Review: Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro VC USD

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Hello everyone. I have just completed my most recent review of the Tamron 90mm VC Macro lens. This is a great option for someone who doesn't have the money to spend on the Canon 100L Macro. Take a look here if you are interested:

http://www.dustinabbott.net/2013/12/tamron-sp-90mm-f2-8-di-macro-11-vc-usd-review/

There are many, many pictures included along with my typical real world review of the handling, functionality, and performance of the lens. Thanks for looking!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here a few of the photos that I have shared that I took with the lens over the course of the review time


Natural Popsicle by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr


Time for Christmas by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr


Icefire by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I'll share more photos here as I share them on Flickr.

 

[Click]

Here a few of the photos that I have shared that I took with the lens over the course of the review time

Great series. I especially like the light in the first one...It's beautiful.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Thanks for the good work on the review.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here a few of the photos that I have shared that I took with the lens over the course of the review time

Great series. I especially like the light in the first one...It's beautiful.

Thanks a lot, Click. You are always great to take the time to comment on everyone else's work.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Thanks for the good work on the review.

You're welcome. Thank you!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's another landscape style shot from the Tamron:

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's an example of a handheld macro with the Tamron. I find that it is pretty similar in practice to shooting like this with my Canon 100L. Tamron's VC systems are very, very good.


Dried Elegance by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's the lens used as a medium telephoto in a landscape application. Very nice detail and color rendering.


Icebound by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[Click]

Beautiful shot. I like the sky colors reflecting on the ice surface. Nicely done Sir.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Beautiful shot. I like the sky colors reflecting on the ice surface. Nicely done Sir.

Thanks a lot, Click. I too like the cool/warm color graduation on the ice from the rising sun.

 

[Don Haines]

I read your review with great interest... (good review!)

I still have my "adaptall" 90mm Tamron macro lens.... back in the days of film it was the best lens that Tamron ever designed. It is still a fine lens (but completely manual) on my 60D, but I ended up getting the 100L for it's improved image quality and IS.

To say that a 40 year old lens is "a fine lens" speaks very well for it.... I would expect an improved version of the lens, like the one you tested, to be a very fine lens. Here's hoping that the Tamrons and Sigmas of the world put out more quality lenses at affordable prices...

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I read your review with great interest... (good review!)

I still have my "adaptall" 90mm Tamron macro lens.... back in the days of film it was the best lens that Tamron ever designed. It is still a fine lens (but completely manual) on my 60D, but I ended up getting the 100L for it's improved image quality and IS.

To say that a 40 year old lens is "a fine lens" speaks very well for it.... I would expect an improved version of the lens, like the one you tested, to be a very fine lens. Here's hoping that the Tamrons and Sigmas of the world put out more quality lenses at affordable prices...

Thanks for the good feedback, Don. Your final statement really mirrors how I feel. My current kit (the modern version - I have a vintage kit, too) is dominated by Canon glass (5 lenses). I also own one Tamron and one Rokinon. But here's the thing: that Tamron replaced the 24-105L and the Rokinon replaced the 17-40L, and I have been very happy after time that I made that decision. That's great news to me. I think that it means that new lenses by Canon will be even better with more pressure.

How much better will the 35mm f/1.4LII be because of the S35?

I too own the 100L and it will be a long time before I part with it, but I still like the fact that this very competitive alternative exists at a lower price point.

 

[mrsfotografie]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

I definitely do, particularly since you get not only a slightly sharper macro lens, but also because you get a much more effective modern medium telephoto with a great stabilizer. The new lens does a lot of things really well and doubles as a great general purpose lens. I think its worth the upgrade, particularly if you can get a decent price on the used market for your old one.

 

[mrsfotografie]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

I definitely do, particularly since you get not only a slightly sharper macro lens, but also because you get a much more effective modern medium telephoto with a great stabilizer. The new lens does a lot of things really well and doubles as a great general purpose lens. I think its worth the upgrade, particularly if you can get a decent price on the used market for your old one.

Thanks, I may consider putting this lens in my upgrade path. I really like that the new version is non-extending. FWIW the image quality from the old macro is fabulous, not so much the looks of the thing... : ;D

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

I definitely do, particularly since you get not only a slightly sharper macro lens, but also because you get a much more effective modern medium telephoto with a great stabilizer. The new lens does a lot of things really well and doubles as a great general purpose lens. I think its worth the upgrade, particularly if you can get a decent price on the used market for your old one.

Thanks, I may consider putting this lens in my upgrade path. I really like that the new version is non-extending. FWIW the image quality from the old macro is fabulous, not so much the looks of the thing... : ;D

I haven't used the old version myself, but your report confirms what pretty much everyone has said. I'm surprised the new lens hasn't had more buzz, but that may be because it was overpriced (particularly in Europe) on introduction. It is a very worthy lens, though, and a great choice now that the price is reasonable.

 

[mrsfotografie]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

I definitely do, particularly since you get not only a slightly sharper macro lens, but also because you get a much more effective modern medium telephoto with a great stabilizer. The new lens does a lot of things really well and doubles as a great general purpose lens. I think its worth the upgrade, particularly if you can get a decent price on the used market for your old one.

Thanks, I may consider putting this lens in my upgrade path. I really like that the new version is non-extending. FWIW the image quality from the old macro is fabulous, not so much the looks of the thing... : ;D

I haven't used the old version myself, but your report confirms what pretty much everyone has said. I'm surprised the new lens hasn't had more buzz, but that may be because it was overpriced (particularly in Europe) on introduction. It is a very worthy lens, though, and a great choice now that the price is reasonable.

Because I hadn't used my 90mm macro for a while, and because I wanted to reconfirm the focal length and working distance on a full frame body (I'm selling my 7D), I took the lens to the zoo. 90 mm macro still works for me at least for butterflies, even on full frame but an image stabilizer would be very welcome.

I gave my 70-200+1.4 TC a go as well, but without a 1.6 crop factor the maximum magnification isn't quite sufficient for butterflies and such. That makes a good near focusing lens something I require more than before.

Hence, based on your review I'm strongly considering upgrading to the new version - for the convenience of the image stabilizer mostly. I'm sticking with Tamron for macro use, because as I mentioned before I don't do enough macro to justify an 'L' lens.

There's still nothing wrong with the image quality from the old lens, here's a few samples that I took today. Note that it was rather dark and the excellent high iso performance of the 5DMkIII is a real asset:

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Do you think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who have the 'old' non-VC version??

I definitely do, particularly since you get not only a slightly sharper macro lens, but also because you get a much more effective modern medium telephoto with a great stabilizer. The new lens does a lot of things really well and doubles as a great general purpose lens. I think its worth the upgrade, particularly if you can get a decent price on the used market for your old one.

Thanks, I may consider putting this lens in my upgrade path. I really like that the new version is non-extending. FWIW the image quality from the old macro is fabulous, not so much the looks of the thing... : ;D

I haven't used the old version myself, but your report confirms what pretty much everyone has said. I'm surprised the new lens hasn't had more buzz, but that may be because it was overpriced (particularly in Europe) on introduction. It is a very worthy lens, though, and a great choice now that the price is reasonable.

Because I hadn't used my 90mm macro for a while, and because I wanted to reconfirm the focal length and working distance on a full frame body (I'm selling my 7D), I took the lens to the zoo. 90 mm macro still works for me at least for butterflies, even on full frame but an image stabilizer would be very welcome.

I gave my 70-200+1.4 TC a go as well, but without a 1.6 crop factor the maximum magnification isn't quite sufficient for butterflies and such. That makes a good near focusing lens something I require more than before.

Hence, based on your review I'm strongly considering upgrading to the new version - for the convenience of the image stabilizer mostly. I'm sticking with Tamron for macro use, because as I mentioned before I don't do enough macro to justify an 'L' lens.

There's still nothing wrong with the image quality from the old lens, here's a few samples that I took today. Note that it was rather dark and the excellent high iso performance of the 5DMkIII is a real asset:

Those are some very nice photos! Well done.