Tamron front focus issue: Hello: I've been monitoring the UHH forum for awhile and decided it was time to join. I shoot with a Nikon 7100 and, until recently, used only Nikon lenses.

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Tamron front focus issue

Sep 17, 2016 21:26:55 #

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

Hello:
I've been monitoring the UHH forum for awhile and decided it was time to join.
I shoot with a Nikon 7100 and, until recently, used only Nikon lenses. None of the Nikon's required any lens calibration.
I'm on my second copy of the Tamron 24-70 1.8. The first front focused to the extent that a +20 adjustment would not completely correct the issue. The second copy required a +15 adjustment.
I'm wondering if anyone else is having issues with Tamron lenses on Nikon bodies.

Thanks in advance.

Sep 17, 2016 22:09:41 #

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I almost purchased a Tamron 150-600, but it failed while I was testing it before purchase and I bought a Sigma Sport when they arrived. Very happy with the Sigma. I shoot Nikon. I believe the lens you are referring to is a 2.8?

Sep 17, 2016 22:11:34 #

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

cjc2 wrote:

That's correct. It's the 2.8 vc version.

Sep 18, 2016 06:15:55 #

charlespkeith

For the most part, no big issues until I put a Tamron 70-200 VC f2.8 on my D810 and then I began to see a general softness across all my pics. I went through the lens calibration procedure and found out that +15 wouldn't move the focus point far enough. I printed high-quality photos (29) of the Spyder Target and the lens, with pictures is at Tamron. They said that they could adjust the lens. As a last resort, they recommend that I send in the camera body with the lens(es) and they will calibrate the lens to the body. My problem is that I also use FX lenses on my DX D7100 so I am not of the inclination to keep sending in all my stuff to Tamron. In all honesty, the 70-200 had been repaired once by Tamron which is the starting point for the soft photos.... those prior to that were tack sharp. Sooooo, not sure if it is a Tamron build issue, or the repair guys missed something but I am expecting the lens back within 6 days and will post the results.

Sep 18, 2016 07:32:18 #

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

stadtmkw wrote:

Hello: br I've been monitoring the UHH forum for a... (show quote)

I have the Tamron 10-24mm lens on my Nikon D7100 and it is okay at best. I like the lens in general but it tends to fisheye at the 10-12mm area. I had shopped both the Tamron and the Nikon versions of the same lens and wanted the Nikon but the wife purchased the Tamron for me as a birthday gift and (as they say) that was that. The lens performs well as long as I keep the 10-12mm distortion in the back of my mind and allow for it. All of my other lens purchases have been Nikon and I probably won't get another Tamron (intentionally) in spite of the fact that Tamron has a 6 year warranty to Nikon's 5 year. There was only a couple of hundred (probably closer to $150) dollar difference in price at the local camera store.

Sep 18, 2016 09:01:21 #

jims203 Loc: Connecticut

I have the same set up except with a Tamron 200-500mm. My pictures were always just a bit off from tack sharp. Once I calibrated the lens it auto focuses well. Your numbers are normal. I want to see how a D500 would handle the situation saving hours of work with several non Nikon lenses.

Sep 18, 2016 11:33:16 #

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

stadtmkw wrote:

Hello: br I've been monitoring the UHH forum for a... (show quote)

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Very few people have much to say good about the quality of Tamron lenses. You are most fortunate if front focusing is your only Tamron issue !

Sep 18, 2016 14:20:57 #

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

I have had problems with 1 Tamron and 1 Tokina lens either front or back focusing I sent them in under warranty for adjustment and they came back spot on.
I didn't want to mess around with focus adjustments because I have 4 bodies and 1 of them does not have that feature.
I have mostly Nikon lenses which other than a refurbished one I've not had any focus issues with, but none the less I'm still totally happy with both Tamron and Tokina.

Sep 18, 2016 16:30:58 #

stadtmkw Loc: Burlington, MA

charlespkeith wrote:

For the most part, no big issues until I put a Tam... (show quote)

Thank you and the others for your responses. They were helpful. Not sure if I'm going to keep the Tamron. I'll be curious to see how you make out when you get the lens back.

Sep 18, 2016 20:44:15 #

chemdoc Loc: West Coast

I have had issues with the Tamron 24-70 as well. My problem has been a lack of sharpness on the right side of the frame. B&H replaced the lens once with no improvement. I then sent the lens along with my D750 to Tamron and they tried to adjust it and told me it was in spec and as good as it could be. However it was still less sharp on the right. Because of that, when I needed a wide angle zoom I tested both the Nikon 14-24 and the Tamron 15-30. The 15-30 appeared almost identical in sharpness to the Nikon, but after my experience with the 24-70 I spent more money to buy the Nikon and it is a phenomenal lens.

You can check my comparison shots with the Nikon vs Tamron in an earlier post at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-391340-1.html

Sep 18, 2016 20:59:15 #

I rented the new Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 prime lens before purchasing it. The copy that I rented required -12 AF fine tuning on my D7000's. I purchased one after that only needs -3 AF fine tuning. Manufacturing tolerances result in variations like that. Tamron has lenses that aren't so great and some that are excellent. I borrowed someone's Tamron 18-200mm lens that was miserable. It had okay sharpness in the center and was really soft towards the outer parts of the image. The new Tamron SP prime lenses are excellent. They have a pro build quality with a metal lens barrel, vibration compensation, and are fully weather sealed including a weather seal at the lens mount.

Sep 18, 2016 21:12:19 #

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

I was a Tamron fan, but having second thoughts. I have a 18-270 that failed and the replacement was no better. Luckily the dealer who sold it to me (Cameta) did all they could to help and they were able to finally get me a lens that was OK. It sounds like Tamron's QC is dropping the ball, but in today's highly competitive market, problems like this will only hurt their business. Have not yet tried their SP series but if I do decide to look at one, then will go to Cameta and try it out rather than do an online purchase.

Sep 19, 2016 00:17:40 #

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I've been a fan of Tamron's SP or "Pro" series lenses for decades. Never been disappointed by any of them.

I stay well clear of their "consumer" grade lenses... same with Sigma and Tokina.

Sigma's "Sport" and "Art" lenses are top notch. Tokina's AT-X/Pro lenses are also excellent.

But, modern cameras and lenses are largely electronically controlled. The problem with any third party lens is future compatibility. There simply is no way Sigma, Tokina or Tamron can guarantee that a lens I buy from them today will work on the camera I upgrade to in five years. All the third party manufacturers have to reverse-engineer their products to work with various camera systems... and they can only base their designs on what's currently available. They also have to avoid stepping on any patents, so need to come up with their own designs and make them work with another manufacturer's cameras.

Sep 19, 2016 00:41:59 #

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

stadtmkw wrote:

Hello: br I've been monitoring the UHH forum for a... (show quote)

I can't speak about the 24-70 mm Tamron, but I have had great results from the 150-600 I use on my D7100. I've not had any issues with focusing. My only nit is that the zoom ring from new was quite tight through out its range. That has now improved with use.

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