Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro vs Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f2.8D ED-IF

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Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro

Macro Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro vs Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 180mm focal range and a max aperture of F3.5 whereas Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 180mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro Key Specs

180mm Focal Range

F3.5 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 72mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 920g.

Diameter: 85mm

Length: 166mm

Min Focus Distance:0.47m

Max Magnification:1x

Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF Key Specs

180mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 72mm

Max Format:

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 760g.

Diameter: 79mm

Length: 144mm

Min Focus Distance:1.5m

What type of photography are the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF lenses good for?

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 Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro	Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF
Bird/Wildlife	Average	Good
Sports	Average	Excellent
Portrait	Average	Average
Travel	Fair	Fair
Street	Average	Fair
Wedding	Average	Average
Walk Around	Fair	Fair
Vlogging	Fair	Poor
Landscape	Fair	Fair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 166mm. The Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF with a length of 144mm is 22mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro also has a larger diameter of 85mm compared to Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF's 79mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF weighs 760g, 17% (160g) lighter than the Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro's weight of 920g.

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is also available in Canon EF and Sony Alpha mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro over Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f2.8D ED-IF

Minimum Focus Distance	0.47m vs 1.5m	can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification	1x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f2.8D ED-IF over Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro

Max Aperture - Wide	2.8 vs 3.5	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	2.8 vs 3.5	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs 7	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight	760g vs 920g	160g lighter
Diameter	79mm vs 85mm	6mm smaller in diameter
Length	144mm vs 166mm	22mm shorter

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro and Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f2.8D ED-IF

Internal Focusing	Yes vs Yes	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs Yes	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring	Yes vs Yes	able to adjust the aperture on the lens

Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro and Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f2.8D ED-IF

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

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Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro vs Nikon 180mm f2.8D ED-IF Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Tamron	Nikon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Macro Prime	Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount	Nikon F (FX)	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	180mm	180mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
Colour	Black	Black
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F3.5	F2.8
Min Aperture	F32.0	F22.0
Aperture Ring	Yes	Yes
Diaphragm Blades	7	9
Optics
Optical Elements	14	8
Optical Groups	11	6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.47m	1.5m
Max Magnification	1X	unknown
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Micromotor	Screw drive from camera
Full Time Manual	Yes
Focus Method	Internal	Internal
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	Yes	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	920g	760g
Diameter	85mm	79mm
Length	166mm	144mm
Materials	Unknown	metal mount
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Unknown
Filter Thread	72mm	72mm
Filter Notes	filter effect control (FEC)	-
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	Unknown
Tripod Collar	Yes	Unknown
Optional Accessories	-	-
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