Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD

This 90mm adds on to Tamron’s building reputation as a quality lens manufacturer. This macro lens is very versatile and has a perfect focal length for portrait photography as well as macro photography. The autofocus is quiet, fast and accurate. In low light, the autofocus hunts occasionally, but not to a degree that’s annoying. I love the vibration compensation (VC), which means that you can hand hold it in many situations that with otherwise require that you put it on a tripod.

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The vibration compensation will of course not stop flowers and bees from moving, but it will eliminate camera shake. When photographing bugs, I also enjoy that the lens is very quiet when achieving focus, due to the ultrasonic drive autofocus motor.

The Tamron SP 90 f/2.8 delivers when it comes to sharpness. It is razor sharp at f/4, however, I find that it is great through the aperture range. It gives a beautiful bokeh when you have some out of focus highlight in the background. This is one lens, that is not leaving my back until worn out. However, with 5 years of warranty from Tamron, it is going to take some time.

Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 MACRO 1:1 Di VC USD (F017) Specifications

Focal length: 90 mm
Max Aperture: f/2.8
Min Aperture: 32
Angle of View: 27.2°
Filter Size: 62 mm
Internal focusing
Minimum focus distance: 30 cm
Weight: 610g
Height: 117.1 mm
Lens hood and lens cap included
Construction: 9 blades, 14 elements, and 11 groups

Sample Images taken with the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD

Below you can see some of my images taken with this lens.

bumblebee taken with fast shutter speed — To capture this bumblebee hovering in the air, I used a shutter speed of 1/1000th second. Taken with the Tamron SP 90 mm f/2.8.

Dandelion in Mono — Dandelion seeds captured with the Tamron 90mm SP f/2.8.

Peter Dam
Hey I'm Peter. I'm the owner and editor of Photography-RAW. I make sure that you get the best articles about photography. Personally, I prefer to shoot landscape, nature and macro photography. I hope you enjoy the site 🙂

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1 thought on “Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD – Short Review”

ray lineberry

February 13, 2020 at 6:48 am

hello…plan on getting a macro lens soon…looking at the Tamron sp f017 90mm,the Canon 100mm L macro,the Sony 90mm g oss macro and even the Laowa 100mm Ultra macro2:1..tested the Sony and the Canon today at Best Buy,wow,both are really sharp,which makes things complicated..Ive got a Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4(I adapt Canon EF to Sony E mount via MC11) which I got last year for landscapes,seems to be a sharp lens.But im searching for a macro lens that is going to deliver images worthy of prints for possible display at local state parks of the multitudes of insects in each location,along with the species of plants/flowers also..im using a tripod,macro rail and ill be using handheld with flash and diffuser..opinions appreciated… thanks