Tamron 150-600 Issues
Oct 26, 2014 09:36:22 #
Recently got the Tamron and had a miserable time panning with it, but I have seen a lot of other folks manage, so I don't think it was the lens, just me not used to panning something a s long as my arm and as heavy as my head.
I will say this---I have 1000 times the respect now for the folks who do manage to catch birds in flight. Your throwaways might not have been tack sharp, but they were well framed and mostly in focus. Better than my efforts.
I will say this---I have 1000 times the respect now for the folks who do manage to catch birds in flight. Your throwaways might not have been tack sharp, but they were well framed and mostly in focus. Better than my efforts.
Oct 26, 2014 09:51:38 #
Jackdoor wrote:
Like you, I'm still in the early stages with my 150-600, but I get the impression that it sharpens up a lot if you pull the maximum zoom back just a little- say to 575. Too early to say for sure, but worth a try.
That is almost always the case with a zoom lens.
Jim D
Oct 26, 2014 09:57:52 #
jeryh wrote:
I think perhaps you need to refine your settings a little; Use only one focus point, especially for BIF. Most of my work is of this nature. I f you are not a natural free shooter with a long lens, the slightest wobble in your grip will show up drastically. I f you set say 800 th sec, single point focus, and possibly F5.6 apperture, you should see a marked difference in you keeper rate !
For BIF on a 7D I use center point expansion giving you more room for error when panning. You are tracking with a big lens and it is going to take time to learn to use it. As has been said turn the vr off at that shutter speed.
Another thought. Even though I like and normally shoot freehand there are times a tripod with a gimbal head works great for tracking.
Jim D
Oct 26, 2014 10:38:36 #
joraangm
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
I have a Tamron 150-600 lens and have had good success with it, especially after using it for awhile. I do mostly handheld shots. The instructions from Tamron say to turn the VC off when using a tripod. It doesn't mention monopod but I suspect the answer would be the same. Look under VC Mechanism for the instruction that say turn the VC off when using a tripod.
Oct 26, 2014 10:54:20 #
have run 2000+ BIF pics through 150-600mm on D4. no issues. all Handheld. use VC. pan shots therefore many not keepers because of composition but no focus issues once locked on. 10fps continuous focus. birds flying towards me generally not keepers for DOF reasons. this pic 400mm f 9 1/2500 iso 3200 center weight bird about 75 feet away. cropped for presentation. NIK Define used as noise control. still getting used to changing magnification while panning.
handheld
Oct 26, 2014 11:00:55 #
MarkintheHV wrote:
I recently purchased the 150-600 Tamron and today,... (show quote)
Your settings sound good. I'm not sure why you are not getting those BIF shots. My photo below was taken last March. Most of my shots, but not all, turn out well. I take continuous al servo shots, spot metering, shutter at least 1/1000, etc.
Oct 26, 2014 11:01:35 #
I don't know what you are using to process your photographs.
But I tried downloading your example and looked for your focus point. Found not.
But here is my suggestion:
Analise the picture for the specific focus point.
In my experiance with my Big Tam, you need to pay particular attention to get that lock right on your subject.
As Regis has shown, the DOF for the Big Tammies is very precise.
When you go shooting try and look at exactly what your lens is locked on.
I shoot humming birds from about 15-20 feet. If I'm not careful I get a feeder flower in tack sharp, while my intended birdie is like your Eagle example.
Yes, the lens is very specific about that DOF (depth of field).
What I was trying to look for was if your actual focus point wasn't a ripple a little bit in front of your target.
Relax, it isn't the lens, it is the learning curve.
Not get out there and enjoy. ;)
You're doing fine. Just a few little fine tunings.
Edit in: Oh! Hi Regis. I was pecking out my post and didn't see yours.
But I tried downloading your example and looked for your focus point. Found not.
But here is my suggestion:
Analise the picture for the specific focus point.
In my experiance with my Big Tam, you need to pay particular attention to get that lock right on your subject.
As Regis has shown, the DOF for the Big Tammies is very precise.
When you go shooting try and look at exactly what your lens is locked on.
I shoot humming birds from about 15-20 feet. If I'm not careful I get a feeder flower in tack sharp, while my intended birdie is like your Eagle example.
Yes, the lens is very specific about that DOF (depth of field).
What I was trying to look for was if your actual focus point wasn't a ripple a little bit in front of your target.
Relax, it isn't the lens, it is the learning curve.
Not get out there and enjoy. ;)
You're doing fine. Just a few little fine tunings.
Edit in: Oh! Hi Regis. I was pecking out my post and didn't see yours.
Oct 26, 2014 11:26:38 #
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.
That subject is out of reach. You need to know the limitations of your lens. Just because it's a 600mm lens, doesn't mean that you can shoot subjects far away and get great detail. The subject still has to be close enough to get the detail.
Oct 26, 2014 11:35:15 #
Regis wrote:
Your settings sound good. I'm not sure why you are not getting those BIF shots. My photo below was taken last March. Most of my shots, but not all, turn out well. I take continuous al servo shots, spot metering, shutter at least 1/1000, etc.
great shot!! I absolutely love the depth of the photo! the bird almost seem to fly off the page!! good job!!
looks a little like HDR
Oct 26, 2014 11:38:50 #
MarkintheHV wrote:
I found the bad pics still on the camera. I put a subset of them here
http://www.markinthehv.com/Bad-Bird-Pics/n-6MBHp/
http://www.markinthehv.com/Bad-Bird-Pics/n-6MBHp/
Nice shots.
Oct 26, 2014 12:04:19 #
Oct 26, 2014 12:12:43 #
Mr PC wrote:
I'm thinking that with a high shutter speed like t... (show quote)
It certainly helps me. Thanks.
Oct 26, 2014 12:48:45 #
I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600mm lens for a Sony. I have found that the focus is almost always right on the mark. I went out yesterday and did a combination of manual focus and auto focus with excellent results. Was using a Gimbal mount and had stabilization turned off. It was late in the afternoon, so the sun was low.
Was using a Kenko 1.4x TC with the Sony A57, and crop sensor. The Great Egret was perhaps 200 feet away.
Was using a Kenko 1.4x TC with the Sony A57, and crop sensor. The Great Egret was perhaps 200 feet away.
Oct 26, 2014 13:05:52 #
joraangm
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
I took this handheld picture of an egret from our backyard with my D7100 and Tamron 150-600.
Picture of an egret landing. I don't edit my pictures.
Oct 26, 2014 13:15:24 #
I also very recently received a Tamron 150-600 that I waited 3 months for.
I too am having some trouble using it.
Stationary subjects using a fairly high shutter speed, handheld works reasonably well but......I have come to the conclusion that the lens really isn't going to work for me except on a monopod or tripod.
I've proven to my satisfaction that the lens is capable of producing quality images. I guess I'm just not steady enough. (and I am not old and feeble)
I've taken to practicing every day or two holding the center focus point on a spot using 600mm........ I don't think I'm getting any better.
Also....an old tripod that I had which I was sure was going to be sturdy enough.....isn't.
This lens may be lighter than many super tele lenses but....it's still more than a handful.
I too am having some trouble using it.
Stationary subjects using a fairly high shutter speed, handheld works reasonably well but......I have come to the conclusion that the lens really isn't going to work for me except on a monopod or tripod.
I've proven to my satisfaction that the lens is capable of producing quality images. I guess I'm just not steady enough. (and I am not old and feeble)
I've taken to practicing every day or two holding the center focus point on a spot using 600mm........ I don't think I'm getting any better.
Also....an old tripod that I had which I was sure was going to be sturdy enough.....isn't.
This lens may be lighter than many super tele lenses but....it's still more than a handful.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.