Chris Knight Loc: Ayden, nc

I was just at our local camera store looking at the Nikon 50mm 1.4 (next lense). I was talking with the guys at the store about my preorder for the Tamron 150-600 for my D610. We were all theorizing as to why the Nikon mount release was so hush hush. One fellow theorized that Nikon was trying to block the release because it would cut into their 80-400 which ranges from $2200-2600. It is rather odd that almost two months after the Canon release that the store's Tamron rep still knows nothing. If this is the case, I think Nikon would be making a huge mistake by alienating current Nikon owners, and pushing people entering the DSLR market to Canon. I may have to start thinking other options. Anyone heard anything about this?

MDI Mainer

Here, courtesy of UHH guru MT Shooter about a month ago, is what appears to be known:

Insider information received from Tamron-USA Sales Division.

Canon has refused to supply their AF algorithm to aftermarket lens makers for well over 2 decades. (Nikon, Pentax and Sony have freely supplied this info to any lens makers requesting it.) This causes those lens makers to reverse engineer the Canon AF algorithm when designing their lenses. As a result Canons lenses always seem sharper on Canon cameras, thus justifying their cost.

Canon entered into an agreement with Tamron to supply that AF algorithm in exchange for first release benefits of their mount only on newly release products from Tamron.

The first such release was the newest 70-200mm F2.8 VC lens. The Canon mount was released first followed by the Nikon mount almost 4 months later. Second was the 24-70mm F2.8 VC lens, again followed by the Nikon mount over 2 months later.

Now we have the new 150-600mm VC lens issued in that Canon mount first, apparently to be followed by the Nikon and Sony mount versions in 2 to 3 months after initial release.

Looks like Tamron has made a deal with Canon in order to get the AF algorithm that Sigma and Tokina are still not getting. Sigma has resolved the issue by developing the USB Dock for its newest lenses that allows users to fine tune the lens focus to any camera themselves. Tokina is still battling the issue and appears to have been left behind in the aftermarket lens race with Sigma and Tamron.

If you look at the work posted on this forum by several members who have the Canon version, you'll see the results.

E.g., http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-182886-1.html

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

MDI, you know that secret warehouse that MT talks about that holds those tens of thousands of Nikon mount, 150-600 lenses that are just waiting to bust out?! Do you think it's at Fort Knox, Hanger 18, or some cave in Montana? :lol:
SS

Chris Knight Loc: Ayden, nc

Thanks MDI...I have read some of those posts. I have never preordered a new release like this. I am just going to sit back and be patient. I will get the first one shipped to Greenville, NC. The Nikon 50mm 1.4 is in stock so if I really need some instant gratification I will go buy it.

MDI Mainer

I think it's probably in some secret recess in the Great Wall of China!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

MDI, now you're being really cryptic, as there are literally dozens of Great Walls, in China. Hmmmmm?!
SS

tmicro Loc: Walkertown,N.C.

I do not know if this deal is true or not but it seems to me that Tamron is taking one heck of a chance if it is. What if all the other camera manufacturers get mad at this and stop sharing their algorithms. Then Tamron would have to start reverse engineering all those mounts instead of just the canon mount. Thoughts?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

That ship has sailed. Tamron already has the A-F logarithms from Nikon, Pentax, & Sony.

Michael66 Loc: Queens, New York

Before you get the 1.4, check out the 1.8. From the things I've heard the 1.8 is sharper?!? I got it because it was half the price.

And then there is DxO;
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/%28lens1%29/435/%28lens2%29/199/%28brand1%29/Nikkor/%28camera1%29/485/%28brand2%29/Nikkor/%28camera2%29/485

Chris Knight Loc: Ayden, nc

I will... I am looking for a really good portrait lens, nothing professional just something to shoot portraits of family

amehta Loc: Boston

Since you have the D610, a better portrait lens might be the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G. It's about the same price as the 50mm f/1.4G, but many consider it a better focal length for portraits.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Knowing MT, it's a cave in Montana with a secret passage to his cellar. :)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'll bet, that's also were he keeps all those hundreds of Canons, and were he casts then into the big cement shoes!! :lol:
SS

Vlux

All the "really good" portrait lenses are professional quality. 50mm is too short. The 85 will work fine. So will the 105. You can probably find a used one in good condition.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Update: The warehouse can no longer hold all the lenses, so certain gas stations are giving one away free with a fill-up. I'm heading to Montana tomorrow.