Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro Lens (Nikon Z)

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro Lens (Nikon Z) is a mid-telephoto macro prime designed for full-frame Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras, continuing a celebrated Tamron 90mm macro lineage that dates back to 1979. It’s aimed at macro photographers who want true 1:1 life-size magnification, while its short-telephoto focal length and fast f/2.8 aperture also make it a versatile option for portraits and other close-to-mid-range subjects.

Optically, the lens is built from 15 elements in 12 groups, including four LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements that help reduce light ray divergence and correct spherical and chromatic aberrations for sharp, high-resolution results. Tamron’s BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating minimizes ghosting and flare, preserving fine detail even in backlit conditions, along with a fluorine coating on the front element. Tamron’s first-ever 12-blade circular aperture delivers stunning, nearly perfectly round bokeh and pleasing starburst effects when stopped down.

Autofocus is handled by Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor, delivering fast, precise, and quiet focusing from the minimum focus distance all the way to infinity, well suited to macro work where speed and accuracy matter. A focus limiter switch restricts the autofocus range to speed up acquisition and avoid unnecessary hunting during close-range macro photography, while an assignable focus set button, customizable via Tamron’s Lens Utility software, offers quick access to preferred settings. The focus ring itself is calibrated with carefully tuned rotational torque for smooth, precise manual adjustments.

The lens achieves true 1:1 magnification at its minimum focusing distance of 9.1 in. (23.1cm), letting photographers capture life-size detail on small, nearby subjects. When paired with an APS-C Nikon Z body, it effectively becomes a 135mm-equivalent mid-telephoto macro lens while retaining its fast f/2.8 aperture. Build quality includes moisture-resistant construction, and the lens is notably compact, measuring 128.5mm (5.1 in.) in length and weighing approximately 640g (22.6 oz.), with a 67mm filter thread shared across most of Tamron’s mirrorless lens lineup. A newly designed lens hood with a sliding window allows for easy filter rotation without removing the hood.

As a full-frame Nikon Z-mount lens, the 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro supports Nikon’s Hybrid AF, Eye AF, M/A focus mode, and in-camera lens corrections (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion), and is compatible with Tamron’s Lens Utility and TAMRON-LINK software for customization and firmware updates.

Key Features
– 90mm f/2.8 mid-telephoto macro prime lens for Nikon Z-mount (full-frame)
– True 1:1 (life-size) macro magnification
– 15 elements in 12 groups, including 4 LD elements
– BBAR-G2 coating with fluorine-coated front element
– Tamron’s first 12-blade circular aperture
– VXD linear motor autofocus
– Focus limiter switch and assignable focus set button
– Calibrated manual focus ring
– Minimum focusing distance of 9.1 in. (23.1cm)
– Moisture-resistant construction
– 67mm filter thread
– Compact, lightweight design (128.5mm length, approximately 640g)
– Included lens hood with sliding filter-rotation window
– Compatible with Nikon Hybrid AF, Eye AF, M/A mode, and in-camera lens corrections
– Compatible with Tamron Lens Utility and TAMRON-LINK software