Tamron SP 2.5/180

[voytek]

Almost all about Christmas time
#1 F2.5

#2 F2.5

#3 F2.5

#4 F2.5

#5 F2.5

#6 F2.5


and Sonnar (zebra) 2.8/180

[Attila]

Great Christmas series!

I especially like #6

[Rodrigo]

Really cool idea taking photos of the toys I liked it.

My fave is definetely #6 too.

[sichko]

Nice set.

[LucisPictor]

This seems to ba a nice lens - and a fast one (f2.5!).

[voe]

Love the colors and contrast! This is a lens that I would like to get my hands on. Unfortunately they are rare find.

[voytek]

Click here to see on Ebay and Click here to see on Ebay
The first one is without bayonet hood, not easy to get.

[Xpres]

There's something about that sixth shot....

the Tamron is one of my favourites, but are those examples a little overpriced?

[Attila]

[voytek]

Average reasonably price for Tamron 180 suppose to be around $400 for a good copy. Year after year price will go higher. Only 3000 was made and we don't know how many still remain in private hands.
Tamron is sharper wide open then Sonnar wide open.
Attila, you know that I have huge respect regarding your knowledge, experience, collection of lenses you own but I would rather say:
Both are different lenses and different performers. I have outstanding P6 Sonnar 180 (zebra) but it's different, however I can not say which one is better Sonnar or Tamron. I don't have neither Contax camera nor Contax dedicated lenses.

[Attila]

I suggested to Xpress to take it, because he said linked Tamron is overpriced. You will be just fine with this rare excellent lens and be proud you have it. I also hold for years and I was a proud owner too, but now I had to sell it unfortunately.

I had following 180mm lenses with all of them you can found samples in Gallery

1) Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8 Contax MM Japanese version

this was absolutely the best , except one copy of Olympia Sonnar 180mm that is on same level

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/carl_zeiss/carl_zeiss_sonnar_180mm_f2_8_MM_Japanese/

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/german/zeiss/sonnar/olypic_sonnar180mm/

2) Tamron SP 180mm f2.5
2) Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar Zebra P6 version

They can be same good in my opinion.

3) Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED

4) Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm MC

etc...

[Xpres]

[Attila]

[yalcinaydin]

This is a great lens but pricey as most of te sp line primes, I'm still looking for sp 80-200/2.8 LD after seeing your samples

[Rob Leslie]

I agree the SP f2.5 180mm is a very special lens but for me it is a bit heavy and bulky. The Adaptall 2 f3.5 200mm performs almost as well with half the size but a loss of one stop. It can also be found at a good price, often a little more than the Takumar f4 but worth it.
Same goes for the SP f2.8 80-200. It is a big lens that offers little more than the SP f3.5 80-210 19AH I am of the opinion that what you may gain with an extra half or even full stop or any very slight performance could well be lost to camera shake. I sold my SP f2.8 300mm for this reason and believe I get better results with the handy SP f5.6 300mm
I have both the SP 80-210mm versions, the f3.5 200mm and the Takumar f4 200mm. All are good lenses but the Adaptall2 (Not the Adaptall1) f3.5 200mm and the SP model 19AH are for me the best.

I recently had a 20 x 16 inch print of a Badger in the wild (Night shot) taken with the SP 19AH exhibited in a London show. I posted a link a month or so ago in the Café section.

[Attila]

I fully agree with Leslie, except Tamron SP 180mm.

[voytek]

There is only one way to handle big guns. Practice. Since January I made about 30.000 shots and now I am able to take sharp photo even with Tamron 2.8/300 of course with SR on. I have Pentax K10D with always grip attached. I stopped to use tripod. This is workout but it pays in time. This is very important to teach yourself how to balance your body. Keep your feet by angle not in parallel. The best way to keep camera without shaking is to use left shoulder to support camera. Nothing is impossible.

[Attila]

How about a monopod for big Tammy ?

[voytek]

I have monopod. Exactly two - for sale I don't like them to use. That's all.

[Attila]

[voytek]

Today I can confirmed what I wrote regarding "big guns". Don't give up them. It pays in time. Look at http://forum.mflenses.com/my-best-photos-so-far-tamron-2-8-80-200-t13194.html