TAMRON SP 90mm f/2.8 DI VC USD MACRO

New and improved, Tamron’s latest stabilized 90mm macro lens serves up a feast of features

£580/$650

not to be confused with Tamron’s previous 90mm macro lens of the same name, this new edition represents a complete redesign. The optical path now includes two top-grade XLD (extra Low Dispersion) elements rather than just one, along with a previously featured LD element. The combination aims to deliver exceptional sharpness and contrast while keeping colour fringing to a minimum. The lens also has dual EBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-dependency) and BBAR (Broad-band AntiReflection) nano-structure coatings to combat ghosting and flare, with an additional muck-repellent fluorine coating on the front element.

The new image stabilizer is a hybrid system similar to that of the Canon 100mm L-series lens, and there’s a full complement of weather seals. The ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system is optimised for macro shooting, while also being very fast and accurate at longer distances. Focusing is fully internal, and the focus ring is silky-smooth with a slightly longer travel than the Canon lenses, for extremely precise adjustments.

Performance

The lens performed very well in our tests. It delivered the best sharpness of any lens in the group at or near closest focus distance, while contrast was excellent even at f/2.8. Another bonus is that the bokeh, or quality of defocused areas, is beautifully creamy, while the transition between focused and defocused areas is extremely smooth.