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Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro vs Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

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Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro vs Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, two Macro Prime lenses from Tamron and Sigma. Both cameras have the same focal range of 180mm but different max apertures: Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro has a max aperture of F3.5 while the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM has a 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
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 920g.
  • Diameter: 85mm
  • Length: 166mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.47m
  • Max Magnification:1x

Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Key Specs

  • 180mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format:
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 1640g.
  • Diameter: 95mm
  • Length: 204mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.47m
  • Max Magnification:1x

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 204mm. The Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro with a length of 166mm is 38mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM also has a larger diameter of 95mm compared to Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro's 85mm 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. Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro weighs 920g, which means it is 720g (78%) lighter than the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM which has a weight of 1640g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Macro Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Macro Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Lens Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro
97mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM Lens Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM
45mm
70mm 150g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro
60mm
72mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro
99mm
75mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
98mm
74mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Lens Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC USD Macro
115mm
76mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro Lens Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro
80mm
73mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
67mm
71mm 320g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro and Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro over Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 920g vs 1640g 720g lighter
Diameter 85mm vs 95mm 10mm smaller in diameter
Length 166mm vs 204mm 38mm shorter
Filter Thread 72mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Reasons to choose Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM over Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
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

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro and Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro and Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro vs Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Tamron 180mm f3.5 LD Macro Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Brand Tamron Sigma
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Macro Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 180mm 180mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black Unknown
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 No
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 19
Optical Groups 11 14
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.47m 0.47m
Max Magnification 1X 1X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 920g 1640g
Diameter 85mm 95mm
Length 166mm 204mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 72mm 86mm
Filter Notes filter effect control (FEC) -
Hood Supplied Yes Unknown
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar Yes Yes
Optional Accessories - -
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