In 1979, TAMRON unveiled its groundbreaking 90mm macro lens, SP 90mm F/2.5 (Model 52B). During that time, the use of macro lenses was mainly limited to the copying of documents. When photographers were clamouring for a mid-telephoto lens with a short MOD (Minimum Object Distance), TAMRON delivered a truly revolutionary product. The Model 52B combined macro functionality with stunning bokeh and exceptional image quality, making it a versatile choice for general photography. Nicknamed “Tamukyu,” a portmanteau of two Japanese words, it quickly gained acclaim, particularly among nature photographers and portrait enthusiasts. TAMRON continued to innovate in response to evolving photographic needs, releasing subsequent models such as the SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 (Model 272E) and SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004).

In 2016, TAMRON launched the SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F017), a further refinement of the Model F004. The digital-compatible coating technology, combined with its soft, natural bokeh and sharp detail rendering, continues to be favoured by many photographers today. Fast forward to 2024, the 45th anniversary of the first generation. TAMRON proudly introduces a highly anticipated mirrorless version of this iconic 90mm macro lens, the 90mm F/2.8 Di III MACRO VXD (Model F072). This lens continues TAMRON’s legacy of beloved brilliant performance with cutting-edge technology to forge a new chapter in the history of TAMRON’s 90mm macro lens.

■ Macro shooting at 1:1 magnification that immerses you in the macro world

Objects captured with this lens are recorded on the camera’s image sensor at the same size as they are in real life. The F2.8 brightness and unique world view of a macro lens allow you to express an engaging bokeh effect.

TAMRON’s 90mm macro lenses have long been celebrated for their high resolution and beautiful bokeh. The new 90mm F2.8 MACRO lens, designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, reinforces this legacy via a rigorous optical simulation process during its development. This lens offers unparalleled resolution from the centre to the edges, and delivers soft, velvety blurred bokeh and a three-dimensional effect that highlights the subject. The optical construction features 15 elements in 12 groups, including four special glass LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements that effectively suppress the tendency of light ray divergence and provide excellent correction for both spherical and chromatic aberration. The BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating significantly minimises ghosting and flare, ensuring that even in backlit conditions, the finest details of the subject are captured with clarity and accuracy. Plus, this lens is highly corrected for superior flat-field resolution, ideal for flat subjects such as documents and coins, ensuring edge-to-edge sharpness and minimal distortion. This quality is especially important when shooting close-up images where depth of field is too shallow to neutralise the loss of sharpness that could otherwise occur at the extreme edges. This superb optical performance lets photographers explore unique photographic expressions across diverse photographic pursuits, not only for macro photography of flowers and insects but also for a wide variety of genres such as landscapes, portraits and snowflake photography.

This is TAMRON’s first 12-blade circular aperture and will deliver a superb bokeh, with nearly a perfect circular aperture opening, when wide open. Also, the magnification ratio will perform 1:1 to 1:4 magnification at 0.23-0.49m (9.1-19.3in) focus range.
The lens also suppresses vignetting in the four corners of the image. Composed entirely of bokeh-friendly spherical lens elements that minimize onion ring bokeh, this lens lets you to enjoy exquisite circular bokeh.
In addition, the 12-blade design produces 12 rays for exquisite starburst effects when the aperture is stopped down, making it ideal for capturing dramatic scenes that include point-sources of light, such as birthday cake candles and evening cityscapes.

The 90mm F2.8 MACRO is a mid-telephoto macro lens with a maximum aperture of F2.82 and an overall length of 126.5mm (5in). With a maximum diameter of only 79.2mm, the lens fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and is easy to hold, making it compact enough to take everywhere. It’s also light in weight at 630g (22.2oz), making it more pleasant to carry for long periods of time.

1 Length and weight are for Sony E-mount lenses.
2 For Nikon Z mount, the effective F-number value will be displayed.

The 90mm F2.8 MACRO is compatible with the dedicated TAMRON Lens Utility software (for PC and Android™ ³ OS) that was developed in-house by TAMRON⁴. This software allows various lens and camera settings to be assigned to the Focus Set Button located on the lens. Also, the lens’s firmware⁵ can be updated when necessary. TAMRON Lens Utility Mobile, which uses a smartphone, is especially useful for macro photography where a tripod is often used.
New functions exclusive to the mobile version have also been added from this model. Users may customise functions of the lens or utilise unique features and enjoy various still photography and videography, thereby providing a more personalised and fulfilling shooting experience.

■ Recommended features of the 90mm F2.8 MACRO

• MF Method:
  You can easily fine-tune your focus by adjusting the focus ring. Customising the rotation angle of the focusing ring facilitates fine focusing in MF (in this case, it is possible to set a rotation angle up to 720-degree). In the micro world, where precision is paramount, manual focus adjustment is essential. By utilising this function, you can make settings that are more delicate and suitable for you.

• A-B Focus:
  You can shift the focus back and forth between two preset focus positions that have been recorded beforehand. If you shoot video utilising this function, moving the focus point creates movement in the image, allowing you to enjoy a macro view of the world that you would not normally be able to see.

The AF drive uses TAMRON’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism. This AF system allows comfortable focusing from the MOD through infinity with high-speed and high-precision performance that represents the highest level in TAMRON’s history. A high degree of focus precision in steps of 0.005mm, less than one-tenth the width of a human hair. Tracking performance for moving objects is also outstanding, making it perfect for shooting subjects that move in unpredictable ways such as children and butterflies. These features ensure you can capture once-in-a-lifetime photos in sharp focus. In addition, because the quiet operation of the linear motor system is nearly silent, the lens can be used with confidence when shooting still images or video in quiet settings. This high-performance AF demonstrates its advantages and prowess in various types of macro photography situations.

Nearly all TAMRON mirrorless lenses have a 67mm filter size. This allows users to use the same filter among a wide range of lenses. PL and ND filters are typically expensive, so sharing saves money. Additionally, this eliminates the need to search for caps with different diameters when switching lenses. All lenses in this series are compact, lightweight and extremely portable, making it easier when carrying multiple lenses at the same time.

■ For Sony E-mount includes:

• Fast-Hybrid AF
• Eye AF
• Direct Manual Focus (DMF)
• In-camera lens correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion)
• AF Assist