Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro Review - Basically a Microscope Disguised as a Lens!

So this one... is gonna be a little different...

I used to think macro photography was just a boring game about bugs and flowers.

But turns out it's mostly about patience, sore knees, and hoping that wind would just shut up for three seconds! xD

Jokes aside, I've spent years chasing big scenes.... mountains, oceans, bikes...

You know, normal-sized things.

But proper macro? That was never really my thing...

I mean like... bugs?

Well, until now...

Tamron sent me their new 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro - basically a microscope disguised as a lens - and that turned "bugs and blossoms" into a full-on rabbit hole for me!

And as spring was in full swing, I traded my beloved wide landscapes for some tiny flowers... and occasionally, some really scary spiders!

(If you rather watch than read, check out the review and video from the trip right here! )

Alright, at first, let's talk tech stuff.

Because on paper, it's one of the most promising macro lenses Tamron has ever made!

So Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD...

Sounds a bit like a robot from Star Wars, but in the end it won't be that difficult, I promise...

• f/2.8 means you have a constant bright aperture, which is huge help in low-light situations and it also makes it easier to achieve a shallower depth of field or those beautiful background separations, which is what you absolutely desire from your macro lens.

• Di III stands for Digitally Integrated Design — Tamron’s way of saying “this lens is made for mirrorless cameras.”

• And VXD (Voice-coil Extreme-torque Drive) - a linear focus motor that’s both fast and precise, while cutting down noise and vibration. It’s Tamron’s best autofocus system to date, and it really shows.

See, I told you it won't hurt that much =) now lets look at what this thing actually feels like...

Build & Handling - The lens that doesn't mind dirt

First impressions?

It's solid.

Not in a "heavy" way, but in that "yep, this could survive a fall into wet moss" kind of way...

The body feels dense and well balanced, sitting super nicely on my A7 IV.

Tamron went for a clean matte finish, that resists scratches and those unwanted fingerprint smudges really well (they've been using this updated coating for roughly the last three years and honestly, it's one of those little upgrades that quietly makes a big difference).

Physically, 126.5mm long, 630g. Well, that's for the Sony E-mount version. the Nikon Z-mount is about 10 grams heavier...

Tamron also managed to stick with their signature 67mm filter thread, which is awesome, because it means all our our CPLs, NDs or VND filters are totally interchangeable across most of their lenses.

Saves money, saves space... saves me from forgetting which filter goes on which lens.

The focus ring is silky smooth with the right amount of resistance, and the ribbed texture gives you grip even when your hands are sweaty.

Which... they will be!

Because Macro usually means, kneeling in weird positions and wondering, why you didn't just stay home!

USB-C & Tamron Lens Utility - why it actually matters

And now, here's a great one - the USB-C port right on the lens barrel...

Plug it in, open Tamron Lens Utility and then you can:

• Update firmware

• Customize the focus ring behaviour (like Linear or Nonlinear)

• Reprogram the Focus set button for whatever fits your workflow

By default, the ring is set to Nonlinear, which honestly sucks for Macro, so switch it to Linear and suddenly precise focusing does not feel like surgery with shaky hands!

Focus Limiter - teaching the lens to stay in its lane!

Right next to the Focus Set button, there's a three-way Focus Limiter switch - and that can really speed things up, depending on what you're shooting.

If you've ever tried shooting macro with autofocus, you probably know that moment...

You half-press the shutter, and the lens goes on a spiritual journey from infinity to minimum focus distance and back again. Twice.

Then it gives up.

And so do you.

Luckily, that's not the case with the new 90 mil. The autofocus behaved surprisingly well - even at close range.

Still, for a little peace of mind, it's worth using the Focus Limiter.

You can choose between three modes:

• Full range

• "Portrait" range (0.7m - infinity)

• Macro range - (0.23m - 0.7m)

  
  

That last one is gold for macro work - it keeps the lens focused exactly where the action happens and prevents unnecessary AF hunting. Which you'll definitely appreciate when you're down on your knees, one eye half-closed, trying to get a flower petal perfectly sharp while pretending you still have circulation in your legs.

VXD Motor - fast, silent and dead precise!

The autofocus system in this lens uses Tamron's VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) motor - and honestly, it's kind of ridiculous how smooth and confident it feels.

It's fast, quiet, and dead accurate!

During my testing, it never hesitated, whether I was focusing on a flower stamen, swaying in the breeze or on a product shot in the studio. Even Eye-AF works absolutely amazing at mid-range distances, did not miss a single shot... making this lens far more versatile than you'd expect from something labelled "macro."

And if you like shooting video?

The focus transitions are beautifully smooth and natural, with almost zero stepping or breathing issues noticeable in real use.

Honestly, it's the kind of AF performance that quietly makes you rethink how "specialized" a macro lens really needs to be.

On top of that, it's fully weather sealed, including the USB-C port.

I've dragged Tamrons through the rain, snow, and sandstorms - and they've never failed.

Basically, I usually get soaked before the lens does...

And the hood... that's definitely worth a shoutout!

It has this tiny sliding door for CPL filters, so you can adjust your polarizer without taking the hood off!

Seriously, why don't all hoods do this!? It's genius!

Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di III Macro VXD - Key specs

• Model number: A072 (F072S / F072Z)

• Focal Length: 90mm

• Aperture Range: F2.8

• Optical Construction: 15elements in 12 groups

• Number of Aperture Blades: 12

• Minimum Focusing Distance (MOD): 0,23m (1:1 magnification)

• Filter Diameter: 67mm

• Stabilization: no

• Weight: 630g (Sony E-mount version, Nikon Z is 640g)

• Length: 126,5 mm

• Sealed against moisture and dust

• Compatible with TAMRON Lens Utility software - for firmware updates and lens function optimization (via USB-C port)

Image Quality & Optical design - spoiler: it's damn sharp!

Let's get one thing straight... this lens is ridiculously sharp!

First, let's peek inside: you've got 15 elements in 12 groups, with LD (Low Dispersion) elements to keep chromatic aberrations under control.

And yeah, I hear that, so translation: no purple fringes on the flower petals!

Even wide open at f/2.8, it delivers crisp detail without feeling harsh or clinical.

By f/4, it's already razor-sharp edge to edge... the kind of sharpness that makes you question whether you've been cleaning your other lenses properly.

If you're into the MTF charts... here's one for you:

Color rendering is clean and neutral, no strange tints, no oversaturated nonsense. It just captures what's there, naturally.

Flare and ghosting are also really well managed, even when shooting straight into the sun. I mean, you can provoke some reflections if you really try, but you’ll have to work for them. For a macro lens, that’s seriously good performance.

With a minimum focusing distance of just 23cm, you can get insanely close while still keeping enough working distance for lighting - or, you know, for not scaring your subject (for reference, Sony's 90mm Macro starts at 28cm).

And then there's the bokeh - the fun part.

We've got the 12-blade aperture, which means round, creamy bokeh balls, even when you stop down. It gives your close-ups that painterly, almost cinematic look.

Stabilization (or rather lack of it)

Now, one thing that often comes up with macro lenses - stabilization. The Tamron 90mm doesn't have optical stabilization built in. Honestly, I did not really miss it, mainly because all modern camera bodies (like my Sony A7 IV etc.) do a great job with IBIS, even at that 1:1 magnification.

However, I felt it's fair to mention that, because its biggest competitor Sony FE 90mm F/2.8 Macro G OSS is actually stabilized.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Incredibly sharp from center to corner

• 1:1 magnification with just 0.23 m minimum distance

• Customizable via USB-C (firmware, focus ring, button)

• Fast, silent, reliable AF with focus limiter

• Weather-sealed build and clever hood design

• 67 mm filter thread shared across Tamron lineup

Cons

• No optical stabilization

• Depth of field is razor-thin at 1:1 — expect a learning curve

• You will end up lying in the dirt sooner or later

Final Thoughts

I honestly did not expect to enjoy macro this much. But slowing down, chasing details smaller than a fingernail, and discovering textures you'd normally walk past - it's kinda magical.

And here's the thing, this isn't just a bug-and-flower lens.

It's also killer tool for product photography - super sharp, precise focusing and clean rendering.

And at 90mm, it doubles as a beautiful portrait lens - flattering compression, creamy bokeh... basically your subject will thank you!

So yeah, not just a microscope disguised as a lens, but it's weather-sealed, customizable, bokeh-making little tank! That also happens to be insanely sharp!

Well, I think the best way to sum it up is saying, that somewhere between crawling on the ground and trying to focus on a bug’s eyelash, I realized that after years of trying to downsize to two lenses… I’m now adding a third one again. Grrr! Yeah… that’s how far down the macro rabbit hole I went.

Thanks for reading, if you like that, hit the like on my social channels, or even subscribe if you want more gear talk and let me know in the comments, what you shoot with a macro lens.

Because apparently, I shoot bugs now!

Next time,

Mike

GEAR:

Camera: Sony A7 IV 

Filters: VFFOTO magnetic UV GS 67-82mm

Tripod: 3 Legged Thing Mike Legends Mike 

Backpack: Shimoda Action x70