Summary: These were the pre-purchase reasons I personally decided to buy this lens:
· I wanted a lens with good close focusing ability.
· It was well priced when compared with the Sigma AF 105mm F2.8 EX Macro, around 1/3 cheaper.
· With only basic kit, I had decided to upgrade to middle-of-the-road zoom lenses. Image quality was OK with these lenses, but I wanted to buy at least one good prime lens for portraits. This 90mm lens was a better match when cropped on my Pentax *istD, coming in at 135mm, where as the Sigma is closer to 160mm.
· It cast a full frame image circle (making it more future proof and able to be shared with my film based camera).
· It had a manually selectable aperture ring (backwards compatible with my old SLR).
· It has a non-rotating front element, making it more filter friendly.
My assessment after 12 months of use:
THIS LENS IS A PEACH! Mine is a “Di” version (Digitally Integrated, meaning that it has extra coatings to reduce internal reflections from the sensor). Pretty much every positive observation made by reviewers about this lens is true. It is terrific for portraits, with sharp images that still somehow retain a lovely “feel” and good bokeh. This is the best lens in my bag. Shooting on the same day under the same conditions, changing lenses on the same body, results from this lens are easily recognisable.
Its 1:1 macro ability delivers great outcomes. The best photo in my collection belongs to this lens, it is of a bee, hand held with a hot shoe flash. Finding the “sweet” spot when manual focusing can be a problem on some lenses, particularly where close focusing may impede natural light, but again this lens does an exceptional job; that said it can be a little frustrating when very close using a tripod, as the lens barrel trombones out when focusing.
Build quality is fine, it is “plasticky” but on my budget, so is every other lens in my possession. Its external indicators are clear and the brushed gold markings look classy. The lens cap holds and releases well, much less likely to come off in my bag than some other designs. The manual focus ring is smooth but as a consequence of the large “sweet” spot discussed above, it takes an eternity to get from macro to infinity. A “Limiting” switch on the side of the lens remedies this when auto focusing. One frustration (at least on my Pentax *istD) is that the focus ring is designed to disengage from AF to allow quick manual override, but manual focus cannot be achieved unless my Pentax body itself is taken off AF. The front element is recessed around 50mm into the lens, protecting it and negating the need to use a lens hood for glare.
CONCLUSSION
I am generally reluctant to emphatically endorse any one particular product, preferring people weigh up their own needs and suitability, but with lens I take exception. If you are looking for a non-dedicated macro lens of this focal length, THIS IS THE LENS FOR YOU!
Strengths: 1:1 Macro, F2.8, Portrait suitability
Weaknesses: Focus tromboneing, Auto focus disengage on my pentax *ist D
Summary: This is for the DI version as used on a D70 and D200.
Yes, it does happen. Sometime a 3rd party lens maker gets it right...and charges us less. A LOT Less! Like many folks, I read the near legendary level ratings on this lens and finally took the leap as I would be able to compare it side by side with a Nikon 105 2.8. I bought the lens from KEH.com for just 329.00, second hand but in like new condition. This is the DI model which is supposed to be optimized for digital. Some people, who have the older version, claim there is little or no difference between them.
Sharpness:
The Tamron 90 will give you incredible sharpness. I believe it's my sharpest lens, easily a match for my 1700 dollar 70-200 VR at 90mm. It's sharper than the Nikon 105 2.8...sharper than the 50mm 1.8 and that's sharp!
Color:
Simply faultless. Again, this lens is astounding in color rendition. Skin tones are fantastic.
Bokeh:
Again, this lens rivals my more expensive zoom, though I slightly prefer the bokeh on the 70-200. The Tamron is far superior to the Nikon 105 Micro for out of focus rendering making it a very viable portrait lens.
Handling:
The lens hood is a bit awkward to get on and off. The auto/manual mode is a push-pull slide color. It works, but it's easy to slip it into either mode by accident. The focus limit switch is a dial, which is odd. Manual focus is excellent on this lens. The lens is mostly plastic and doesn't feel as solid as the Nikon 105, but I hear no stories of the Tamron falling apart either.
Overall:
The Tamron beats Nikon's entry in every area, except build. The Tamron is sharper and has better bokeh. As a portrait lens it does a very good job, though ultimate sharpness is not always desired in model work or even candids. A lot depends on your style. There are certainly lenses like the Nikon 85mm 1.4 which will probably be more flattering to a face. For macro work the Tamron makes no excuses. It focuses down 1:1 nicely and my macro shots have been impressive from the start. Keep in mind that the Tamron 90 is only a 2.8 when shooting objects around 10 feet or further away. Otherwise expect apertures in the 3+ range. This is probably the best macro lens available in the 90-150mm range. I've yet to see any portrait shots from the new Nikon 105mm VR than are it's equal. I give this lens my highest rating. Also: I recently tested the Nikon 105 VR and found the Tamron is still optically superior in sharpness in Bokeh. The Nikon is a good lens though and VR makes more capable as a short telephoto in some cases.
Capt. RB
Strengths: Sharp, sharper and sharpest. Bests the Nikon 105. Handling and focus is nice in manual mode.. beautiful bokeh makes this a good portrait lens in spite of high sharpness factor.
Weaknesses: Build is okay, but not like the Nikon 105. Lens is light weight and that can be a problem for some handheld stuff via low damping factor.
Summary: For an experiment, I fixed it to my EOS1V and used it as a one and only prime lens for a days shoot at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.
I have only used it before for macro work.
It took a bit of discipline to use, having to do lots of walking back and forth to frame up pictures, BUT... the end results were worth it.
I did not originally buy the Canon Macro equivalent because I saw a telling A-B comparison test on an "On Line" website where there was virtually very little difference between the two.
Also the amount of macro work that I do do did not qualify the expenditure on the Canon.
Strengths: As other reviewers have stated, the resulting pictures (taken on Kodak HD200 film) show incredible sharpness and wonderful contrast.
A very nice lens.
There is not that much difference(If any)
between the photos taken on this and my much venerated Canon 24-70L and the 70-200 F2.8L IS
Weaknesses: It IS a bit "plasticky" and the autofocus is not up to "L" spec but hey ho, the results are wonderful.
Similar Products Used: The only other prime lens that I own is the Canon 50mm F1.4, which is another fine lens.
Summary: This is my favorite lens in my bag so far. Very versatile: flowers, insects, objects in the studio, portraits, sports, "easy" wildlife, and so on. Results are very, very sharp at f4 and higher, contrasty, with excellent colors. In good light it produces good results handheld, even with a 1.6 fov dslr.
AF is good, but don't expect it to track a fast-moving subject; if you want the lens to double as a sports lens, get the Canon 100 mm which has usm. I like to use autofocus then disengage as I bracket or fool around with lighting etc, but when switching from AF to MF the push-pull clutch goes clunk and sometimes causes me to lose focus. Not a big deal since MF is easy.
Build quality is ok, but I don't think this lens will last me 10 years of outdoor use. I like the recessed front element: no need for a lens hood and the front element is well protected from impact. Lightweight and easy to carry around, much lighter than the Canon
Strengths: sharp. very very sharp. f2.8-f64. Lightweight, recessed front element.
Similar Products Used: Canon 100 mm macro (store test)
Summary: I picked up this lens (the 172E version) new on ebay for under $200. It is one sweet lens. The autofocus is quick and quiet on my Maxxum 700si. In low light, if you miss the focus, it's a little slower because of the barrel travel to infinity and back. This however, is partially alleviated by the Focus Limiter switch. I notice in a lot of reviews on this lens (and others) that reviewers are critical of autofocus speed. I'm a little more pragmatic, having upgraded several of my 20 year old AF lenses recently. (Todays lenses are turbocharged in comparison.) What is an extra few hundred milliseconds in all but the most demanding circumstances? Particularly at this price point! In order to Macro focus so closely and then focus at infinity, there has to be a compromise.
In Macro mode, the 1:1 magnification is a real treat. The bokeh is extremely pleasing when wide open. The nicest of any of my lenses. Color saturation is very good. I can't attest to sharpness and contrast as I haven't had any enlargements done yet. However, MTF scores at various websites have given this lens a very high grade. I can't comment on flare yet as I haven't encountered any demanding situations while shooting.
Add to this the fact that you have a fast 90mm portrait lens as well as the Macro, and I would say at $200 this lens is a steal.
The lens incorporates internal focusing with a clutch mechanism for manual focusing. As others have pointed out, with certain systems, including the Maxxum, you have to disengage the AF on the body as well as at the focus ring. A minor inconvenience at worst and not difficult to adjust to. Manual focusing is very smooth with the very slightest of drag.
The lens is reasonably well constructed, but is certainly no tank from yesteryear. We'll have to wait and see if it is still in my bag 20 years from now. It looks nice and balances well on my 700si. The lens hood is probably what I like least as it requires lining up dots and then twisting it on. OK when setting up, but when storing on the lens reversed, a bit finicky to engage the threads.
This lens is excellent value at $200 for it's features and performance. A Maxxum 100mm Macro may be slightly better, but I think most reviewers would only notice the difference in their wallets. I have to give this lens 5 out of 5 on both value and overall rating. Simply superb.
Strengths: 1:1 Macro
F/2.8 maximum aperture.
Internal focusing with limiter switch.
Smooth and quiet.
Nice ergonomic and aesthetic design.
Nice solid clip-on lens cap.
Great results.
Excellent value at this price.
6 yr warranty.
Weaknesses: Cheapo lens hood. Clip-on would've been nicer.
Mostly plastic construction...but a few ounces less in my bag, which counts for something.
Similar Products Used: 28-80 AF 1:4 Macro (goodbye!)
Sigma 75-300 DL 1:2 Macro II (goodbye!) Terrible Macro switch. Soft >200mm.
Maxxum 100-300 APO (nice, but slow)
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