Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD
11. Summary
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Pros:
- solid, closed, weather-resistant mechanical construction,
- excellent image quality in the frame centre,
- good image quality on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor,
- sensible image quality on the edge of full frame,
- negligible longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- good control of lateral chromatic aberration,
- lack of problems with spherical aberration,
- very low distortion,
- low astigmatism,
- sensible coma correction,
- nice out-of-focus areas,
- silent, accurate, and quite efficient autofocus,
- slight vignetting on the APS-C/DX sensor.
Cons:
- distinct vignetting on full frame,
- very high level of focus breathing.
I admit I was thinking about awarding the Tamron our 'Editors' Choice' badge for a very long time but finally I decided against it. Why? Because of different subtleties and nitty-gritties of our test. For example Tamron didn't add any optical image stabilization unit to this lens and still it is as big and heavy as the Sony. Its optical elements are a bit too small – that's why the new Tamron lost to its rivals when it comes to coma correction, astigmatism, and overall performance on the very edge of the frame. At the same time its price in the polish marker is not that affordable, especially if you compare it to the price of the stabilized Sony. The Tamron was launched priced at 2700 PLN so 400 PLN cheaper than the Sony. I admit the Sigma seems to be the most expensive here, as you have to pay as much as 3600 PLN for it – a price that is difficult to understand and explain, especially that the Sigma isn't stabilized either.
Our whining over small details cost the Tamron the badge but we have to add you deal here with an excellent macro lens, practically devoid of any serious flaws. What's more, it is still the cheapest out of three lenses we mentioned here and also provides the best resolution in the very frame centre – two very important assets. I don't doubt this lens will find many satisfied users.