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Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

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  • Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

    'Snaarman' waxes lyrical about his Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens, and produces excellent results with it.

    I have the Zuiko 50mm f2 macro and Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro lenses. Is the Tamron likely to be any better than the ones I already have (I know the Tamron will be manual only)?

    Jim

  • #2
    Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

    No not necessarily. In fact initially it could produce worse results until you are familiar enough with it to realise its potential.
    I'll tell you what if you ever decide to sell your Sigma 150mm f2.8 lens I'm your man.


    "Always shoot in RAW and avoid JPEGs"

    William Shakespeare.

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    • #3
      Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

      Yes - I think it is a great lens. It was a legend in it's time and it still produces the goods even in the digital age. The build quality of the original all metal f2.5 version is just amazing and it is almost a privilege to use it.

      OK, lyrical wax over.

      It does have one significant flaw. It was designed for film - not glass fronted sensors. If you point it at a strongly back-lit subject a tiny percentage of the light comes back off the sensor and hits the Tamron's rear element. This is shaped so the small proportion that heads back to the sensor second time round is formed into a blue white hot spot. Stopping down the lens tends to make the spot smaller and more visible. Grrr.

      This is an irritating weakness in an otherwise fantastic lens. Also, they have quite a following and are not cheap

      Pete
      Look, I'm an old man. I shouldn't be expected to put up with this.


      Pete's photoblog Misleading the public since 2010.

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      • #4
        Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

        Thanks for the information.

        Have you ever made a comparison with the Zuiko 50mm or Sigma 150mm, Pete?

        Jim

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        • #5
          Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

          "I have the Zuiko 50mm f2 macro and Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro lenses. Is the Tamron likely to be any better than the ones I already have."

          The answer to this is probably no. As to whether you would enjoy using it and get comparable result, then probably yes. I use manual lenses all the time now, not because they are better but because it means you have to be more involved with your photography. Also i would not be able to afford to buy 4/3 lenses. If i owned the Sigma and Olympus macro lenses then i would probably use them, but would i have as much fun probably not.

          Steve
          http://www.flickr.com/photos/smj41/

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          • #6
            Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

            I'm never selling mine, it's served me well for a couple of decades.
            It's the image that's important, not the tools used to make it.

            David M's Photoblog

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            • #7
              Re: Do I need a Tamron 90mm f2.5 macro lens?

              Originally posted by Jim Ford View Post
              Thanks for the information.

              Have you ever made a comparison with the Zuiko 50mm or Sigma 150mm, Pete?

              Jim
              No, sorry. I have used the Nikon 50mm E 1.8, and the Hexanon 40mm - both I think highly regarded and I rate it as better than those..

              Pete
              Look, I'm an old man. I shouldn't be expected to put up with this.


              Pete's photoblog Misleading the public since 2010.

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