Tamron 28-300 Di VC PZD
Jul 5, 2014 12:38:00 #
cbercy
Loc: Santa Rosa Valley, CA
I just bought this lens on a trial basis and I have been putting it through some tests. I have found a strange phenomena that I can not explain. When I extend the lens to 300mm on a sturdy tripod in low light to force a long exposure time I get what looks like movement. This only happens at long exposures and seems to be only when the lens is at a long focal distance. I used a 10 second delay and a tether to lightroom. Any ideas?
Jul 5, 2014 12:45:22 #
It may be related to the vibration control. I'm not familiar with this lens but my Nikkor 80-400 has a switch for leaving the VR on all the time or on only when the exposure is made. Your Tamron may me in the 'all the time' mode and what you are seeing is the VR incorrectly trying to do its thing. It may also support the oft stated idea that VR should be turned off when tripod mounted. Of course I could be completely wrong. I hope this thread will come up with the right answer and that you don't have a defective lens. John O.
Jul 5, 2014 13:01:01 #
cbercy
Loc: Santa Rosa Valley, CA
Well I'll be a son-of-a-gun. You are right on the money. I took 2 shots just now, one with VC on and the other off. See below.
without VC
with VC
Jul 5, 2014 14:18:10 #
ANY kind of stabilization needs to be turned off when tripod mounted, with the rare exception of those lenses that show a "tripod" position on the stabilization control switch. This is not as crucial when using a fast shutter speed as it is when making a long exposure, but its still a VERY good rule to abide by.
Jul 5, 2014 14:32:22 #
cbercy
Loc: Santa Rosa Valley, CA
Thanks for the good advice. I normally only use a tripod in my home studio and usually 1/200 for strobe. One more thing to consider before pressing the shutter button.
Jul 6, 2014 08:45:12 #
deberry
Loc: Spartanburg, SC
Are you saying anytime you put a lens on a tripod you need to turn off VC control.....shutter speed does not matter?
Jul 6, 2014 16:08:02 #
As an aside, this is a fabulous lens. I just received it Thursday and took it to our local July 4 parade. The lens is incredibly sharp, focuses instantly, and is well made. Compared to what I would pay for a Canon version of this lens, I got away with a steal, at only $850 at B&H. I travel a lot, and this lens allows me to leave my medium range and telephoto zoom lenses at home, saving weight and space, with no sacrifice in quality. See for yourself at: http://newsbob.smugmug.com/4th-of-July-parade/
Jul 6, 2014 17:31:20 #
deberry
Loc: Spartanburg, SC
Newsbob, Great Pictures!!!!!! I am saving up now to purchase lens. Wonder why Adorama is so much more expensive? By the way, what is PZD?
Jul 6, 2014 17:35:12 #
Jul 6, 2014 18:01:59 #
DeBerry I have no idea about the meaning of the abbreviations for the Tamron lens. All I know is that it has autofocus and manual focus, as well as image stabilization. I also has a zoom lock, which keeps the lens from extending by itself if the camera is facing down. But it seems stiff enough, at least so far, that I haven't needed to lock it.
Jul 6, 2014 19:26:47 #
deberry
Loc: Spartanburg, SC
Newsbob, I googled. (Piezo Drive). Special piezoelectric technology now delivers faster, quieter precision autofocusing.
Now we know! Learn something everyday!
Now we know! Learn something everyday!
Jul 7, 2014 11:56:16 #
cbercy
Loc: Santa Rosa Valley, CA
I love the pictures, the lens not so much. There is noise in every shot and the sharpness is nowhere as good as the Canon 70-200 f2.8L. I have been shooting all weekend and there are many things to like about the Tamron, the sharpness is just not there compared to my Canon lenses or my Fujifilm x100s fixed 35mm lens. I have played with the shots in lightroom and photoshop but they just don't seem to measure up. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I don't know what that would be. I took pictures of seagulls in flight and though the camera thought it was focused the shots look fuzzy at best. Thoughts?
Jul 7, 2014 12:24:07 #
My first thought is that I was unaware that lenses could cause noise. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe noise is caused by the electronics within the camera. JFO
Jul 7, 2014 23:36:19 #
Jul 8, 2014 07:23:12 #
cbercy wrote:
I love the pictures, the lens not so much. There ... (show quote)
I have that same trouble. I called B&H and the rep told me to keep it on single focus all the time. And when you are shooting moving objects at 300mm you have to double the shutter speed, i.e., minimum 1/600. I want to like this lens, but I'm not convinced it's better than my old Canon 55-250mm. Going to give it a good trial though.
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