JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

I recently purchased, and since returned for refund, the Tamron 150-600. Although I loved it right away for the picture quality and the value, after going out twice for shooting I noticed that when pushing shutter down half way in AF, the image gave a slight jump while looking thru lens of the Canon 6d. It then would AF.

The next time I went out and the same thing happened but now the AF wasn’t working. I tried the lens on a second camera body (600d), same issue. I immediate tried two other lens on both bodies just to make sure it wasn’t a camera body issue. All worked fine.

Got a RA from Amazon and returned the lens, my purchase price was refunded with no problem within a few days after the camera had been returned (thru Amazon). Now I do want to purchase again but remembered some of issues regarding focusing that I read about on the HOG.

In looking possibly in getting another brand instead I was looking at the Sigma lens of the same size - both models. I see that Sigma sells a docking set separately in order to fine tune the focus on these lenses.

I also remember reading that many (or perhaps just some) of the Hoggers that have bought the lens also have some issues with the Tammy regarding focusing, (although maybe different from the issue I had.)

I realize that Tamron has firmware updates and it seems that the issue others were having with their focusing problems are now okay with firmware updates. Of course I believe all had to send their cameras to Tamron to get the update.

So several questions come to mind
Were the issues others had the same as mine or were they a different type of focus issue? From what I have seen on line it seems the focusing issue others have had relates more to the AF taking a long time to focus
Why does Sigma have this docking station available for focusing, do their lens have to be regularly updated with firmware to “fine-tune” or address focusing issues?
How does the typical owner of a Tamron “update” firmware? Does it always have to be shipped to Tamron? and will it have to be shipped every time they update firmware or only when there is an issues?
And do these particular lens, or other “long lens” as a general rule have to be updated regularly or just once to address a specific focusing issues, it seems mainly with Canon products.
And why doesn’t Tamron have a docking station for this purpose?


Thanks for your time, look forward to what others are experiencing so I can buy a lens soon:).
John

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Based on what has been posted here on the Hog, I suspect you got a lemon. Amazon did you right by issuing a return authorization. Did they also issue a prepaid return shipping label?

My recommendation would be to order the same lens from B&H. Amazon is good, B&H is outstanding in their customer service.

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

They did pay for return and there was no hassle from them or the Vendor they were fronting.
Thanks!
John

drbarrymary Loc: No. Carolina, Florida

I, also, am interested in this lens and would like to know what other have encountered. Thanks, Barry

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I have been using my Canon 6D and Tamron 150-600mm lens for 13 months and have never had a problem with focusing or anything else concerning this lens. I believe you bought a 'bad copy' of the lens and unfortunately had these focusing issues.

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

My tamron 150-600 woks flawlessly with my Canon 5ti and 4Ti. Tack sharp, brilliant colors, good contrast, focuses well. Also had one that worked on my Nikon d 700, and it performed great. Sold the 700, and exchanged the Nikon mount Tammy for the Canon mount. Happy camper.

Like the extra reach 1.6x gives me with the Crop sensor too. Effectively becomes 936mm with no quality loss or low light issues inherent with tele converters.

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thanks Regis. You (and others) may be right, it may have been a lemon. I did like the images that I shot and noticed no degradation of the photos due to this issue that I had.
J

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The Sigma will most likely give you better image quality, but it also sells for twice the cost of the Tamron.

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thanks Erictor, I also liked the final images and just need to decide if I am to buy another Tamron or not. I do want to investigate further any other options.
J

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thank you Speters, yes, not really apples to apples at that price, but they are coming out with Contemporary and I want to look at that as it is very similar I believe in specs and price. J

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Stay tuned and thanks.
J

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

First, Regis has had many fantastic shots taken with the Tamron so that one seems to work fine.

I was also interested in this lens after being lent one by Tamron for a short period of testing. I found it to be a bit soft at 600 but, for the price, a nice lens. When I received my copy, it failed within the first ten minutes, similar to your description, and that was on a D4s. After testing it on other bodies in the store, none of which worked, it was sent back to Tamron and I ordered a Sigma Sport, which I have had for about 5 (very cold here) months. IMHO, the Sigma Sport is head-and-shoulders better than the Tamron in all respects but, at twice the price ($ 2,000.00). Sigma will be releasing a Contemporary version mid March at a cost similar to the Tamron.

The Sigma USB dock, at $ 60, is, again IMHO, a really clever device I wish Nikon had done. While it does allow you to make micro focus adjustments right to the lens, it also allows quite a bit of other customization, and, very importantly, the ability to upgrade the lens' firmware WITHOUT having to send it back to the factory for service. To me, this is a huge advantage! That dock works with all of the newer Sigma lenses, so only needs to be purchased once.

Although I haven't had the ability, due to weather, to fully test my new Sigma, I am really looking forward to doing so. As soon as the weather warms it will be used for its original purpose of BIF (see Regis for fantastic shots with the Tamron) and also on the baseball, football, soccer, etc. field. When I do have some decent test shots, I will be posting them and I also plan to shoot with it against my 300/2.8 (similar weight) with a 1.4 and 2.0 TC for comparison. Perhaps I'll even compare with my 400/2.8, however, my real work will have to take priority.

In any case, I believe the Sigma Sport is a better lens, but that is just my opinion. Others may not agree.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Have you thought about 'renting' the Tamron 150-600mm lens or the Canon 100-400mm or the Sigma 150-600mm Sport or ?

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Chris, I agree as the photos I took were quite nice and I was extremely excited with the reach I now had and the quality of the photos - yes a bit soft at 600 but still good.

What I find troubling is the whole thing with the docking station. I still wonder whether the "big Tammy" (or comparably sized lens) will need to be "fine-tuned" as time goes by?

Sigma obviously thinks so, hence the docking station. Will Tamron owners find that their lens sharpness or ability to focus is degrading as time goes by? If so, what are the options? Is Tamron, as a regular practice going to spend their time tuning lens that are sent back? And who decides that it needs to be sent back (the owner obviously) but is Tamron going to agree with the owner that yes, you lens needs to be "tuned" or are they going to say, hey, its fine? I guess I wonder what is the "standard" to determine that the lens is, in fact out of tune?

Chris, you seem to indicate that this Sigma docking lens is also usable on other Sigma lenses? Does this mean that with my other Tamron lens, a 24-70, that I am perfectly happy with, will degrade - or is this need for a lens docking station only apply to the superlens (for lack of another term)?
Thanks!
J

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

First off, I own a Tamron 150-600mm and shoot with it on a regular basis. It has never given me one bit of a problem, and takes really great shots. I took it with me on my last trip to St. Maarten, and took some splendid shots while sport fishing. Since you just got your copy from the dealer, and have only taken just a few shots, I would think it was damaged in shipping. I've seen how rough both UPS, and FedEx treats the packages. I think I would have sent it in to Tamron for warranty repair. I would also stick to Tamron on this lens. I've seen some shots by the Sigma, the shots were of small birds on a feeder, and were only a negligible bit better. It took a good bit of pixel peeping to really tell anything. I don't think the difference warrants the extra $1000 for the Sigma.

B