Macro vs Prime: I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working...

thg3 Loc: La Quinta, California

I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working distance to provide actual 1:1 photos.

My question is: Is that the only difference? In other words, would both lenses produce the same photo of a sunset?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

A prime lens is a single focal length...ie: not a zoom or variable focal length lens.

The only Tamron 90mm lens currently being made that I'm aware of is a macro.

DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

thg3 wrote:

I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working distance to provide actual 1:1 photos.

My question is: Is that the only difference? In other words, would both lenses produce the same photo of a sunset?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

Don't have any experience of the Tamrons, but the general answer to this is: if they are of the same quality they will produce the same sunset picture. The only real difference with a macro is the close focussing distance and, usually, a flatter plane of focus at close distances.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

thg3 wrote:

I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working distance to provide actual 1:1 photos.

My question is: Is that the only difference? In other words, would both lenses produce the same photo of a sunset?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

Yes.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Like Goofy already pointed out, both lenses are primes. One of them is optimized for the macro range, but it should still be a good lens for portraits or/and even landscapes. On telling which will give you better results is hard to tell, one would think the none macro would give better results, but it is not a given. Only a side by side comparison can give you accurate information on this. The only given here is, that the macro lens will be far superior in the close-up to macro range!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

thg3 wrote:

I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working distance to provide actual 1:1 photos.

My question is: Is that the only difference? In other words, would both lenses produce the same photo of a sunset?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

You'd have to find the real specs on each lens. A lot of factors could affect the price. The number of blades in the aperture, the material used for the body (tube), the number of lenses in the group, max aperture size, the coating on the lens etc. If you can't find the specs, try calling the manufacturer or writing them.

thg3 Loc: La Quinta, California

Thanks, I assumed that was the answer but I also knows what ass u me means...

Tom

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Hi. I am sure Tamron only make one 90mm, which is a macro. When I had the 'macro bug', I bought this lens. I have since lost interest in macro, but I use this lens for 'ordinary' photography. It focuses from virtually nothing right through to infinity & is tack sharp. You mentioned sunsets. Can't see why not. It opens to f4 & is unusually sharp at this aperture.

RealBohemian Loc: Toronto

Tom what they say at Tamron? Did you call them?
This is excellent subject,

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Even if you don't use the lens for macro it is still an excellent choice for portrait work as well.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

thg3 wrote:

I searched but couldn't find the answer... Tamron makes a 90mm prime lens and a more expensive 90mm true Macro lens. I know that the Macro has a shorter working distance to provide actual 1:1 photos.

My question is: Is that the only difference? In other words, would both lenses produce the same photo of a sunset?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

This lens can be used for any photographic purpose no problem.

thg3 Loc: La Quinta, California

Thanks to you all

DaveCook

For whatever it's worth to Tom, I had a "chat" with a photo guy at Adorama about buying an 85mm Nikon macro lens. He brought up the 90mm Tamron and said it was even better than the Nikon but it cost around $200 more than the Nikon 85 which I then bought and am awaiting the arrival of.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

DaveCook wrote:

For whatever it's worth to Tom, I had a "chat" with a photo guy at Adorama about buying an 85mm Nikon macro lens. He brought up the 90mm Tamron and said it was even better than the Nikon but it cost around $200 more than the Nikon 85 which I then bought and am awaiting the arrival of.

The Tamron is a full-frame lens.
It will work on both DX and FX cameras.

treslek Loc: London

I use the tamron 90mm macro myself and it,s a damn good lens for portraits ,it,s a fixed lens optimised for macro but can be used as a 90mm Len,s no problem ,in my eye,s it,s super sharp etc and well worth the money.