The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 166mm. The Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM with a length of 137mm, is 29mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro also has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM's 80mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM weighs 895g, 2% (25g) lighter than the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro's weight of 920g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Macro Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Macro Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
Both the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM have the same Filter thread size of 72mm.
Below are links to the 72mm filters that we recommend you to consider for these lenses:
Lens Mounts
Both the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Sony Alpha mounts.
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM is also available in Nikon F (FX) , Four Thirds and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 180mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
288mm.
On the other hand, the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 150mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 240mm.