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Archive 2009 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

rowan57
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Heya folks, im looking at buying a Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro to add to my alt lens collection (With a Pentax K mount on it), and while i see some talk about this lens after doing multiple searches, i was just wondering what people thought of it? Its cheap which is a benefit, if at all possible i would like to see comparisons between it and the Canon 100 2.8 macro which i currently have.

Cheers
Rowan

Mar 04, 2009 at 05:25 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

It's probably a very nice lens, but I don't think it will be better than the Canon EF 100/2.8 macro. I currently have the Canon 100/2.8 Macro USM and Mamiya 645 A 120/4 APO Macro (both go to 1:1). I've owned the Tokina AT-X 90/2.5 Macro, and Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5 Macro in the past. All of these 90/2.5's (including the SP) only go to 1:2 without a matched 1:1 Extender (which I had for both the Tokina and Vivitar). The Tokina/Vivitar (same optics, same factory) is one of the sharpest lenses ever tested at the old photodo, with average MTF = 4.6, while the Tamron SP 90/2.5 tested at 4.2 (the newer Tamron SP 90/2.8 is 4.3). I'm very happy with the Canon 100/2.8, even in comparison with the old masters, as I found they had relatively high CA. I think the Mamiya is better than all of them, but it's slower at f/4, so there's a tradeoff.

[edit: remove bogus line break]

Edited on Mar 04, 2009 at 07:27 PM · View previous versions

Mar 04, 2009 at 07:01 PM

siriusdogstar
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

a bit slower is Asahi Super-Multi-Coated Macro-Takumar 100/4

Mar 04, 2009 at 07:17 PM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Relatively high CA on a Vivitar 90/2.5 Series 1 Macro? I've had two copies of the lens and they were both stellar from wide open, with no CA. It's one thing I really liked about them. Maybe you had a bad copy?

I also had the Tokina version of the "same" lens, and it is not the same optically. Most notably is the much higher degree of vignetting wide open. I also found it to lack the punch of the Vivitar version. They shared the same "optical contrsuction", but used different glass and much different internal hardware for mounting and focusing.

There were a few versions of the Tamron SP 90/2.5. They were all very good performers, but performance varied with the different versions.

Mar 04, 2009 at 09:21 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

pdmphoto wrote:
Relatively high CA on a Vivitar 90/2.5 Series 1 Macro? I've had two copies of the lens and they were both stellar from wide open, with no CA. It's one thing I really liked about them. Maybe you had a bad copy?

Maybe I did have a bad one, but it was very sharp until the CA got in the way of resolution. Also, the CA was pronounced on a 20D, but not on my older film cameras. Many "alternatives" I've tried since, esp. Zeiss and Pentax, have had very low CA on all my DSLRs.

Mar 04, 2009 at 09:25 PM

flash
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Still have mine. Contrast in the Canon is better but the Tamron is still an excellent lens.

Gordon

Mar 05, 2009 at 05:53 AM

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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

i have the tamron 2.8 macro, no digital. my sharpest lens, reall fine superb images. no ca

Mar 05, 2009 at 06:36 AM

rowan57
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Thanks guys, im going to try and keep my eye out for a series 1 90mm, but it sounds like i will be able to live with the tamron if i cant find one.

Cheers
Rowan

Mar 05, 2009 at 06:36 AM

pascal03
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Having used a few copies of this lens (and there are 3 versions), I would definitely rate it better than the vivitar and in a whole other league from the current Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro - maybe in the same league as the Olympus macro 50mm f3.5. It appears to be sharper than the Canon 100mm f2.8 macro and provides for better colors. While not as good as the OM 90mm f2.0 macro, it can definitely hold it's own for the price.

I am planning on selling a brand new Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 BB macro - will be posting it on B&S shortly.

Mar 05, 2009 at 01:49 PM

Anden
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

I have had two copies of the Vivitar S1 90/2.5 and one of the Tammy 90/2.5.
Still have the Viv. Excellent lens. Truely on of the greatest bargains out there.

Mar 05, 2009 at 01:54 PM

rowan57
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Pascal, would you be able to describe/direct me towards a description of the 3 different version? (And which is best?)

The Vivitar does seem like a bargain, but when you have no money whatsoever, a bargain can stretch somewhat.

Cheers
Rowan

Mar 05, 2009 at 02:59 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

I've just posted some sample images of this lens here:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/662530/49#7060398

May 10, 2009 at 07:54 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

The definition/sharpness of the Tokina/Vivitar 90/2.5 is amazing, but the same goes for the bokeh (ultra-creamy). I have the Bokina

in Canon FD mount - I don't know if having it with like 10mm of extension of the adapter on my 40D affects CA (I thought it would because it has a floating/fixed rear element) but the blue CA is the only thing that I don't like about the lens (optically). It can really spoil some shots, like the edge of a light coloured petal just touching the DoF zone.

May 10, 2009 at 09:08 PM

rowan57
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 Macro

Thanks guys, I ended up getting a Tak 100/4 1:2 macro. I don't need lifesize too often, and find DOF shallow enough at F4 let alone 2.5, plus it only cost me £50. Bargain.

May 11, 2009 at 05:39 PM


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