Lens review

Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro

11. Summary

Pros:

• great quality of image, both in the centre and at the edges of the frame
• insignificant distortion
• small coma
• small astigmatism
• slight vignetting
• accurate autofocus
• after slight stopping down chromatic aberration is not bothering
• solid and tasteful casing

Cons:

• „softness” of image for the f/2.8
• slight susceptibility to flare while working against bright light
• loud autofocus and quite slow in the full range mode

Breaking the record of resolution may be an additional recommendation to buy Tamron 2.8/90. On the other hand, sometimes even the records are not helpful, for example, when a lens has problems with autofocus. Fortunately, the autofocus of the tested lens maybe is not in the quickest, but it is accurate. It is really difficult to point out any serious fault of this lens. The mentioned „softness” with the f/2.8 disappears even with slight stopping down. And still it can be even desirable by the portraitists. Susceptibility to flares is not high and only with a really unique configuration of the frame and the sun it can start to bother us. Slow autofocus may be well accelerated by working in the limited range. The advantages, on the other hand, speak for themselves.

Sample shots:

Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/11, exp. 1/160 sec, ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.3 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/800 sec, ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.2 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/400 sec, ISO 200 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.9 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/125 sec, ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.8 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/250 sec, ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.4 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/200 sec, ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.2 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/50 sec, ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.3 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/1250 sec, ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.4 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/60 sec, ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.2 MB