Tamron SP 90/2.8 Di VC Macro (vers II/017)

It is a macro lens i put onto my "list" of interesting lenses for my photography. It isn't written in stone (nor are the other two lenses on my list, eying the Mamiya Sekor Z Macro 140mm ƒ4.5 and the Pentax 67 SMC 55mm ƒ4 lenses).

I often go kind of back-and-forth, simply because i sometimes realize all that, I not really need. And back off. Then - I can put it onto my list again to see if it still stands - and then put it away again *LOL*

Now that being said, why is this lens (with Canon EF mount) interesting ? Because it is a sharp macro, and it supposedly covers the Fujifilm GFX 4:3 image sensor all the way into the corners at ƒ5.6 ! That sounds promising.

Important (internal focus on this one)

One for me crucial aspect with the Tamron Macro lens is, that it focus internally. The lens does not extend when you focus - while my Sigma Macro 70/2.8 extends when changing focus

Now why is this important ? Because of SCANNING mediumformat negatives.

Here the Sigma extends while "hanging" onto the huge VALOI Easy120 device it is connected to via the front moving lens part. This is not ideal to say the least !! It makes (manual) focusing a rather choppy task. It works, but it is at times iffy an bogs down onto the lens mechanism at the worst (albeit nothing has happened this far). The Sigma ART 70/2.8 does have vignetting in the utmost, extreme borders. It is very little and can easily be cropped alt. corrected.

The Tamron SP 90 Macro should show less vignetting (and if it does, in a more diffuse way). As the Tamron SP 45/1.8 lens does; which is a marvel in quality, smoothness and lack of vignetting when stopped down. (I usually focus it manually on the Fujifilm GFX camera).

So, I might get the aforementioned SP Tamron VC lens for around 4100 SEK / 360 € here in Sweden, if it hasn't been sold until 28 March.

On eBay the price is a lot steeper

due to Swedish tax, import and shipping added. Often around 6500 kr - which i consider to be too high for a second hand lens made in 2016 with a Canon EF mount, that is about to go out, as no more dSLR's are produced by anyone, except Pentax. They all gone mirrorless.

Never had a 90-100 mm macro lens

True is, that i do not have any classic 90-100 mm macro lens for my Canon's. (I never considered it to be crucial, and preferred the Sigma 70mm Macro lenses; Highly affordable, and razor sharp. Especially the Sigma ART (EF) 70/2.8 is a stunner !)

Tamron SP 90 mm ƒ2.8 turns into...

the equivalent of a 70mm lens mounted on the Fujifilm GFX, due to the larger sensor. Kind of like a short portrait lens, if you like. Apparently the Tamron is excellent in both macro mode, as well at infinity. So, i can use it on my Canon EOS cameras, as well on the Fujifilm GFX camera.

What is there not to like ?

It appears that the whole Tamron SP VC series (EF-mount), works optically utterly well on a Fujifilm GFX camera. Especially in regards of vignetting, as it is almost absent. Which is pretty rare with fullframe lenses on Fujifilm GFX cameras. Almost all others have more or less vignetting issues.

Note however, I am mainly talking about manual focus and vignetting. And yes, there are occasionally bit of chromatic aberration left, but not much / not often. Sharpness is good. Softer when using it at wide open apertures, and sharper when stopped down.

Of all the adapted lenses I have used, I must say the Tamron SP 45/1.8 VC was this far the best fullframe lens on GFX in terms of even illumination, as well absence of vignetting (especially when stopped down). I can't speak of the SP 35mm, SP 85mm and SP 90mm Macro (EF-Mount) - as I have not tested them in real life., but i have heard positive arguments in favor of adapting them onto the Fujifilm GFX.