Tamron 150-600 Issues: I recently purchased the 150-600 Tamron and today, I finally go to take it out. Out of 1200 BIF shot, I didn't have a single keeper. Normally, I usually get 4-5...

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I recently purchased the 150-600 Tamron and today, I finally go to take it out. Out of 1200 BIF shot, I didn't have a single keeper. Normally, I usually get 4-5 keepers out of 100.

I had shutter speed set at 1250, auto aperture (as well as F8/F11), and auto ISO. I tried several different auto focus settings. Expanded spot, zone and all 19 focus points active. The focus limiter was set to infinity, and VC was on.

For slow moving or stationary objects, I got decent pics, but for BIF, it was a total flop.

Do I have any incorrect settings, or doing something wrong?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

MarkintheHV wrote:

I recently purchased the 150-600 Tamron and today, I finally go to take it out. Out of 1200 BIF shot, I didn't have a single keeper. Normally, I usually get 4-5 keepers out of 100.
...
Do I have any incorrect settings, or doing something wrong?

4-5 out of 100?

Camera? Tripod? Monopod? Hand-held?

Can you post an example?

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I handhold, today was mostly side to side panning because the eagles were hunting in front of us. I deleted the BIF pics, but I have this one of the female swimming. The quality of this pic is certainly not what I expected.

(Download)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

MarkintheHV wrote:

I handhold, today was mostly side to side panning because the eagles were hunting in front of us. I deleted the BIF pics, but I have this one of the female swimming. The quality of this pic is certainly not what I expected.

I'm not sure I'd want to handhold a 4.3 pound lens trying to get action shots. Add a monopod and or a tripod to your kit and you will be happy!

SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD [Model A011]
http://www.tamron-usa.com/A011special/en/lineup/a011/specifications/index.html

Date Time Original: 2014:10:25 14:12:49
Exposure Time: 1/1000
F Number: f / 9
Exposure Program: Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 400
Metering Mode: Spot
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 600mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Model: Canon EOS 7D
LensModel: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I'm thinking that with a high shutter speed like that, the VC (VR on my Nikon lenses) is getting in the way. I've always been told to only use VR, even handheld, if your shutter speed is less than your focal length. So if you're shooting at 200mm, you need a shutter speed faster than 1/200th to keep from having to use VR. Your shutter speed is plenty fast enough to freeze action, so I'm thinking that the VR is actually messing with the autofocus. I know it does on my lenses. Hope this helps.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I will take the monopod out with me tomorrow and see what I get

Thanks

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Mr PC wrote:

I'm thinking that with a high shutter speed like t... (show quote)

Sounds like a fun experiment!

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

MarkintheHV wrote:

I will take the monopod out with me tomorrow and see what I get

Thanks

Even with a monopod, I'd hesitate to use VC (VR). I almost always turn it off on tripods because it can introduce vibration and cause the autofocus to hunt...

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

What, specifically, was wrong with the non-keepers? You'd get much more help if you would post one of the problem pictures. There are people on here who can analyze a bad pictures and tell you why it is bad (in the technical sense - not the artistic).

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

BIF are your most difficult subjects, so don't beat yourself up just yet. I do my BIF'S using a Canon 400mm with an extender to give me 560mm. I set my focus to 61 pts IF the background is either clear sky or water. Otherwise I set the focus pt to center weighted. I use ISO 400 and 800 with aperture priority and an f stop of either 5.6 or 8. In bright sun your shutter speed will be set by the camera in the 1000 plus range. I'd suggest you get used to the lens on a tripod to see what it will do and work your way up to BIF's.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

mcveed wrote:

What, specifically, was wrong with the non-keepers? You'd get much more help if you would post one of the problem pictures. There are people on here who can analyze a bad pictures and tell you why it is bad (in the technical sense - not the artistic).

The last pic at the top is a non keeper.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

ImageCreator wrote:

BIF are your most difficult subjects, so don't bea... (show quote)

Thanks, I will give these a try tomorrow as well.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A. You are still getting used to the lens. Everything has a learning curve.
B. Handheld, you are swinging a lot more weight than before, use a support.
C. At that shutter speed the VC and focus could be working against each other. (a couple of "how tos" I read last month both said turn off VC at high shutter speeds when tracking moving subjects)
D. Every company turns out a lemon once in a while, esp assembly line products, maybe something just needs to be adjusted.
E. Put the lens on a tripod, VC off, mirror lock up, 2 second delay, remote release etc. and shoot some non-moving subjects using both auto focus and manual focus. Check those and see what you get. It will tell you what that lens is capable of.

If nothing comes out sharp contact Tamron, I have heard good things about their service and support people when it comes to tweaking lenses.

One other thought, how old and how well used is your 7D? It may need service.

MarkintheHV wrote:

I recently purchased the 150-600 Tamron and today,... (show quote)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

You might want to ask the kids in the Birds-In-Flight / Birds-On-Water Forum too http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-112-1.html

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

robertjerl wrote:

One other thought, how old and how well used is your 7D? It may need service.

I actually have the 7d mk ii on order. It should be here soon!