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Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro vs Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

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Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II 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 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro vs Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro for the A Mount and the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM for the A Mount, two Macro Prime lenses from Tamron and Sigma.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro Key Specs

  • 60mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 80mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.23m
  • 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: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 1640g.
  • Diameter: 95mm
  • Length: 204mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.47m
  • Max Magnification: 1x

What type of photography are the Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro and Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro and the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Bird/WildlifeFairAverage
SportsFairAverage
PortraitGoodAverage
TravelAverageFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingGoodAverage
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingFairFair
LandscapeAverageFair
MacroVery GoodVery Good


Size and Weight Comparison

The 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 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro with a length of 80mm, is 124mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM also has a larger diameter of 95mm compared to the Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro's 73mm diameter.

The 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 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro weighs 400g, which means it is 1240g (75%) 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
Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM Lens Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM
45mm
70mm 150g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Lens Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro
97mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro
99mm
75mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro
60mm
72mm 295g 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
Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
67mm
71mm 320g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro Lens Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro
117mm
79mm 609g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro and the 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 A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (DX) 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

Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 60mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 90mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 180mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 270mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro over Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Focal Length - Wide 60mm vs 180mm 120mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Weight 400g vs 1640g 1240g lighter
Diameter 73mm vs 95mm 22mm smaller in diameter
Length 80mm vs 204mm 124mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.23m vs 0.47m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM over Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro

Focal Length - Tele 180mm vs 60mm 120mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II 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 60mm F2 Di II 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 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro vs Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
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 APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 60mm 180mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.0 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 19
Optical Groups 10 14
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.23m 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 No No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 400g 1640g
Diameter 73mm 95mm
Length 80mm 204mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount -
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 55mm 86mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate on focusing -
Hood Supplied Yes -
Tripod Collar No Yes
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