syousef's reviews

  • Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 SP AF

    5 out of 10 points and not recommended
    With AF fine tuning maxed out it is very sharp for portraits. Excellent macro results if focused manually
    Focus completely off and only corrected with maximum AF fine-tune. Not usable on my older DSLRs. Concerns dismissed by Ebay seller and Tamron support. Not economical to fix so must use as is.

    It is extremely disappointing that the AF is so badly off because if my copy wasn't so miscalculated it would be a great lens. Once AF fine tune is maxed out on my D7100, the lens is good. I initially bought the non-Di version and had a lot of trouble with it, so returned that copy. I then bought this Di lens through grey import channels at a reasonable price. That turned out to be a mistake. My communication with the seller was pointless and I was directed to email Tamron in Australia and Japan. On communicating with Tamron that I was having issues getting a sharp image especially in portraits I was told that this is not a portrait lens and that I should use it only for macro. At the time of my communication I only had Nikon D70s and D90 bodies, which do not support AF fine tune. The lens went into the cupboard for 2-3 years until I eventually bought a D7100. On fiddling with the fine tune, eventually maxing it out, I found I could reliably get sharp images at any distance. Please note that I own other f/1.8 glass (35mm and 50mm) and that I have no trouble nailing focus with those lenses wide open with a decent keeper rate. I now own three Tamron lenses and I will be very reluctant to purchase a fourth. Buying this lens is a gamble unless you know you can return it for full refund without jumping through hoops. Camera and lens service being what it is in Australia doesn't help the situation.

    reviewed March 14th, 2016 (purchased for $389)