Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8
Di Macro 1:1
Model 272E lens
by Paul Fisher

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PERFORMANCE II

I don’t shoot test charts, brick walls or newspapers. I shoot flowers and bugs and other interesting things. For the purpose of this test I also shot some coins and samples of print.

A sample of print (Epson Photo R210 on plain paper) at 1:1. Nikon D2H, SB-80DX Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 Model 272E

The optical performance of the Tamron 90mm lens has always received praise from users. This new incarnation will continue that tradition.

I tested the lens on three cameras – two digital SLRs and a FM2n with Provia 100. At all apertures and from edge to edge, the image is sharp and contrasty.
The above image of printing and these here of a coin attest to the flatness of the field. The coin is approximately 24mm diameter.
All of the floral images made show the quality of image the lens is capable of. At right a sample: Eucalyptus blossom and leaves with the lens on a D100 body, SB-80DX flash with diffuser and white reflectors. 1/60 @ f/22.
At right, a detail of the image above.

The Tamron 180mm macro has achieved a reputation as being one of the sharpest macro lenses on the market. The new 90mm optic matches the 180 in this respect.

The bokeh of the Tamron is beautiful. (Bokeh is the quality of rendering of the out-of-focus elements of an image). All the new Tamron Di lenses I have tried have had excellent bokeh, and this is obviously a priority with the Tamron engineers.

Colour rendering is very slightly warm. Again, this is consistent with the other Di lenses.

Chromatic aberration is entirely absent, as far as I can discern. The Digital Integration technology definitely works on this lens.

As a portrait lens, the 90mm focal length is ideal for head shots on a digital SLR, and for half length or head & shoulders pictures on a film camera. The beautiful quality of the bokeh suits the portrait application well. However the sharpness of the lens is such that the women of my household refused permission to publish any pictures. There can be times when a lens is too sharp!