Tamron SP 90 AF F2.8  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Gairdrive   review date: May-09-13  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Macro sigma 50 2.8 ex dg, beercan, tamron 70-300 di macro, sony 16-50 2.8, tamron 17-50 2.8, minolta 50 1.7

price paid:

150 EURO (used mint)

positive:

SHARP!!!! SHARP!!! SHARP!!!!

negative:

verly plastic built, AF is very slow

comment:

simply the sharpest lens i ever used!!!! the built is almost decent (the same of the tamron 70 300 ld macro) and the AF hunt in any condition (is slow even for a macro....). but, if you find a copy in good condition, just get it!!!!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: wilkovanbeek   review date: April-28-13  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

minolta 50mm macro
minolta 35-105
minolta 17-35

price paid:

€75

positive:

sharp
1:1 macro

negative:

none

comment:

used it on my a700 and liked it. now on a900 it feels great. good proportion. stays in my collection.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: godsakes   review date: December-07-12  

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

positive:

Dual role lens
Very sharp
Limiter
Great value

negative:

build could be better

comment:

Same as the 72E version in slightly different casing, but the focusing feel very marginally smoother (I'd probably just put that down to sample variation)

Probably the sharpest lens I've used, AF is pretty fast if you use the limiter.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: petesidewalk   review date: March-21-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 105 2.8 Macro
Minolta 50 3.5 Macro

price paid:

200 USD

positive:

Sharp
Bokeh
Colors
Light weight
portrait capability
nice composite build

negative:

Slow focus

comment:

Bought this at a thrift store for $199 with a 400SI. This lens is very, very sharp. It seems on par with my 100 F2. It doesn't distort and the colors are nice. The focusing can take a while, but no more than the Sigma 105 F2.8 M or the Minolta 50 F3.5 M. I like to use it with a Pheonix macro flash on a 300si, it meters perfectly with the body and ring. I will post photos soon...

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Depth of Field   review date: February-03-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

minolta 100/2.8 macro
minolta 100/2.8 rs macro

positive:

Sharp
focusring easier to use than the minolta
light

negative:

nothing negative about
slow like all macro's
manualfocus noisy

comment:

sold the minolta's for a good price and bought the tamron again for a cheap price.
had it before and regret that i sold it.
this one is a keeper

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: salvageland   review date: October-01-09  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

min 35-105 macro
min 28-85 macro
sigma 70-300 macro

price paid:

250 USD

positive:

-excellent sharpness
-very lightweight
-beautiful bokeh

negative:

-feels very cheap
-AF is noisy

comment:

Very light lens, good optics and 9 blade iris which produced excellent bokeh....Sharpness is top notch! sharper than my primes (sigma 24/2.8, minolta 50/1.7, helios 44-2)...great price compared to the Di version, yet is the same exact design and optics!!!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Vancouver   review date: July-03-09  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Beercan
Min 35-105 3.5-4.5
Min 35-70 4
Min 100-200 4.5
Min 50 1.7
Min 24 2.8
Min 28-85 3.5-4.5
Sony 18-70 & 75-300

price paid:

300 CAD

positive:

Sharp-sharp-sharp
Light
Inexpensive macro alternative
Excellent for portrait
Low light shooting
Front element is deep inside
Minimum focusing distance

negative:

Built isnt the best. It s plastic but feel solid.

comment:

Razor sharp even at 2.8
I was originally saving up for the Di version of this lens due to such good reviews on Dyxum. When I tried this on my A300, I was really please. Many say the Di is supposed to be more suitable for digital but I cant imagine how much better it would be. I have own this lens for more than a month. It hardly comes off my camera. I shoot it to compare with Sony 85 1.4. The IQ is very comparable. This has become my most favorite. I really enjoy the pleasure of walking around with just this prime. Although it s a 90, but its a macro so minimum focusing distance isnt a problem.
If you are in for portraits, this lens is an excellent deal.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Kjaro   review date: August-01-07  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 17-50/2.8
SAL 18-70/3.5-5.6

price paid:

340 USD

positive:

beautiful bokeh
superb colour rendition
very sharp
bright

negative:

comment:

I love this lens more and more every day! I get reaaaally nice portraits and macro shots with this beauty. I am always fascinated at how mild, pleasing and dreamy it's bokeh is! I also admire the colours it reproduces - very natural, clear and delicate.
I didn't really got to understand the zoom limiter. Instead, I've found a strange pleasure in MF - with lens this bright it's really not so difficult to do.
Of course, the AF is slow, so I wouldn't use this for sports shooting, although I'd really love to - I want to use this lens in every occasion!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: dekie   review date: May-14-07  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Min 50mm 2.8 macro, AF 85 1.4

price paid:

120€ (as new)

positive:

Good design and build quality,
ultra sharp wide open.

negative:

comment:

Probably my sharpest lens at 2.8, excellent smooth bokeh.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: H20boy   review date: May-14-07  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 100mac 'D'

price paid:

$100 new/old stock

positive:

Smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom manual focus ring; very light, beautiful bokeh and neutral colors

negative:

Plastic, but that could be good!

comment:

Only negative on this beauty is the plastic build. If dropped, that may be it for the ol' gal. But, the plastic makes it a very light travel lens!

Compared to the Minolta, I see absolutely no difference in the pictures. The Tamron has a MUCH smoother and easier focus ring than Minolta. My AF on the Tamron was always quicker too.

I miss it. :(

**UPDATE**

I traded my Minolta 100/2.8 macro for this lens once again! I no longer have to miss this.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: macroman   review date: May-03-07  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 100mm macro, Vivitar 100mm macro, Sigma 105mm macro.

price paid:

450 US new

positive:

I think this is one of the nicest looking designs. Light weight. Focusing collar is very well designed and easy to use - smooth.

negative:

Hint of a color cast (pinkish or magenta).

comment:

I think this is the cutest lens. As photographers we are visual, so I think the designs of lenses and cameras are
not insignificant. I don't use it as much as my 100mm though. I like a slightly longer focal lenght than 90mm. As for the color cast, the options of the "ratings" were ethier 5 or 4 - but I would have given 4.5. Great lens if light weight is important.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: oysteinm   review date: February-14-07  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50/2.8 Macro

price paid:

USD250

positive:

Very sharp, nice bokeh, light, like the range (135mm equivalent on digital), focus limiter, front element deeply recessed in lense

negative:

A bit slow AF (as expected)

comment:

I've only used this lens for a short time, but was very impressed. Excellent colours, contrast, bokeh and sharpness. Great for landscapes and portraits. I like the added diatance over the 50mm for macro.