| Latest Review Posted | Tamron Adaptall-2 SP (52B/52BB) 90mm F2.5
I had been looking for a longer macro to compliment my Mamiya Sekor 60mm f2.8 for awhile. I didn't have a lot of money to sink into a newer autofocus lens, so I was watching for something like an M 100mm f4, or one of these Tamron Adaptalls. When I found a 52BB model in excellent condition at a good price, I jumped on it.
This lens seems to be one of the most popular Adaptall primes for people to buy. I've had good luck with the "SP" (Super Performance) line of Adaptalls in the past. The SP 180mm f2.5 and SP 300mm f2.8 are two of my favorite lenses. The 180mm is essentially faultless and the 300mm is almost perfect (occasionally, it would suffer some nervous bokeh which was the only downside I could find on that one optically).
The SP 90mm f2.5 isn't quite up to the level of those two lenses, but it isn't far behind. I think the biggest thing that surprised me about the lens was how soft it was wide open. With the two Adaptalls I listed above, I never hesitate to shoot wide open if I have to. I don't feel that way about the 90mm. It's better to stop it down to at least f4 if possible. That being said at f4 it's a sharp lens, and by f5.6, it's outresolving the K-5's sensor.
The lens makes up for it's wide open softness in other ways, though. The colors are very, very nice indeed. Keep in mind that this is a lens that you really need to use a deep hood for, though. Flare can rob contrast and color "punch" if you're not using a hood. Despite the good... |
