Review Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272EN II

On the official website of Tamron lens Tamron SP AF 90mm F / 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E (EN II) called portrait macro and this is true.

Tamron 272ENII

Tamron 272ENII

It so happens that Tamron still does not have a classic high-aperture class 85 1.2 \ 1.4 \ 1.8 \ 2.0 or similar portrait lens, but it does have some interesting macro lenses. If it is important aperture lens, and not its macro capability, it is best to look at the following models:

The difference between 90 and 85 mm focal length is quite difficult to feel. Of course, if in this lens it is macro photography that is of interest, then this lens will be just right.

In November 2012, the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E was supplemented with a similar lens - Tamron USD DI SP 90mm F / 2.8 VC MACRO 1: 1 F004 Ultrasonic Silent Drive. Also, note that the lens is available for different systems: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax.

Example photo on a Tamron 90 2.8 lens

Example photo on a Tamron 90 2.8 lens

Main technical specifications of Tamron SP AF 90mm F / 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E:

Review Instance Name Tamron SP AF 90mm F / 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 (box contains model number 272EN II)
Basic properties
  • Di (for Digital) - a lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • SP (Super Performance) - the high performance inherent to the professional Tamron line of lenses
  • AF (Auto Focus) - support for auto focus. The lens has a built-in micro focus motor.
  • lack of an aperture control ring, analog Nikon G (including the transmission of the focus distance)
  • Full \ Limit - focusing distance limiter
  • AF-M - focus mode switch
  • Macro 1: 1 - Possibility of macro photography with a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 1 ('real macro').
Front Filter Diameter 55 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 90 mm, EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 135 mm
Zoom ratio 1 x
Designed by for digital cameras Nikon FX
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals
Tags window with a focus distance scale in meters and feet, depth of field scale for F / 16 and F / 32. Hood mount label and bayonet mount label.
Diaphragm During focusing to infinity from F / 2.8 to F / 32. While focusing on MDF from F / 5.6 to F / 64.
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.29 m, maximum magnification ratio is 1: 1
The weight 409
Optical design 10 elements in 9 groups without the use of any special elements.

Optical design TAMRON SP AF MACRO 90mm 1: 2.8 72EThe optical design is similar to models 72B, 72E, 172E.

Lens hood bayonet type, model name not found
Manufacturer country MADE IN JAPAN
Period Since 2008. Has been replaced / supplemented by version Tamron 90mm F / 2.8 Di VC USD Macro
Price View ->

Note: until 2008, the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 lens model was produced 272E, which was then replaced by the modern Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 model 272E (on the box for the Nikon version it says 272ENII) from this review. The old lens model did not have a built-in focus motor, but had an aperture control ring.

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Focusing

Lens Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E has a built-in focus motor that allows you to automatically focus on any Nikon cameras. I used it without any problems Tamron SP AF 90mm F / 2.8 Di MACRO even on the simplest non-powered camera Nikon D40. True, the lens uses an ordinary micro-motor, which works quite loudly (buzzes when focusing), it can not be considered an analogue of quiet and fast Nikon SWM (Silent Wave Motor) motors. The noise of the Tamron SP AF 90mm F / 2.8 Di MACRO motor is comparable to the usual Nikon screwdriver lenses.

The lens feature is focusing distance limiter 'Full \ Limit'. In the Limit position, focusing is available from infinity to 45 cm. In this position, the lens is convenient to use for classic purposes - portrait, landscape, shooting large objects. In the Limit position, a maximum magnification of 1: 3 is available.

In the Full position, the entire focusing distance range from 29 cm to infinity is available. In this position, you can shoot macro and other scenes. True, with autofocus in Full mode, the lens monstrously long focus from MDF to infinity and vice versa.

In general, auto focus on the lens is very slow.

Attention 1:

If you set the focusing distance from 29 to 45 cm in Full mode and then move the limiter from Full to Limit, then the lens in the Limit position can focus only from 29 cm to 45 cm. This position is convenient only for macro shooting.

Attention 2:

If you set focus to 29 cm in Full mode, and then switch the limiter to Limit and start focusing in automatic mode, then when the focusing distance becomes 45 cm, it will be impossible to switch to manual focus mode. This is an unpleasant moment when working with the lens.

The lens, of course, has focus mode switch... The switch is quite unusual. Pull the focusing ring towards you to switch from auto focus mode 'AF' to manual mode 'M'. In order to switch back to automatic mode 'AF', the movement must be reversed. Typically, Tokina lenses have this method of switching the focus mode, for example Tokina AT-X PRO SD 50-135 F2.8 DX N / AIS.

The focus ring is located very conveniently, the ring is rubberized, very wide with a nice grip. In the Limit position, the focus ring rotates 90 degrees; in the Full position, the focus ring rotates about 270 degrees. Manual focusing is quite smooth.

When focusing, the front of the lens extends approximately 6 cm in Full mode, and 3 cm in Limit mode. The front element does not rotate. The lens has a focus distance scale and a depth of field scale. IPIG is indicated for F / 16 and F / 32 only.

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Diaphragm

The lens has a maximum aperture equal to the number F / 2.8, however, here you must definitely indicate that such aperture only available when focusing at infinity. When focusing from infinity to MDF aperture the lens falls and with MDF the maximum aperture value is already F / 5.6. This means that if you use this lens, for example, for portrait shooting in Limit mode, then you will have to shoot not at F / 2.8, but at F / 3.2-F / 4.0. When focusing, the number F on the camera changes.

At F / 2.8, only a full-length portrait can be shot. A half-length portrait of a person can be shot at a maximum at F / 3.2. This does not mean that the aperture blades close, it only indicates the real value of the number F. This effect is present in almost all macro lenses, but usually the fall of the aperture is not displayed on the lens indicators, and the effect of the drop in the number F is easily taken into account by TTL metering exposure.

Due to the fact that the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E is primarily a macro lens, a very important aspect for it is the ability to control the depth of field when shooting macro, because the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E can close the aperture up to f / 64.

The lens has 9 aperture blades and even when shooting on closed apertures, the discs in the blur zone form a smooth, pleasant bokeh.

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Assembly

An inscription is proudly drawn on the lens Made in Japan... The lenses of the lenses are hidden behind a long tube that serves as a kind of hood. The lenses have a pleasant violet sheen, which indicates the presence of a special coating. The lens is assembled quite well, but the focusing ring and the focus mode switch have a slight backlash. The lens mount is metal. The lens is designated SP, which stands for Super Performance. These lenses, by Tamron's standards, are good performance professional lenses... DI stands for Digitally Integrated and indicates that the lens can be used on full-frame Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Image quality

The lens produces a sharp image in the Limit zone already from the F / 2.8 aperture. There is no problem with the sharpness of the lens. True, on open apertures the lens suffers HA, blooming is especially visible - strong halos on contrasting elements of the image. The lens has no distortion, therefore, it is suitable for portrait photography. The vignette is present on the full frame and open apertures; the vignette can be removed in the graffiti editor. It is very good that the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO tolerates back and side light. The lens boasts very nice bokeh. The transition from the zone of sharpness to the zone of blur occurs very smoothly, such a transition is often called a gradient, that is, one that amplifies or decreases evenly. The effect of a uniform transition from the sharpness zone to the blur zone is easy to see by taking, for example, a photograph of the grid.

UPDATED

Examples of photos on Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E in version for Sony / Minolta cameras photographer with Sony / Konica Minolta A mount Angelica Taranenko (Instagram). She uses a lens with a camera. sona a580. You can find more examples of Angelica’s works in her on VK page, or in her profile at 35photo.

My experience

My lens has very strong back focus (focuses behind the subject) when used on the camera Nikon D700. I am using Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO on D700 when the focus is adjusted to '-15'. On my cameras Nikon D80 и D40 back focus is minimal. I purchased this Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO for portrait shooting as a full-frame portrait lens Nikon D700. I was very upset with the back focus, but a good drawing and the possibility of macro shooting crossed out this drawback. For the money that costs Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO, you can look at another good macro portrait Tokina Macro 100 F2.8 D AT-X PRO N / AIS.

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Example photo on Tamron 90 2.8

Prices for the Tamron 90mm F / 2.8 Di Macro lens in popular online stores can look at this link.

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Results

The Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E is a good macro lens for full frame cameras with the ability to shoot 1 in 1 macro. The Tamron 90 / 2.8 has very nice bokeh because of which it is often used in portrait shooting, and the price tag on the lens is small.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Very important question

 

 

Comments: 86, on the topic: Review of Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272EN II

  • Andrei

    Is tokina 100mm better?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Tokin did not use, I can not tell.

    • Andrei

      no, not better. in my practice, tokina more often have problems with focusing, although by design it will give a head start - how the tank looks =)

      An ideal and most importantly inexpensive option for a beginner macrushniki is still Tamro 90 2,8 =) the minimum focusing distance is about 30 cm, you cannot frighten insects. The stabilizer is just not enough. Suitable for macro, and for portraits and for everything else.
      Before buying, I recommend that you familiarize yourself, the guys checked https://buynbest.ru/luchshij-makroobektiv-nikon/

  • Andrei

    A Tokina 100mm is not better than a 90mm tamron ??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I didn’t use Tokina, I can’t tell you.

      • Alexey

        You got a review of the Tokina 2014 in 100, now can you tell which one is better? Since often from inexpensive macrique 100 mm. the choice is between them two. Thanks in advance!

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Tamron has more pleasant bokeh, Tokina has sharpness and constructiveness. I would take Tokina for a macro, Tamron for a portrait.

  • Petro

    good review. Pleased with the photos. There are portraits :)
    Thank you for another review!

  • Alexander

    At one time I chose a macro lens and the choice was between this and Tamron SP AF 60mm F / 2.0 Di II Macro 1: 1, but still took 60 mm, I did not like the diaphragm in this. By the way, such a joke with an increase in aperture value when approaching an object is also on a 60mm lens, which is probably for all tamrons.

  • Denis Shirinsky

    Nice in Feofania, and November already :-(

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Optical system - 10 elements in 9 groups ... ..

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Corrected. Thanks for attention.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Optical design (of course) - 10 elements in 9 groups ...

  • Alexander

    I read about my lens with great pleasure. As always, a very interesting and informative article (I did not know such subtleties about the Full / Limit switch). I use the lens for macro photography and portraits. Really like. A significant drawback (for me, for sure) is the lack of a stabilizer. All macro shots have to be shot from a tripod.
    The portraits are very good. However, autofocus often misses (Nikon D5100). At about 40-60%. The announcement of the same lens, but with a stabilizer, has already been announced. It would be interesting to try it.
    Thank you very much for your work and for this article in particular!

    • Oleg

      no motor, what kind of autofocus on the D5100?

      • Sergei

        Oleg,
        did you read Arkady’s article above ???

        “Please note that until 2008 the Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272EN lens model was produced, which was later replaced by the modern Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E model (the box says 272EN Ii) from this review. The old lens model did not have a built-in focus motor. ”

  • Jury

    Thanks for the nice review. I also own such a lens. And it also has back focus. Because of this problem, my Nikon D90 was sold and acquired D700. I set the focus correction to -14.

  • Oleg Leonov

    All your reviews, Arkady, sound and interesting, thank you very much! I want a sharp portrait with beautiful bokeh on the D700. drew attention to the Nikon 85mm f / 1.4D AF Nikkor, Nikon 105mm f / 2D AF DC-Nikkor described above Tamron SP AF 90mm 1: 2.8 Di MACRO 1: 1 272E is also interesting, eyes just run up. Your opinion is very curious! Thanks in advance!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      105t will be just right, though they say it’s chromatite)

  • Oleg Leonov

    Thanks again! My preferences were also in favor of one hundred and fifth! )))

  • Martha

    Interestingly, but he will sit on Canon? 1100?

  • Tasha

    Hello Arkady !!! Tell me please!!!! I'm (very) interested in the Nikon 60mm f / 2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor lens. I really like macro photography, after looking at a lot of reviews and tests I realized that they can shoot portraits ... well, in general, everything is different))) and now questions arose
    1. Will I be able to shoot them in the room (20kV))) let's say sonny and generally different people)))
    2. Since I am in torment so far about buying a carcass (I choose d7000 or d5100) for which one it is preferable.
    3. well, maybe my question will seem ridiculous to you, but there is simply no one to ask it))) as a standard plus legs, will he cope? ... well, I just really liked it and it costs a lot. In general, choosing from two cameras I decided to go from namely the lens.
    Thank you for being there !!!)))
    (By the way, are you going to do a review of this unit by chance?)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. On a cropped camera you can not, or it will be difficult
      2. D7000 is preferred
      3. As a staff member will be a weak decision
      If someone submits for review, I will.

  • Tasha

    Thank you!

  • Denis

    Hello Arkady. There is such a problem with this lens. Tell me if you know anything.
    Nikon d7000 camera tamron 90 2.8 lens. When autofocus is on, the lens works fine, turned off autofocus on the lens (turned the focus ring on itself), took a photo in manual mode, everything is also okay, but switching back to the automatic mode, the lens refuses to focus (the backlight also does not work and the focus mode selection button does not respond) ) Then after a few minutes or even seconds, everything returns to normal until the next switch to manual focus. Lens with a motor. Thank you in advance.

  • sergei

    One of my favorite lenses, since I photograph with a pentax, I have the opportunity to use this lens with a stabilizer.

  • Catherine

    Good day! Maybe I missed something, but is there any
    the lens aperture ring?

  • Svetlana

    Berries on a grid background - a wonderful photo! Plastic.

  • Ella

    Your photos are truly terrible, this beautiful lens shoots much better, and your photos presented here are just a shame. Not ashamed to spread it all?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No, not ashamed.

    • Amatich

      In vain you are so to Arkady. Good photos.

    • The

      For those for whom this site is addressed, this is normal.

    • Axon

      Photos here have only one component - technical. The author shamefully distorts the idea of ​​the review, a usual malicious provocation. Arkady, your competitors noticed you ..))

  • kat

    I plan to buy a portrait lens for my nikon d7000. and now I almost pulled myself together and wanted to take the Nikon 85mm f1.8D. as I saw the review of this Tamron ...
    now confused ...
    tell me plz.

    • US6IBD

      I am writing to those who are reading the review at this time and are asking the same question.
      The Tamron 90 / 2,8 is razor sharp and is not suitable for portraits of women without post-processing. Too emphasizes skin imperfections: wrinkles, pores, etc. Women are horrified when they see in-camera Jpeg. But the character portraits of men, especially of the elderly, are amazing.
      Nikon 85 / 1,8 (D / G) - More suitable for portraiture, but better to have both.

  • Yah

    Hello Arkady, I had such a problem with this lens and I beg you to help me
    I use Nikon3200
    bought the same lens 272 EN II
    however, to the horror just mow auto focus
    what can you say about this
    Sorry for the question and thank you for your attention.

  • Denis

    Focusing Issues:
    The Nikon autofocus system assumes that the carcass itself tells the lens how much to rotate the lens motor, and this is the reason for Nikon in the viewfinder to have an autofocus point. When adjusting the software, you should drive corrections for this particular lens.
    1 give the lens and the carcass for alignment (the consequence is to buy subsequent lenses only when testing, especially if you have younger carcasses D5 ..., D3 ..., without the possibility of focus correction in the carcass itself)
    2 You can adjust the carcass itself, or rather the autofocus system, if there is approximately the same back or front focus with all lenses, this is done by mechanical correction of the AF board, I strongly advise you not to do this at home.
    3 Set up a temporary correction using the service software, only make backup of all settings in advance. And if necessary, return everything to its place. (In the factory software there are a bunch of settings for corrections for each AF point, this is not possible to do on the knee, so I do not advise you to climb without knowing the case)
    A friend takes pictures on the d5100 and as a rule I know the corrections for all the lenses that we have, and if necessary I drive them into the carcass. I myself take pictures on the d7100 and I have no crap, which is what I want for you.)
    4 Buy a camera with the possibility of adjusting the autococus directly from the carcass.

  • anonym

    I bought this lens. In general, everything is super, the only thing that is not pleasant is that when focusing the aperture closes and in fact f2.8 never happens in portrait photography 3.2 - 4

  • Anna

    Arkady, thank you very much for your review. I have a Nikon D90, I'm thinking about buying a macro lens, in particular, about such a Tamron. Tell the "teapot" how do you correct for "-15"?

  • Anna

    The “kettle” seems to have figured it out (((you can't make such an amendment on Nikon d90, because the camera does not have fine-tuning autofocus, which is present in d7000 ... It's a pity, but I won't dare to buy Taron, although the price is tempting ...

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