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• sensational image quality in the frame centre up from the maximum relative aperture,
• very good image quality on the edge of the frame both on the APS-C/DX and on full frame,
• negligible chromatic aberration,
• well corrected spherical aberration,
• zero distortion,
• imperceptible coma,
• slight astigmatism,
• low vignetting on the APS-C/DX,
• fast, silent and accurate autofocus,
• efficient stabilization,
• decent work against bright light,
• 5-year warranty period.

Cons:

• modest accessory kit,
• vignetting on full frame could have been lower.

Looking at the list of pros and cons, published above, and comparing the results of other lenses, tested by us in particular categories it is pretty transparent that all 90–105 mm stabilized macro lenses keep a similar, very high level. It doesn’t mean that there are no differences between them. The best performance seems to be presented by the Canon 2.8/100L IS USM which in many categories topped the list and had practically no slip-ups. Right behind it there are the Tamron and the Nikkor and the Sigma fares the worst.

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When all the direct rivals fare very similarly the price becomes often a decisive feature. In the chart below we compared the prices of all lenses, described in this test, taken from price lists valid at the beginning of January in partner shops of Optyczne.pl (Cyfrowe.pl, Fotozakupy.pl, Redcoon.pl). If there was any difference between the prices we chose the lowest one.

The most expensive is the Canon but, as we mentioned before, it is also the top lens when it comes to the performance so such a high price tag seems to be completely justified. The Sigma, which is the cheapest, was also the weakest instrument. Still it should be emphasized that in the case of the price the level of all stabilized lenses was very much alike. The most expensive lens in this group is just less than 300 PLN more expensive than the cheapest one – a less than 10% of difference .

If the prices and the performances are similar your choice might be guided by your own personal tastes so even slight nuances might become important in the decision-making process. Perhaps you’d prefer a slightly longer focal length – then you might be inclined to choose the 105 mm model. If you like shorter focal lengths you might want to buy the Tamron. There are more details to be taken into consideration but we will leave them to the Readers who are interested in purchasing such a lens.

Sample shots

Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.97 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/320 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 7.18 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/160 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 7.72 MB
Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/320 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.07 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/400 s, ISO 400 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.7 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/320 s, ISO 400 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 7.04 MB
Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/50 s, ISO 400 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 9.94 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 400 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 7.83 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.59 MB
Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/250 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.39 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.7 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/60 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.95 MB
Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/40 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 4.32 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.52 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/11.0, exp. 1/10 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 6.24 MB
Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/60 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.2 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/100 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.93 MB	Camera: Canon 1Ds MkIII Parameters: 90 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/30 s, ISO 200 File: JPEG, 5616×3744 pix, 5.6 MB