Pros & Cons
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- Extremely sharp.
- No distortion.
- 1:1 macro magnification.
- Optically stabilized.
- Available for multiple camera systems.
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- Dim corners at wide apertures.
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD Specs
| 35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | N/A mm |
| 35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 90 |
| Dimensions | 4.5 by 3.1 inches |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Lens Mount | Sony A |
| Optical Zoom | None x |
| Stabilization | Optical |
| Type | Lens |
| Weight | 1.3 |
Tamron's venerable 90mm macro has long been a favorite third-party lens for many SLR owners. The SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD ($649) adds image stabilization (though Tamron calls it Vibration Compensation) and updates the aesthetic to match its recent SP lens offerings. It's an incredible performer, less expensive than alternatives like the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM ($849.99). That makes it an Editors' Choice winner.
Design
Finished in black, with a silver ring at its base, The SP 90mm measures 4.6 by 3.1 inches (HD), weighs 1.3 pounds, and supports 62mm front filters. The barrel is metal, with a large manual focus ring that's covered in a knurled rubber texture. A top window shows the current focal distance in feet, meters, and shows the corresponding magnification. Tamron is offering the lens for Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras—the Sony version omits optical stabilization, as that feature is built into Alpha SLRs.
There are a few control switches on the lens. Canon and Nikon shooters will see a toggle that turns the vibration compensation (VC) system on or off. All versions include an AF/MF toggle and a focus limiter that can limit the distance over which the autofocus system will search for a lock. You can set it to 0.3-0.5-meter for close work, 0.5 meter to infinity, or Full. The internal focus motor is no slouch, but the long focus range does mean that the lens can take a few beats to lock close focus if starting near infinity or vice versa.
At the minimum focus distance—11.8 inches—objects are projected onto your camera's image sensor at life size, 1:1 magnification. The distance is measured from the image sensor, not the front of the lens, so the working distance is a little bit closer. You'll need to put the lens within about 5 inches of your subject. If you prefer a longer working distance, consider instead a longer macro like the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM ($1,799.00 at Amazon) . It gives you a few more inches between subject and lens, but it's much larger and heavier.
Image Quality
I tested the Canon mount version of the SP 90mm along with the full-frame, 50-megapixel EOS 5DS R ($3,699.00 at Amazon) . When using a lens with a high resolution camera we like to see an Imatest sharpness result of 2,200 lines per picture height at the bare minimum. The SP 90mm scores 4,371 lines at f/2.8, with very even performance across the frame.
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The lens peaks at f/4, recording 5,294 lines measured across the frame. Performance isn't as even—edges hover around 4,200 lines, the same resolution shown at f/2.8—but the center two-thirds of the frame is tack sharp. At f/5.6, there's a slight drop, 4,758 lines, with edges steady at 4,200 lines.
The downward trend in resolution continues as the aperture is narrowed further. At f/8, the lens shows 4,233 lines, not that far off from its performance wide open. Diffraction is more of an issue at f/11 (3,823 lines), f/16 (3,245 lines), f/22 (2,328 lines), and f/32 (1,428 lines). Working at narrow apertures is essential to capture images with an adequate depth of focus. You'll get very crisp results through f/16, but may want to employ focus stacking techniques for shots where you'd normally use f/22 or f/32.
Objects are reproduced faithfully without any distortion. If there's anything bad to say about this lens, it's that the corners and sides are noticeably dim at f/2.8 and f/4. At f/2.8, the corners lag behind the center by 3.2 stops (-3.2EV), and sides by 2.2 stops. Narrowing the aperture to f/4 improves things—corners show -1.4EV and sides -0.7EV. At f/5.6 and beyond illumination at the periphery is almost even with the center.
Conclusions
The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD is a stellar macro lens, and one that's available at a very reasonable price when you consider its crisp output and optically stabilized design. It can bring small objects into close view, and is available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony SLRs. There's not really a downside here. If you prefer a longer macro lens don't forget about the Sigma APO 180mm, but be prepared to spend a lot more—it's priced around $1,700.
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