Tamron 90mm f2.8 [Archive] - Forums @ The Digital Fix

RPG

16-09-2007, 18:21

Anyone got this lens? Currently got a bit of cash going spare, and after borrowing a 10-20 decided against that -and this is 2nd in my lens wishlist.

Just looking for an objective opinion based on people who've had it a long time rather than the "just-had-it-2-minutes-omg-this-lens-is-amazing" reviews I've seen of it.

Does it really stand the test of time?

puddleduck

16-09-2007, 18:23

Does it really stand the test of time?

Yes.

This must come up about 3 times a week. Its very good. Trust us! :)

baffled

16-09-2007, 18:37

Superb lens and relatively cheap too.

Fozzybear

16-09-2007, 18:59

I've had mine since April last year and still use it a lot. Very happy with it for macro and general use and it has good bokeh too.

Ono

16-09-2007, 19:19

What does this lens do? ie. what type of photo woould you use it for?

puddleduck

16-09-2007, 19:45

What does this lens do? ie. what type of photo woould you use it for?

This sort of thing:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/287861468_8bbe29fd9d_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/278464921_0d2aee5ff5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/119/278464892_9209021f9d_o.jpg

Bapapapa

16-09-2007, 19:48

Yeah I want one too - if anyone's fed up with theirs I've got a wanted thread in the classifieds.. :D

EDIT - great shots puddleduck!! I want one even more now..

Ono

16-09-2007, 20:02

I see. It's an insect snapper.

Fozzybear

16-09-2007, 20:08

Not just insects/macro - I took this with mine:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/173862272/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/173862272_d5f21d5bb2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Young blackbird" /></a>

...and this:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulforsdick/179629966/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/179629966_82d311979f.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="Lovers Lane" /></a>

it's pretty versatile!

PaulDCocker

16-09-2007, 20:20

Wonderful sharp lens - I use mine fairly often:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldcocker/831866292/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/831866292_1e9ab15d52.jpg" width="366" height="500" alt="Honey Bee" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldcocker/1351457009/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1134/1351457009_c5e39bb7db.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Traffic Lights" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldcocker/1301834836/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/1301834836_87d85e1cdc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Strawberry Top" /></a>

EDIT: Quick question on this lens - can it be used with tubes or a convertor?

Sprout Crumble

16-09-2007, 20:26

Great lens. So's the 105/2.8 Sigma which is a similar price and virtually identical in performance.

Buy the one thats the best deal at the time as there aren't any real differences between them.

Sigmas 70/2.8 is a little shorter but by all accounts is about as good as a macro lens gets.

baffled

16-09-2007, 20:30

ooooh photo pimpage......

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sismastery/412737417/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/412737417_52dbf3a858.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Ladybug" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sismastery/449638529/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/449638529_0e405737b9.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Summer Again" /></a>

tis indeed a versatile lens.

RobDickinson

16-09-2007, 20:42

If you just want to shoot bugs & close ups try the MP-E 5 canon (I think) only focuses in a few inches from the lens but does up to 5x macro.

I'm in for a tamron 90 one day I think.

Sprout Crumble

16-09-2007, 21:59

Don't buy an MPE as a first macro lens. They're difficult to use and not very flexible.

Stunning lens, don't get me wrong and one of my favourites, but its too specialised to be anything other than a supplement to a standard macro lens.

1966

16-09-2007, 22:25

Does anyone else find the autofocus on the tamron 90mm a bit gash? mine takes an age to lock on to something, and I'm wondering if I've got a duff one.

GarethH

16-09-2007, 22:28

Does anyone else find the autofocus on the tamron 90mm a bit gash? mine takes an age to lock on to something, and I'm wondering if I've got a duff one.

Mine's the same mate. It can get very confused sometimes. I think its due to the nature of Macro, its gotta focus on such fine details and there is so much depth for focusing.

50% of the time i'll actually use manual focus. Its one of the few lenses where you can make a good decision on focus. Others the auto is far better than I am.

baffled

16-09-2007, 22:35

Manual focus for me too and then also rock back and forth gently.

RobDickinson

16-09-2007, 22:41

Is there 2 focal length settings? a lot of lenses (i.e. 70-200L etc) have a switch on to swithc between a close focusing mode and a longer min focus mode? This usualy speeds up focusing.

But macro needs very small steps for focusing that'll probably make it slower.

GarethH

16-09-2007, 22:57

Yeah, there is a full and semi switch on it. The lens is designed so you can switch between manual and auto by pulling the ring forward and backward. I'm not sure if other Macro's are like it but its well designed. I wish I put it on my body more often. I leave it home alot not which is pretty stupid.

Sprout Crumble

17-09-2007, 00:16

The Sigma has an identical set-up.

rozzer1971

17-09-2007, 00:38

EDIT: Quick question on this lens - can it be used with tubes or a convertor?
http://www.pbase.com/image/55943774

PaulDCocker

17-09-2007, 05:59

http://www.pbase.com/image/55943774

Cheers, that's my next purchase then. :thumbs:

Ragnarak

17-09-2007, 13:51

Just to make sure I've got it right, the Tamron you guys are talking about is this one right?

OneStop Digital (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_29&products_id=47)

puddleduck

17-09-2007, 13:57

Yes, I've seen it at around £180 on Ebay lately though.

Yes, it does work with tubes, and also with Kenko teleconverters.

PaulDCocker

17-09-2007, 14:27

Yes, it does work with tubes, and also with Kenko teleconverters.

Cheers, whats best then, tubes or convertors, irrespective of price and if convertors then the 1.4 or 2.0 and sorry but another question (kenko or canon)

:thumbs:

Cheers the more answers I get the more questions I have :doh:

Matholwch

17-09-2007, 14:30

IIRC tubes are for allowing you to focus closer to the subject - reduces the minium distance for focus. Whilst converters extend the reach of the lens. So two different things, depends what you want to achieve with the lens.

puddleduck

17-09-2007, 14:36

Tubes don't have any glass so you don't get any optical downgrade, you do lose a bit of light depending on the length of the tube.

Converters allows you to increase focal length, while maintaining the same close focusing ability of the len. A good lens hardly degrades with a TC at all.

I can't answer the Canon part fully as I'm a Nikon shooter. I *can* say I wasn't impressed by the 2x Canon on a 300mm f/4 IS (it didn't AF on a 30D and was very soft). Generally I'd avoid 2x TCs regardless of brand, 1.4x are fine and hardly degrade optics, as long as your lenses is sharp.

The Kenko tubes and TCs are both excellent anyhow (and much cheaper than Nikon or Canon parts).

As to whether a tube or TC is better in this regard, I've not evaluated this I'm afraid. I fancy a TC is probably a bit more useful though for other lenses.

PaulDCocker

17-09-2007, 15:53

Great, thanks for your help and lookng at the prices I might as well buy both (kenko models anyway) and see which I like using and which I find practical.

P.

Boink!

18-09-2007, 10:36

Just bought myself a Tamron! :clap:

the highlander

18-09-2007, 10:56

Just bought myself a Tamron! :clap:

link/price :thumbs:

Boink!

18-09-2007, 12:04

Off this very forum. :D
Went for a walk lunchtime and was looking at everything with "macro photography" in mind.

Coolhand

18-09-2007, 13:30

Macro is very addictive. Since I got my Tamron 90mm it's barely been off the camera.

Bish

18-09-2007, 13:31

ignore me ...........

the ghost

19-09-2007, 18:22

after reading your post went out and bought one today they had the sigma 105 but no were had the tamron in stock so ended up with the canon 100mm 2.8 macro after bit argy bargy about which one to have
the store mentioned about the sigma being slow and iffy on focusing so got the canon
what a sucker i am still a good lens

Faythur

19-09-2007, 19:33

The Canon 100mm is excellent too :thumbs: Feels better build quality than the Tamron [I have both;)] and has the bonus of internal focussing.

So I wouldn't say you are a 'sucker' at all.....