Tamron SP AF90MM F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1

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drops to 5.6 at extreme close focusing

I just got this lens and I love it. Images are super sharp. The AF focus is faster than most macros, so its easier to double this lens as a prime for regular use. The 90mm (135mm equivalent on a Nikon model) is good for portraits (105mm Nikkor and Sigma are 157.5mm equivalents make a little too much compression for portraits on digital cameras). The lens is designed so you push the focus ring to switch from manual to AF which is very convient and much easier to use than the switch on the camera body. Focusing is very smooth and images "pop" into focus. Out of focus elements are very smooth and rounded. Color reproduction is good. It is a very good looking lens with gold and blue writing. The digital integration works very well. I shot some images through tree branches into the sun on a hazy day without the lens shade and found no purple or green fringing on my photos. There was also very very little flare.

The one thing I don't like about this lens is that it loses f-stops when focused close in extreme macro. At 1:1 ratio the lens is only a f/5.6! While this generally isn't too much of a problem because DOF is paper thin at 1:1 so you generally want to aim for a larger f-stop (f/8 and up), it may be a pain when shooting in low light. At distances greater than a foot or two you have full f/2.8 speed to the lens.

Overall this is a great lens with many positive attributes and I highly recommend it. I wish I could directly compare it with the 105mm Nikkor and 105mm Sigma, but I really don't think they could outclass this lens in any way except for maybe the loss of apeture at extreme macro and that the tad bit extra length they give might help with insect shots. I chose this lens based on images I saw taken with it and the fact that it is digitally integrated (but I liked the fact that it could double for portraits and had fast AF, since I shoot a lot of sports, as well).

A little 'plasticy' feeling, but given the cost, and the utility of this lens--not a worry.

I use this lens primarily for macro--it's very sharp. I purchased it on advice from fm'ers, and I'm quite pleased with it. It's also a very sharp prime that rounds out my focal length ranges. The rest of my bag is 'L' glass and this lens doesn't have to hide in that company. It's a great performing lens at an excellent price.

The autofocus system is obviously no match for Canon's USM lenses, I occasionally get pumping action. The focus distance can be limited to close or long ranges which obviously helps this.

A very sharp good lens for macro photography. I'm using it exclusively to photograph subjects with near 1:1 magnification so can't comment on shooting larger subjects, however I'm got some amazing insect photos from close subjects.

Attaching Canon macro flashes works by adding a 55mm UV filter and a 55mm to 58 mm step up ring. Screw both in, mark the top on the step up ring, put the ring on flash. Mark the spots where the attachment nubs touch the ring and file away from each spot on the ring until the flash sticks. Much cheaper than the Canon adapter and works just as well.

not internal focus, lens grows

this is the sharpest lens i own, it is plastic, but really well built. the switch from af to mf is very easy, and the mf is nice and mooth. it's nice and light - the front element is deeply recessed, so the lens hood is not needed (i've never used it). the autofocus speed is acceptable, and fairly reliable. i would recommend this lens to anyone. the lens pictured for this review is not the tamron sp90 di.