Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.5 macro A-mount lens review by QuietOC

QuietOC#44051 date: Apr-28-2018
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Sony DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM Sony 50 F2.8 Macro Minolta AF 50 F2.8 Macro RS Minolta AF 50 F3.5 Macro Minolta Rokkor-X 50 F3.5 Tamron SP 60 F2 Macro Sigma 60 F2.8 DN Art Sigma 70 F2.8 EX DG Macro Lensbaby Velvet 85 F1.8 Sony 85 F2.8 SAM Minolta Varisoft 85 F2.8 Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro D Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro RS Cosina AF 100 F3.5 Macro Vivitar 135 F2.8 Close Focusing
price paid:	108 USD (used)
positive:	Sharp wide-open Minimal lateral CA Flat focus plane
negative:	Focus drift Axial CA 1:2
comment:	A very clean copy with original caps and hood purchase from a large eBay retailer. This lens looks like a 9/10ths version of the Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro RS. The front extension works very similarly. "JAPAN" I was expecting good performance, but it performed very well. It has much less lateral CA than the Minolta RS Macros, the 60mm F2, or the 85 F2.8. It does have more longitudinal CA than the Minoltas. The focus also drifts just like my copy of the Minolta AF 100 F2.8 RS. It is sharper at F2.5 than that lens at F2.8. Something metallic is rattling inside it--maybe related to the focus shifting issue. The aperture blades are flipped from the typical orientation. Overall a very good 1:2 macro/portrait prime.