This is a worthy alternative to the Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro. The slightly shorter focal length can be helpful on current 1.5 crop cameras. The 100mm lens becomes effectively 150mm which is getting a bit long for portraits, whereas the Tamron 90mm becomes a more traditional 135mm focal length. As with similar macro lenses, the auto focus is slow compared to non-macro lenses. The lens is usable for non-macro photography as long as fast focusing is not required.
There are several versions of this lens and some reports they can see no optical difference between them. The earliest version is the "72E" and listed simply as Tamron SP 90mm f2.8. The second version is the "172E" and listed the same as the "72E". The newest version is the "272E" and adds the "Di" notation to the name. "Di" indicates that the lens has a lens coating designed specifically for digital cameras.
The "Di" version of this lens is still in production and generaly sells for $450-500 new. On eBay they go for $150-300 (Oct 2007).
Links for reviews and current Ebay auctions for this lens below. (Links open in a new window)
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| Tamron AF 90mm f/2.5 Macro Lens for Sony Minolta Mount | |
 | $245.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 10m |
| Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 f2.8 Lens for Sony /Konica Minolta ~Express | |
 | $409.48 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 33m Buy It Now for only: $409.48 Buy It Now |
| Tamron Macro SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di f. Sony Minolta BOXED | |
 | $444.00 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 58m Buy It Now for only: $444.00 Buy It Now |
| Tamron 272 SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro Lens (Sony / Minolta Mount) New | |
 | $409.95 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $409.95 Buy It Now |
| Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 f2.8 Lens for Sony /Konica Minolta ~Express | |
 | $427.34 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 39m Buy It Now for only: $427.34 Buy It Now |