Stunning optical performance. 1:1 macro capability Excellent manual focus. Nice push-pull manual to AF feature Light weight, but sturdy build quality

Relatively slow AF. However, I personally use this lens primarily in manual focus mode. Some may not like the way this lens is recessed deeply into the barrel, which means less distance to subject. However, I personally do not consider this to be a negative, as this feature helps to eliminate flare potential.

A superb lens that I highly recommend. Stunningly sharp resolution and great color fidelity. Excellent, large and very well-damped manual focus ring. Goes all the way to 1:1 macro, although I personally almost never use that much magnification. A great 90mm lens for macro or standard use.

Customer Service

This is my third Tamron SP lens. I''ve never had any problems with any of them.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 200mm f4 Micro Nikkor 60mm f2.8 micro Minolta 100mm f3.5 Macro

Very sharp Good bokeh Reasonably priced

None that I can detect so far

Purchased this lens as a replacement for the Nikkor 55 2.8 micro. The Tamron lens is much more versatile than the 55mm micro & goes 1 to 1 on it''s own. It also has beautiful bokeh making it an excellent choice for portraits. On the Nikon F100 it auto focuses very fast & the manual focus is better than many other A/F lenses. The AF/MF clutch on the lens makes the switch from A/F to M/F very convenient and not neccessary to bother with the AF/MF switch on the camera body.The Nikkor 105 2.8 micro, the micro lens that other micro lenses are measured against is much more expensive & isn''t really that good for portraits. The Tamron on the other hand represents a better value since it handles both micro & portraits & costs less. I will admit that the built quality of the Tamron though very good is not on the same level of the manual 55 2.8 AIS Nikkor. However the Tamron is no worse than the current crop of A/F lenses being made today. In my opinion the Tamron represents excellent value combined with matching performance.

Customer Service

None so far

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 55mm 2.8 micro AIS manual lens Nikkor 105 2.5 AIS manual portrait lens

Stunning optics Nice manual focus feel Nicely built

None come to mind!

Having been involved in nature photography for many years now, I''ve owned and used quite a number of macro lenses, including MF/AF Micro-Nikkors (55mm/60mm/105mm/200mm) and a number of independents, including the excellent old Vivitar 90mm 2.5 Series 1, and the original Tamron 90mm 2.5 in both manual and AF (Nikon) fits. Lately I have mostly used the 105 AF-D Micro and the Tamron 90 2.5 AF models. Both deliver excellent performance, though the latter only goes to 1:2 and is non-D compatible. Even so, exposures have generally been very reliable. When I found the new 90mm 2.8 in AF-D at a great price, I went for it immediately as it would replace the ''old'' model in my bag and deliver 1:1 with ''D'' compatibility. So, what''s it like? In a word ''superb''. It delivers absolutely top-drawer optical quality. Ultra-low flare, beautiful color rendition, incredibly sharp. Construction quality is also very good indeed. One or two people have stated it feels ''plasticky''. I do not really agree with this. If you want to feel ''plastic'' pick up a cheap-end consumer AF-Nikkor or Sigma! I''ve had the ''old'' 90 2.5 for around 9 years, and it has never failed. The new model actually feels even more solid that that does. Manual focus on the new lens is very much smoother and is far better damped. The rubberized wide focus ring handles wonderfully. In direct comparisons, side by side on Velvia, the new Tamron 90 2.8 easily matches the 105 AF-D Micro Nikkor we also own. In fact, it is as sharp as the 200mm f4.0 AF-D Micro! This is extremely impressive, and it is truly a bargain for anyone seeking a phenomenal ''true'' macro lens in a well designed and apparently very durable package. Deserves 10 stars. Recommended without reservation.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Numerous other macro lenses

Excellent optical quality. Big manual focus ring that allows for very exacting focus (although a rail is still superior). Good construction.

None so far.

This is an excellent alternative to the manufacturer's (in this case, Canon) offerings. Optically, I see no difference between the Canon and this Tamron. Mechanically, the Canon has better AF and is quieter, but I use manual focus for macros exclusively so it doesn't matter.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Various macro lenses, extension tubes.

Very sharp image; fits well in my hands; capable of 1:1 ratio magnification plus adequate working distance of about 8 inches especiall for shy subjects; cheaper than major brands.

None yet.

In my experience, this lens is as good as my Olympus and Nikon macro lenses. It delivers a relatively softer backgraound image. I prefer to use it for portraiture than the other brands because it seems to deliver a more flattering effect on the subject. I also love to use it on flowers. For a lens this cheap and at the same time very sharp, it would certainly remain in my possession for many years.

Customer Service

I have'nt have any trouble with it yet for the past 11 months.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 105mm F2.8 micro; Olympus 90mm macro

Tack sharp images at all f/stops. Reasonable price for a lens this good. Limiting feature which limits the AF hunting.

Manual focusing ring feels a little "plasticky."

Superb lens. I love this thing! The unfortunate side-effect is that I've become a macro geek--photographing everything at 1:1. Whenever I get my photos back from the lab I'm always surprised: "Did I take that great photo?!" This has opened up a whole new world to me.

Customer Service

Hasn't been needed. Don't expect I'll have to use it.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax macro 100mm

Superb construction, handling and feel. WONDERFUL manual focusing ring, you can't find a better one in an AF lens this price. Sharpness is extremely high, so is contrast. Beautiful colours, 1:1 macro range, compact and relatively light. What more??

For the purposes of this lens I really can't imagine a fault.

First of all, let me say I DON'T use this lens for macro work, which I'm not interested in. Mostly of all, I use is for close portraits, at distances unavailable for standard portrait lenses (such as Nikkors 85mm, 105mm ans so on). Anyway, overall results of this lens are excellent. I truly recommend it, but if you need to go 1:1 try it! I bet you won't be disappointed.

Customer Service

Never need for that

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 85 f/1.4 & f/1.8 (same focal lenght, NO macro)

Sharp optics, true macro, well-designed for both auto & manual focus, excellent colour reproduction, good value

None

Excellent value in a macro lens with nice focal length for portraits - only drawback is detail can be too sharp in some cases. Forms a nice complement to a wide-range zoom. Improvements cf. previous version include 1:1 macro and better manual focusing (no "creeping" - keeps focus at vertical). This is one of the best values in a 35mm lens fixed lens - highly recommended.

Customer Service

Past experience with 28-200 zoom not entirely positive experience; this, however, is a much better lens - I hope no service will be req'd

Similar Products Used:

Owned previous model (90mm 2.5, 2:1)

Excellent 1:1 macro;
Manual focus - precise and smooth as advertised from Tamron;
Excellent optics.

Construction of the casing not as rugid as the Nikkor; just have to be extra careful when photographing bugs between twigs, brushes, etc.

I wish I had this lens back in college, although technology was not upto today's standards from 3rd party lenses. This lens is now the most used from my photo bag. Images from macro and portrait work are very sharp.

We may see the quality of 3rd party lenses improve and compete directly with "prime" lenses in the coming years. I give Tamron credit for their efforts.

Customer Service

Very impressed with Tamron's marketing efforts. Also very impressed with their timely and accurate responses from question submitted via e-mail.
Their pamphlet sold me on their lens - I was asked to pay for pamphlets fom Sigma (tacky!).

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 105 micro
Sigma 105 EX macro
Tokina 100 macro

The price ($399) was good and there was a $50 rebate.

None so far.

This is the first quality macro lens I have purchased. I tried it out forthe first time on my reef aquarium a few days ago and the results were great. I used a Minolta 800si and Fuji Provia III. I would recommend this lens to anyone getting into macro photography. I am off to the Amazon rain forest and Galapagos Islands next month and this lens will be with me.

Customer Service

Not needed yet, knock of wood.

Similar Products Used:

None