Long Macro lens: Sigma 150mm 2.8 or Tamron 180 3.5

[mtunlinn]

Hi,
any bro knows where I can get the Tamron 180 3.5? asked a few shops (MS, TCW etc) seems like all no stock or dun carry

thks!

CP, AP, TK, OP.. I am sure you will find one...

 

[double_a]

I am considering the Sigma 150mm too. Besides using it for macro shooting, it should be served as a portrait lens as well. So the AF performance is kinda important to me.

Can any of the Sigma and Tamron owner post some sample pic here for the comparison between these 2 lenses?

 

[sherchoo]

Depending on how serious macro shooters you are. Given the choice and budget is not a serious issue, I'll go for 180mm

 

[cmeptb72]

I am considering the Sigma 150mm too. Besides using it for macro shooting, it should be served as a portrait lens as well. So the AF performance is kinda important to me.

Can any of the Sigma and Tamron owner post some sample pic here for the comparison between these 2 lenses?

I'm not a good shot but here are some sample pics taken with a Sigma 150mm

 

[mtunlinn]

I am considering the Sigma 150mm too. Besides using it for macro shooting, it should be served as a portrait lens as well. So the AF performance is kinda important to me.

Can any of the Sigma and Tamron owner post some sample pic here for the comparison between these 2 lenses?

Both are equally good lens. The difference is that tamron 180mm, being a longer lens, the bokeh tends to be better. For portrait, they are too long for me, especially for crop bodies. Sigma has faster AF but not important for me as most of the time, i am using manual focus for macro.

Photos taken with sigma 150mm

 

[mtunlinn]

Photos taken with tamron 180.

More samples of the tamron can be found at Bluesteel's "Sharing a few butterflies" thread. Most of the shots there were taken with tamron 180 mm.

 

[blurboiboi]

T180mm has more creamy bokeh compared to the S150mm...

 

[double_a]

Thanks cmeptb72 and mtunlinn for sharing your pics....there are not much diff in terms of image quality. :sweat:

I will probably go for the Sigma

 

[spartacus.ret]

T180mm has more creamy bokeh compared to the S150mm...

this is due to the longer focal length.

 

[spartacus.ret]

Thanks cmeptb72 and mtunlinn for sharing your pics....there are not much diff in terms of image quality. :sweat:

I will probably go for the Sigma

actually you should consider what you really want in the lens.

lenses like those 90/100/105mm f/2.8 and sigma 150mm f/2.8 tend to be more popular because they have more usable focal lengths when used outside of macro purposes. also, their f/2.8 is comparatively faster to the longer 180mms' f/3.5 aperture.

BUT, if you're looking for a pure macro lens, the 180mms are the best in the class. yes, they are slower and longer, and require a tripod/monopod and macro flashes to fully optimize the results, but they also give the best macro results.

so while most settle for a more versatile package, i'd recommend you to get one of the 180mms if you're serious into macro photography.

 

[blurboiboi]

this is due to the longer focal length.

ohz it S150 vs T180 ah... thought its S180 vs T180....
I am toking about S180 vs T180... T180's bokeh is better than the S180...

 

[blurboiboi]

sharing some T180 pics...

 

[KangS]

actually you should consider what you really want in the lens.

lenses like those 90/100/105mm f/2.8 and sigma 150mm f/2.8 tend to be more popular because they have more usable focal lengths when used outside of macro purposes. also, their f/2.8 is comparatively faster to the longer 180mms' f/3.5 aperture.

BUT, if you're looking for a pure macro lens, the 180mms are the best in the class. yes, they are slower and longer, and require a tripod/monopod and macro flashes to fully optimize the results, but they also give the best macro results.

so while most settle for a more versatile package, i'd recommend you to get one of the 180mms if you're serious into macro photography.

As far as samples I've seen, the most impressive seem to be the Canon 180mm f/3.5 L. But of course that one is in another price bracket altogether. But I do agree, the 180mm will provide a certain level more versatility in Macro due to the slightly longer working distance. Especially when you want to shoot critters or when you want to shoot flowers without flash (under adequate lighting of course) due to shadows cast by lens being too close.