Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro: now available for Nikon Z-mount
I recently wrote about the new 90mm macro from Tamron. I enjoyed it for my Sony A7RV, but I also got to play with their brand new 90mm macro lens for Nikon Z-mount cameras. To be more precise, my hubby and I. He was super keen to try out the new generation of this lens on his brand new Nikon Z6III after his old macro lens ceased.
Tamronโs 90mm Macro f/2.8 offers superior resolution and creamy bokeh. This compact mid-telephoto 1:1 macro lens features an advanced high-speed, high-precision AF system and Tamronโs first-ever 12-blade circular aperture. It offers unparalleled sharpness from centre to edge and a velvety bokeh effect. The complex optical design corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations. This lens excels in macro, landscape, and portrait photography offering unique photographic expressions across genres.
Note: Tamron sent the 90mm Macro to review and return. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this lens are our own.
Pros
Small, compact and lightweight
Same 67mm diameter
Max aperture f/2.8, Minimum f/16
Fast autofocus
Gorgeous bokeh
Great for macro, portraits and landscape
Cons
Lacked definition with more landscape-style shots
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ Technical specifications
All technical specifications have been taken from Tamronโs website.
All technical specifications have been taken from Tamronโs website.
Model: A072(Z)
Focal Length: 90mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Angle of View: (diagonal) 27ยฐ2โฒ (for full-frame mirrorless format)
Optical Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Object Distance: 0.23m (9.1in)
Maximum Magnification: Ratio1:1
Filter Size: ฯ67mm
Maximum Diameter: ฯ79.2mm
Length: 128.5mm (5in)
Weight: 640g (22.2oz)
Aperture Blades: 12 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Standard Accessory: Round-shaped hood, Lens caps
Mount: Nikon Z-mount (and Sony E-mount)
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ Ergonomics and build quality
Beautiful color and sharp focus. Terrific bokeh and compression too. I adored using the E-mount for portraits as well as landscapes of course, but Hubby only really enjoyed the macro side of things. Smal and compact. It felt sturdy and the grip is good. The focus ring moved well, not sticky or stiff. Fast auto-focus, and the new lens-hood design makes it easy to access filters.
Note โ The photos of Hubby holding his Nikon and the Tamron 90mm lens were captured with my Sony A7RV and the Tamron 90mm for E-mount.
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ In the field
This lens is so good to use whether itโs capturing insects, flowers, people or landscapes. The color is terrific and I found next to no vignetting on the edges. Even in less than ideal lighting conditions it handled everything really well. Small compact and gorgeous bokeh.
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ Autofocus performance
The autofocus is fast, quiet and accurate. Using the minimum focus distance, it as a great macro lens with a smooth creamy bokeh. Fast enough for bees and butterflies, as well as small children and dogs in the backyard.
This lens has the now seemingly standard USB-C socket making it compatible with the Tamron lens utility. However, I didnโt actually try it myself. Apparently, the feature allows users to customize the functions of the lens or utilize unique features to enjoy various still photography and videography, thereby providing a more personalized and fulfilling shooting experience.
There is no AF/MF switch but there is a Focus Limiter switch that can resist the AF focus range, allowing for faster focusing during AF Shooting. It stops the lens from โsearchingโ at full range and causes the lens to lose focus points. The lens hood can also be reverse mounted for transport and has a cool sliding window built in so you can reach through and rotate filters etc.
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ Image quality and characteristics
Distortion control and vignetting
I found next to no vignetting and no real distortions. Moisture-resistant seals to protect when shooting outdoors. Fluorine coating on the lens element for easier cleaning and is oil and water-repellant.
Chromatic aberrations, flares, and ghosting
Even shooting into the sun I found there were minimal chromatic aberrations, flares or ghosting in the images. Lovely soft highlights and bokeh. The Tamron 90mm 2.8 macro lens has second-generation BBAR-G2 Coating that provides improved performance compared to the original BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating. The coating corrects for ghosting and flare and renders fine subject detail with true clarity and stunning contrast even under backlit conditions.
Sharpness
I found that even cropped sharpness was terrific, with great details without any artefacts. The minimum focal distance at both ends is quite good too. This allowed me to capture macro images of subjects.
The bokeh is soft and creamy, with no distracting artefacts. Makes for terrific landscapes and portraits too.
Color rendition
I found the color rendition of this lens to be accurate, with no color casts at all.
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro โ Final thoughts
Out of the studio, I think this is a brilliant all-round lens; landscapes, portraits and macro. The f/2.8 and soft creamy bokeh are great for the compression of the background, making your subject pop. If you like to photograph pets or kids at the park, portraits and such, it would be a brilliant lens. In the studio, it was terrific as well, but being a 90mm in my tiny studio it is too long a focal length for portraits. But quite good in a much larger studio. It was great in the studio for still life, macro and product shots.
Our verdict
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro
โ โ โ โ โ 4.5/5
This compact mid-telephoto 1:1 macro lens features an advanced high-speed, high-precision AF system. Itโs terrific for portraits and of course, for macro shots, Flowers, insects etc. When it came to landscapes, Hubby preferred to stick to his 24-70mm or wide-angle lenses, as he felt it lacked a little definition in the landscape mages he captured. Hence the 4.5 rating. Otherwise a fantastic lens.
