Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro LD-IF Autofocus Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF:

The good:

- Image quality is great!

- Relatively long shooting distance, even for 1:1 magnification.

- Supports a generous range of apertures.

- AF is sharp.

- Can produce great portraits, given sufficient distance to the model.

- Price is better than some of the competitors.

The not-so-great:

- Lens has an aperture ring, but the ring is unusable on Nikon digital cameras. Was it too expensive to just remove the ring and eliminate this confusion?!?

- I wish it had an AF limiter - but I don't mind using manual focus when needed.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro LD-IF Autofocus Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF:

I debated between this and the 200mm Micro Nikkor. I used to own a Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 adaptall mount lens that was one of the ever best macro lens I have had in Kodachrome and Velvia days. The good experience with that lens tipped the balance when I choose the Tamron SP 180 mm.

I generally stay away from third party lenses, only a select few of outstanding lenses from Tamron, Tokina and Sigma made it into my bag after careful evaluation. The Tamron SP 180mm has proved to be a very good choice.

There is no doubt that the 200mm Micro Nikkor is an excellent lens. However, the Tamron is turned out to be equally good as of optical performance, if not slightly superior.

Although the Tamron is housed in plastic as opposed to metal like the Micro Nikkor has, it is proved to be durable in the field. It is also lighter than the Nikkor and that helps keeping the weight of the back pack down.

The unique filter ring is very handy on the Tamron, adjusting a polariser filter while the hood is attached is easy with this feature.

All in all, this Tamron lens is excellent for macro, product and portrait photography. The bokeh of this lens is very nice, optics are excellent, the colour rendition is very pleasant.

The focusing speed is relatively slow, however, this is a macro lens primarily where we mostly focus manually anyway.

This is one of the few third party lenses that I am happy with.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro LD-IF Autofocus Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF:

Try this lens on an Adorama focusing rail and a Bogen 410 geared head on a sturdy tripod and macro will never be the same again.

Comments about Tamron Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro LD-IF Autofocus Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF:

Sharp, well made, FEC controll works well as does the AF which snaps dead on. But, manual focus is recommended. You can get real close to the subject from a distance appropriate for macro anyway. The tripod collar could use a better tightening screw.

Considered the Nikon 200 f4 but the $600 savings will allow me to get the new Nikon 60 f2.8 to add diversity to my kit.