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First Look
Tamron’s SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di Macro (1:1)
A Lens With Breathing Room
By George Schaub • September, 2004
Macro
photography takes all shapes and forms, and covers a wide range of subject
matter from nature to abstract to collectibles’ cataloging. While
you can get into the macro realm using supplemental lenses (essentially
magnifying glass that you screw onto the lens like any other filter),
extension tubes (which mount between the lens and camera body), or with
lenses that promise “macro” range focusing but don’t
get you closer than 1:3, the preferred option and ultimate image quality
is obtained from working with a prime lens that gets you as close as 1:1
without additions to the light path. The 1:1 term refers to what’s
called the “reproduction ratio,” or what ratio of life size
to image size is obtained in the eyepiece. In film terms it’s easy
to express—photograph a dime at 1:1 and you should be able to drop
that dime onto the film and the diameter will be the same. In digital
terms, where you can’t drop a dime on the sensor, it’s getting
close enough to see as if you were shooting at 1:1.
Tamron’s latest version of their famed 90mm 1:1 macro now has the
“Di” appellation, which means that the lens is highly corrected
to deliver optimum image quality for a digital sensor. Of course, it can
be used on a film camera as well. When used on a film camera the 90mm
focal length holds true; when used on most digital SLRs (those with an
APS-C size sensor) it will deliver a 140mm focal length. While there are
shorter focal length macros available, most agree that having the longer
focal length allows for greater shooting freedom, especially when working
with nature subjects or under lighting conditions where cast shadows from
the photographer or rig can pose a problem. In essence, it gives you more
breathing room, especially with “live” subjects.
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©
2004 George Schaub, All Rights Reserved
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The new lens works in both
manual and autofocus. There’s a very handy and easy autofocus to
manual focus function on the lens (available for Nikon and Canon autofocus
mounts only). You just slide the outer ring back and forth to switch between
the two. This comes in handy when shooting complex nature close-ups, where
the autofocus might get snagged on a part of the image that was not intended
to be the sharpest in the scene. Using Depth Of Field (DOF) preview on
any body is suggested, as the aperture range is f/2.8-f/32, allowing you
to make many variations on a close-up scene. The difference between shooting
at f/2.8 and f/32 is profound, especially when the range of sharpness
at 1:1 even at f/32 might be an inch or two.
Of course, you need not always shoot at such close-up ranges, and Tamron’s
90mm has earned a rightful reputation for delivering crisp images for
both macro and general-purpose photography. That 90mm focal length is
great for candids and even formal portraiture.
At a list price of $850.99 (we’ve seen it for around $500 street),
the Tamron is a lens that everyone who loves macro photography will treasure.
We worked with it in a garden during the height of spring and found ourselves
lost in the amazing worlds it reveals. It’s available in Nikon AF-D,
Canon AF, Minolta AF-D, and Pentax AF mounts.
For more information, visit Tamron’s website at: www.Tamron.com.
Technical Specifications
Lens Construction: 10 elements, nine groups
Angle Of View: 27Þ
Diaphragm Blades: Nine
Macro RR: 1:1
Filter Size: 55mm
Aperture Range: f/2.8-f/32
Weight: 14.3 oz
Size: 2.8x3.8” (unextended)
Price: $850.99 (list); around $500 (street)
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