telephoto end to 300mm (zoom ratio of 10.7x). While slightly larger than models like 171D, it was well-received by users seeking longer telephoto capabilities. TAMRON continued offering the 28-200mm and 28-300mm lenses until the introduction of digital-specific lenses in 2005.

In 2001, Model A03 achieved unprecedented compactness and lightweight design.The filter size was reduced from 72mm in Model 171D to 62mm. This was made possible by TAMRON's XR (Extra Refractive index) technology, which utilised high-refractive-index glass in the front lens group, correcting aberrations with the rear lens group. This innovative optical design shortened the optical length by placing high-refractive-index lenses in the front group, enabling significant reduction in barrel size for Model A03. This model marked a significant step forward in size, aligning with the ideal of an All-in-one zoom lens that can be taken anywhere and used for any purpose. The external design of the barrel also saw significant changes, leading to the design trend seen in current models. The XR technology was also applied to the 28-300mm series, resulting in the release of Model A06 in 2002.

Around the same time, SLR cameras were undergoing a historic transformation.

Around the year 2000, digital SLR cameras became more affordable, leading to rapid adoption due to their compatibility with computers and printers, as well as cost savings from eliminating film and development costs. However, digital imaging posed challenges such as increased emphasis on lens aberrations, flare, and ghosting compared to film. Internal reflections causing flare became a particular issue, and traditional coatings were often insufficient. Tele-centricity (optical systems where light and the optical axis are considered parallel) also became more important.

To address these issues, TAMRON introduced lenses optimized for digital characteristics with specialized optical designs and coatings under the "Di (Digitally integrated) series". In 2004, a full-frame lens Model A061 was released based on the All-in-one zoom Model A06 (for film cameras), but as it is a full-frame lens, when the lens was used on an APS-C camera, the 28mm wide-angle end became equivalent to 42mm*, skewing towards telephoto.

As a result, TAMRON developed All-in-one zoom lenses dedicated to APS-C sensors, unveiling the zoom Model A14 in 2005 with a focal length of 18-200mm, equivalent to 27-300mm* in full-frame terms. This marked the debut of the "Di II series" tailored for APS-C sensors.

In 2006, the 28-200mm Model A03 was also revamped into the digital-compatible Model A031 (Di series).

* For Canon EF mount, the 35mm equivalent is 1.6x.

In 2007, marking 15 years since the release of Model 71D, TAMRON further increased the zoom ratio of Di II All-in-one zoom lenses with the introduction of Model A18, covering a focal length range of 18-250mm. The zoom ratio reached 13.9x, maintaining almost the same barrel size as the previous Model A14 while only slightly increasing weight by about 30g.

Additionally, an All-in-one zoom Model A20 featuring TAMRON's long-developed Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism was released in the same year.

By this time, image stabilisation had become common in standard and telephoto zoom lenses. Model A20, part of the full-frame Di series, offered a focal length of 28-300mm. Equipped with a 4-stop equivalent VC system, the lens provided significant stabilisation benefits across the zoom range.

The groundbreaking stability of the VC system, achieved through TAMRON's unique three-coil system, captivated many users as an innovative in-lens stabilisation mechanism.

VC was soon integrated into APS-C Di II All-in-one zoom lenses as well. Model B003 was introduced in 2008, featuring VC and extending the focal length to 18-270mm from Model A18. With a remarkable zoom ratio of 15x and the inclusion of image stabilisation, photography became more comfortable.