Tamron 90 vs Nikon 105 Macro lens

rakeshmravi · Jan 29, 2012

Hey guys,

Any one used both? I got a Tamron and am getting pretty sharp. The only thing I hate is the extending barrel when focusing. In terms of quality do you know of any comparisons?

benveniste · Jan 29, 2012

There are several models of both Tamron 90mm and Nikon 105mm macro lenses, and none of them are less than excellent. Which particular lenses are you interested in comparing?

skahde · Jan 30, 2012

The extending barrell means, it is not reducing focal-length to get close, which is a good news for the majority of applications. Why use a 90mm-Macro which becomes a 60mm up close?

rakeshmravi · Jan 30, 2012

skahde said:
The extending barrell means, it is not reducing focal-length to get close, which is a good news for the majority of applications. Why use a 90mm-Macro which becomes a 60mm up close?

Was a decision based on my wallet size. I got the 90mm for about 3rd the price of the 60mm Nikkor.

jeffreyg · Jan 30, 2012

For precise focusing it might be helpful to get a micro positioning plate ie Manfrotto #3419. You can set the magnification ratio, focus and then fine focus with the plate. I have a Nikon 2.8 105 macro that I'm very pleased with.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

vpwphoto · Jan 30, 2012

I used the Tamron a lot years ago... not the best build, but it performed well enough. (film days).

I went with the Micro Nikkor AIS and tubes to keep in my kit.

LyleB · Jan 30, 2012

I would recommend anyone else looking at these lenses consider the Tokina 100mm F2.8 Macro also. This is the one I decided on, and have been completely happy with the choice.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/393446-REG/Tokina_ATXAF100PRON_100mm_f_2_8_AT_X_M100.html

skahde · Jan 31, 2012

rakeshmravi said:
Was a decision based on my wallet size. I got the 90mm for about 3rd the price of the 60mm Nikkor.

It's a very good lense and currently the only third-party lens in my bag. After some haggling back an forth I even got it for free. It nicely supplements my Nikkor 2.8/55mm when I need a bit more reach and likes pixels as much as silver grains.

tkamiya · Jan 31, 2012

I have the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8VRII. I played around with other lenses at a store but not enough of experience to comment on performance.

105VR is a very sharp and contrasty lens even at wide open. In fact, improvement by stopping down is very small. My only complaint is that it's chunky and heavy. I love it for macro and portrait purposes. While VR is pretty much useless for Macro, it IS useful for not-so-macro close-up and portrait uses.

Tamron 90 vs Nikon 105 Macro lens

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