Tamron 150-600mm G2
Mar 14, 2018 15:06:38 #
I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens, Nikon version. First couple of test shots seem a little soft when scrolling in to check sharpness. Now, please keep in mind I have not had this lens long and have only taken about 20 shots with it just to get a feel for how it zooms, focuses, feels in my hands, ability to handhold, etc...... I have not spent a great deal of time with it. Just got is out of the box, so all this may be premature, but I thought I would pose the question(s) anyway. For any of you who may already have this lens, is it worth purchasing the dock for fine tuning and firmware updates??? How does one know, if I feel the images are a little soft, if it is a bad copy of the lens or maybe just needs a little fine tuning in my camera?
I know this may be a rush to judgement at this early point in using and handling the lens, but any guidance or suggestions/advice would be most welcome.
Thanks,
KG
I know this may be a rush to judgement at this early point in using and handling the lens, but any guidance or suggestions/advice would be most welcome.
Thanks,
KG
Mar 14, 2018 15:17:29 #
Did you try it with the VC ON #3 hand held?..Mine purchased together with a Nikon D500 over a year ago..NO complaints from me on either the lens or my camera for that matter..This lens really rocks!!
Mar 14, 2018 15:20:07 #
You absolutely MUST do a focus test ! If the test shows front or back focus - you need to correct it either in camera or with the dock. If you cannot correct it then you have a problem.
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Mar 14, 2018 15:42:45 #
I bought a Sigma and have no complaints. At my age I can't see that good so anything is good enough for me. See old age has there advantages.
Mar 14, 2018 15:45:47 #
When I first used my G1 of that lens with a 7DII the same problem happened. But that combo not playing nice was a known problem for some 7DIIs. I sent the lens to Tamron and they upgraded the firmware (two upgrades, mine must have spent a couple of months on warehouse shelfs) That improved thing a lot. Then Canon also did a firmware upgrade on the 7DII designed for the same problem, that one also made the AF a bit faster.
Oh, don't put a protective filter on it (rely on the hood instead) a lot of tele zooms do not play well with filters. My G1 didn't, not as bad as my 100-400L mk1, but the pictures had better IQ for small details without a filter. I have stopped using filters all together. I am tempted to get polarizers, but I can do that in PP more or less and for large teles those things are expensive if you get quality filters. I have about 1 1/2 shoe boxes of filters from all the way back to the 60s but in sizes different from (generally smaller too) my new lenses.
Oh, don't put a protective filter on it (rely on the hood instead) a lot of tele zooms do not play well with filters. My G1 didn't, not as bad as my 100-400L mk1, but the pictures had better IQ for small details without a filter. I have stopped using filters all together. I am tempted to get polarizers, but I can do that in PP more or less and for large teles those things are expensive if you get quality filters. I have about 1 1/2 shoe boxes of filters from all the way back to the 60s but in sizes different from (generally smaller too) my new lenses.
Mar 14, 2018 16:55:29 #
Ok, thanks everyone for your input. I will do some further testing to see if I can correct without purchasing the dock and to make sure I am doing everything I can on my end. I have not tried it on VC#3. I believe I just tried it on 1 and 2, then decided I might need to read what the variations are between the different VC choices. i.e., helps if you read directions first. ; ) I have also heard if you shoot with really fast shutter speeds it is possibly better to not use VC, kind of like not using it when using a tripod. So, will do some more research on my part. Thanks again and I appreciate everyone's time.
Mar 14, 2018 19:22:51 #
KaiGee19 wrote:
I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens,... (show quote)
Post a sample with the "store original" box checked. I am very familiar with this lens and can tell you if you have a problem with either the lens or the camera body.
Mar 14, 2018 20:35:26 #
Make sure the issue is not camera shake. At 600mm, the slightest movement will be magnified at that focal range.
Mount it on a tripod or bean bag on a table and take some test shots at 600mm. After that, its the AF(try calibrating) or the soft optics or broken VC.
Mount it on a tripod or bean bag on a table and take some test shots at 600mm. After that, its the AF(try calibrating) or the soft optics or broken VC.
Mar 15, 2018 07:08:21 #
KaiGee19 wrote:
I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens,... (show quote)
I bought this very same lens this past October. It came with the [Pro]Master GH25 gimbal (there are much better gimbals out there). Most of my test shots were done with my Nikon D750, tripod & gimbal, cable release, and 3-second shutter release - all to reduce any camera shake.
If you wish, I can send you some of my test shots so that you can see how sharp or soft it is or isn't. Just PM me. ~FiddleMaker
Mar 15, 2018 07:28:49 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
KaiGee19 wrote:
I recently purchased the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens,... (show quote)
IMHO I believe that the Nikon 200-500 is superior in many, many, many, ways to the Tamron. I honestly believe you should sell the Tamron and buy the Nikon 200-500 ASAP. It's users rave about it, and I am one. I have not taken a soft photo with it yet. And I have a 98% keep rate on birds in flight.
Mar 15, 2018 07:46:49 #
billnikon wrote:
IMHO I believe that the Nikon 200-500 is superior in many, many, many, ways to the Tamron. I honestly believe you should sell the Tamron and buy the Nikon 200-500 ASAP. It's users rave about it, and I am one. I have not taken a soft photo with it yet. And I have a 98% keep rate on birds in flight.
Although this is not the answer to the OP question....I agree that the Nikon 200-500 is a very nice package.
Mar 15, 2018 07:50:37 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Largobob wrote:
Although this is not the answer to the OP question....I agree that the Nikon 200-500 is a very nice package.
However, he wants SHARPER IMAGES. And that was my "slipped in" suggestion on how to achieve it. Only wanted to be helpful and help a fellow photographer improve on his/her images. Thanks for your post and I agree with you.
Mar 15, 2018 08:00:04 #
Rashid Abdu
Loc: Ohio
I love my Nikon 200-500mm lens. It is more expensive than the Tamran, but worth it.
Rashid
Rashid
Mar 15, 2018 08:55:51 #
Take your shots on a tripod with 2 sec delay in LIVE VIEW mode. This will be the sharpest. If the results are different to images taken using the viewfinder the the autofocus needs fine tuning.
Mar 15, 2018 09:39:12 #
bengbeng wrote:
Take your shots on a tripod with 2 sec delay in LIVE VIEW mode. This will be the sharpest. If the results are different to images taken using the viewfinder the the autofocus needs fine tuning.
Technically the 10 sec delay would be the sharpest.
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