A new version of the Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 superzoom with a built in AF motor has been announced. It is aimed at users of the D40 and D40x which lack legacy lens support for mechanical focus coupling. Nikon has been criticized for this omission which has meant that many users have had a limited selection of lenses that are compatible with their D40. It will be available from December 13th with price and worldwide availability yet to be announced.

Tamron’s Press Release:

Tamron announces the launch of the popular AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II with built-in motor for Nikon (Model A18N II)

 Tamron AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro for Nikon D40

A Compact, Lightweight and Ultimate High Power Zoom Lens Boasting the 13.9X Zoom
Power Designed Exclusively for APS-C Sized Digital SLRs

Mr. Morio Ono, of Tamron Co., Ltd., announced that the company will release the AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro, a lightweight, compact and ultra high power zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized image sensors with a built-in motor for Nikon (Model A18N II).

The AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is the ultimate high power zoom lens boasting the world’s greatest zoom ratio* of 13.9X, a milestone that Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, has achieved by commanding its technologies to further expand the capabilities of high power zoom lenses.
*As of November, 2007. Based upon Tamron’s research of lenses for exclusive use with digital SLRs equipped with APS-C sized image sensors