I'd really like to recommend this, there's a lot to like, Lenstip's review is right about the sharpness, colour and superb VC. However my experience means I can't - for me you're taking a chance with a Tamron. I've had 3 of these in 1 month, all sent back as defective.

Price if copy is good (especially now it's dropped for earlier unrealistic expectations); Sharp at f2.8, very sharp by f4 (at least where it does focus), build is decent for price; VC is extremely good; 3-position focus limiter useful; Hood (are you listening Canon

Tamron's woeful quality control (hence value for money = 0); Focus not quite as fast as Canon USM

This full-frame, high-speed, short telephoto is Tamron's tenth 90mm macro since 1979, but its first 1:1 close-up lens with Vibration Compensation-the only one of Tamron's five true macros to offer it.

In a time when lens manufacturers, including Tamron, are pushing boundaries back, it is interesting to see Tamron introduce a new lens with the same name as the previous lens, requiring the model number to be included in references for differentiation.

I've always preferred longer focal-length macro lenses in the 90-100mm range because they give you more breathing room between the camera and skittish subjects than does standard (50/60mm) macros.

Handling and features Tamron's 90mm Macro lenses have earned an enviable reputation for optical quality and value for money over the years. With this new 90mm Macro optic, Tamron have brought their 90mm up to date with the latest technology by incorporating Vibration Compensation, silent internal...

Extremely sharp even when used at its maximum aperture, the Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro 1:1 is one of the best macro lenses on the market, comfortably outperforming its legendary predecessor with the same focal length.

The 90mm f/2.8 Di USD VC updates Tamron's ‘classic' 90mm macro, and comes bursting with new features. It comes in Nikon, Canon and Sony mounts and fits APS-C and full-frame D-SLRs, although the Sony version doesn't feature Vibration Compensation (VC) due to the built-in IS in Sony bodies.

Tamron 90mm macro lens: Rebirth of a classic with a legacy of superior optical performance, enhanced VC functionality and advanced features

With a retail price difference of around $200 between the F004 and the F017, many users may wonder if there's a reason to buy one over the other. When you compare the specifications, you see that the the two are almost identical, and we had managed to test the F004, my guess is that you'd see almost...