tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

I'm considering the purchase of new or used Canon 180 f3.f L Macro lens ($1579 Adorama price) but the Tamron version has good reviews for about 1/2 the price ($739). I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject from any one who has experience shooting with either one of these lenses from ANY camera system. Is it really worth spending double the money on the Canon versus Tamron version? Thanks in advance.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Have no direct experience with either, but will pass along what I know and my opinion. The 180 Canon Macro is absolutely one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes - if not THE sharpest. But the Tamron is no slouch ! If you are more "comfortable" knowing you have the "best" - and can afford it - then the Canon is probably for you. As a practical matter, it is difficult to envision the Canon being $800 better. A good used Canon may be a viable option ? Again, nothing "wrong" with the Tamron !

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Thanks Imagemeister. I tend to agree with your assessment and would, of course, prefer to own the Canon version. Unfortunately, budget IS an issue and I have to look at how much more image quality I'm getting for twice the price. But the used Canon option is still on the table and I'll let you know what I finally decide - hopefully in the next few days. Thanks again for your valuable feedback.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Whichever you get, I would also be thinking of using a 1.4X TC with it - especially for live avians like butterflys and dragonflys - and having a well articulated monopod to work from as neither has IS/VC. The Tamron comes with a tripod collar I believe - which you will also NEED. With Canon, I believe, it is optional.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

This might help:

http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Canon-EF-180mm-F35L-Macro-USM-versus-Tamron-SP-AF-180mm-F35-Di-LD-IF-MACRO-11-Canon___631_0_861_0

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Good idea Meister. Luckily, I have plenty of gadgets including the Canon 1.4 & 2X TCs, Canon Close-up Lens 500D (77mm with smaller step-down rings), Kenko Extension Tubes, monopod, tripods, lights, etc. I've had most of this gear for quite some time but haven't used them much. I'm hoping to put it all to good use with the addition of a new macro lens. I'm leaning more and more towards the Tamron 180 based on cost, image quality and your opinion stated above but still not ready yet to make a final decision/purchase. Can't wait to post some macro pics with whatever I decide to go with. Be on the look out:)

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Thanks Rawshooter. DxO appears to be an interesting web site with an excellent comparison of the Canon and Tamron 180 macro lenses. Obviously, Canon comes out on top but not but a long shot. I also find it oddly interesting that both lens achieve their best results overall wide open at f3.5. Most lenses do better when stopped down one or two stops from their widest apertures. But this is generally a moot point when usually shooting smaller aps to control background light intensity & wider DOF. Based on this comparison, I'm leaning more and more towards Tamron in simple terms of "best bang for the buck." But...STILL undecided. I need to get off the fence so I can stop talking & start shooting! Thanks for the link:)

Analog Guy

Any where you can rent one of each and try them out for a weekend? Maybe some still life so you can shoot the same thing with both lenses? See if the Tamron meets your needs and you like working with it.

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Several years ago, I encountered the closeup work of Karin Connolly Daley and then visited her website. Her celestial flower photos so enthralled me that I emailed her and asked what lens she was using. She wrote back that she used the Tamron Macro 180. I ordered one that very day! As luck would have it, Tamron was offering a rebate on the lens, and I saved $100. In many ways, it's my favorite lens. I had been using a Nikon Micro 60 (which I still own), and when I compared the two, the 180 easily won with its stunningly rich, soft bokeh. I also highly recommend Karin's book: "Flower Reflections." I've taken thousands of flower photos with this lens, and I'm still excited about it. (No, I don't work for Tamron.)

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Thanks "loveandpeace" for your information concerning Karin Connolly Daley and the Tamron lens. I checked out her web site and like you, am very impressed with her work. Also, glad to finally connect with someone such as yourself who actually uses the 180 Tamron and is more than pleased with its macro capabilities. I'm sure I'll be joining you with the purchase of my own in the near future and will let you know when I've got my first Tamron photos with it. Thanks again!

loveandpeace Loc: Southeast Iowa

Glad to be of service. There are no guarantees in this world, but I feel pretty confident recommending this particular lens because I've used it so many times. Happy shooting . . .

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

I finally decided to purchase the Tamron 180 Macro and so GLAD I DID! It just arrived in my happy hands today and besides looking fantastic strapped on to my 5DMII, it seems to perform as well as it looks, if not better. I fired off a couple of hand held, no flash/no frills flower shots in my front yard with the combo but nothing worth posting yet. It was just a quick, down & dirty photo session because I really didn't have time to "focus" on the event due to some other "honey do's" around the house. But I wanted to say thanks to those of you who chimed in on this discussion earlier, giving me the push I needed to purchase the Tamron at about half the cost of the big Canon Macro (180) lens. All things considered, I'm SURE I got a good deal and can't wait to take some serious photos and get them posted for your reviews. Thanks again to those of you who were following this post earlier and be on the look out for my first Tamron 180 Macro shots in a few days.