[dadipentak]

I agree Dave.

It's a lens I suspect very few have ever seen. Only 3,000 were made and they were split up between Canon, Nikon and other makes.

Tamron SP Adaptall-2 180mm F/2.5 LD-IF Model 63B

I had the chance to buy one many years ago but just couldn't pull the trigger as I believe my wife was standing beside me at the time. I do recall it was beautifully made and felt just perfect in the hand. Feel is a subjective thing of course but something I think is important if a lens is to have "legendary" attached to it's name. The review above indicates it was a brilliant performer as well. I later got a K 200/2.5, which also has great feel, and never looked back. I still wonder how the Tamron SP 180/2.5 would compare with the K 200/2.5. Anyone out there have both?

Tom G

I had the K 200/2.5 at one time but never really bonded with it (but I've seen what it can do in the hands of a master ;~) I bought a Tamron 180/2.5 recently and really enjoy shooting with it--as well as the results. The ultimate, imho, is the A* 135/1.8.

[8540tomg]

We agree again Dave.

“Bonding” or “feel” are terms which can probably be used interchangeably when it comes to camera discussing lenses. It is possibly the most subjective aspect of selecting camera equipment. In my own case it “feel” is the first thing I consider when selecting a new lens. If a lens feels “wrong” the process ends right there. I don’t care how highly regarded or rated a lens may be if it “feels” wrong I’m unlikely to use it much. The K Pentax K 200/2.5 has always “felt” just right in my hands. The Tamron SP 180/2.5 had a similar feel. It’s a little shorter and lighter but I still recall, over 25 years later, how great it felt on my old MX. I envy you that one mon ami. Enjoy it.

Tom G

[jimr-pdx]

Legendary...a lens that wows you and would be one of the last ones you would ever part with. No use overthinking it. Just the top of the top end of glass.

My only item close to a legend at this point is still too young, but the Sigma 15mm fisheye is still a perfect 10 in the rankings here. (Small sample size but that's not my fault )

And the legend in my own mind continues to be the Rikenon-P 28mm f/2.8. I mixed it in with other lenses on a long day-hike last week, upon later review those images popped out at me right away as being really special. Course I was there when the shots were taken so I cheated a bit but it's still an amazing $35 lens. Many 28mm lenses do this though, but as s-cruster notes above 'no use overthinking it'. Simply put, the Rikenon 28 is ruining my interest in the DA21 and will be the last manual lens to leave my bag.

[tabl10s]

Until joining this site, the only Pentax lenses I owned were the K50 1.7, K85 1.8 and the rare(recently sold)A35 2.0.

I now ownPentax)
K 85 1.8(30 years)
FA 31 1.8
FA 43 1.9(Number 914)
FA 77 1.8
DA 15 4.0 (Had it only two days and I already love it).
A 50 1.2(Should be here next week).

Third-Party greatness according to the Modern Photography lens guide of '89:
Tamron 17 3.5(recently sold).
Tokina 80-200 ATX 2.8(recently sold).
Kiron 105 2.8 Macror(ecently sold).
Vivitar 28-105 Vari-focal(gone for almost 30 years).
Vivtar 70-210 3.5 Series 1(gone for almost 30 years).

Could be legendary down the road:
Tamron 70-200 2.8(current).

Contemplating Aquisition:
Tamron 180 2.5
Pentax 135 1.8( have never seen one in-person).

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Last edited by tabl10s; 10-19-2012 at 02:07 PM.

[tbstark]

F* 300 4.5
A 50 1.7
K 50 1.4
SMC Takumar 55 1.8*
SMC Takumar 28 3.5*
Super Takumar 100 2.8*
K 100 4.0 Macro

* used on Canon 5D

[Boris]

I think the list of truly legendary lenses should be truly short. Mine would be just two:

A 50/1.2 for its size and compactness vs its speed and optical quality
FA 77/1.8 for pretty much the same reasons

[benhai]

Hey,

Don't forget the penatx-M 50mm f2. It's truly legendary because it was in huge production and you can get one for $10 to $20 bucks now. What the heck, you guys all claim the more expensive one is the legendary lens . Whom do you don't have a 50mm lens?

[hoanpham]

We clearly haven't come to an agreement on the definition of "legendary".

very true!

[ivanvernon]

FA 77 limited. My wife calls it our magic lens.

[ivanvernon]

I have Tamron 70-200 2.8 too, and love it. It gives great portraiture results, and is my portrait lens of choice for outside. Also, it was not an expensive lens.