Tamron 180mm 1: 3.5 LD DI SP AF [IF] MACRO 1: 1 review

For the provided Tamron 180mm 1: 3.5 LD DI SP AF [IF] MACRO 1: 1 B01 lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including Similar Tamron Lenses.

Navigation

• In short
• History
• Main Specifications
• Assembly
• Focusing
• Diaphragm
• Image quality
• Sample Photos
• All Original Micro Nikkor Autofocus Lenses
• My experience
• Results
• User Comments
• Add your review / comment or question on the lens

In this review, the lens Tamron 180mm 1: 3.5 LD DI SP AF [IF] MACRO 1: 1 I will call in abbreviated form Tamron 180 / 3.5. Please note that this review shows the lens for Nikon cameras with Nikon F mount. At the same time, Tamron 180 / 3.5 was also produced for Canon cameras with Canon EF / EFS mount and Sony and Minolta cameras with Sony / Minolta A mount.

In short

The Tamron 180 / 3.5 is a macro lens for full frame DSLR cameras with the ability to shoot at a maximum magnification of 1: 1. It has good build quality and good image quality. Has a few nice little things. The disadvantages are more related to the additional features that are available for other similar lenses.

One of the best macro lenses of our time.

History

Tamron 180 / 3.5 was introduced January 1 2003 and is the only such lens from Tamron. At the time of writing this review (spring 2020), Tamron 180 / 3.5 is an actual model and is on the list modern tamron lenses. At the same time, most likely, Tamron 180 / 3.5 has already been discontinued in 2016.

Back in 1988, there was an interesting Tamron SP180mm F2.5 LD (IF) B023 (aka Tamron 35th Anniversary), but it did not have the possibility of macro photography.

The history of Tamron macro lenses is quite long. Back in 1979, the company had a wonderful Tamron SP 1: 2.5 90mm Tele Macro BBAR MC MODEL 52B which has undergone a number of iterations and has survived to the present in the form of a model Tamron SP 90mm F / 2.8 Di VC USD Macro 1: 1 MODEL F017.

Main technical specifications of Tamron 180mm 1: 3.5 LD DI SP AF [IF] MACRO 1: 1:

Review Instance Name	The inscription on the gold border: LD DI SP TAMRON AF 180mm F / 3.5 [IF] MACRO ø72 The inscription on the case in gold letters: TAMRON SP DI AF 180mm 1: 3.5 MACRO 1: 1
Basic properties	DI (Ddigitally Integrated) - the lens is designed for use on digital cameras with a full-frame sensor SP (Super Performance) - high performance inherent to Tamron's professional lens range AF - automatic focusing (for Nikon by means of a motor in the camera) IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus Macro 1: 1 - Possibility of macro shooting with 1: 1 magnification LD (Low Dispersion) - special low dispersion elements in the optical scheme XLD (Eextra Low Dispersion) - special ultra-low-dispersion elements in the optical scheme B01 - lens model for quick identification FEC (Foxygen Eeffect Control) - light filter control ring (even with the hood installed) Aperture control ring (similar to Nikon NON-G) Special AF / M focus mode switch Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use.
Front Filter Diameter	72 mm
Focal length	180 mm EGF for cameras with APS-C sensor Kf=1.5 Nikon and Sony is 270 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-C sensor is 288 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-H sensor is 234 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x
Designed by	for digital full-frame SLR cameras (available in versions for Nikon F [B01N], Canon EF [B01E], Sony A / Minolta A [B01S])
Number of aperture blades	7
Tags	focusing distance in meters and feet bayonet mount mark hood attachment mark three marks for the orientation of the tripod foot magnification scale for values ​​of 1:10, 1: 5, 1: 3, 1: 2, 1: 1.5, 1: 1.2, 1: 1 depth of field scale for f / 32 aperture value
Diaphragm	From F / 3.5 to F / 32 at infinity and from F / 5.6 to F / 51 on MDF. The maximum value depends on the focusing distance: from infinity to 2 measures F / 3.5 2 meters F / 3.8 1 meter f / 4 0.8 meters F / 4.2 0.7 meters F / 4.5 0.6 meters F / 4.8 0.55 meters F / 5 0.5 meters F / 5.3 0.47 meters F / 5.6
MDF (minimum focusing distance)	47 centimeters, maximum magnification ratio 1: 1
The weight	920 grams (claimed) 828 grams (measured, lens without covers, lens hood and tripod foot, version for Nikon F) 1112 grams (measured, lens with covers, hood and tripod foot, version for Nikon F)
Optical design	14 elements in 11 groups including 2 low dispersion elements (1 LD, 1 XLD). Some sources indicate 2 LD, others - 1 LD, 1 XLD. Clickable image to enlarge
Lens hood	bayonet, plastic, model Tamron DB01
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Japan)
Period	From 01.01.2003. For 2020 is considered a relevant model.
Price	View on E-Katalog about 750 dollars at the time of the announcement

For macro lens high aperture not characteristic. The maximum aperture of F / 3.5 is used in many other similar lenses, for example, Canon 180 / 3.5 L, Sigma 180 / 3.5 EX, there are even darker ones: Micro Nikkor 200 / 4D or Micro Nikkor 70-180 / 4.5-5.6D.

With Tamron 180 / 3.5, I have a shot on camera Nikon D40 in bright daylight, where the open aperture made it possible to use the shortest shutter speed available for the camera, equal to 1/4000 second, at the minimum possible for the ISO camera, snapshot is available at this link.

Assembly

Build quality Tamron 180 / 3.5 is at a fairly high level. The lens is made in Japan. To the touch Tamron 180 / 3.5 is sturdy and reliable.

Tamron 180 / 3.5 uses a metal mount. The focus ring is rubberized. The diaphragm ring and the FEC ring (about it will be lower) are plastic.

The weight of the lens itself is a little over 800 grams. For such professional solutions, heavy weight is not a serious problem.

Tamron 180 / 3.5 can use a tripod foot. The foot is removable. There are 3 marks on the lens body for quick orientation of the lens in a strictly vertical or horizontal orientation.

Tamron 180 / 3.5 can use a large plastic hood, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation, and access to the focus ring will be completely lost.

From the bayonet side there is light-cutting rectangular hood, the inside of which is coated with a special dust collecting material.

It’s very strange that such a powerful professional lens would use 72mm filters rather than the more classic 'professional' 77mm.

It's important: Tamron 180 / 3.5 has a function FEC (Foxygen Eeffect Control). This means that the lens has additional filter control ring... Rotating this ring allows you to rotate the thread for light filters. This makes it possible to rotate specialized light filters (gradient, polarizing, etc.) even with the hood installed. In this case, the hood does not rotate. With filters that have a narrow and uncomfortable rim, this ring also makes work easier. The ring is wide enough, but plastic, without rubberized inserts. During rotation, an internal gear is sensed associated with the filter thread. During rotation, the FEC ring rubs unpleasantly, the nature of friction is 'plastic on plastic', and a characteristic noise is emitted. Direction of rotation of the FEC ring does not match with the direction of rotation of the filter. This is the first time I come across a similar function and find it very interesting and useful, even despite minor flaws in its implementation.

Focusing

Tamron 180 / 3.5 Auto Focus Speed very low... The running time from infinity to MDF and back is very long. The Tamron 180 / 3.5 is a real turtle.

During focusing, the front lens and the frame for filters remain motionless. During focusing, the rear lens only moves slightly.

The focus ring rotates to 180 degrees. The ring travel is smooth, you can rotate with one finger. When extreme positions are reached, the ring abuts. The focus ring is very wide with rubberized inserts. The minimum focusing distance is 0.47 m. The maximum zoom ratio is 1: 1.

It's important: the range from infinity to 1 meter is poorly stretched, manually focusing on this range is very difficult. The lens is designed in such a way that it is primarily aimed at shooting at short focusing distances. Perhaps having a focusing distance limiter would help Tamron 180 / 3.5 a bit in the convenience of focusing at different distances.

Working distance is 25 см (the distance from the subject to the front lens during focusing on MDF), which is an excellent indicator. With the lens hood installed, another 15 cm remains between the subject and the edge of the lens hood.

To switch focus modes, shift the focus ring toward the lens mount (M) or front lens (AF). This focus mode switch is more common with Tokina lenses. In the automatic AF focus mode, the focus ring remains stationary, it can rotate freely without affecting the focus, while it is convenient to support the lens for it.

When used on a camera Nikon D700 и Nikon D70 the lens behaves well without any major focusing issues.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

• D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs
• D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6
• Df
• D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90
• D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500
• D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500
• D600, D610, D750, D780
• D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850
• Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro
• Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

• D40, D40x, D60
• D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500
• D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600
• all digital mirrorless cameras Nikon ZDX, Nikon ZFX with Nikon FTZ/FTZ II adapter

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

Focus Features:

1. There is a depth of field scale, but only for F / 32
2. Focus speed may vary slightly depending on the camera used. This issue has been considered. here.
3. During focusing, the lens and camera are quite noisy.
4. There is a very strong effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changing the viewing angle during focusing). During focusing towards MDF, the viewing angle decreases
5. Tamron 180 / 3.5 transmits the focus distance to the subject in the camera and is a type lens Nikon D.
6. The lens has a scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet in the form of a window. There is a scale with a magnification.
7. The direction of rotation of the focus ring does not match the original Micro Nikkor 200 / 4D
8. Unknown compatibility with teleconverters.
9. Tamron 180 / 3.5 does not have hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external conditions.
10. There is no focusing distance limiter (such as Sigma 150 / 2.8EX MACRO it is three-position, for convenient operation at different focusing distances).
11. Tamron 180 / 3.5 is a third-party lens. It may happen that it will not work correctly with some Nikon cameras. Details on this issue are considered by me. here.

Diaphragm

The lens has a plastic ring for manual iris control. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern digital cameras, you need to turn the control ring to the value F / 32, after which it is automatically fixed by a small special button-lock, which is located to the left of the marks aperture. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 (full stops) are plotted on it. Other intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu.

Tamron 180 / 3.5 uses aperture on 7 petals. The aperture blades are rounded, but a fairly even aperture is obtained only at values ​​from F / 3.5 to F / 8. On strongly covered diaphragms, a heptagon is clearly traced.

Note that Tamron 180 / 3.5 only displays the maximum open f / 3.5 aperture when focusing at infinity.

During focusing on the MDF, the maximum relative aperture becomes 1: 5.6.

During focusing, you can clearly see how the aperture blades slightly close, thereby changing the maximum relative aperture.

The change in the number F when changing the focusing distance is introduced specifically to achieve accurate metering exposure. In almost all macro lenses, during focusing towards the MDF, the effective aperture value changes. This is due to the fact that during focusing towards the MDF, the effective focal length of the lens changes.

This behavior of the F number is quite important when working with manual pulsed light, where you need to set a certain power for each shot, and when changing the focusing distance, you should always take this into account and make the necessary correction.

Other macro lenses with which I had to deal with behave in a similar manner. This is not a problem, just such a feature of macro lenses.

Image quality

Tamron 180 / 3.5 is optically good. When working with the lens, high sharpness and a very low level of chromatic aberration are immediately evident.

Sharpness

• good sharpness at open apertures in the center of the frame
• there is a slight drop in sharpness to the corners of the frame
• in the range of F / 8-F / 11, the sharpness reaches its maximum level
• the lens focusing system is optimized to achieve good resolution both at close focusing distances and at long range

Distortion

• distortion level is very low
• it is extremely difficult to visually observe distortion in real shots

Vignetting

• tangible vignetting open aperture and focus on infinity
• vignetting is reduced by closing the diaphragm

Aberration

• general level HA is very low
• chromatic aberration most tracked at the edges and corners of the image
• when closing the diaphragm chromatic aberration are slightly reduced
• HA well fixed in RAW converters

Rest

• noticeable amount of glare in the backlight, a slight drop in contrast in the side light, it is very annoying to use a lens with a hood
• for some reason Tamron 180 / 3.5 does not use Tamron's advanced enlightenment BBAR
• Hexagon Blur Discs (example)

Under Tamron 180 / 3.5, there are lens profiles for RAW converters ADOBE CARMEA RAW (respectively for Lightroom).

Sample Photos Nikon D40

Converting original RAW files with the original Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6 utility. The lens was used with a protective No-Name filter.

You can download the original photos in JPEG format. at this link (55 files, 200 MB).

Sample Photos Nikon D3200

D3200 is still one of the cameras with the highest pixel density, and therefore the pictures taken from it can easily judge some of the optical capabilities of the Tamron 180 / 3.5. Converting original RAW files with the original Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6 utility. The lens was used without a filter and hood.

• Picture Control Mode: SD (Standard with default settings, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0)
• White balance: Auto (with default offset)
• Active D-lighting: ON (the camera does not allow you to select a level ADL)
• Noise Reduction: OFF
• use of the function 'Aut. distortion control 'with this lens on the camera Nikon D3200 not available, but Capture NX-D automatically removes some chromatic aberration
• The lens was used without filters.

You can download the original photos in RAW format at this link (34 files, 600 MB).

Sample photos of Sony a3500

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony a3500. All photos are on-camera JPEG. Picture Control Mode 'Standard 0/1/1'. Functions' Corr. ob .: Shading ',' Corr. ob .: Chrome. aberr. ' and 'Corr. Rev .: Distortion 'were disabled. The lens was used without a light filter, but with a lens hood.

You can download the original photos in JPEG format. at this link (40 files, 200 MB).

My experience

I really liked the Tamron 180 / 3.5. In addition to the Tokina 100 / 2.8 Macro, this is the second lens that will leave a pleasant impression in your memory for a long time. Personally, I did not like Tamron 180 / 3.5 only the diameter of the filters at 72 mm (I would like 77 mm).

For example, not so long ago I was on the review pretty pleasant Irix 150mm f / 2.8 Macro 1: 1 Dragonflybut I didn’t feel any special sympathy for him. Tamron 180 / 3.5 has its own specific charm, which is characteristic of some old TOPron lenses from Tamron.

• Among Nikon SLR cameras, Tamron 180 / 3.5 is closest to Nikon ED AF Micro Nikkor 200mm 1: 4D
• Among lenses for Canon SLR cameras, the closest to the Tamron 180 / 3.5 is very similar. Canon Macro Lens EF 180mm 1: 3.5 L Ultrasonic
• Among lenses for SLR cameras Sony A / Minolta A is closest to Tamron 180 / 3.5. Minolta AF APO TELE MACRO 200mm 1: 4 (32) (AF 200 Macro)
• it is very strange that Tamron 180 / 3.5 was not produced for Pentax SLR cameras

Making 'serious' macro lenses is not easy. By themselves, macro lenses with a focal length of more than 105 mm - the cat cried and there was practically nothing to choose from. Moreover, original solutions cost a lot of money.

Only such lenses have a stabilizer Sigma 180 / 2.8 Macro OS и Sigma 150 / 2.8 MACRO OS. In general Sigma 180 / 2.8 Macro OS is a better solution than Tamron 180 / 3.5.

All autofocus MICRO / MC NIKKOR lenses

Z-mount FX:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 mm 1:2.8
2. Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm 1: 2.8 VR S

F-mount FX:

1. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 50 mm 1:2.8 R-UW
2. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 55 mm 1:2.8
3. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1:2.8
4. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1: 2.8D
5. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 60 mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat (Japan or Thailand)
6. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1:2.8
7. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1: 2.8D
8. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 mm 1: 2.8G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1 Nano Crystal Coat (Japan or China)
9. Nikon ED AF Micro Nikkor 200 mm 1: 4D
10. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 70-180 mm 1: 4.5-5.6D ED

F-mount DX:

1. Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 40 mm 1: 2.8G SWM
2. Nikon DX AF-S Micro Nikkor 85 mm 1: 3.5G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1: 1

Results

The Tamron 180 / 3.5 is a very interesting macro lens with good optical performance. There are quite a few such solutions, and every macro lens with a focal length of more than 100 mm deserves close attention. Unfortunately, the Tamron 180 / 3.5 is in many ways inferior to some similar newer lenses from Sigma, but it is still a very attractive solution for professionals.

10 main advantages:

1. Top quality professional lens, Tamron SP Series
2. maximum magnification ratio 1: 1
3. convenient removable tripod foot
4. bayonet hood included
5. internal type focus, fixed focus ring during auto focus
6. filter control ring (super useful function, very rare)
7. special optical elements in the optical circuit (XLD, LD)
8. there is a lens profile for popular RAW converters
9. high optical performance
10. very low chromatic aberration (a rarity for such lenses)

10 main disadvantages:

1. absence inboard motor focusing (critical for users of amateur Nikon cameras without motor focusing)
2. no dust and moisture protection
3. FEC ring rustles and rubs
4. noisy auto focus, very slow auto focus
5. no focus distance limiter, no permanent manual focus control
6. not the most convenient focus mode switch
7. the direction of rotation of the focus ring does not match the original Micro Nikkor 200 / 4D
8. aperture only 7 blades, heptagons after f / 8
9. there may be incompatibility with some cameras and / or teleconverters
10. poor backlighting

For the provided Tamron 180mm 1: 3.5 LD DI SP AF [IF] MACRO 1: 1 B01 lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including Similar Tamron Lenses.

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram