Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Tamron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 4.6 inches ; 14.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00021EE4U
• Item model number: AF272NII-700
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 13, 2007

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The latest version of the venerable Tamron 90mm Macro, this lens is widely used by naturalists and other pros who need top imaging performance plus a longer lens-to-subject (working) distance to enable easier lighting and access to skittish subjects. Improved resolution, chromatic correction, and coatings make it a superb choice for full-frame or APS-C format SLRs. Tamron introduces a new version of the famous 90mm macro lens for film and digital photography. Tamron's 90mm macro lens, often referred to as "the portrait macro" and loved by photographers all over the world, is now reborn as a Di lens that is perfect for use with both film and digital cameras.

Easier lighting and access to skittish subjects

SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Features

Portrait macro shot

DI
Digitally Integrated Design (DI), is a designation Tamron puts on lenses featuring optical systems designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras.

Super Performance (SP) for Discriminating Shooters
Tamron SP (Super Performance) series is a line of ultra-high-performance lenses designed and manufactured to the exacting specifications demanded by professionals and others who require the highest possible image quality. In creating SP lenses Tamron’s optical designers put their foremost priority on achieving superior performance parameters—they are all designed to a higher standard with little regard for cost constraints. As a result, Tamron lenses bearing the SP designation feature impressive and innovative designs that have established an enviable reputation for excellence among those knowledgeable photographers that demand the very best.

Auto-focus/Manual-focus (AF/MF) Switch Mechanism on the Focus Ring
The ability to switch quickly between auto-focus (AF) and manual-focus (MF) is a great asset in many types of shooting, especially sports and nature photography. This is easily accomplished with Tamron’s ingenious AF/MF system. By simply sliding the focus ring back and forth between the two positions you can select either the AF or MF focusing position. In manual-focus mode Tamron lenses provide smooth, precise manual focusing by turning their wide, well-textured focusing rings.

Quicly switch between auto-focus (AF) and manual-focus (MF)

Product Description

Tamron 90MM F2.8 DI F/NIKON

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

112 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Updated (again) thoughts on the Tamron 90mm, October 6, 2006

By 

M. Boone - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

(Another year and one repair later, I still love this lens. Original review first followed by updates.)

First impression: right out of the box, this lens is smaller than I pictured. I had experience with the Sigma 105mm, and this is easily smaller and lighter. For travel purposes, it is ideal, plastic build or not.

I did get a few surprises when I put it on the camera (D70), so anyone thinking about purchasing this lens should pay attention. This info is already out there, I just didn't notice and was almost disappointed at first.

1: This lens is only 2.8 at 10 feet to infinity. The maximum aperture drops as you focus closer, and at minimum focusing distance, where many will want to work to get the true 1:1, it is all the way down to 5.6. That was quite a shock at first, but I soon found that at such close range, even 5.6 gives you very shallow depth of field. It just means less speed, so a tripod will almost always be necessary unless you are really good at hand-holding.

2: The switch between auto and manual focus requires you to push or pull the focus ring. I should have known this after working with the Sigma 105mm, but it is not obvious on this lens and I had to check the instructions. lol.

Again, this information is in other reviews, and it may be obvious to most users, but anyone new to macro should keep it in mind to avoid any surprises.

UPDATE: I've left off the old review taken from my first few shots, as I have much more experience to pull from now.

This lens captures beautiful photos, that much is certain. I have not tested the Nikon 105mm VR lens, but from the examples I've seen, this lens can still hold its own, even without VR. (I used to think VR was meaningless on a macro lens, but I have found many times when it would be useful.)

Strong points:
* Bokeh (out of focus rendering) is stunning
* Color is rich (super color with D70, can't wait to see what it does with a D300!)
* Lens is light, less than half the weight of the Nikon 105mm VR
* Focus ring is large and easy to use

Weak points:
* Auto-focus is slow, noisy, and hunts a bit at times
* Lens is not fixed length, short when focusing at infinity, extends out when focusing closer, a significant amount
* Plastic build (doesn't bother me, but some don't like it)

For my money, the pros far outweigh the cons here. I use this lens a lot for product photography (at work), non-macro flower and other small items, but I almost never take it all the way to 1:1 because I'm often too lazy to get out the tripod, or not in a situation where a tripod is usable.

One thing to note: auto-focus has recently started acting up on my D70. For a few weeks it would refuse to auto-focus, I would reboot the camera, take the lens off and put it on again, and it would start working until I turned the camera off once more. Most recently I have not been able to get the auto-focus to work at all. (It is the only lens in my kit that does this, so I don't believe it is the camera.) Since the auto-focus is always slow anyway, I've taken to keeping it in manual focus and just dealing with it. It's a hassle at times, but it does not detract from my enjoyment of this lens.

UPDATE #2: Tamron warranty and service are incredible!

As mentioned above, the auto-focus eventually stopped working completely with both my D70 and D300. All Tamron USA lenses come with a 6 year warranty (6 years!) so I printed a receipt off Amazon, filled out a simple form, and put it in the mail. A couple weeks later I received notice that it was being repaired, no charge of course, and it gave me an order number to track it.

I was leaving on a trip a few days later and didn't want it sitting outside my house while I was gone, so I contacted Tamron service department to see if I could change the shipping address. It had already shipped out and would be at my house within the week. Unlucky for me it arrived the day I left, but I had someone take it inside for me the next day, so no worries. It has been tested and works perfectly! 5 additional stars for Tamron's repair department!

I would recommend this lens to anyone wanting to do macro work, portraiture, product photography, or any not-quite-macro nature shots with lots of color.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good As It Gets, May 4, 2006

By 

Capt RB - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

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

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.

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 depend 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.
Capt RB

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performance and just a great lens - one of my favorites, May 31, 2007

By 

Robert J. Lorenzini (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I am not a professional but an avid amateur enthusiast, this lens is really unbelievable. This is the first non-Nikon lens I have bought and I have been using it for about 14 months.

It is lightweight and sharp end to end, it does a very good job on macrophotography. It tends to hunt a bit when set to full focus, but that can be expected because of the large focal range.

For portraits and very tight close-ups I absolutely love this lens. The image quality and sharpness is out of this world. The design of the focus ring makes it very easy to switch between manual and auto focus, which is probably one of the better design features of this lens.

It feels a little cheap because of the polymer construction but it is inexpensive and very lightweight so it makes it easy to walk around with.

I tested before buying. I used the nikkor 105mm macro and the Sigma 105, the nikkor has a better feel construction wise (for 3x the price) but I could not tell a difference in performance. I felt this lens performed much better than the Sigma 105mm.

I own 5 lenses this is one that I always carry with me and when you get it, it will always be in your camera bag.