BetterPHpro Loc: NC

Does anyone have a Tap Console for a Tamron Lense? I have a 150-600 G2 for my 750 coming tomorrow. I have seen a couple of videos about it and I still undecided about the value of having one.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Wow cool, beer from lense! Mine just pass light.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I have the Sigma model, but their use is the same which allows you to do software updates to the lens as well as fine tune auto focus to your camera. I have used mine for various Sigma lenses and find it to be indispensable. You might want to look at Dustin Abbots video on the Tamron version and his review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vm-17Pq6Jc .

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

An excellent and most informative link Bruce, and hopefully the OP watched it realizing his new lens is not compatible. Only three current lenses are supported. The 45mm, 85mm & the 90mm macro. For me, owning three Tamron lenses my 70-200, 24-70 G2 are out of luck, leaving only my new 45mm being compatible (which is my first prime, and I absolutely love). Unfortunately the Tamron Tap in console doesn't support any zoom lenses at this time.

MLG

I got the Tamron tap-in console free from B&H when I bought my Tamron 100-400 full frame lens with Nikon mount in December 2017. I didn't take delivery of lens until end of February & have been checking the lens with the FoCal Pro software to check if the lens is front or rear focusing & determine the sharpest aperture & focus consistency. FoCal works great when set up correctly and I actually exchanged the first lens B&H sent me and the second lens is better but not perfect.
As you may know Nikon only allows on their intermediate to pro camera's one AF fine tune adjustment to the lens and Canon on their better cameras allows two adjustments on zoom lens, one at wide angle & one at telephoto end. The Tamron tap-in console allows me to adjust the auto focus(AF) fine tune in the lens at 5 pre-determined focal lengths on the 100-400 lens and at 3 pre- determined distances as follows.
Focal lengths of 100mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm, & 400mm at 4.9ft, 11ft & infinity which is over 100ft. When I determined the AF adjustment at those 5 focal lengths with FoCAL Pro software and then put that value in the camera, it would correct the front or rear auto focus issue for that focal length, you can't just put that value in the lens using the tap-in console though. The value I had to put in the lens compared to what FoCal software showed for the following focal lengths is as follows at 11ft distance- 100mm Focal AF- 2, tap-in -4, 135mm Focal-1, tap-in -1, 200mm FoCal AF-3, tap-in-3, 300mm Focal AF+3, tap-in +6, 400mm FoCal AF+7, tap-in +20. The problem is when you use say 350mm focal length your auto focus is not corrected, Tamron only corrects the AF value for the listed focal length. When I spoke to Tamron they suggested I send in the lens with my camera to have all focal lengths adjusted under warranty at no cost, except I have to pay for shipping to send it. Other than for software updates to keep the lens compatible with new cameras, adjusting the focus distance limiter switch and adjustments to the VC vibration control of the lens, I haven't decided whether the tap-in console is of real benefit for AF fine tuning. The tap-in console has actually 8 different slots for focal lengths but only preset 5 focal lengths for the 100-400 lens, I believe they use all 8 slots for the 18-400 DX lens. I don't know whether Sigma docking station gives more flexibility in deciding which focal length or distances you can use compared to Tamron. Anyone using Sigma docking station please clarify how it may differ from Tamron's tap-in console for those considering a Sigma lens & docking station.
Mark G. from NJ

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I don't own the Tamron Tap-in console so I can't compare, but I have the Sigma docking station which allows me to update the firm ware of the lens, fine tune the auto focus at various focal lengths in the lens and custom switches (D1 and D2) on the Sigma 150-600mm Sport model.

jastratman

I'm not sure where Jakebrake is getting his information regarding the lenses the Tamron Tap-In consoles supports - supports a LOT of Tamron lenses for Nikon/Canon bodies, including 7 of their zoom lenses (list here: http://www.tamron.co.jp/software/en/tapin//help/lens/). That list includes the 24-70 G2, which I own....

I got my Tap-In console and tweaked my Tamron 24-70 G2 last week. It took about 3 hours using the 'dot-tune autofocus' method. The results at a 1st Communion shoot last weekend look spectacular!

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

I am in error. I watched the video linked by Bruce, and apparently it is dated. Sorry.

MLG

Question to Brucej67 or anyone else, does the Sigma docking station allow you to choose the FoCal length and distance you want to calibrate or does it specify like the tamron tap in console non changeable focal lengths and distances?
Also how many focal lengths does it allow you to calibrate on your Sigma 150-600 lens?

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

It is based on the stated focal lengths on the lens, in other words for the Sigma 150-600mm 8 zoom lengths (150mm, 180mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm) and for the Sigma 18-35mm 5 zoom lengths (18mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm). When auto focus fine tuning you always tune the lens at the closest distance and wide open aperture the lens allows. If your question on distance is based on the limiter switch then the answer is no. The Sigma 150-600mm has two customization switches and they can be modified by the docking station. As a side note I have used the docking station for firmware version upgrades and the customizing of custom switch settings, but have not found a need to customize the focal lengths, also bear in mind if you do and you own more than one camera the lens will be used on you would have to change it each time you switch camera bodies (you maintain a written log of the settings and just punch in the numbers in the docking station).