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Lenses

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD Review: Do 12 Aperture Blades Really Matter?

Chris Gampat
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Last updated on 10/30/2024
09/26/2024
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Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Tamron 90mm f2.8 FE review product images 41-50s400
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Last Updated on 10/30/2024 by Chris Gampat

Let’s be frank here: this is a Tamron lens review in 2024. Of course, it’s going to be great. The new Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD does what both Sony and Sigma haven’t been able to. This new lens packed weather resistance, fast autofocus, 12 aperture blades, and the closest focusing distance of the trio. But most importantly, the autofocus isn’t only fast, but accurate. And that’s because Sony owns part of Tamron. With that said, we’re testing it on Sony E-mount. At launch, this lens is also available for Nikon — and Nikon has typically been pretty great when working on autofocus compatability things. So truly, this could be a sleeper hit lens for 2024.

Declaration of Journalistic Intent

The Phoblographer is one of the last standing dedicated photography publications that speaks to both art and tech in our articles. We put declarations up front in our reviews to adhere to journalistic standards that several publications abide by. These help you understand a lot more about what we do:

  • At the time of publishing this review, Tamron is an advertiser with the Phoblographer. This doesn’t affect our reviews anyway and it never has in our 15 years of publishing our articles. This article is in no way sponsored.
  • Note that this isn’t necessarily our final review of the unit. It will be updated, and it’s more of an in-progress review than anything. In fact, almost all our reviews are like this.
  • This review, and none of the reviews on the Phoblographer, are sponsored. That’s against FTC laws and we adhere to them just the same way that newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications do.
  • Tamron loaned the unit and accessories to the Phoblographer for review. There was no money exchange between Tamron and the Phoblographer for this to happen. Tamron and several other manufacturers trust the Phoblographer’s reviews, as they are incredibly blunt.
  • Tamron knows that they cannot influence the site’s reviews. If we don’t like something or if we have issues with it, we’ll let folks know. We were the first publication to inform about the issue with the Leica M10R and how it renders the color orange. We’ve also called out Sony on several things as well as gone back and changed ratings on products before.
  • Tamron shipped the unit to the Phoblographer and is paying for the return shipment. This is a standard practice in the world of reviewers.
  • The Phoblographer’s standards for reviewing products have become much stricter. After having the world’s largest database of real-world lens reviews, we choose not to review anything we don’t find innovative or unique, and in many cases, products that lack weather resistance. We’ve also steered away from Micro Four Thirds and APS-C as they’re dying formats. This is a conclusion that even the other members of TIPA agree on. Unless something is very unique, we probably won’t touch it.
  • In recent years, brands have withheld NDA information from us or stopped working with us because they feel they cannot control our coverage. These days, many brands will not give products to the press unless they get favorable coverage. In other situations, we’ve stopped working with several brands for ethical issues. Either way, we report as honestly and rawly as humanity allows.
  • At the time of publishing, the Phoblographer is the only photography publication that is a member of Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative. We champion human-made art and are frank with our audience. We are also the only photography publication that labels when an image is edited or not.

More can be found on our Disclaimers page.

The Big Picture: Tamron 90mm f2.8 FE Review Conclusions

A Sony camera with a Tamron lens rests on an open book near a window with blurred items in the background.

My knowledge of the retouching world in photography is well aware that there are often very terrible photographers out there who don’t even use professional-grade gear. So instead, they rely on post-production to make all their magic happen. But with a lens like this new Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD, you’re not really going to have to do a lot of retouching if you do everything right in camera. By that I mean that you should, first-and-foremost, use a flash because it gives you the absolute sharpest images without being extra. On top of that, you’d ensure that your sensor is clean and use a rocket blower to get rid of any dust if you’re photographing something like jewelry.

If you’re reading this, then chances are that you already know this fact. But the sad truth is that so many image-makers these days don’t know any of this.

There’s a special magic to the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD, however. If you’re only using natural lighting or LEDs, then you’ll get a bit of softness. Where the magic really comes out is when you’re using a flash to illuminate all the specular highlights that only come out due to the laws of physics with a flash. What’s more, a flash can create something that you can’t see in-camera.

You’re probably wondering why I haven’t spoken about the autofocus, build quality, etc. That’s because at this point, Tamron makes you think about it last and least. On Sony cameras, their lenses just simply work well in a way that I haven’t seen with Sigma, Viltrox, or other brands.

In truth, it really appeals to an old-school way of shooting. It’s kind of nuts for me to say that, because it’s almost like we’re shooting in the time before everyone started to get called a creator.

And yes, 12 aperture blades are nice. But I’m really not seeing a difference that draws me in specifically to the bokeh if I’m not comparing it to something else — at least that’s the case until I’m shooting macro photos. So with that said, always remember that comparison is the theft of joy.

The Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD is an excellent lens overall when it comes to image quality, performance, autofocus, weather resistance, lightweight, and practicality. I really can’t find a fault with it — it’s just a good lens. That’s also my way of saying that they need to find a way to make excellent lenses that stand out from the pack. I haven’t seen many of those from Tamron, and I wish that they didn’t hold back as much.

The Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD receives five out of five stars. Want one? Check it out on Adorama and Amazon.

Buy Now

I

Pros

  • Weather resistance
  • It’s affordable
  • Lightweight
  • Fast autofocus
  • Autofocus works down to the minimum focusing distance
  • 12 aperture blades for really nice bokeh

Cons

  • We haven’t found any issues, to be honest

Who Should Buy the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD?

The following photographers should get the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD:

  • Portrait photographers: the last version of this lens for DSLRs came out in 2016. And it was great. Portrait photographers will really love what this can do!
  • Macro shooters: Duh!
  • Jewelry photographers: So many of them shoot with their iPhones and then send images off to retouching agencies. Just get it right in the camera.

Gear Used

The Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD is a loaner unit from Tamron that’s being tested with a Sony a7r III and a Profoto B10. We own the a7r III and the light. During our fuller review period, we also used it on the Sony a7r V; that camera was loaned to us by Sony.

Innovations

This is Tamron’s first lens with 12 aperture blades. For Tamron, that’s a first. But in the world of photography lenses, they’re quite behind. But there’s a lot more than just that!

However, both Sony and Sigma’s lenses have only 9 aperture blades. You can see our reviews of both of those lenses at the links in the previous sentence. Tamron’s lens focuses down to 9.1 inches while Sigma’s is 1.6 feet and Sony’s is just under 12 inches.

As far as innovations go, Tamron’s 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD is the closest focusing option with the most aperture blades. They’re also providing weather resistance, fast autofocus, and an easy way to update the firmware for only $699. For several full-frame camera owners, this might be the only viable choice on the market.

Hardware

This lens is, in many ways, an absolute wonder. It’s small and has a 67mm filter thread. The exterior is made of plastic, but it doesn’t feel plasticky. It’s also insanely lightweight. Tamron, somehow or another, always manages to check off these boxes with their lenses when other brands make you needlessly compromise.

On the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD, you’ll find the only controls to be the focusing ring and the focus limiter. That’s it. It’s otherwise as simple as it gets. Some folks might’ve wished for a focusing distance scale. But in our tests, we didn’t really seem to need it. And that’s quite refreshing to know.

Protect Your Camera Gear

For years, here at The Phoblographer we’ve done tests on cameras, lenses, bags, computers, lights, and more. And we know that your warranty doesn’t always cover the damage. Plus, accidents can happen on set.

This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.

We’re able to do this through our partnership with Full-Frame Insurance, a company specializing in Small Business Insurance. Are you a Freelance Photographer? We’ll cover you. What about a freelance multi-media journalist? We’ve got you. The Photography Care Program will protect you.

Transform your focus from worry to creativity with the Photography Care Program. Whether it’s a light stand tumbling down, a telephoto lens shattering, or an unforeseen mishap, you don’t have to face the financial burden alone. Experience the freedom to capture stunning shots, knowing you’re protected. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, secure your peace of mind – and protect your photography gear – with our affordable Photography Care Program today.

Focusing

In my few hours of testing the new Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD, I’m very impressed. Using the Sony a7r III, I used the smallest autofocus point I could. Then, I set the camera to the AF-S mode instead of the AF-C mode and ensured that it was as stable as possible. Doing this, I got some really great macro autofocus performance. When shooting handheld, I used the AF-C mode and tracking. That proved to be a bit more erratic at macro levels — but we kind of have to expect that when focusing on minute details.

I didn’t use the focusing limiter for this, but I will for future testing.

Update October 2024

Would you believe me if I told you that this lens never missed focus? Honestly, I was quite shocked that it didn’t miss its mark unless something like a dog was moving at the last moment. That’s because Sony owns part of Tamron and the autofocus algorithms get easily translated through. It’s incredible. To be frank, I don’t think most people would be able to tell the difference between the autofocus of this and a Sony G Master lens. It’s really just that excellent.

Ease of Use

Note that the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD has a focusing limiter on it, and if you’re shooting at macro ranges, you should use it. Otherwise, this is a pretty standard lens that can make beautiful portraiture happen and jewelry look stunning. We’re really excited to see how it performs for other things too, and we’ll update this section in the future.

Updated October 2024

The only update that we have to add to this is that the focus limiter was very instrumental when we were intentional about getting just macro images. Otherwise, it’s best to just use the Sony cameras to the expandable AF mode and tracking together. Using this method, we had no issues at all when shooting macro photos. It made the entire shoot really simple.

Image Quality

I’m writing this article initially with having spent a few hours only with the new Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD. And so far, if you get the focus perfectly right, then it sings a song with crystalline clarity. We’re in the middle of calling in a higher megapixel camera to see just how good that can be. When focusing on watches, it can be a bit tough to get the details when shooting handheld — especially when shooting wide open at macro distances. However, it still does a great job from what we’ve seen.

Update October 2024

Tamron’s sharpness really comes out when you use a flash. I wouldn’t say that it’s soft wide-open at all. But it surely is a bit more dreamy. The real sharpness that you’d expect from a solid macro lens comes out when you’re using a flash. However, this has always been the case with every lens. I really love that I can get this balance with Tamron’s lenses of being dreamy with the bokeh and all yet sharp when I really need it to be.

Let’s Talk Art

I receive taxable income as a photographer on the side; which means that I’m legally a semi-professional and the Phoblographer is my main job. On the side, I often shoot events in the food world. And for many of the images you’ll see below, you’ll see how I got a bit more creative when it came to trying to capture small details.

Extra Image Samples

The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.

Unedited

Edited

Tech Specs

These specs have been taken from Tamron’s press communications

  • Outstanding flat-field performance
  • TAMRON’s first 12-blade circular aperture for stunning circular bokeh and starburst effects
  • Compact size, just 126.5mm (5in) in length
  • New hood design with sliding window for easy filter rotation
  • Compatible with TAMRON Lens UtilityTM and TAMRON Lens UtilityTM Mobile for function customization and firmware updates
  • High-speed and high-precision VXD autofocus with superb subject tracking performance
  • Protective features (Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating)
  • Available for purchase on October 24th at $699 in mounts for both Sony E and Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: F072
Focal Length: 90mm 
Maximum Aperture: F2.8
Angle of View (diagonal): 27°2′ (for full-frame mirrorless format)
Optical Construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Object Distance: 9.1“ / 0.23m
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:1
Filter Size: Ø67mm
Maximum Diameter: Ø79.2mm
Length*: 5” (126.5mm) for Sony  /  5.1” (128.5mm) for Nikon
Weight: 22.2oz (630g) for Sony  /  22.6oz (640g) for Nikon
Aperture Blades**: 12 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture: F16
Standard Accessories: Round-shaped hood with filter effect control window, Front and Rear caps
Mount: Sony E-mount, Nikon Z mount

aperture blades Bokeh jewelry lens portraits tamron 90mm tamron 90mm f2.8 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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