Tamron announced its highly anticipated and newest lens for Nikon Z and Sony E mount, the 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD, on October 24, 2024, at $699/$949 CAD. Tamron is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the 90mm macro and building on its performance legacy with cutting-edge technology, inviting you to explore the possibilities in this latest lens.
High Optical Performance
Tamron has been known for its 90mm macro, high resolution, and bokeh—the new 90mm f/2.8 Macro for mirrorless continues this legacy. The 90mm f/2.8 macro offers high-resolution performance from the center to the edges while delivering soft bokeh to highlight the subject. Sporting 15 elements in 12 groups, including four special glass LD (low dispersion) lens elements, it will suppress the tendency of light ray divergence while providing excellent correction for both spherical and chromatic aberration. The BBAR-2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coating will significantly minimize ghosting and flare, even in backlit conditions. Photographers who shoot APS-C format will also be able to enjoy this lens, giving them an equivalent of approximately 135mm with a minimum aperture of f/2.8.
Outstanding Flat-field Performance
The 90mm f/2.8 Macro is highly corrected for superior flat-field resolution—ideal for photographing subjects like documents, currency, artwork, and product packaging. This quality is essential if you are shooting close-up images where the depth of field is too shallow to neutralize the loss of sharpness that could otherwise occur at the extreme edges of a flat subject. Due to it being highly corrected, the lens will provide edge-to-edge sharpness and uniform illumination across the frame with minimal distortion.
Tamron’s First 12-Blade Circular Aperture
Tamron introduced its first 12-blade circular aperture in the 90mm f/2.8 Macro, which sets a new standard for circular bokeh. With a maximum magnification of 1:1 to 1:4, the diaphragm will ensure the bokeh remains perfectly circular with a wide-open aperture. The lens also suppresses vignetting in all four corners of the image. The 12-blade design produces 12 rays for a starburst effect with a stopped-down aperture, ideal for images with pinpoint light sources.
Compact Size
The 90mm f/2.8 sports a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a length of only five inches! With a maximum diameter of only 79.2 mm, this lens will fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to hold. It is a compact macro lens for on-the-go shooting, and its lightweight 22.2 oz (630 g) will make it a joy to carry for long periods.
New Hood Design with Sliding Window
The included lens hood sports a new design with a sliding window. This will help with easier filter operation. Filters like a polarizer and neutral density require rotation to adjust their effects; usually, the lens hood must be removed. The new design will allow photographers to rotate these filters easily through the sliding window.
The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro will feature the proprietary TAMRON Lens Utility™ software, which allows for lens function customization and firmware updates. The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 also boasts high-speed and high-precision autofocus with superb tracking performance.
High Convenience and Operability
- 67 mm filter size, same as most other Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras
- Focus set button for assigning camera functions and TAMRON Lens Utility functions
- Focus limiter switch for faster focusing during AF shooting and quick refocusing on subjects
- Precise torque for accurate MF operation
- Enhanced overall lens design for user-friendly operation
Specifications
- Model: F072
- Focal Length: 90mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Angle of View (diagonal): 27°2' (for full frame mirrorless format)
- Optical Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
- Minimum Object Distance: 9.1" / 0.23 m
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:1
- Filter Size: Ø67 mm
- Maximum Diameter: Ø79.2 mm
- Length:
- 5" (126.5 mm) for Sony
- 5.1" (128.5 mm) for Nikon
- Weight:
- 22.2 oz (630 g) for Sony
- 22.6 oz (640 g) for Nikon
- Aperture Blades: 12 (circular diaphragm)
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Standard Accessories: Round-shaped hood with filter effect control window, front and rear caps
- Mount: Sony E mount, Nikon Z mount
Justin Tedford wrote:
"The lens also suppresses vignetting in all four corners of the image."
This is most encouraging! I have a severe dislike for vignetting, as I want my deepest corners of the image to be just as bright as the center. Great to hear that this was a priority in the design of this lens.
I hope this prioritization of no vignette at all starts to be incorporated into other new lenses ..... light weight and low cost has become too big of a priority, and this has resulted in a whole generation of lenses that have fairly strong vignettes. Would love to see this trend get corrected.
I personally like a little vignette. I agree this is very encouraging! Thanks for the comment.
I wonder why they can’t get higher magnification ratios like Laowa does with 2:1. Same for Sony. Why only 1:1?
Good question! I think they are not going to recreate the wheel and the 90mm has been around by forever. I love to see a 2:1! Thanks for the comment!
I think that Tamron is just reiterating a common lens with basic specs to fit the new Nikon and Sony mounts, as opposed to being innovative and creating a whole new lens with more advanced specs and capabilities.
Personally, there are so many 1:1 lenses out there in the 90-105mm range that there is no one reason that is compelling enough for me to choose this particular one. But if someone made a 2:1 lens in this range that still had autofocus and infinity focus, then I would definitely choose that one, even if the cost were significantly higher. Why? Because for many of the photos I want to take, my 1:1 macro doesn't yield anywhere near enough magnification, and I really hate using converters and extension tubes.