Lens Lab
    Tamron AF 90-300 mm f/ 4.5-5.6 Tele Macro
    Tamron AF 90-300 mm f/ 4.5-5.6 Tele Macro

    Tamron AF 90-300 mm f/ 4.5-5.6 Tele Macro

    90–300mm · f/4.5–5.6

    Overview

    The Tamron AF 90-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 Tele Macro is a budget telephoto zoom with a split personality. At 90-135mm, it is remarkably sharp with good contrast and bokeh, thanks to a 9-blade aperture (transiently). However, sharpness declines rapidly above 135mm, becoming poor at 180mm and beyond, with significant purple fringing at longer focal lengths (transiently). Build quality is mediocre, with potential aperture issues (Freddan_6). It is light and cheap, but only suitable for those who primarily shoot at short telephoto lengths or close-ups, and who accept its severe limitations at the long end.