| Author: | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Posts: 1,010 | | Review Date: August 29, 2011 | Not Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Size, True Colors, Bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy, Flares a lot, Not Sharp enough for a macro | | Sharpness: 5
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 3
Value: 5
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After I've managed the install adaptall-2 mount (quite a task for novice) for 1x1 macros, removing 1x1 adapter for 1x2 photos, reinstalling adaptall adapter was easier. Most important property of this lens is it's getting sharper beyond f/11 despite adaptall-2 official site says.
http://www.adaptall-2.com/lenses/52B.html
This lens has great saturated colors, in fact I've never able to get nice true purplish color in thorny plant with any other lens picture below. You need to get a hood as big as possible because it flares a lot. Bokeh is good. But sharpness is an issue with this lens, it's not sharp below f/11 and gets sharper with f/16 and f/32, it's not a hand shake issue because I've tried that with tripod and mirror lock. For a macro lens this lens deserves only a mediocre lens title, I've never tried but I am sure it would make a great soft portrait lens wide open. Don't get confused with the sharpness of the samples I've given below, because these are the best of bests, maybe only 1 out of 10 pictures comes out that sharp, that I would call just luck. So, this lens deserves 6.6/10 (2/3) just for the colors and bokeh other than that, I do not recommend this lens as a macro lens.
Since I can't find a way attaching new pictures in this review section I am giving you best samples of original jpeg's links I've mentioned for you consideration , remember they are 4-4.5 MB in size.
Worry Beads.
Cactus
My Own Tomatoes, Grown by Mysef :)
Thorn (Beautiful Purple)
Houses | | | | | | | 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.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2010 Location: Milano Posts: 9
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 6, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Solid build, Easy to focus, Fast | | Cons: | Sensor Flare, 1:2 Ratio | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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IMHO a very good lens, very solid (i love metal lenses) is good for close-up photography, still life images and outdoor potraits
but images can be more interesting than words:
http://giulionic.altervista.org/blog/?tag=90mm | | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2010 Posts: 48 | | Review Date: July 14, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, nice bokeh | | Cons: | Soft open wide | |
I've the later 52BB version.
Very nice lens for shooting plants and people. It's a bit soft open wide, and I have to stop down 1 or 2 steps to get a sharp photo. But when it's sharp, it's sharp!
I have the 2x TC to make it a 1:1 macro, but have hardly used it because it adds a lot weight to the lens. Shooting portrait with 2x TC is not a good idea as it loses contrast and sharpness. But for close-ups, it seems to do well.
I've taken a liking in it so much that I upgraded the lens to the 72BB version, which is 1:1 macro. The 72BB is even sharper and more contrasty, so I sold off my 52BB. Though I really like the 52BB design better. But the 72BB is a bit more expensive, so if you are on a budget, the 52BB will serve you well!
Here's one of my favorite shots with the lens.
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Site Supporter Registered: June, 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Posts: 17,377 | | Review Date: May 20, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | well made, focus dampening | | Cons: | only 1:2 naitivly | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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This is a nice compact, well made lens. The focusing on it is nice. It requires either the matched 2x flatfield tc or the matched extension tube to reach 1:1. I have this and the subsequent 52bb. I prefer the look and weight of the 52BB over this one and it is a good match to the *istD. I would give the 52BB a 9 and this one an 8.5.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 509 | | Review Date: June 6, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Very well built, high resolution and contrast, compact, little PF | | Cons: | flare, adapter not perfect, | |
Very good in the adaptall line. It would be a top Macro choice if you have a couple of adaptall lenses. Tamron does not seem to built high quality lenses any more.
Since it has 90mm, it works well as a portrait lens. Image quality at F2.5 is acceptable. It is very well built. The quality is not far away from a K or M lens. High resolution and contrasty which are important to a macro lens. Not much PF even at f2.5.
There are some downsides in comparison to Kiron 105 and Sigma 105.
1. the adaptall adapter is not always perfect. Sometimes, it would allow the reading of f2.4 (edit: this is normal behaviour of PKA mount) and can underexpose.
2. 1:2 not 1:1 without an adapter
3. flare flare flare. It is not SMC.
4. lower resolution at f2.5.
All in all, a very good old lens. It is smaller than the Kiron or the Sigma. Affordable if you can find a cheap adapter. Works well with the SP 2X converter. But there are better macro lenses outa there.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: madison Posts: 239 | | Review Date: May 22, 2008 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | fast, bang/buck | | Cons: | only 1:2 macro, lens extends too much | |
I really like this lens and use it quite often, mostly for taking flower shots.
At f2.5 it sends in plenty of light and makes manual focusing easier. The shallow DOF also helps. I've never used one of those pentax F4 macro lenses but I imagine they will be harder to manual focus.
The sharpness seems pretty good to me although I am no expert.
The Bokeh is generally smooth and pleasing. However, when there is highlight area in the background it can look ugly sometimes. I guess that's probably true for most lenses.
it's not a 1:1 macro, but for shooting flowers I find it more than adequate. I figure if you want to shoot bugs you might want to look elsewhere. It comes with a 1:1 extension tube but I am not a big fan of extension tubes in general. Plus the front of the lens already extends too much for my liking. Add on another extention tube and you got yourself probably one of the ugliest looking lens ever.
Highly recommended for anyone just getting into macro
P.S. I will second the previous reviewer that the lens shows excellent CA control, as compared to other older lenses, e.g. Pentax K 135/2.5
| | | | | 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 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2017 Posts: 756 | | 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: December, 2017 Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | 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.
 | | | | | 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.
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