Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro £580/$650 Th e latest in a prestigious line

Although not classified as one of Tamron’s G2 (Generation 2) lenses, this one is nevertheless a new generation of the 90mm VC USD lens. Like G2 and other recent Tamron prime lenses, it has a sliver band around the rear, instead of a gold ring around the middle, making it easy to distinguish from the older edition.

Unique among Nikon-fit macro lenses, the Tamron features a ‘hybrid’ stabilizer that counteracts the effects of X-Y shift as well as the usual angular vibration. It’s more effective for close-up shooting, although you still really need a tripod for full macro shots. Upgraded optics include two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) elements and an LD element, plus conventional and nano-structure coatings. The front element also has a keep-clean fluorine coating.

Performance

The results of our lab test are majorly impressive overall and, in real-world shooting at very short focus distances, the Tamron beats every other lens in the group for resolving super fine detail. However colour fringing is marginally worse than average at very narrow apertures but still barely visible in most images.