| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Dorset , UK Posts: 6 | | Review Date: March 31, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness and bokeh | | Cons: | only half life size | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: various
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One of the best "cheap" manual focus macro lenses ! I have the 52BB version and love the smooth focus.
++ sharpness and bokeh
++ size and weight
- only 1-2 / half life size
I`ve used it on micro four thirds, Fuji x and full frame Panasonic S5, this lens is great on all of them !!
If you`re on a limited budget you can not go wrong with this lens !!
https://flic.kr/p/2kQ7GiX
https://flic.kr/p/2ntceqd | | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2019 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 19, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $89.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | High build quality.Very sharp. Super bokeh. Adaptall mount. | | Cons: | None. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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My current Tamron 90mm f2.5 SP is the second I've owned, both the original 52B version.
The first, which I had in the late 1980's/early1990's did sterling service, first on an Olympus OM4, then on a Contax RTS.
My current example, bought two years ago and fitted with a P-KA Adaptall mount, is now my favourite portrait lens for my K-1, in preference to my m/f Samyang 85mm f1.4, and a/f Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8.
Black and white portraits shot with the 52B on my K-1 have a certain 'richness' which is difficult to describe but which is missing with my other 'full-frame' portrait lenses.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2017 Posts: 717 | | Review Date: July 17, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, speed, sharpness | | Cons: | Focus can be somewhat touchy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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I cannot add much more to this review than others have said. I purchased it for $60 + shipping, which appears to be a relative bargain, even for "old" Adaptall-2 glass. I can already tell its excellence in portrait and macro work, and look forward to trying it for astro and other work.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2020 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $260.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp lens with beautiful bokeh | | Cons: | Increasingly rare to buy at a low price | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D800E and Sony A7
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The super manual lens for both macro shots is very sharp, and also great for portrait photography due to its extremely beautiful bokeh and ideal length of 90mm. I have a nikon version which is great both for use on DSLR and also on mirrorless cameras. Particularly surprising is the really excellent resolution that the lens achieves on the a7R2, completely comparable to top ZEISS lenses. I recommend!
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2017 Posts: 15 | | Review Date: July 10, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp; flat field; beautiful bokeh; compact & light | | Cons: | Focus action a little unpolished; | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D810
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I have the 52BB version. This lens doesn't need my review; enough has been written about its excellence. I just want to add a piece of information for anybody who may be thinking of using this lens with the Nikon adapter and an aftermarket CPU installed (on the adapter). I have installed a Dandelion chip on the adapter attached to my copy of this lens, and I can regretfully report that the lens is NOT a true AI-S lens, despite the presence of the telltale AI-S "divot" in the bayonet ring.
This means that if you control the aperture using a command dial on the camera instead of the lens's aperture ring, images taken at apertures smaller than wide open will come out overexposed. See Richard Pindelski's page on this topic for an explanation of why this happens when the Dandelion is used on an AI (but not AI-S) lens.
Fortunately, the Dandelion CPU can be programmed to support using the aperture ring. You also have to set up the camera to use the aperture ring. Then you can enjoy some of the other benefits of the chip, just not camera control of aperture or the enabling of the autoexposure modes that require it (the S and P modes).
One other criticism of the lens I have is that the focus action, at least on my copy, is not as wonderful as that of many other manual-focus lenses. There is a dry, undamped, plasticky feel to it, and turning the focus ring is accompanied by whispery noises. The turning resistance varies with the angle you're holding the lens at. (If you're pointing the lens up, focusing from far to near requires more effort than focusing from near to far.)
Otherwise, it really is an excellent lens.
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,844
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 1, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | BOKEH, sharp, colors | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1
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I'll make this review brief..
I have tested dozens of lenses in this range. I like the rendering of this lens better than any Pentax/Zeiss/Leica in this focal range!
Outstanding BOKEH wide open.
I own 1 of the older versions, and 4 of the newer versions! That's how much I LOVE this lens.
I disagree with the previous poster - this lens is definitely NOT heavy. It's a quality lens that is maybe a bit heavier than cheap plastic alternatives. But compared with other "comparable" lenses, this lens is fairly light weight. To me, the best comparables are the Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2 (classic version) and the Leica R 90m f/2. I like this lens better than either of these two lenses.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: September, 2019 Posts: 69
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 3, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Fast, great on digital and film | | Cons: | Heavy, 1:2 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 8
Camera Used: K3, MEsuper, MZ-3
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I have the 52BB version with KA adapter. Maybe my favorite lens.
It's sharp and has a beautiful bokeh; good the max aperture at f2.5 (on digital sometimes misspelled to f2.4), useful even with portraits; only 1:2 macro.
Cons.. it's heavy and you have to be very accurate with MF. Needed a hood due to flares
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2018 Posts: 6 | | Review Date: June 20, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, good bokeh, can fit very camera | | Cons: | 1:2, bulky and heavy, adaptall adapters are expensive | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: A7, Nex 6
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Had two samples of this lens. The first one had been used and probably abused, it was good but with a noticeable lack of contrast. The new one is almost mint and performs much better.
Love the fact that an adaptall lens can fit every camera mount, even if the adapters are usually expensive and sometimes really difficult to find.
Sharpness is excellent even at f/2,5. It has minor chromatic aberration at full aperture but nothing to worry about. It can flare a little bit and it's better to use a lens hood. Tried the much more regarded Vivitar series 1 90mm f/2,5 "Bokina" and I sharpness seems to be on par with the Tamron, the only differences beeing weight and slightly smoother bokeh for the Viv.
Tamron's bokeh is good, I like my portrait lens 85mm f/1,8 better in this regard but it's nice. It has more aperture blades than most vintage lenses, this helps when stopped down.
The lens is only 1:2 but I'm not annoyed with that.
Handling is good, the lens is really build like a tank. I own several old lenses and most of them are all metal and durable, but the Tamron is especially heavy and feels almost indestructible.
Value is good as this Tamron 90mm f/2.5 adaptall is excellent and can be found for about 100 € in good conditions. It rises a bit but still cheaper than the later plastic version.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: December, 2016 Location: Silverstone Posts: 326
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 15, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, construction | | Cons: | Sensor reflection on APS-C | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-S2
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I have had the 52B version of this lens from new.
I settled on the Tamron after an extended shoot-off with a Vivitar Series 1 90mm macro, which was a serious competitor back in the day. The Tamron handled better, had less diffraction after f/16, better colour rendition and contrast.
It still holds its own against more modern designs, and APS-C can offer a new lease of life as a fast telephoto .
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Location: Belo Horizonte Posts: 17 | | Review Date: March 17, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 125
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superb lens even at 2.5 , much used for portraits.
The macro is incredibly detailed
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: Budapest Posts: 2
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 4, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp at almost all apertures, Lovely bokeh, Built to last. | | Cons: | Only 2:1 macro, Back element can cause reflections (purple "hotspot") | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7ii
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I had a chance to grab a 52BB with the 1:1 tube for only £72 and since this lens was longtime on my wanted list I finally got this lens. First expressions were really good, handling is easy, the focus ring is very smooth. It's a bit strange first that from infinity to about 1 meter you only need to turn a little and then from 1 meter to macro range there is a lot more turning required. I suppose it's due to being a macro lens 
As a macro lens it really excels I'd say f8-f11 being the sweet spot. At 1:2 macro (without the tube) you have a lot of room, the distance from the subject is like 40 centimeters, which drops down to 20 centimeters at 1:1, which is still a plenty of room to be able to apply ring lights for example.
What I rarely see in Macro lens reviews is the mention of the Raynox DCR-250, which makes almost any lens into a macro lens and achieves even higher magnification with macro lenses. With the Raynox (without the tube) you can get about 1.5:1 magnification and 2.5:1 with the tube. So if you have this lens the Raynox DCR-250 is a very good addition.
But this lens is not only about macro. It is really good for portraits, the bokeh it gives is creamy and dreamy, even at f2.5 it's sharp already to bring out fine details, but from f4 to f11 it's a monster I really love this lens and what it brings to the table... and for the price I got it... it's a steal.
But let this little test show you what the lens is capable of. Shot with Sony A7ii and zero post process were done. You can see the "scene" as it was and where the 100% crops are taken from. As you can see at f16 diffraction kicks in but it's still acceptable quality. Tamron SP 90 f2.5 (52BB) test | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2011 Posts: 5 | | Review Date: April 18, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great For Macro, Amazing For Portraits | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5-IIs
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52B version as pictured, easily my favorite and most versatile lens. The close-focusing ability creates more opportunities for macro and portrait work.
The focus throw is perfect, neither fast nor slow. Very easy to nail focus on the subject's eyes despite MF only. The ease of focus is a boon for handheld macro shots.
This one more than lives up to its name (SP-Super Performance), absolutely love it and highly recommend.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2012 Posts: 28 | | Review Date: February 14, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $118.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, solidly built, quality, fairly fast | | Cons: | none of consequence | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I have, because of a curious mind, in my collection the 52B, 72B. 272E, the Samsung D-Xenon f2.8 100mm, Pentax 50mm f4 and f2.8 and all get used frequently. The 52B stands up well against the others and I do love using it with my K5. I find that having a solid, reasonably heavy lens with a good sharp glass in my hands when taking a shot steadies my hand and eye and lends a sense of confidence while doing so.. Although I have had no problems previously with lens flare I do use a lens hood as it has a secondary use of protecting the lens when I'm poking it into undergrowth to take a shot of an insect etc. I also have got into the habit of using the front and back mounts of a tube on the 52B to extend the ratio approximately from 1.2 to 1.1. which works for me. It was one of the first Tamron macro's in my collection and using it was a good learning base giving me the experience when using the other macros. It has a good bokeh, is easy to handle, and has given me some great images. I would definitely recommend it for those wanting to take macro shots with a seriously good lens. I've used it quite often at full aperture when taking shots in shadow and I find it forgiving and sharp, it's obviously sharper a couple of stops up but it delivers good sharp images at full aperture. I'm not a pixel peeper so rather than getting technical with the comparisons, vices and virtues of the different macro lens let me say that when picking up the 52B I get that sense of enjoyment and confidence knowing it's an excellently sharp, dependable lens and it's not outclassed greatly by the others. Having said that I do think the Pentax 50mm f2.8 and f4 have the edge in IQ. If you can get one for a reasonable price then get it......and you won't regret it.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 416 | | Review Date: October 29, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | bokeh, resolution | | Cons: | long focus throw | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I realise this is probably my "best" lens, as I run through the rating toggles, on a ratings basis. Its bokeh is very pleasing, and sharpness is excellent. An additional advantage is the Adaptall mount, which means that this can be used on other camera mounts other than PK...I use this lens as a benchmark across camera systems. It even gets a special mention in Barry Thornton's book called Elements in the 35mm section at the back. Interestingly, he also used Pentax in 35mm. Some of the photographs I have produced of my toddler pick up very fine detail in his skin, when we were mucking about in the garden this summer. Looking forward to printing them soon. Whether or not this is sharper than the Pentax M 50mm f4 is open to debate, on test targets I don't think you would see a difference, and the Pentax M also has a nice bokeh.
I note someone with shots of a church in their review reports their lens is soft wide open...there must be something wrong...mine is literally at peak sharpness from wide open. Note I am using this on film, capable of 150lp/mm.
When you consider this is a 85mm portrait lens with macro capabilities, it makes the Pentax M 85mm f2 look like a waste of money.
I have owned a Kiron 105/2.8, ironically never shot with it, as I accidentally bought an OM mount version. The Kiron is substantially larger and heavier, as it can go to 1:1. I sold the Kiron for USD 300. Its basically the same as the Lester Dine and Viv S1 105mm. Its not fair to compare the Tamron with such a lens, as they are in a completely different price bracket, the Tamron changing hands for an average of GBP 80 with postage nowadays.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,075 | | Review Date: April 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, f 2.5, build, bokeh ... | | Cons: | Only 1:2 ... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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Bonjour,
My copy of this lens is the later "52BB" version, pics above, which according to the Adaptall site is optically identical to the previous version, the 52B.
All of the previous reviews have said enough about the good quality of this lens.
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