| Author: | | 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: 331
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 .
| | | | | 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.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076 | | 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.
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 30
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 18, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $97.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, sharpness, color, build, f/2.5 | | Cons: | Sensor reflection and flare, only 1:2 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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This review is based on use with an APS-C sensor.
This lens is a cult classic. The design is very clever: rather than a typical telephoto design, this is essentially a double Gauss normal that floats relative to a correcting rear group. This gives it the speed and nice bokeh of a fast normal combined with excellent correction at any focus distance. It was marketed as both a portrait and a macro lens, and it earns both titles. Here's a simple example:
Notice that the focus point is perfectly sharp, but before and after the focus point are both very smooth. Sharpness is very good wide open, but becomes outstanding (even for a macro) by f/8-f/11. What's more, unlike most macros, it's that good at any focus distance.
Color is quite good, but this is a lens that can show veiling flare. The front element is nearly flush with the front, so a 49mm threaded hood would be a good idea. There is also an infamous problem involving sensor reflections; the rear element is nearly flat, easily causing a purple spot in the center of the frame from bright reflection off the sensor. This sensor reflection happens very frequently -- maybe even all the time -- but usually isn't particularly visible. One needs to watch for it, but even when it is bad, it usually looks a lot like a regular flare spot... that always happens to be in the middle of the frame.
An addition: I now have the matching Adaptall 2X teleconverter. It is widely held that this 2X works exceptionally well with this lens, producing very good IQ one stop down and avoiding the flare spot. Well, the flare spot is gone and bokeh are perhaps even prettier. However, sharpness is really sacrificed unless the lens is stopped down a bit more, which makes hand-holding the lens with 2X difficult. I also tried this 90mm with a generic FD-mount 2X... and IQ was at least as good as with the matching converter. Ok. I didn't really expect a miracle....
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 128 | | Review Date: July 21, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | cost, sharpness, build quality | | Cons: | weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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So this lens is incredibly sharp. I've only recently acquired it but I've used it alone (mostly), with tubes, and with the 01F 2x teleconverter (which cost another $30). I agree that it achieves optimal sharpness between f4 and f11. The build is great, but the PK/A adapter does have a bit of funk associated with it such that you have to wiggle it at times to get the aperture reading in Av mode (it's the adapter's problem; not the lens - keeping the adapter contacts clean is a big help here).
Color rendition is incredible.
The sensor reflection problem is real and is exacerbated when you point the lens into a backlit scene. This is why I give it low marks for aberrations (but it wasn't designed for use with DSLRs, so you can't fault Tamron). See below for a typical problem, as well as a serious problem caused by long exposure time. If you work around this, i.e. don't use the lens with a digital SLR for this type of photography, it's an awesome lens for the money. It's primary purpose is for macros so just use it for that! 
The lens, particularly with the 01F teleconverter, is extremely heavy. Here are some shots:
1. With extension tubes (dandelion):
Model for Death Star by zot0 (too busy), on Flickr
2. By itself:
Bugs and Buds by zot0 (too busy), on Flickr
3. With 01F Teleconverter (and flash):
Che-er-ry, Cherry Macro by zot0 (too busy), on Flickr
4. Subtle sensor reflection - note the purple in the middle of the rose (but otherwise note the beautiful color rendition):
Ramble On Rose by zot0 (too busy), on Flickr
5. Extreme sensor reflection, long exposure:
Extreme example of Tamron SP 90mm (52B) Sensor Reflection problem by zot0 (too busy), on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: 14er Country Posts: 323
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 12, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $105.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp stopped down, Excellent Build, Wonderful Colors, 9 Blade Diaphragm (52BB) | | Cons: | Soft Wide Open, 1:2 Macro w/o 2x or Extension Tube | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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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 reputation of Tamron's BBAR coating, I've noticed that this lens needs its hood much more than other Tamron optics.
The bokeh is also very pleasing from the lens. I think it helps that I got the 52BB model that features a 9 bladed diaphragm (as opposed to the 8 blades of the 52B model).
The lens only goes to a 1:2 macro reproduction ratio by itself. It plays well with both teleconverters or extension tubes, though. It does very well with the SP 140F 1.4x teleconverter and good (but not great) with 2x teleconverters (I've tried it with both the SP 01F 2x and RMC Tokina Doubler 2x). For 1:1 reproductions, I'd suggest using an extension tube unless you need the extra working distance that a 2x teleconverter will allow. The lens works very well with extension tubes.
While I haven't owned this one very long, I've already gotten some memorable images with it. Here are a few of my favorites:
Flickr Link
Flickr Link
Flickr Link | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2011 Location: West Sumatra, Indonesia Posts: 22 | | Review Date: April 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build to quality, hood | | Cons: | size | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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this is also my first adaptall lens, after i had this lens i got the 1:1 macro and yes, it might delivered a good macro magnifying and portrait. Its great using with DSLR rather than mirrorless because of the size. The color, sharp, bokeh is great. And macro using this lens can be very fun since the distance from object relatively better.
Now i wait for the tele con to had 180mm, and yes this one might be your considered to had a budget macro lens within range 80-105mm FL with value for money and of course the result
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 6 | | Review Date: August 7, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | good manual focusing | | Cons: | | |
I was looking for a dedicated macro lens for my Pentax K20D and after alot of research I decided to go with the Tamron SP 90mm.
Snapped one up off Ebay and very pleased with this lens.
The build quality is excellent, a heavy lens but you can feel that it's built well.
As this is my first dedicated macro lens I can't really compare it with others but I am getting brillant results from it.
I bought an PK-A adapter ring to go with it which I feel is quite important if your not comfortable with setting aperture manually and wish for the metering system to do the work for you.
The only negative thing I have with this lens, and it maybe just with mine alone but the connections allowing for auto aperture can be not work sometimes and I find I have to disengage the lens slightly in order to get a proper connection.
Overall its a good lens for anyone who is looking to get a dedicated macro lens but doesn't want to spend alot of money on the latest models.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,435 | | Review Date: July 25, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp closed down - flat field - solid construction | | Cons: | needs a hood to prevent flare - bit soft wide open | |
I bought this in the early 80's for my Rollei SL35E. I've also used it on a Nikon F. Very sharp at f8-16 close or at infinity. If you can get a PK-A mount for a decent price, it's a great low-price lens.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 62 | | Review Date: March 21, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $170.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Less Expensive, Fully compatible with all modes, Sharp and Contrasty | | Cons: | 1:1 macro setting gets very heavy and keeping track of a moving bug at 180mm is a challenge | |
This lens is a nice one. If you just need 1:2 macro then you have a tiny lens for the purpose, it also can be used as a sharp portrait lens. For achieving 1:1 as mentioned in other reviews u need a custom 2X converter or extension tube and you have a 180mm and with a KA adaptall mount you can use it in all modes. Some negative aspects of this lens is at 180mm tracking a moving bug is a challenge. The lens is also prone to flares but that is very much improved with a lens hood. It is not really the best for tele photos.
A surprise in mine is that I think I am able to use it as a 180mm f2.5 macro... whereas it is supposed to f5 when using the converter. I tried comparing the shutter speed by keeping the same aperture across few lenses and it seems like it is functioning as a f2.5. I read in one review that it works so.. but couldnt find it again. If you get one at a good price... go for it..
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: NJ USA Posts: 13,072 | | Review Date: March 18, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | fast, good color, great for portraits as well as macro | | Cons: | Sensor Flare! | |
I'm in general agreement with the prior review - this is an excellent lens. Easier to focus, of course, on a film body. But the fast aperture makes dSLR focusing snappy as well.
I got mine from goodwill, so it was a great deal. I ended up adding the flat field 2x and lens hood from KEH, as they were cheaper than the going rate on ebay.
I'm really impressed with the color rendering with the lens. It's a great portrait lens, with decent bokeh. In macro, the resolution and contrast are good all the way around.
There are some draw backs using the 2x converter - apart from loss of speed, the entire package gets very long. (see attached pic) On the other hand, 180mm gets you further away from the subject - I haven't had a chance to do bug photography yet, but I'd imagine it's good for that sort of thing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/2117064509/in/set-72157601067248451/
mine is the 55mm filter size version (52BB). I've shot some comparisons with the 70 Limited, and I think the sharpness and contrast of the Tamron is in the same league.
I had the KA adaptor previously - having to buy one is expensive, unless you luck out and find a private seller (I did). I have the plain K adaptall as well, and wouldn't think it was a hardship to use one with this lens (only I haven't done so yet....)
*** Under certain lighting conditions and when stopped down, this lens may exhibit a round center blue spot in the photo. This appears to be caused by the sensor reflecting off the flat rear element.
| | | | | Pentaxian
Moderator Emeritus Registered: May, 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Posts: 10,643 | | Review Date: March 16, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Solid build, Easy to focus, Fast | | Cons: | A bit more flare, 1:2 macro without 2x | |
A much older lens that still holds up today. Very fast and as a macro that's not a big deal except this lens needs the BBAR 2x converter to get to 1:1. With the 2x the image quality doesn't seem to drop but you loose 2 stops which is why the fast speed is important. With the 2x you get a 180mm 1:1 and a decent distance from the subject. A big advantage when shooting bugs or other living items that might move if your shadow could disturb the scene.
It can also be used with extension tubes to get 1:1 and beyond with or without the 2x. With extension tubes the speed helps in manual focus as this lens is quite bright in the viewfinder when wide open.
Nice focus ring with a fairly long throw but not too long.
Allows for fairly fine focus.Works with the Adaptall 2 M and A mounts. Another nice feature if you are hand holding the lens it will trap focus very easily. The Adaptall mount is unfinished metal (steel?) and shorts out the AF so trap focus works.
As a telephoto lens, it's old school. You need to get used to the manual metering it using the basic Adaptall mount. It's not the lens so much as the Pentax crippled mount that meters M style lenses poorly. Mine seems to overexpose around 3 stops from the meter. But it's a sharp telephoto with a flat field of focus and good corner sharpness. FF helps as the corners are cropped.
Get a hood if you don't have one. It's not and SMC lens and does suffer from a bit more flare but CA's are well controlled in normal situations.
Average prices for the AE Adaptall mount are $100 and the lens sells around the same so that's approaching the cost of the Sigma 105 or Tamron 90 which are better lenses with AF. If you are buying one, get a package with the 2x, lens and Pentax mount. These always sell for less than the pieces separately. It's most appealing feature is the 180mm with the 2x.
Here's some pics of the adapters for this lens:
Mount: 
2X TC:
 | | | | | 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: March, 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 24 | | Review Date: April 12, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | sharp, fast, handy for its specifications | | Cons: | no provision on the mount for switching to manual iris | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 1
Handling: 8
Value: 8
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I have had mine for many years - bought it in film camera days to use on Pentax screwthread and Nikon F (claw) systems. I have the 2x converter but not the model-specific extension tube.
As one would expect I have Adaptall mounts for the above two systems (only). I believe all varieties of K mount Adaptalls are expensive but this is academic to me as I have not been able to find any. I have to depend on using my Pentax Screw Adaptall with a corresponding ring on my Pentax K-m which means I cannot use the lens except at full aperture which makes it quite useless for macro photos. I am quite well able to use my 300mm f/5.6 and 105 f/2.5 with my digital SLR on manual setting but the 90mm f/2.5 is the one I would most like to be able to use.
I'm not sure what "bokeh" means but as I have found this lens makes a sharp but rather harsh and unflattering portrait lens I have marked it down on bokeh but I might be barking up quite the wrong tree.
On the whole I am in agreement with all the other favourable comments on performance in the other reviews above on the basis of my experience experience with film and I hope to be able, some time, to try it on my digital SLR.
My rating of value for money must be taken with a pinch of salt as I bought the lens decades, rather than years, ago and paid a price of quite a different order as compared with prices at which the lens seems to be changing hands now, which seem to be quite reasonable for one in good condition.
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