Just got my Tamron 60mm f/2 1:1 Macro

A quick review for the fellahs.

1. Build quality is quite nice, not what I expect from Tamron.
2. Focus isn't quick, as expected from a non-USM lens. It can be a bother when moving from a macro focus to a normal/infinity focus range... getting involved with the focus ring manually will speed things up a LOT, because it seems to just sit there otherwize... not sure if this means I have a lemon or not, but we'll see.
3. Sharpness is extraordinary. Colors are very nice.
4. The skin rendering is almost Zeiss-like which makes this an awesome portrait lens... especially @ f/2. The DOF fall-off @ f/2 makes for some stunning images.

I picked it up on ebay for $519 shipped (essentially $499 + $20 shipping) with the eBay and BING Cashbacks getting me $52 back and Tamron's rebate of $50 coming = $417 shipped. Great deal. Sadly BING is done, but the rebate is good till 8/31/10.

I'm interested in that lens and have a couple questions...

But first let me say that Tamron has made a lot of top quality lenses over the years. For still photography, they're best have usually been designated "SP" (there have been a couple SP "duds" too). In addition, they are a top supplier to Hollywood and the film industry everywhere. Once you know what to look for, you can almost spot movies made with their lenses (color saturation and a warm tone). They know very well how to make a great lens and have had a lot of experience at it. (Some "cult classic" manual focus examples: SP 80-200/2.8, 180/2.5, 300/2.8 IF, 400/4 IF, 24/2.5, 90/2.5 and 90/2.8 Macro, & more).

By the way, the "T" in T-mount - which was the first and most successful system of adapting third party lenses to a wide variety of camera mounts, back in the days of manual focus and apertures - stands for "Tamron".

Like most manufacturers, though, they've made more than a few entry-level quality, lower cost lenses.

Questions:

Is that a "crop only" lens?

Does it have a focus limiter switch?

Can you safely, manually override autofocus? Do you turn AF on and off with a switch or by some other means (like Tokina, where you push/pull the focus ring)?

How is the feel of the focus ring? Is it a really long throw, for greater precision?

Did it come with a lens hood? Case?

Can it be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, or is it small enough that it wouldn't need one?

I do wish Tamron would come up with a version of USM/HSM auto focus motor to use in their better lenses. If Canon and Sigma can do it, so could Tamron, Tokina, etc.

saw one on sale locally for about $500.00 Canadian. the 90mm is $450.00. Was this close to taking one but thought i`d look around the web...again...to read more before taking the plunge. Not sure why but I just can`t seem to pull the trigger on a third party lens ... my catalog lists the 60mm as a Di II...crop sensor lens. They had it in a glass cabinet so I couldn`t hold it to see how it`s built...had I been certain of buying one I would have asked to see it up close. The 60mm gets good reviews on line as does the 90. They had the 189 sitting right next to them...double the money and also seems to have good reviews. They had a bunch of Tamrons on sale...wonder if that means they`re clearing room for the next generation coming in September.
Couple of others caught my eye...the 17-50 at $350.00
the 18-270 at $575.00
the 28-200 at $350.00
but I`m worried that I`ll only end up getting a Canon later anyways...not that I can`t afford em just that why throw money away if I can get something at a bargain price? So...looks like I`ma gonna have to keep thinking.

its me wrote in post #10686491
=it`s me;10686491]saw one on sale locally for about $500.00 Canadian. the 90mm is $450.00. Was this close to taking one but thought i`d look around the web...again...to read more before taking the plunge. Not sure why but I just can`t seem to pull the trigger on a third party lens ... my catalog lists the 60mm as a Di II...crop sensor lens. They had it in a glass cabinet so I couldn`t hold it to see how it`s built...had I been certain of buying one I would have asked to see it up close. The 60mm gets good reviews on line as does the 90. They had the 189 sitting right next to them...double the money and also seems to have good reviews. They had a bunch of Tamrons on sale...wonder if that means they`re clearing room for the next generation coming in September.
Couple of others caught my eye...the 17-50 at $350.00
the 18-270 at $575.00
the 28-200 at $350.00
but I`m worried that I`ll only end up getting a Canon later anyways...not that I can`t afford em just that why throw money away if I can get something at a bargain price? So...looks like I`ma gonna have to keep thinking.

horses for courses i guess but there is a lot of great glass not made by canon. sigma, tokina and tamron have some lenses the are not only great value but also in a more than a few cases. lenses that have no equal in the canon range in terms of focal lenghs, f-stops etc. it's a personal choice but i think your putting the blinkers on if you don't consider all options.

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
Is that a "crop only" lens?

Yes, Di II... small image circle. Haven't tried it on a film back because I left them home. I'm certain there will be heavy vignetting, but will check anyways and report back once I have.

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
Does it have a focus limiter switch?

Sadly, no. And while on my 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM I never felt the need for one because of the USM, with this lens, it would help, especially when travelling from the Macro end of it to the Infinity end.

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
Can you safely, manually override autofocus? Do you turn AF on and off with a switch or by some other means (like Tokina, where you push/pull the focus ring)?

Its FTM. You don't need to switch it to M to focus.

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
How is the feel of the focus ring? Is it a really long throw, for greater precision?

The focus ring is very well damped, the throw is actually kinda long... but this is quite normal for a macro lens.

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
Did it come with a lens hood? Case?

Reversible hood? yes. Case? no.

[QUOTE=amfoto1;1067923​2]
Can it be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, or is it small enough that it wouldn't need one?

amfoto1 wrote in post #10679232
I do wish Tamron would come up with a version of USM/HSM auto focus motor to use in their better lenses. If Canon and Sigma can do it, so could Tamron, Tokina, etc.

Tamron has finally implemented its first USD (Ultra Silent Drive) motor (their version of USM) into a lens it just announced (SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD). It will take a couple years till they update the range with USD motors. I don't believe its hit the street yet. Plus the 60mm f/2 1:1 is a relatively new model (about 1 year old).