Heard that more expensive glass makes a difference - in this case true.

Super crisp and clear images; Amazing macro lens, even with hand held situations

Somewhat noisy auto-focus(minor issue)

I owned the previous non-VC version of this lens (272e) and was always happy with its macro optical qualities. However, I didn't care for the external focusing, I hated the push-pull AF-ON/AF-OFF mechanism, and there were times when I would have liked VC for short telephoto shots, so I sold it...

This is a first class lens. I use it with my Nikon D7200 and it produces very good results. I specialise in macro-photographing insects, especially dragonflies, and the quick and sharp focus produces very satisfying results.

Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Quick Focus; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Purchased for my Nikon D700. I've owned several low and high end Tamron's and have never been disappointed by their value or performance. This one is no exception. Optically this competes with the best of Canon and Nikon. That is to say it is spectacular across the board.

Overall this is a very good lens. It takes some time to get used to the AF/MF switch. This lens is light weight and very sharp. At F2.8 there's some slight vignetting on my 5D Mark II--barely noticeable. Compared to my Canon EF 85mm F1.8, the auto focus of the Tamron is slow and noisy.

As you might expect from a 90mm macro lens from Tamron, the optical performance of this lens is excellent. The lens delivers superb sharpness and contrast plus distortion, chromatic aberrations and falloff are kept in check also.

Excellent sharpness throughout the range in the centre; Handy Vibration Compensation system; Good build quality; Moisture resistant construction; Low distortion and CAs

Suggested retail price is almost twice that of equivalent lenses from rivals

Bought this to replace a broken older model Tamron 90mm macro. Very impressed with this lens. Very sharp images, of which mostly were taken hand held. Quick, quiet focusing. Nice bokeh. Build feels solid. Haven't noticed any chromatic aberration or distortion, although not an expert on that stuff.

Easy to use; Build quality

Battery life

Got this lens recently and took it out for a spin. It completes my lens armory perfectly. A terrific picture lens and it also gets me in close for those abstract natural landscape kinds that I am so fond of. It is light yet seems to be well made.

build quality; great bokeh and accurate auto focus

nothing yet

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.

Since 1979, Tamron has produced 90mm macro lenses whose optical quality has rivaled the extraordinary Micro-Nikkors. Some photographers claim to have preferred the Tamron over the Nikkor because of its superior handling of out-of-focus areas ("Bokeh").