Tommg

I contacted Tamron via email - I asked about the problems with the 150 - 600 lens, below is my question and below that Tamron's response ... I don't think they answered my question.

I use a Canon DSLR EOS 7D. I ordered a Tamron 150 – 600 mm lens several months ago … B&H has informed me the lens has finally arrived & they are shipping it. My question … there is rumor going around that this lens had some problems with it and that’s one of the reasons it was taking so long to deliver … is the lens that is being shipped me had all the updates & fixes that are known to date?? I was informed that there was some sort of problem specifically related to the Canon 7D. Thanks for any information you can provide.

Hello Tom,

Thank you for contacting Tamron. We have not seen any issues with the Canon 7D and this lens. Actually, we did our own testing here with the 7D and found that it worked properly. We also compared the lens with a Canon equivalent and didn't see any differences. It's true that some camera bodies track better than others but we didn't see issues with any bodies. Naturally, shooting birds at 600mm F6.3 is not an easy thing to do and I think some users may just not be used to shooting at this long focal length and F stop.

Some of our photographers have been shooting birds in flight with this lens so I think we may have some of these images posted on our web site soon.

If you have any questions please ask.

Kind regards,


Brian Marley
Customer Service Supervisor
Tamron USA, INC
10 Austin Blvd
Commack, NY 11725
www.tamron-usa.com

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I use a Canon 6D with my Tamron 150-600mm lens and I can tell you I haven't had any issues. I have taken hundreds of photos and the lens does great with birds in flight to detailed insect shots and you can see these on my posts here with UHH.
Your Canon 7D will work fine with this lens.

Tommg

Thanks for the reply, good to hear you are enjoying the lens. There has been so much talk about this lens and various problems (auto focus & the 7D) that I am a little concerned. Guess I'll take the positive position & hope for the best. The lens is supposed to be delivered tomorrow - excited!

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

I cannot address any issues with Canon but I will tell you Tamron is a great company to deal with. I sent my lens in for some autofocus issues and it was returned in three days and seems to be working fine. The lens has a 6 year warranty so no worries. If an issue pops up they will fix it. Its a great fun lens ..enjoy!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That statement sure does contradict Tamrons actions in pulling all of them off dealers shelves in February to correct the AF problems on 7D and 1D series bodies. And now they are asking everyone to return them to Tamron for a "firmware" update. Hmmmmm

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

Wasn't there an issue with auto focus that's been addressed by reprogramming/upgrading a chip in the lens?

If you're getting one now, it should have that upgrade in it.

Though it's odd they didn't address your Q regarding that in their response.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

A lot of this talk about the Tamron with it's problems is BS. All the people I have talked to, with no exceptions, love this lens and have had no issues with it. The $10,000 + lens owners are a little jealous that a $1069 lens can compete with their expensive lenses spread these false rumors. I would suppose, once in a great while, you might get a bad copy, but this would be extremely rare and since this lens comes with a 6 year warranty, you can easily return it for a new one.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Regis, the problem is well documented and was the cause of Tamrons removing them from the market. The issue was limited to the 7D and 1D models when shooting in AI-Servo mode only. Other bodies had no issues, and neither did the 7D or 1D's when shooting in other modes. It was very specific, but Tamron is updating the firmware in all these lenses now if you return it to them.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

I had autofocus freeze up issues. I spent $34 to send it to Tamron. They seem to have fixed the problem and other then that I love the lens. Its an amazing focal length..and quite sharp. I am keeping the lens despite a bad start as I am confident tamron will stand behind their product .

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Well, you would know better than me. But, if it was well documented, I never heard about it.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

That is good to know. I have had mine for a couple weeks now and say that I have no "issues". I will add though that the lens tends to cycle a bit hunting for a focus point sometimes and it happens more on my 7D that my 5D III.

I do like what Regis said as well. This is a lot of lens for $1069, especially considering the cost of a Canon in this range. Huge price difference!

Thanks for sharing. Chris

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

MTShooter, I shoot both the 7D and the Tamron 150-600. I have not been issued a recall from Tamron. Do you have any more details? Serial numbers, etc.? Thanks, Gary

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Regis is a master with this lens and his camera, has also made my images better seeing what he does and relating it to my nikon

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

I am one of those waiting for my lens. I have the 7D and a 5d mark iii. My question is.....We are hearing from people that say they own the lens and there are no problems but yet are referencing the auto focus problem with the 7D. Why are we not hearing from someone on this UHH that actually owns the lens and is personally having the problem. All we see and hear from are those that have the lens and say they work perfectly. So, makes me wonder if the problem actually exists or if this is just false information being spread. However being my own Devil's Advocate there has to be a reason that this is taking so long, good or bad.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Donkas1946, I sent an e-mail this morning to Tamron inquiring if there is a recall or firmware update for my lens, I will let you know. I have very similar results to what Regis is/has having with his lens, I have no complaints. When I hear back from Tamron, I will let everyone on this thread know. Gary