Which is lighter, the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens or the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro?

The Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro weighs 420 g, 330 g less than the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens (750 g).

Which focuses closer, the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens or the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro?

The Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens focuses down to 0.1 m, against 0.29 m for the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro.

Do the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens and the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro have image stabilization?

No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.

Is the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens or the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro better for macro photography?

For macro photography, the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.1 m.

Is the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens or the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro better for portrait photography?

For portrait photography, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it is 330 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens vs Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro

Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view. Tamron 90mm f/2.8 has a longer reach.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens is an 85mm f/2.8 prime, and the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro is a 90mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens

f/2.8 · 85mm · 750 g

Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro

f/2.8 · 90mm · 420 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens better than the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro?

Wider field of view (85mm vs 90mm)
Focuses 19 cm closer (0.1 m vs 0.29 m)
Newer design (2019 vs 1997)

Why is the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro better than the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens?

Longer reach (90mm vs 85mm)
330 g lighter (420 g vs 750 g)
48 mm shorter (74 mm vs 122 mm long)
Smaller filter thread (55 mm vs 58 mm)

Which should you buy?

By use

macro For macro photography, the Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.1 m.
portrait For portrait photography, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it is 330 g lighter to carry.

Specification

15 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens	Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal length	85mm	90mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/32
Lens type	Prime lens	Prime lens
Format	Full frame	Full frame
Weight	750 g (26.46 oz)	420 g ◆
Dimensions	67 x 122 mm	97 x 74 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.10 m (3.94 inches) ◆	0.29 m
Image stabilization	No	No
Aperture ring	—	No
Aperture blades	9	9
Optical construction	12 elements / 8 groups	10 elements / 9 groups
Filter size	58 mm	55 mm ◆
Lens mount	Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M	Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K
Released	2019	1997

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Mitakon
B · Tamron

122 × 67 mm
74 × 97 mm

The Mitakon 85 mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens is 48 mm longer and 330 g heavier than the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro.

Sample frames

Shot on each lens