After reading reviews I finally purchased this lens, and I am super happy that I did. This lens provides quite a bit of versatility being much like a really good 90mm prime lens (for portraiture, et al) while at the same time being a great macro lens with 1:1 magnification.

Another one of our most popular Tamron lenses. Customers I have spoken to are often impressed with the build of the lens as well as the image quality that it produces. It is a very affordable alternative to some of the brand name lenses (Canon, Nikon) in similar focal lengths, offering 1:1 macro and...

Tamron's venerable 90mm macro has long been a favorite third-party lens for many SLR owners. The SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD ($649) adds image stabilization (though Tamron calls it Vibration Compensation) and updates the aesthetic to match its recent SP lens offerings.

Extremely sharp; No distortion; 1:1 macro magnification; Optically stabilized; Available for multiple camera systems

Dim corners at wide apertures

Tamron's 90mm macro lenses have been held in high regard by photographers for many years and the company has updated them regularly, the most recent in September 2012. While the new lens has been designed primarily for 'full frame' DSLRs, as a 'Di' lens it is also usable on cameras with APS-C sized...

As ‘s has a focal length of 90mm rather than 100mm or 105mm, the lens has to be slightly closer than would otherwise be the case to record a true macro ( ) image. That said, Tamron also offers a 180mm macro for times where a greater camera-to-subject distance is more appropriate.

Great value for money

Wide-open non-macro MTF is poor

As Tamron's macro has a focal length of 90mm rather than 100mm or 105mm, the lens has to be slightly closer than would otherwise be the case to record a true macro (1:1) image.

Great value for money

Wide-open non-macro MTF is poor

The Tamron AF SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD macro is undoubtedly a highly impressive lens and it has a easy game on an APS-C DSLR. Obviously it has been improved in a number of aspects over its predecessor. In terms of resolution, it is about as good as gets.

This is a good budget macro for all around work with plants, flowers, and insects. The MFD is pretty long, but not quite like the S 100mm macro lens. If you're on a budget this is a good choice. My only gripe is the lens could be sharper (like the S100mm) and the AF speed is quite slow.

Price Sharp F/2.8 aperture

Slow AF Speed

With 10 elements in 9 groups, it's worth noting there's no internal AF motor so mounting it on a Nikon D3100, D5100 or similar which doesn't have an in-built AF motor will limit you to using it manual focus only.

This is a good budget macro for all around work with plants, flowers, and insects. The MFD is pretty long, but not quite like the S 100mm macro lens. If you're on a budget this is a good choice. My only gripe is the lens could be sharper (like the S100mm) and the AF speed is quite slow.

Price Sharp F/2.8 aperture

Slow AF Speed