Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro § 03 Head to head
Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro vs Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 focuses 61 cm closer. Voigtlander 90mm f/2.8 is 160 g lighter.
The Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro is a 90mm f/2.8 prime, and the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S is a 90mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro 
Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S 01
Key differences
Why is the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro better than the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S?
- Focuses 61 cm closer (0.29 m vs 0.9 m)
Why is the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S better than the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro?
- 160 g lighter (260 g vs 420 g)
- 33 mm shorter (41 mm vs 74 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (52 mm vs 55 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro | Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 90mm | 90mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 420 g | 260 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 97 x 74 mm | 66.3 x 41 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.29 m ◆ | 0.9 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 10 elements / 9 groups | 7 elements in 7 groups |
| Filter size | 55 mm | 52 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K | Nikon F |
| Released | 1997 | — |
04
Size
- A · Tamron
- B · Voigtlander
- 74 × 97 mm
- 41 × 66.3 mm
The Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro is 33 mm longer and 160 g heavier than the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S.
05
Sample frames
Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro
Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S?
- The Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S weighs 260 g, 160 g less than the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro (420 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S?
- The Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro focuses down to 0.29 m, against 0.9 m for the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S.
- Do the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro and the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
- Is the Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Voigtlander Apo Skopar 90 mm f/2.8 SL II S has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
08