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Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

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Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
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Samyang 85mm F1.4

Telephoto Prime | Sony Alpha

Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 90mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas Samyang 85mm F1.4 is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and max aperture of F1.4.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro Key Specs

  • 90mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 405g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 97mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.29m
  • Max Magnification:1x

Samyang 85mm F1.4 Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 539g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 75mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1m

What type of photography are the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro and Samyang 85mm F1.4 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro and the Samyang 85mm F1.4 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro Samyang 85mm F1.4
Bird/WildlifeFairAverage
SportsFairGood
PortraitGoodExcellent
TravelAverageFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingFairAverage
LandscapeAverageFair

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro was replaced by Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha vs Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha vs Samyang 85mm F1.4

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 97mm. The Samyang 85mm F1.4 with a length of 75mm is 22mm shorter. On the other hand, the Samyang 85mm F1.4 has a larger diameter of 78mm compared to Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro's 72mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro weighs 405g, which means it is 134g (24%) lighter than the Samyang 85mm F1.4 which has a weight of 539g.


Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro and Samyang 85mm F1.4 has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Samyang 85mm F1.4 is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony E and Samsung NX mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 90mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 135mm.
Samyang 85mm F1.4 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 127.5mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro over Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Tele 90mm vs 85mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 405g vs 539g 134g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 78mm 6mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.29m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 1x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF over Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 90mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Length 75mm vs 97mm 22mm shorter

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro and Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro and Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 90mm 85mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F1.4
Min Aperture F32.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 10 9
Optical Groups 9 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.29m 1m
Max Magnification 1X unknown
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Micromotor None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Extending front Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 405g 539g
Diameter 72mm 78mm
Length 97mm 75mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 55mm 72mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Unknown
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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