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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC USD Review

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC USD

By Nasim Mansurov 16 Comments
Last Updated On July 20, 2020

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Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Optical Features
  • Summary
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
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Tom Clemens
Tom Clemens
July 28, 2020 8:53 am

I use this lens with a Canon 1D Mark IV.
Mostly for water drop photography.
Through f stops 11-16 t is tack sharp
I love it.
It was cheapest than a used Canon 100mm L.
And every bit as good.
I would recommend this lens to anyone

1
Reply
Turtle Cat
Turtle Cat
July 23, 2020 7:27 pm

What is frustrating about Tamron is how long they have taken to add Z lens support to their lenses. And this lens being the very last one, almost 2 years since the Z7 was first released. No explanations and nothing other than “it’ll happen one day”. Yet Sigma has no such trouble with Z support. It certainly doesn’t encourage me to invest any further in Tamron.

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Ron Sprunger
Ron Sprunger
Reply to  Turtle Cat
July 26, 2020 2:16 am

I gave up on Tamron supporting the Z cameras with this lens, and bought the Canon version to use with my Fringer EF-NZ. It’s a little quirky focusing with the adapter, and does not report the actual aperture when close focusing a la Canon’s normal protocol, but I love the lens My son got the Sigma about the same time, and we can’t see much real difference in IQ, but I like the Tamron a lot.

Incidentally, the Fringer adapter works great with the venerable Canon 100-400 II, which is what I got it for. Wish Nikon would make a lens like that.

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FB101
FB101
July 22, 2020 7:18 pm

So which one would you buy? Nikon, sigma or Tamron? That’s the elephant in the room that the review never addresses. Three lenses supposed to compete against each other, at 3 different price points… which one hits the sweet spot?

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Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  FB101
July 23, 2020 4:49 pm

Personally, I would probably buy the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8, I think it hits the sweet spot. It has the best coatings, best overall performance and the price is very reasonable.

2
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jean pierre (pete) guaron
jean pierre (pete) guaron
Reply to  Nasim Mansurov
November 24, 2020 9:54 pm

I’m sorely tempted, Nasim – I NEED an AF MACRO – I tried the Nikon 105 a while back and didn’t really think it was sharp enough – the reviews I’ve been reading are generally suggesting the Tamron has the edge on sharpness – and because I’ve had [VERY severe!] back focus probs with another lens, I’m also attracted by Tamron’s console.
SIGMA’s 105 is probably just about a good – but “just about” isn’t what I’m shopping for, and while it was probably excellent at the time of its release (c. 2012), SIGMA has already proven with the release of its SONY base 105 mm MACRO that it can now do far better than that. I love my 50 mm SIGMA ART, so I’d probably go with their 105 SIGMA ART MACRO, if there was one in F-mount.
Another thought – I see some comments saying it’s a shame Tamron only do this lens in DSLR mounts, not Z-mounts. True – at least for the moment – but why the presumption that we’re all going to get tired of DSLRs and replace them with Z-mounts? I for one don’t intend to. I don’t see why the industry can’t keep making both, and letting US make the choice.

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Paris Panagiotopoulos
Paris Panagiotopoulos
September 15, 2020 3:10 am

Very reliable and fun lens. Even works well with focus stacking software like helicon remote. Still need to get the tap-in console.

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sashi daniels
sashi daniels
August 16, 2020 7:10 am

Bought this lens 2 years ago and used it to photograph a couple of weddings. I like its image quality. The level of detail and sharpness is just impressive as is the feel of color from the Tamron 90 f2.8 f017. It is not fair to compare it with the Nikon 70-200 f2.8, this being a zoom, but images shot with the Tamron 90 macro are more detailed and are sharper. I have not used any other zoom in the same class such as the Nikon 105 or Sigma so I cannot say how well the Tamron fares. Would I recommend it to others? Sure.

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Bob
Bob
July 31, 2020 12:41 am

My only comment would be that I consider Tamron to be a branded lens :) The Tamron brand is becoming very strong, and their build quality for a given price point (IMHO) exceeds Nikon. I understand the reason for the terminology, but feel that giving it a good review, but relative to “branded” products is a bit of a backhand compliment. They’re not no-name.

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Hans Forsstrom
Hans Forsstrom
July 26, 2020 2:14 am

Great Review Nasim!
You write: “Lastly, don’t forget to turn off image stabilization when using it on a camera with built-in image stabilization (such as the Nikon Z6 or Z7), since the two systems might end up working against each other.”
I wonder if this is correct as I don’t own this lens but at few other Tamrons (G1 and G2) and aZ7. On those lenses the on/off of image stabilization is done on the lens and when you turn that off you don’t have built-in stabilization either. As far as I can understand there is no way to only use IBIS on lenses that are equipped with stabilization. Or maybe it is but how?
Cheers/Hans

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Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson
July 22, 2020 5:18 pm

Hi Nasim. Loving your reviews. Just had delivery of a new Z6 with the 24-70mm kit yesterday. I am interested if you will be reviewing the 24-200mm z lens soon, especially how it compares the kit zoom. Initially reviews I have seen are that it measures up very well

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Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Mark Ferguson
July 23, 2020 4:50 pm

Mark, I will be reviewing it, as soon as I can get one! The problem is, this lens has been out of stock since it has been released.

1
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Valdemar Klauber
Valdemar Klauber
July 21, 2020 3:39 am

In the time waiting for a new formidable micro Nikon Z, I would like to se a comparison of the optical features between the old SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 (Model 272E) and the newest SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F017

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Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Valdemar Klauber
July 23, 2020 4:51 pm

Valdemar, I wasn’t able to get the older SP 90mm f/2.8 macro for testing and comparison, since it has been out of stock.

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Imtiaz
Imtiaz
July 21, 2020 12:20 am

Great review Nasim, though late. I had to buy it without the support of your review.
I have been using this lens for over six months now. It never disappoints. I love the VR of this lens, which is incredible. It is as good as Tamron’s 15-30mm F2,8 G2 which is legendary.
I have also had a chance to compare it with Nikon 105mm macro, i must say Nikon’s image contrast is far superior than this lens. That does not mean this a bad lens.
For the money I paid for this lens here in Bangalore, India this beast is absolutely worth it.

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Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Imtiaz
July 21, 2020 12:44 am

Thank you for your feedback Imtiaz! I know we are a bit late on this one, but we tested a few Tamron SP lenses earlier this year when traveling in Jordan and UAE, so we decided to post the reviews anyway – better late than never, I guess :)

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