Tamron SP 180mm f2.5: It is as good as they say

diddy · Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Posts: 288

Hi,
I sold most of my MF lenses and only kept two: Tamron SP 90mm 2.5 and Tamron SP 180mm 2.5.

I've been taking some pictures over the last few days with the 180mm one and it truly lives up to the legendary reputation (even on a low-ISO camera like the Sigma SD1 Merrill which is very critical on old lenses due to the high resolution). My main problem is always getting the focus right. One of the bird pictures below the focus is a bit too much on the front, but I still added it because of the nice colour rendition.
The built quality of this lens is amazing. And what I really like as well is the small size (lightweight). I had the Sigma 180mm 3.5 Macro at some point and this one was really heavy and large. I do not need the macro range that much (although the Tamron focuses really close as well) - so I opted for the Tamron one.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Maybe the last one or two were wide open?

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

That's a lens that has interested me for a while, now I'm even more interested. Rolling Eyes

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:16 am Post subject:

Beautiful results - and the lens has an impressive reputation.
Apparently it is as good as the 180/2.8 Nikkor*ED.
It is somewhat hard to find I think, with only 3000 being made.
It might be easier and cheaper to find a Nikkor, as they are far more numerous.
It would be nice to use nonetheless
OH

kryss · Expire: 2017-09-18

I have collected Tamron lenses for many years now and would not part with my 180mm f2.5 for anything,beautifully made and very classy brass nameplate same as 300mm f2.8.

lowersaxonguy · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 122 Location: lowersaxony

the first shot was taken at 5,6 may blur came cause shutter tine 400 was too long ?

diddy · Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Posts: 288

@woodrim: I think they were all shot around f4 and f5.6 - I was just too close to the bird.
@lowersaxonguy: I think with the first one I just didn't focus properly - 1/400sec should have been enough, although you are right, faster would have been probably better. If you look at the feathers on the front they are sharp, it's just that the area around the head of the bird is getting unsharp - as said, I am having quite difficulties getting the focus right (in general with any tele MF lens). Also, I was shooting at f4 to f5.6 and the bird was very close, so the DOF was very narrow as well.
@Oldhand: I had the 180/2.8 Nikkor*ED before this lens. It is a very sharp lens as well. Mine had more CA than the Carl Zeiss Jena 180mm. The Nikkor is also a bit bigger than the Tamron lens. To me, the Tamron lens seems to be really a lightweight lens for a 180mm lens (well, after having had the CZJ 180mm anything is really more leightweight).