Tamron SP 90 AF F2.8  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: psychni   review date: April-15-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

SAL16-80 zeiss
SAL 70-300 G
MINOLTA 24-85 3.5-4.5

positive:

Really Sharp
Good color
Light

negative:

Slow AF
Plastic feeling

comment:

A really crisp lens.
Have it for 15 years!!
A classic lens!! And best value for money!!!
I use it mainly for macro shootings together with a minolta ring flash MFC1000.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: JohnF   review date: November-07-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

No other macro to compare it to.

price paid:

can't remember

positive:

Build, colour, contrast.

negative:

Hunts. Not quite tack-sharp.

comment:

Keeper.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: maxeythecat   review date: October-25-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 100mm f/ 2.8

price paid:

150 USD (used)

positive:

Lightweight and sharp beyond belief, quick and snappy autofocus

negative:

Let's see.....nope, none that I can think of...

comment:

I've been trying to snatch one of these for quite some time now, but let's face it folks...this glass ain't cheap. Even a used one can cost a pretty penny but my persistence paid off and I got one off of Ebay for a damned good price. Now to the good stuff....as soon as I popped it on I could tell this was a lens to be reckoned with. Right out of the gate it impressed me with how sharp it was...even just fooling around the pictures I got were impressive enough to know I had something quite special.
Just after I bought it I did a little "birding" at my neighbor's hummingbird feeder...normally I use my big fat Tamron 200-400 for the little critters but I decided to let the SP 90 show off it's chops and boy am I glad I did. Each image was spot on, retaining it's sharpness even when cropped 100 percent. The colors were lush and despite the fact that it's an older model the af was quick and snappy. Lightweight and compact it's quickly becoming my favourite lens to use for all occasions. Whether you shoot portraits, shoot critters up close and personal or shooting anything that moves, this is the one to pick.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: sdfreeland   review date: May-30-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

-Minolta 100mm Macro

positive:

-Very Sharp
-Great Bokeh
-Lightweight

negative:

-Slow macro focusing

comment:

This is an amazing macro lens. The build is plastic but is very sturdy. It is insanely slow at auto focusing when doing 1:1, so I always go manual when doing things like insects or moving object. It's easier to just sway towards and away from an object for focus. The sharpness, colors and bokeh are excellent.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Effstop   review date: February-26-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

260 AUD (used mint)

positive:

Colour, sharpness, focus-limiter, quality feel

negative:

none as yet

comment:

Sharpest lens in my collection, very useful focal length, focus limiter is useful although I tend to MF when doing macro. With the front element tucked so far into the lens body, a protective filter is pretty much redundant - you'd have to try real hard to put a finger mark on it! Haven't tried it for portraiture yet, but no reason to think it wouldn't excel at that too. Rated build quality at 4 due to poly-carb construction, though the lens feels very solid and well-built in the hand. As yet, haven't found anything not to like with this lens! Highly recommended.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: derekw   review date: December-02-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 100 f2.8 macro RS

price paid:

185 GBP (mint)

positive:

SHARP!!!!
Colour
Value for money

negative:

Not for those who dislike plastic

comment:

Only difference between the Minolta is 'build'.

Very sharp with beautiful colour and bokeh.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Alphaholik   review date: August-23-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

SONY 100MM 2.8

price paid:

275 USD Mint+

positive:

SHARP Right off the line @ Wide Open. MF / AF Ring (Push/Pull) Dreamy Bokeh, Focus Limiter, 90MM is Perfect for Portraits.

negative:

NONE~

comment:

My dad has a A900 and a Sony 100MM Macro and honestly this lens is every bit as good. Much prefer the Focus ring on this one. Love the Push Pull Mechanism. And the plastic on this seems sturdier. This thing is crazy Sharp @ f2.8 and peaks out around f5.6. I do a lot of Pet Portraits and this lens is as good as it gets for this.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: esmall   review date: August-19-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

250 (used, like new)

positive:

SHARP!!!!
1:1 macro
SHARP!!!!
Bokeh!

negative:

None for a macro

comment:

I've had this lens for a few months but I have recently started playing with it and WOW! The sharpness is crazy! Macro has opened up a whole new way to photograph for me. Trying it with portraits now and it takes some practice. Hard to find but if you do grab it you won't regret it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: godsakes   review date: March-09-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

minolta 50mm macro
Sony 50mm f1.4
Sigma 90mm macro
Minolta 85mm f1.4

price paid:

L175

positive:

Dual role lens
Very sharp
Limiter
Great value

negative:

build could be better

comment:

Top tier sharpness (best I've used) without a crazy price tag, colour & bokeh is nice but colours are not as pleasant as the minolta.

90mm is a very useful range as it's long enough for insects and good for portraits, the focus limiter is extremely useful boastin af speed on non-macro subjects, actually it seems a little faster than the minolta 85mm 1.4

For the money & dual role this lens serves it's a no brainer, buy one.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: tomiZG   review date: March-08-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

my first real macro lens, nothing to compare to

price paid:

200 EUR

positive:

- super sharp
- very, very sharp @ 2.8
- great lens for the money
- AF limiter

negative:

- typical macro disadvantages apply /very slow AF

comment:

The sharpness is truly amazing. It is very important to work with a tripod in low light, because going up the ISO scale will do damage to the sharpness, which is a pity, as this lens produces incredibly sharps results.

Of course it's a slow lens, so talking about AF speed would not make much sense. The AF limiter is of big help as in low light the AF will hunt a very loooong way there and forth and sometimes three times in a row when you decide you should work with manual focus rather.

For portraits it's very usable, though 90mm is a bit far on aps-c, guess it will do the job completely on FF though.

Bokeh is nice, the lens is completely sharp already at 2.8, stopping down will produce even sharper pictures, though.

Colors are what I am used to with the T17-50 and T28-75, fits in perfectly.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: N. Lönngrén   review date: October-19-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 28mm f/1,8
Sony 50mm f/1,8
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5,6
Sony 18-70mm f/3,5-5,6

price paid:

290€ (used)

positive:

Sharp, sharp, sharp
Nice Bokeh
Focal lenght

negative:

Slow AF (as usually in macros)

comment:

Very nice macro which can be used for potraits also with great results. Already very sharp at wide open.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: 9000AF   review date: September-06-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

- Sigma 90mm f2.8 Macro 1:2
- Minolta 135mm 1:2.8

price paid:

160 USD (used mint)

positive:

+ sharp, good colors
+ lightweight and compact
+ nice bokeh
+ good flare control even w/o hood, 55mm thread
+ large focus ring w/ MF clutch
+ focus limiter
+ price

negative:

- for the price nothing

comment:

I sold my old Sigma 90mm a year ago and regretted it soon after. Decided to try the Tamron when I had the opportunity to pick up a mint example for very little money. For the money this lens can't be beat. It autofocuses fast when used as a portrait lens, weighs next to nothing and takes the place of my film 135mm f2.8 on APS-C. This lens lives up to its reputation as a "portrait macro".

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: taxfool   review date: August-22-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-75 f2.8, Minolta 28-135 f4-4.5, Minolta 3x-1x, Minolta 35-70 f4, Minolta 28-105 f3.5-4.5, Minolta 70-210 f4

price paid:

225

positive:

Fantastic lens! Incredibly sharp for the price. Great for macro and portrait shots.

negative:

Tends to hunt under lower light and non-contrasty situations. AF is a bit slow (but worth the wait).

comment:

I love this lens. The AF is a little slow and will hunt under low light conditions but completely worth the wait. It is one of the sharpest lenses I own (I definitely have a few) and a steal at the current xBAY or C_LIST prices. I purchased the original version for a great price and would pick up another one if I see it again. It's a great walking around and portrait lens. The detail is incredible - I feel like a pro.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: ICE29   review date: April-21-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

CZ 16-80
Beercan

price paid:

200€

positive:

Truly sharp
Very nice bokeh
Autofocus quite fast, I expected much worse!

negative:

Huge backfocus on my a700, unusable for portraits and further
A bit more CA in bokeh area

comment:

I bought it second hand, perfect macro lens, but further than 1.5 metres away, I get huge backfocus. Can't even focus @ infinity... Don't know whether to blame a700, I tweaked AF on my old a100 to get better focus results... Waiting for micro AF adjustment in next a700 FW (hopefully...)

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Scott3249   review date: December-13-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Only true macro I have. So nothing to compare too.

price paid:

250 New

positive:

Sharp and it was cheap.

negative:

Hunts in AF, but I use it in manual most of the time

comment:

Great Lens, a little slow. But who cares. Really love this lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: lattiboy   review date: July-15-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

100mm Vivitar 3.5, 18-250mm Tamron, 28-85mm Minolta

price paid:

230 USD (used, mint)

positive:

Just about everything.

negative:

Ummmm. Plastic? A little loud? I'm reaching here....

comment:

Probably the sharpest lens ever on my camera (and I've owned some good ones). Beautiful bokeh! The focus action is silky smooth, and the built in hood is pretty extreme. You'd have to try to shoot directly at the sun to really get any flare on this thing.

Obviously, 1:1 is pretty difficult to pull off, but when you do, it's truly amazing.

The limiter is a godsend when trying to do either 1:1 or infinity. The focus range is quite huge, so cycling from one to the other is a test of patience if you're trying to catch a good shot. With the limiter, it's lightening quick.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Jazzyced   review date: January-16-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 50/2.8

price paid:

L100 (used)

positive:

Sharp
Bokeh
small and light
great with extention tubes
cheap

negative:

plastic feel for the focus ring

comment:

Probably the sharpest lens I own. Great bokeh, a pleasure to use on film, still a pleasure to use on digital. Decent distance from object when doing a 1:1 macro, and great magnification when using extension tubes.
Great price too!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: BigPete   review date: January-06-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

28-75/2.8
50/1.7
70-210/4
18-70/3.5-5.6

price paid:

L140 (used)

positive:

Sharpness
Focus Limiter
Boken

negative:

Close AF Hunts
Plastic body (although metal mount)

comment:

Walked into a camera store to see what they had, and walked out with this!
Sharpness is incredible, enough said!
Focus limiter meant that I used the lens more often than my 18-70 before buying the 28-75.
AF hunts at close distances, ie < 1.5m.
Solid hood.. once you have attached it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: laguire   review date: September-03-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

min 85 1.4, sigma 70-200ex, minolta beercan, minolta 80-200HS, sigma 100-300ex.

price paid:

300 USD (used)

positive:

Very sharp lens corner to corner.

negative:

Plastic build. autofocus takes forever. colors/bokeh not quite as good as the 85 1.4

comment:

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: brettania   review date: September-01-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Min 50, 100 macros
Sigma 105, 180 (f5.6) macros

positive:

Sharpness rivals that of the Min 100 macro
Rich, but not overblown colours
Light weight but not flimsy

negative:

The bokeh doesn't quite match that from the Min 100

comment:

They have to be good when after you have sold one, you eventually buy another!
If you can't afford anything else put this one on your "must have" list as there are few that can better it and then only by the smallest of margins.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: chych   review date: August-19-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX DG, KM 24-85/3.5-4.5, KM 50/1.7, KM35-105/3.5-4.5

price paid:

260 USD (used)

positive:

+1:1 macro!
+Light
+Focus limiter
+Recessed front element
+Killer Bokeh

negative:

-AF a little flaky

comment:

I wanted a 1:1 macro lens so I found myself a Tamron 90 macro on the used market for a reasonable price. For macro, it certainly delivers, with 1:1 magnification (a 24mm field of view on aps-c)

My A100 had trouble accurately focusing with this lens, though after firmware 1.04 this problem seems to be fixed. An a700 has no problem with focusing. Wide open, sharpness is excellent with the corners being very slightly soft. Sharpness is perfect at f4, and is better than any other lens I have.

The AF/MF switch is loose, and manual focusing is a little stiff and uneven. Points off on build for this.

Bokeh is superb on this lens, very smooth, and the best I've seen among my lenses. Overall optically an excellent lens, though some build quirks on mine.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: MEANSTREAK   review date: July-10-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

50mm 1.7, 28-75mm 2.8 D,

positive:

Everything

negative:

Nothing

comment:

One of the best lenses I own, but I don't own any "G" glass. I own quite a few lenses, most of them decent and this is one of my favorites despite being a little long on digital in tight spaces. Sharp, great color, bokeh, depth and sturdy feel and hefty weight considering it's plastic. I think the extra you pay for the DI is mostly hype. Got it used and in mint condition with sparkling glass. I hear some complain about a "quirky hood" but I don't see it as to me they are all quirky. You gotta get this lens and it's cheaper than some of the competitive models.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: BenKinetics   review date: May-25-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

Free with camera

positive:

Incredibly sharp
Light
Good colour and bokeh
Disengaging focus ring

negative:

Shiny grey plastic

comment:

I got this lens free with my 7D - the seller described it as a "cheap Tamron lens", and with the plasticky finish I initially dismissed it. But this is a wonderful macro lens - the sharpness and colour are outstanding, and the sliding focus ring is neat. The AF is a bit noisy, but that may just be my example, and it works well with extension tubes.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: silversurfer   review date: May-09-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 135 2.8
Sigma 70-300 APO DG
Minolta 70-210 F4 Beercan

positive:

Very very sharp
Deeply recessed glass
Focus limiter

negative:

Quirky hood

comment:

This lens is extremely sharp! On some pictures, the subject is sooo sharp that the picture looks 3D. Using it as a macro came so easily. Manual focusing is smooth and the macro shots are very sharp. Color rendition is excellent.

Only thing is the hood. It's a little tricky to screw on properly so I sometimes just leave it off. With the deeply recessed glass, flare is already guarded against.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: oBSidian   review date: May-02-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

tamron 70-300 1:2 - the 90mm SP is superior in every way for macro. The 70-300 is an okay lens for its type. Somewhat unfair comparison, but I used the 70-300 for macro work before I purchased the 90mm.

price paid:

99GBP (as new)

positive:

Fantastically sharp even at F2.8, lovely colour rendition.

negative:

Not much, really. At 1:1 on the 7D the onboard flash isn't high enough so the lens shadows the bottom third of the image. Not really a lens negative though, just a fact.

comment:

My favourite lens - it stays on my camera unless I can find a reason to take it off (e.g. I need a wide-angle for landscapes!). It makes me want to find a way to use it for all the photos I take. Enough said? ;)

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Bryman   review date: February-07-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Beercan
Sig 70-300 Apo Macro SuperII
Min 50mm1.7 RS

price paid:

125GBP(S/H)

positive:

Sharpest lens I own - anything above f2.8 probably outresolves a 6MP sensor.Lightweight and deceptively robust build - seems to be plenty metal under the big plastic focus ring - or maybe it's a hyperdense resin!

negative:

Can't think of any at this price

comment:

Bought from Walters UK C/W hood (seldom use this as the front element is so deeply recessed)
Great for portraits -ultra close indoors (I don't have much space to work in!) and simply superb outdoors.
Also takes fine landscapes, and, ehhh.......macros!
Haven't tried it with extension tubes yet, but even at 1:1 it takes the use of a flash (onboard,with diffusing screen) to counteract (my) hand tremor.
With it's beautiful and naturally saturated rendering of colours and OOF areas I can recommend this as great 135mm film substitute for APS-C cameras. Certainly shows up what's lacking in most zooms.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: hotwire   review date: February-07-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta/Sony 100mm Macro

positive:

Cheap
Sharp!

negative:

Not Di, but Di is half marketing anyway.

comment:

Nice lens that can be had for way less than the Minolta 100mm Macro, with only the smallest difference in quality. Interesting approach with the focus ring that you click to get it to do MF (otherwise it rotates freely, but not too freely.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: jimbo   review date: January-12-07  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 105mm EX DG
Minolta 100mm macro original

price paid:

L130 used (eBay)

positive:

-Light
-Well built
-Optical performance
-Value
-Deep recessed front element

negative:

-Shiny plastic

comment:

I first reviewed this back in May and I only like it more as time goes by!
Since then I bought a Sigma 105mm EX DG, but I ended up keeping the Tamron - I prefer the colour balance, perhaps slightly better bokeh. I guess I can't really put my finger on it but I just like the 'look' of the Tamron images better. It's also a bit shorter, still a little long for APS-C but I've got used to it.

Performance wise, this lens is superb. Even at f2.8 images are sharp though I normally work at f8-16 for extra DOF. AF is slow, but most macros are so I use manual focus, which is easy as the lens is very bright.

When I first got it I was disappointed by the all plastic build and the lightness made it feel cheap.
In time, I've come to appreciate the light weight - so easy to handle. Even at full extension it exerts little torque on the tripod head so it's easy to keep steady at all angles.

The build is also very sturdy, as durable as any other lens I have.

Mine didn't come with a hood but this doesn't matter - the front element is deeply recessed and I rarely encounter flare or ghosting.

Edit: this lens has also seen off the Minolta 100mm macro (original). While the Minolta performs slightly better and is much better built (metal!) it didn't justify the extra cash.

Tamron 2 - 0 Rivals

:D