Tamron SP AF 60 F2 Di II LD (IF)  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: william9   review date: December-22-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

$425 USD (new)

positive:

very sharp
internal focusing
matches well with 1.4x teleconverter (see below) to become 84mm f2.8 macro
6-year warranty

negative:

none

comment:

I love this lens for both macro work (especially flowers) and portrait. One thing to add to other reviews is that I’ve found the Kenko MC4 GDX 1.4x teleconverter to be perfectly matched to this lens – meaning I get a 84mm f2.8 macro as well as the 60mm f2.0 macro with great resolution. Thus I don’t have to choose between having a 60mm and a 85mm lens – I have both. And the 84mm macro gives me better than 1:1 magnification. The combo cost me $573 ($424 for lens, $149 for teleconverter), after the $100 rebate for the Tamron.

Below are some links to see photos of a spider using the tamron 60mm with and without the 1.4x teleconverter. The spider was about 20” away – I couldn’t get closer as it was outside my window that has security bars. The first is the 60mm lens alone, the second has the 1.4x attached.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/01T6060mmDSC07811crop1.jpg
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/02T6084mmDSC07805crop1.jpg

Next are two crops: 1st the 60mm (600x900 pixels); 2nd the 84mm (900x1350 picels)
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/03T6060mmDSC07811crop2600x900.jpg
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/04T6084mmDSC07805crop2900x1350.jpg

Next are two even-closer crops: 1st the 60mm (233x350 picels); 2nd the 84mm (333x500 pixels)
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/05T6060mmDSC07811crop3233x350.jpg
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab44/Williamgdc/Tamron%2060mm%20macro/06T6084mmDSC07805crop3333x500.jpg

One more advantage with the 1.4x is you can get better than 1:1 macro.

I hope you find this useful.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: CaptainChet   review date: December-17-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Previous Minolta Lens

price paid:

425 (after rebate)

positive:

Sharp, Fast, great color. Quiet motor.

negative:

The focus ring seems to have a little play in it.

comment:

This is a very pleasant lens to use. It's a great focal length for not only macro work but for general photography when you need about a 90 mm lens. But it is really nice in macro use. The internal focusing is great as you don't have to get 'on top' of your subject at 1:1. I'm overall very pleased with it.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Snowcat   review date: December-14-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 105 EX Macro
Sigma 50 AF Macro
Olympus 35/3.5 Macro

price paid:

500 USD

positive:

Insanely Sharp
Nice Bokeh
Fully usable wide open
Fully internal focusing
Full-time manual focus override
Silent AF

negative:

No focus limit switch

comment:

Recently I've bought a Tamron 60/2 Macro lens.

I must say I am very impressed with it! It's small and lightweight, the IQ is great - insanely sharp but not harsh, perfectly usable wide open (2.0), great bokeh.

The AF is not that fast, but not slow either. Tamron dos not claim it has USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), but it behave exactly like 70-300 USD, which I also own. Full-time manual override is GREAT for macro shots, very convenient.

The main feature of this lens for me (after f=2.0 of course!) is that it does not change it's size when focusing at 1:1 macro shots. As i know it is the only one macro lens that does not change it's size when close to 1:1. Because of this actual distance from subject to the front element is the same as Sigma 105 has. And as the lens itself alot (!) shorter then fully extended Sigma 105, even 1:1 macros can be illuminated with a built-in flash. I find this to be very useful.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: lupponne   review date: October-28-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

sony 16-50
sigma 70-300
sony 100 macrof2.8

price paid:

350 Euro (New)

positive:

Colors
Sharp
light
nice f2

negative:

i have to study this...

comment:

Very nice lens, light, fast butc ould be better, very good for portrait and flowers :)...good f2

update:
i went to calibrate my tamy with a77...surprise, service replace my copy with a new one. impossible to calibrate. for 1st one i did +10 microadjustment...2nd i need just +2 so i will request a new calibration :)

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: robberly12   review date: September-20-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

$450 USD (new)

positive:

Small & Light
Sharp
Works well w/built-in flash
Full-time manual focus

negative:

Slow auto-focusing

comment:

A great lens. Very sharp. I use it mostly for macro work, but also a great walk-around lens.

It works especially well with my A330's built-in flash for aperture-priority macros in LV mode because I can get great depth of field at small apertures. The lens is so small & short with the hood removed that it doesn't block the flash, even at 1:1 (because of its internal focus).

Auto-focusing is not its strong suit. It tends to hunt, but this is not a big deal to me because I generally use MF for macro work.

I do like that it has a built-in focus motor and full-time manual focus, though.

Build is unimpressive -- I had one short period when the focus ring started grinding a little but fortunately that passed (although it is always a little stiff). If you "baby" it, like I do, I think it will be fine. Besides, in the US at least, you have Tamron's 6-year warranty to fall back on!

A bonus for me is that it works great with Kenko's 1.4x MC4 DGX teleconverter. This gives it extra reach, as well correctly reporting the exif data as an 85mm/F2.8 lens.

The Tamron 60 f/2 Macro is both an affordable and high-performing lens. Highly recommended!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Philipb   review date: August-08-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

SAL 16-105
SAL 35
SAL 18-55

price paid:

400 USD (new)

positive:

So sharp
Light and well balanced

negative:

Hunts a lot when trying to focus

comment:

It produces fantastically sharp shots
It is a macro but still seems to hunt too much on my a55 so I use manual focus which works well

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: donwally   review date: May-28-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 90 f2.5 (old...)

price paid:

450

positive:

Light, internal focus no lens extension. Bohek.

negative:

For me, working distance too short.

comment:

I haven't used this much for macro work; I've gotten used to "tele-macro" using a 70-300G. I'll have to get a longer focal length macro in the future. This lens makes an excel prime lens for non-macro work; sharp and great bokeh. Have used it in place of my minolta 50/1.7. I've used it primarily with the A55; makes for a very light camera/lens combo. This lens plus the 16-80Z, and 70-300G makes for a light travel kit with lots of range.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Evildogsofdoom   review date: February-04-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 50mm 1.4

price paid:

399 USD

positive:

Sharp
DMF
Doubles as portrait lens

negative:

Slow Auto focus
Auto focus can hunt

comment:

This is one of my favourite lenses. It is my first Macro lense. I like that the internal focusing means that the distance from the front of the lens is the same as the Tamron 90mm macro lens at 1:1 ratios. The fast 2.0 aperture also means that it doubles as a portrait lens.
It is clearly sharper then my Sony 50mm f1.4 lens and has rendered this redundent.
My copy had a slight front focus issue, that the micro adjust on the A77 has resolved. The peaking function of the A77 also makes manual focusing incredibly easy.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: GeminiRx   review date: January-27-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 70 f2.8 macro.
Minolta 50 f1.7
Sony 35 f1.8
Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Tamron 70-300 usd
Minolta 35-105-n
Minolta 35-70 f4

price paid:

349 Euro (new)

positive:

Sharp!
F2
Fast Autofocus!
Internal focus
Full manual overide for focus

negative:

Can hunt sometimes in low light.
Gave a 4 for build qual because of al the plastic.

comment:

(Please forgive my English as it is not my native language)

Positve:
I realy like this lens,
It is fast (F2) and produces nice sharp images from f2 and shines from f2.8 and up on mine A580.

The autofocus did suprise me, i tought it would be slower but it is realy fast. Also it has internal focus, fulltime manual focus override and and a internal focus motor (a plus as i like to use contrast af over Phase detect af)

I like the fact that it has a 55mm filter thread, just like many sony/ minolta lensen.

Negative:
Maby it could use a focus limiter swich because it can hunt a bit in low light but i don't mind.

I gave it a 4 for build quality because it feels a bit cheap after holding the Sigma 70.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Sabrowenie   review date: January-08-12  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

Gift

positive:

Tack sharp
Focus down to 1:1
Lightweight
Full time manual focus
Fast F2.0

negative:

All plastic construction
APSC only

comment:

Got this lens for Christmas so I could convert some old 2x2 sides to digits. Worked well with light table to convert the slides. Very sharp with accurate colors. Took it out today for the first time for some field shots. Really impressed with the overall sharpness of the lens. Plan on using it as my portrait lens for some event shoots. Was also pleasantly surprised that this lens has a built in focus motor and does not rely on the camera's screw drive. IMO this leads to a faster focusing lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: socalson   review date: November-15-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

30mm SAL Macro
Tamron 17-50

price paid:

370 USD (new)

positive:

colors
sharpness
weight

negative:

none so far

comment:

I am much happier with this lens over the 30mm sony. faster auto focus, better bokeh, and good image quality. I also find it much easier to manually focus this lens.

I have used it as a portrait lens also and have gotten some very pleasing results. I thought about getting the 90mm version but since I will be staying with aps-c for the foreseeable future this lens is really great.

I use it as a walkabout lens when I want to get some really nice street shots. The sharpness, accuracy of colors and depth of field gives the images a nice pop.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Jodek   review date: October-08-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 70-210 F4 (beercan)
Tamron 17-50 F2.8

price paid:

€ 369

positive:

Razorsharp
Beautifull colors
Lovely bokeh
F2
Good macrolens
Price is low for this quality

negative:

Perhaps sometimes too sharp for portraits, but that can be fixed

comment:

This really is by far my favorite lens. At first I was sceptical towards the tremendous score here on Dyxum.
From the moment I worked with this lens, it blew me from my feet at several occasions.
This is a realy great lens. I can recommand it to everybody

For pictures see
https://picasaweb.google.com/104365956247770957565/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGZgtXrtY-77AE#

https://picasaweb.google.com/104365956247770957565/7O55GYHE?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyfoOWkj5e8WA#5661091072070886674

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: overeema   review date: August-01-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Zeiss Sonnar DT 16-80/3,5-4,5
Sony G 70-300/4,5-5,6

price paid:

EUR 380

positive:

Great optics, especially at low light; fast autofocus motor

negative:

Sometimes difficulty to find autofocus point; no leather lens bag included

comment:

Great sharpness, no visible distortion, fully usable to full aperture; great bokeh; at low contrast and due to limited depth of field sometimes camera has difficulty to find focuspoint; sometimes need to switch to manual focus

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: lodestone   review date: April-04-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro RS
Minolta 50mm f1.7
Sony 35mm f1.8 SAM

price paid:

500 USD (new)

positive:

Sharp
Fast
Build quality

negative:

None yet, maybe price

comment:

I *LOVE* this lens. It has a wide comfortable focus ring with smooth action, creamy bokeh, fast aperture, quick focus, easy AF/MF switch and takes DAMN good pictures. I'm not sure what there is to dislike. Caveat: I have never shot with any of the 85mm wonders, but I've used a ton of a-mount lenses and this one just feels great. This may be my favorite lens. Only time will tell.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: litus82   review date: April-04-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

389 USD (new)

positive:

Very Sharp
Perect Weight
Beautiful Colors
Amazing Portrait or Macro Photography lens

negative:

NONE (Can't say AF speed because it is a Macro Lens)

comment:

This is my first Macro lens. After using it for about a week, I love it and don't want to take it off my camera (A700). I get such great results. This lens has a permanent spot in my camera bag now.

I've had this lens for about 6 days now (before writing this review). I walked around the yard looking for as much small things to photograph as I can find. I thought I may need a tripod, but all of the pictures were beautiful (and sharp).

Sample Pictures: http://vili.shutterfly.com/pictures/13973 (Nothing great ... Just playing around)

Simply put: I would recommend this to a friend with an Alpha.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: 12lawnchairs   review date: March-26-11  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 90/2.8
Minolta 50/2.8

price paid:

trade

positive:

Great size and weight. Love the colors and sharpness. Awesome for portraits.

negative:

comment:

Love the color rendition and sharpness of this lens. I use it primarily for portrait work and the speed is key. Bokeh is nice and creamy. Also great for macro detail shots. Ability to manual focus on auto mode works well with the focus check lv on my 580. No complaints here, well worth the money.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: emasal1   review date: December-14-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta f1.7

price paid:

389 Euro new

positive:

sharp, great color, macro and portrait functionality

negative:

haven't noticed any yet

comment:

This is an easy review to write. It's well priced and produces wonderful images. What more is there to say?

My sharpest lens to date. I'm really enjoying this one so far.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: iskra05   review date: December-05-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

positive:

Incredibly sharp, fantastic colors, nice contrast, very pleasant smooth bokeh.

negative:

None

comment:

Excellent lens. This is my first Macro lens, its the sharpest lens in my bag.
Also works as a very good portrait lens in my opinion.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: gustav7117   review date: November-12-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 90 f2.8 Macro

positive:

negative:

comment:

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: jarnoshen   review date: August-31-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50/1.7
Tamron SP AF 90 F2.8 Di

positive:

Very good color.
Useful focal length for both Macro and Portrait shotting.
Very sharp in the center on F4 above.
Smooth focusing

negative:

Uncomfortable focal ring, too tight!
Focusing is slow.
Not sharp enough on F2.

comment:

I used this lens for a whole afternoon, thanks for Tamron's activity.
Generally speaking, this is a good lens and a modern lens, in comparison with my Minolta 50/1.7.
It's color is impressive and it's sharpness is very good on portrait shotting under daylight.
I have rare to add besides the above "Positive" and "Negative".
Just, its current price is a little high (440 EUR in China), and it's hard to find a A-mount copy on Chinese market. If you can afford the price, it's a worth lens to own.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Rover   review date: April-25-10  

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
Sony 70-300 G

price paid:

454 Euro New

positive:

Sharp!
Great bokeh.
F 2,0

negative:

No Focus limiter

comment:

Great macro-lens!
Combination of auto-focus and manual focus. They both can be used at the same time. Manual focus works very smooth.
Autofocus is very accurate but not very fast. Always use hood for flare-control.
I already made great fotos with this lens.

Buy!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: elban   review date: March-12-10  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

min 50 1.4 rs
min 135 2.8

price paid:

470 eur new

positive:

sharp
f2.0
internal focus
compact
quiet and fast af (for a macro)
full time manual focus
bokeh
contrast/colour good at all apertures

negative:

no focus limiter
not full frame, but I've read it almost is

comment:

it's a very enjoyable lens!
it has that f2 which makes it very flexible.
about IQ, sharpness is very good at f2 and excellent from f2.8.
of course at f2 it is not as good as the other (macro) lenses at f2.8, but it's not fair to compare it like that.
at f2.8 it is excellent and I believe as good as the other macros.
the thing is: it's nice to have the option of f2 for portraits and low light.
it's a pity there is no focus limiter, but it focuses very fast for a macro so it might not be needed in most cases.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: spx2000   review date: December-01-09  

tested on film camera:

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

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

positive:

Very Sharp.
Beautiful color and bokeh.

negative:

Not full frame
Not built like a tank (I am fine with that, but want to point that for some of you out there)

comment:

I just got this lens a week ago. By no mean this is a complete review. But I want to throw something on here so that there is at least some references on this lens.

This review by a Nikon guy sealed the deal for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-60mm-2-0-DI-II/product-reviews/B00200K9NQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1