10 Top Features Of The Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 VC USD Macro 1:1 VC USD

Tamron's 90mm macro lens is a keeper, and we thought we'd take a closer look at some of the features and technology this lens has to offer. 

1. Built upon the outstanding optical performance of the legendary Tamron 90mm Macro

The new 90mm VC USD lens (Model F017) delivers excellent resolving power and remarkably soft background blur effects (bokeh). The advanced construction includes one LD (Low Dispersion) glass element and two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) glass elements. These special elements optimally compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations from macro through to infinity. Furthermore, the optical design ensures the best imaging performance at any range by adopting the Floating System that shifts the location of a group of elements to the best possible position as the focusing group travels relative to shooting distances. From 1:1, life-size close-ups to the most distant horizon, this new 90mm Macro lens achieves outstanding image quality.

2. VC enhanced with shift compensation

An accelerometer has been integrated into Tamron’s highly accredited VC (Vibration Compensation) to compensate for movement on the x-y plane. In unison with a gyro sensor, the accelerometer detects and enables motion compensation for camera shake, providing maximum efficiency in image stabilization optimized for all distance ranges from infinity to macro.

3. USD actuator maximised for macro photography is fast, accurate and quiet

With improved focusing speed and accuracy, the latest USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) focusing system quickly addresses any out-of-focus condition caused by back-and-forth camera movement (which commonly occurs during macro photography) ensuring better results when shooting at close range.

4. Moisture-Proof and Dust-Resistant Construction

Special seals provide stronger protection against the intrusion of dirt, dust and moisture around switches and the boundary between the focus ring and the lens barrel. This latest advance over the Moisture-Resistant Construction used previously, provides additional protection & assures even more wide-ranging opportunities for using this lens.

5. A durable Fluorine Coating on the front element repels water and fingerprints

The Fluorine Coating is a water and oil repellant coating applied to the front element surface making it much easier to keep clean & remove dust & deposits with ease.

6. Advanced coating technology reduces flare and ghosting

Two advanced coating technologies, both providing outstanding anti-reflection performance, are applied to critical element surfaces for maximum light transmission. eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating boasts outstanding anti-reflection performance across nearly the entire range of visible rays, and BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating utilizes traditional multi-layered, anti-reflection technology. This combination virtually eliminates extraneous reflections and substantially reduces ghosting and flare which enables the lens to achieve flawless, crystal clear images.

7. Use of circular aperture to achieve beautiful, rounded blur effects (bokeh)

The 9-blade diaphragm retains a nearly perfect circular opening when stopped down by just two stops, creating beautiful circular highlight blur (bokeh) for pinpoints of light in the out of focus background. In combination with the optical design, spectacular background blur effects can be achieved.

8. Focusing options perfectly suited to a macro lens

The new 90mm macro has a focus limiter that makes it possible to shorten the time for accurately focusing on a subject when the working range is known. The lens also features an Internal Focusing system, so the overall length of the lens never changes, not even when focusing. As a result, the user is assured of a comfortable working distance of at least 139 mm (5.5 in.) from the front of the lens. In addition, the lens is equipped with a Full-time Manual Focus override mechanism which makes it possible to flexibly choose focal points. Even with the AF driving system in action, it is possible to instantaneously override it to make manual fine focusing adjustments without switching the AF-MF mode back and forth.

9. Compatibility with TAMRON TAP-in Console

You can update firmware, customize autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the 90mm lens by simply attaching it to the TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a personal computer. (The TAP-in Console is an optional accessory that will be released in March.)

10. Digital image editing software optimised for Tamron lenses

Included in the new 90mm macro package is SILKYPIX Developer Studio, a popular RAW conversion and editing program preloaded with correction menus for various aberrations based on the optical data that pertains exclusively to Tamron’s SP Series lenses. In addition, lens profile information has been supplied to Adobe Systems, Inc. to facilitate selecting the precise lens data required for more sophisticated adjustments in RAW processing when using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.