Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 72E

Macro lens • Film era • Discontinued

  • Announced:
  • · February 1996
  • Production status:
  • ● Discontinued
  • Country of design:
  • · Japan
  • Original name:
  • · TAMRON SP AF MACRO 90mm 1:2.8 72E
  • Class:
  • · Fast full-frame macro lens
  • · Professional model

Abbreviations

SP Professional lens with high quality optics and robust build. Meets the highest standards and provides excellent performance and flawless image quality unachievable with traditional optical technologies.
MACRO Macro lens. Designed specially for shooting close-ups of small subjects but can be also used in other genres of photography, not necessarily requiring focusing at close distances. Learn more

Sample photos (4)

Canon EOS 5D @ ISO 1250, 1/640 sec. 90mm F/5. kamonegi_jp, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamonegi_jp/
F/5
Canon EOS 5D @ ISO 1250, 1/400 sec. 90mm F/10. kamonegi_jp, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamonegi_jp/
F/10
Canon EOS 5D @ ISO 1000, 1/125 sec. 90mm F/7.1. kamonegi_jp, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamonegi_jp/
F/7.1
Canon EOS 5D @ ISO 400, 1/250 sec. 90mm F/2.8. kamonegi_jp, https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamonegi_jp/
F/2.8

Model history (6)

■Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Macro 72B [Adaptall-2] • 1:1A10 - 90.29m⌀55 1996 ●
■Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 72E • 1:1A10 - 90.29m⌀55 1996 ●
■Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 172E • 1:1A10 - 90.29m⌀55 2000 ●
■Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272E • 1:1A10 - 90.29m⌀55 2004 ●
—Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272EN II • 1:1 2008 ●
■Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F004 • 1:1A14 - 110.30m⌀58 2012 ●
■Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F017 • 1:1A14 - 110.30m⌀62 2016 ●

Specification

Optical design:
35mm full frame
90mm
F/2.8
10 elements in 9 groups
Canon EF [44mm]
Minolta/Sony A [44.5mm]
Nikon F [46.5mm]
Pentax K [45.5mm]
27° (35mm full frame)
On Canon EOS APS-C [1.59x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:
143.1mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:
F/4.5 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:
17.2°
On Sony DSLR-A/SLT-A APS-C [1.53x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:
137.7mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:
F/4.3 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:
17.8°
On Nikon D APS-C [1.53x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:
137.7mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:
F/4.3 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:
17.8°
On Pentax K APS-C [1.53x] cameras:
35mm equivalent focal length:
137.7mm (in terms of field of view)
35mm equivalent speed:
F/4.3 (in terms of depth of field)
Diagonal angle of view:
17.8°
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:
Automatic
Aperture control:
None; the aperture is controlled from the camera (Canon EF, Minolta/Sony A)
Aperture ring (Manual settings + Auto Exposure setting) (Nikon F, Pentax K)
9 (nine)
Focusing:
0.29m
0.095m
1:1
Focusing modes:
Autofocus (A), Manual focus (M)
Autofocus motor:
Micromotor (Canon EF)
In-camera motor (Nikon F, Minolta/Sony A, Pentax K)
Manual focus control:
Focusing ring
Focus mode selector:
Sigma Dual Focus System (Canon EF)
Focus Clutch Mechanism (Nikon F, Minolta/Sony A, Pentax K)
Manual focus override in autofocus mode:
-
Focusing distance range limiter:
FULL / 0.29m - 0.43m / 0.43m - INF
Vibration Compensation (VC):
-
Physical characteristics:
403g (Nikon F)
⌀71×97mm (Nikon F)
Accessories:
Screw-type 55mm
C9FH - Bayonet-type round
<No data>

Source of data

  • Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description #1

PMA '96, Las Vegas, NV -- Tamron Industries, Inc., the U.S. division of Tamron Co., Ltd., Japan, announces a remarkable new lens that features 1:1 life size macro and achieves superior image quality in a compact chassis. The new SP 90mm F/2.8 lens is available in both autofocus (model 72E) and manual focus (model 72B) versions.

The AF SP 90mm F/2.8 is available in Canon EOS, Minolta Maxxum and Nikon-D models and is designed to be completely compatible with all the camera's features. The manual focus model comes with Tamron's exclusive Adaptall interchangeable mount system which means this superb lens can be used on an extensive variety of manual focus cameras.

Design engineers at Tamron were faced with the daunting task of improving their own design of the legendary SP 90mm F/2.5, which set the world standard of medium telephoto/macro lenses. Improving the performance to exceed the standard was just one of several key goals Tamron's engineers set for this new lens design. They wanted to make the lens more compact and lightweight for increased portability which is essential for location shooting. A manual focus override feature was also critical because the autofocus feature can be limiting when subtle and exact focusing is required. It was also important to achieve the 1:1 life size macro capability deemed necessary by most photographers. The new SP 90mm F/2.8 is the pinnacle of achievement. The lens delivers higher image quality while remaining compact and lightweight.

The SP 90mm F/2.8 offers a variety of optical features which give the lens outstanding performance:

  • 1:1 Macro in a compact chassis. Generally a larger stroke of movement of the lens groups is required to achieve 1:1 life size. However, this new 90mm from Tamron is designed to suppress the movement of such groups of elements to a minimum, resulting in overall compactness of the lens barrel.
  • Superb image quality with high contrast. Using a sophisticated optical design approach, high contrast is attained in the low frequency range, which contributes to delivering excellent resolution and crisp images all the way across the film plane from center to corner.
  • Soft out-of focus background effect. The combination of a nine-blade diaphragm construction and aberration compensation in the total optical system creates an ideal blurred effect in the background; a feature that made Tamron's 90mm so highly reputed as a superior portrait lens.
  • New BBAR coating. A new BBAR (Broad-Band Anti Reflection) coating is applied, improving the transmission in the shorter wavelength range while expanding the dynamic range toward the longer wavelength range. This results in a razor sharp image with excellent color saturation and balance.
  • Lens Hood designed to accommodate use of filters. By virtue of the lens construction, shading effect is provided in conjunction with the barrel extension. An exclusive bayonet hood is supplied in order to insure efficient cut-off of harmful stray light when using filters such as a polarizer, particularly when in macro.

Tamron's design engineers made significant improvements to the optical design to insure outstanding optical performance. Integrating the optical design into a package that was portable and easy to handle was also important to the overall level of lens performance. New and improved mechanical features help the lens achieve its lightweight and compact size while also making the lens easier to operate.

  • The lightest in its class: 14.6 oz. (410g). This lens was designed for active field use as a major macro lens and light weight was essential. Achieving the lightest weight in its class was made possible by the use of ultra-high-precision engineering plastic components; the same type of materials employed in aircraft because of their durability and reliability.
  • New mechanical construction makes it easier to use manual focus. A newly developed focusing ring mechanism allows switch over between Autofocus and Manual focus. Sliding the focusing ring forward cuts off access to the focusing ring rotation while in Auto Focus operation which significantly improves the overall holding balance of the lens. When combined with the sufficient width of the focusing ring itself, focusing is steady and secured.
  • Smooth focusing ring operation. By using a linear helicoidal cam mechanism, the lens focuses smoothly while at the same time prevents the focusing ring from sliding downward when it is set up on a copy stand to shoot documents and/or flat art.
  • New rubber pattern on focusing ring for better handling. A new rubber pattern is employed on the focusing ring to insure a steady and secure grip. Based on human engineering concepts, the pattern was selected to respond to subtle finger movement in the radial direction or AF-MF switch movement in the thrust direction.
  • Focus range selector. A Focus Range Selector switch is incorporated for quicker AF response. The focusing range can be set between 16.9" (43cm) and 16.9" - 11.4" (29cm).

All of these outstanding features make the SP 90mm F/2.8 a remarkable lens in quality and performance. To signify the designation of this lens to the Tamron SP line, a gold line was added to the lens barrel; a mark of distinction that means this lens meets the "gold standard" of higher performance and quality.

Manufacturer description #2

The SP90mm 1:1 macro lens retains the outstanding optical quality provided by the highly rated Tamron SP90mm it succeeds. With emphasis on portability, the lens is now considerably smaller and lighter, measuring 97mm in length and weighing only 403g. It boasts high resolving power and sharp image depiction with ideal background blur. The lens has a new focusing ring clutch which engages and disengages the focusing gear. Now the switch between AF and MF is a simple slide of the focusing ring forward or back. This mechanism and a wide, smooth focusing ring make delicate manual focusing in the macro mode easy and precise.

Focusing Clutch Mechanism

Connection and disconnection of the focusing gears is done by sliding the focus ring back and forth, leaving the ring properly positioned for focusing.

From the editor

The overall length of the lens increases considerably with focusing from infinity to the closest distance.

Canon EF mount version of the lens features Dual Focus for switching the lens between autofocus and manual focus modes. Please refer to the article dedicated to the Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Aspherical RF lens for more information on Dual Focus system.

The front element is deeply recessed inside the lens barrel which eliminates the need for a lens hood. Nevertheless, Tamron offered a deep circular lens hood as a part of the package.

Notes

  • The autofocus will not be available with Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000-D3500, D5000-D5600 digital SLR cameras.

Lenses with similar focal length

■Canon EF mount (13)
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro USM • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.31mPro 2000 ●compare32
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM • ⌀67 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2009 ●compare53
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro • ⌀52 • 1:1 @ 0.31mPro 1990 ●compare11
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43m
akaPhoenix AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaPromaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaSoligor AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaTokina AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaVivitar AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaVoigtlander Macro-Dynar AF 100mm F/3.5 VMC		Pro ●compare41
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro Digital • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43mPro ●compare31
Sigma 90mm F/2.8 Macro ZEN • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.32m
akaQuantaray Tech-10 AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro		Pro 1988 ●compare20
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2004 ●compare10
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 172E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2000 ●compare00
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F004 • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2012 ●compare41
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F017 • ⌀62 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2016 ●compare62
Tokina AT-X Pro AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro D • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2005 ●compare11
Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F/2.8 [IF] Macro • ⌀55 • 1:2 @ 0.35mPro 1992 ●compare12
Tokina atx-i 100mm F/2.8 Macro FF • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2019 ●compare21
■Minolta/Sony A mount (13)
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43m
akaPhoenix AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaPromaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaSoligor AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaTokina AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaVivitar AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaVoigtlander Macro-Dynar AF 100mm F/3.5 VMC		Pro ●compare41
Minolta AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro D • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.35mPro 2000 ●compare21
Minolta AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro RS • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.35mPro 1993 ●compare22
Minolta AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.35mPro 1986 ●compare22
Sigma 90mm F/2.8 Macro ZEN • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.32m
akaQuantaray Tech-10 AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro		Pro 1988 ●compare20
Sony 100mm F/2.8 Macro [SAL100M28] • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.35mPro 2006 ●compare41
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2004 ●compare10
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 172E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2000 ●compare00
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.5 Macro 52E • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.39mPro 1990 ●compare10
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F004 • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2012 ●compare41
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.5 Macro 152E • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.39mPro 1994 ●compare10
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F017 • ⌀62 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2016 ●compare61
Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F/2.8 [IF] Macro • ⌀55 • 1:2 @ 0.35mPro 1992 ●compare12
■Nikon F mount (12)
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43m
akaPhoenix AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaPromaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaSoligor AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaTokina AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaVivitar AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaVoigtlander Macro-Dynar AF 100mm F/3.5 VMC		Pro ●compare41
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro Digital • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43mPro ●compare31
Sigma 90mm F/2.8 Macro ZEN • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.32m
akaQuantaray Tech-10 AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro		Pro 1988 ●compare20
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2004 ●compare10
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 172E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2000 ●compare00
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.5 Macro 52E • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.39mPro 1990 ●compare10
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F004 • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2012 ●compare41
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.5 Macro 152E • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.39mPro 1994 ●compare10
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di [VC] USD Macro F017 • ⌀62 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2016 ●compare61
Tokina AT-X Pro AF 100mm F/2.8 Macro D • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2005 ●compare11
Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F/2.8 [IF] Macro • ⌀55 • 1:2 @ 0.35mPro 1992 ●compare12
Tokina atx-i 100mm F/2.8 Macro FF • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.30mPro 2019 ●compare21
■Nikon F mount (1) · APS-C
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 85mm F/3.5G ED VR • ⌀52 • 1:1 @ 0.286mPro 2009 ●compare51
■Pentax K mount (11)
Cosina AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43m
akaPhoenix AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaPromaster Spectrum 7 AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaSoligor AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaTokina AF 100mm F/3.5 Macro
akaVivitar AF 100mm F/3.5 MC Macro
akaVoigtlander Macro-Dynar AF 100mm F/3.5 VMC		Pro ●compare41
smc Pentax-D FA 100mm F/2.8 Macro WR • ⌀49 • 1:1 @ 0.303mPro 2009 ●compare51
smc Pentax-D FA 100mm F/2.8 Macro • ⌀49 • 1:1 @ 0.303m
akaSchneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 100mm F/2.8 Macro		Pro 2004 ●compare31
smc Pentax-FA 100mm F/2.8 Macro • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.306mPro 1991 ●compare21
smc Pentax-FA 100mm F/3.5 Macro • ⌀49 • 1:2 @ 0.43mPro 1998 ●compare31
smc Pentax-F 100mm F/2.8 Macro • ⌀58 • 1:1 @ 0.306mPro 1987 ●compare21
HD Pentax-D FA 100mm F/2.8 ED AW Macro • ⌀49 • 1:1 @ 0.303mPro 2022 ●compare61
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 272E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2004 ●compare10
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Macro 172E • ⌀55 • 1:1 @ 0.29mPro 2000 ●compare00
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.5 Macro 52E • ⌀52 • 1:2 @ 0.39mPro 1990 ●compare10
Tokina AT-X AF 100mm F/2.8 [IF] Macro • ⌀55 • 1:2 @ 0.35mPro 1992 ●compare12

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