jashegg

thank you everyone for trying to help me on this. I visited my local photography store tonight after work and amazingly enough after looking at a few of my pics on his computer screen he suggested I try the 2 second timer instead of just pushing the shutter. He personally thought any photo taken handheld with a shutter speed less than 1/60 should be shot with the 2 second timer. I tried a couple comparison shots when I got home and by golly he was right! When I zoom in 100% on my computer I can definitely see a better "focus" when shot with the timer. Besides that point, I went ahead and tried the back focus test tonight. Let me know what you think, but it looks to me like the tamron might have a bit of a front focus issue. BTW, these were off a tripod, apeture open as wide as possible, with a remote shutter.

newtimes Loc: Indiana

Yes looks like the Tamron is front focusing, but it's not really bad and I suspect if you play with it a litle more you'll be getting nice shots with it. Overall witheveryones inputs and your visit to your local photography store I think your seeing some fruitition for your efforts.
Biggest thing you may have learned is just how much camera shake can screw up a picture.
With the Tamron close ups try spot focusing a little to the rear of the of the bit you need in sharp focus.
I have the canon 24-70 L 2.8 it's a nice lens but oh it's heavy, also the 70-200 L 2.8 IS, not the friendliest walk around lense. had the canon 50mm 1.2 it back focused like the devil sent it back to canon and they charged me and still didnt get it right. sold it!
I bought the Tamron 17-50 2.8 without stabilazation and wow it's light, fast and so sharp It's amazing and with acceptable bokah on close ups.
I am actually considering getting the same Tamron lens your not happy with so if ou would like to sell it let me know cvcalderbank@gmail.com