Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 SP Tele Macro BBAR MC (52B, 1979-1988)

Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 SP Tele Macro BBAR MC (52B, 197-1988)
Tamron Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5
SP Tele Macro BBAR MC
(52B, 197-1988)






2017.01.xx - Published
2017.06.21 - Re-written
2018.12.23 - Re-written
2019.01.29 - Re-written, new photos, new lens demo video
2022.08.12 - Re-written, re-uploaded
2022.08.20 - Published




Tamron Adaptall-2
90mm f/2.5
SP Tele Macro

"It is a telephoto lens that demonstrates extremely sharp sharpness for both portrait and macro photography. The newly-developed OAC optical design automatically corrects various aberration fluctuations due to focusing, and features high contrast and sharp image quality from infinity to 39cm (macro 1:2). Also, by using a 2x SP teleconverter, full-fledged 1:1 macro photography is possible."

SP = Superior Performance (Tamron's top-of-the-line lenses)

Model - 52B (first version)
Years Produced - 1979 - 1988
Minimum Focusing - 0.39 meters
Focus Throw - 90° from ∞ to 1 meter; 1 meter to MFD, it goes 270°
Macro - 1:2 (1:1 with 2x teleconverter)
Filter Thread Ø - 49mm
Hood - 23FH
Aperture Run - f/2.5 to f/32
# Diaphragm Blades - 8
Optical Formula - 8 elements, 6 groups
Floating elements
Coating - Broad Band Anti-Reflective Multi-Coating
Made in Japan



VERSIONS

52B (1979-1988)
90mm f/2.5 (Macro 1:2)
Adaptall-2 8el/6gr

52BB (1988-1996)
90mm f/2.5 (Macro 1:2)
Adaptall-2 8el/6gr

52EP (1990-1992)
90mm f/2.5 (Macro 1:2)
AF version of 52B/52BB 8el/6gr

72B (1996-?)
90mm f/2.8 (Macro 1:1)
Adaptall-2 10el/9gr

72E/172E
90mm f/2.8 (Macro 1:1)
AF version of 72B

272E (2005-2018)
90mm f/2.8 Di (Macro 1:1)
Di for DSLRs 10el/9gr





Photo Album






====================================

Impressions



History
Adaptall is a system of lenses with an interchangeable mount. The mounts of these lenses can be easily swapped out for another mount. These adapters came in the mounts of the era (eg. Canon, Nikon, Pentax K, Pentax M42, Canon FD, Minolta SR, Minolta A, etc.). Genuine Adaptall adapters are plentiful to find today, but cheap third party ones are also available. The only difference is that genuine adapters enable 'auto diaphragm' and meter coupling (eg. Nikon AI). Because of this availability, the Adaptall system is still very popular today in the 2020s, despite being discontinued in 2006.

Model 52B was Tamron's first macro lens. Model 52BB had a different cosmetic appearance, and  52EP is the AF version of these two models. They all have an optical formula of 8el/6gr and have macro magnification of 1:2. Later models 72B/72E/172E/272E had a different formula of 10el/9gr and magnify to 1:1 (real life size).

Build/Handling
The first version is a beautiful compact lens. It extends considerably as it focuses closer. The only thing I did not like was the rubber grip, which had a tendency to loosen and to have a white film on the surface as you use it. The lens has a short focus throw from infinity to 1 meter, then it takes a huge long travel down to 39cm. The focusing ring has some strong resistance, but I removed the original lubricant and now it can focus much smoother. It has 8 diaphragm blades so the bokeh balls will be rounded when you stop it down.

There is a bit of focus breathing which is typical of macro lenses. The lens can only focus to 1:2 magnification, but can go 1:1 with a 2x teleconverter or macro tube. I find this limitation to be okay for most of my use. Later versions have different optical formula and go 1:1.

Optical Quality
From the moment I first used this lens, it was already instant love. Straight from f/2.5, you get sharp pictures and no noticeable aberrations. A thoroughly sharp lens, even beats my Nikkor 55/3.5 in terms of color and contrast. It does flare when you point it at a light source or shoot outside. Despite this, it still produces good contrast at the widest f-stop.

CONCLUSION: This is an excellent macro lens that also doubles as a portrait lens either for full frame or crop-sensor cameras. The lack of AF is a non-issue. Image quality is also better than today's kit lenses. Keep shooting and enjoy.


The size of 90mm compared to other primes
(85mm left, 105mm right)


Take in 49mm filters

With its original leather case and front cap



Model and serial number at the rear side of aperture ring



With screw-in metal telephoto hood (40mm length)


8 diaphragm blades

The lens without an Adaptall adapter

The lens with a third-party adapter (Nikon F mount)

Side-by-side: genuine Adaptall adapter
vs cheap third party adapter





The macro goes to 1:1 with a 2x teleconverter

With a Kenko MC7 2x TelePlus (Teleconverter)

========================================

Samples

Not all samples included here.
Please go to my photo album:


Shot on Nikon D5200
and FUJIFILM X-T10
From 2016 to 2018



Pets
Mostly at f/2.5, the macro were at f/8















Plants

Red rose at f/8


At f/2.5, you can still see how sharp it is
Another sharp sample at f/2.5





At f/16. This was 1:1 macro using
Kenko MC7 2x Tele Plus


f/8




Portrait
(These were all at f/2.5)














Things
(Most of these were at f/8 or f/16.)








f/16










Backlight

f/2.5

f/4

f/5.6

f/8






Landscape
(Could be f/8 or f/16)




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