Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro A-mount lens review by jimbo

jimbo#802 date: May-18-2006
sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8	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:	Tamron MF 90mm 1:2, Sigma AF 90mm 1:2
price paid:	missing
positive:	Lightweight, optical performance, sturdy
negative:	All plastic. Quite large and AF not much use, but both to be expected of a macro.
comment:	(I have the non-Di, model 72E) In comparison to the original all metal Tamron 90mm (52B) it does feel cheap considering it's price, but I've found it to be as robust as any lens I've owned. In terms of optical performance this and the Sigma 50mm are my best lenses. I generally use @f8, but I can open up for a shallower DOF without losing too much sharpness. For film I've found 90mm to be a great allround length, but crop factor of the DSLR now makes it too long to be my only macro, hence the Sigma. It's a shame they were unable to use the moving focus collar to fully switch AF/MF - Canon style. Maybe this will come in the future. Bought 2nd hand, the hood was missing but that doesn't matter as the front element is so deeply recessed, I have never encountered flare/ghosting.