lonedog Loc: DC area

I'm getting ready to sell my Nikon D7100 and in checking it over find that it is not focusing in live view using my tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD macro lens. I cannot take a picture. I don't use live view often with this camera so i don't know if this is something new or if it has always been this way.

i also have a NIKKOR AF-S DX 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR and it focuses fine in live view. According to my Nikon D7100 book by Darrell Young Nikon recommends using an AF-S lens when using live view or the desired result may not be achieved.

So it might be the lens but for the life of me i Don't remember having this problem and i have been using the tamron since May 2017 (the glass chipped inside my Nikon lens and I didn't want to pay to have it fixed)

Would appreciate if anyone can shed some light on this issue.

Thanks.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Did you try a factory reset of the camera?

CO

I wonder if this is due to compatibility issues. Camera makers don't share their proprietary coding. It might be that the Tamron can't completely communicate with the D7100.

There were some Nikon D3xxx or D5xxx series cameras recently that wouldn't work with 3rd party lenses at all. Nikon actually put something in the firmware so the camera would only work with Nikon lenses.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Before you give up please try eliminating the human factor.

Using a tripod and the cameras timer, find your subject and have the camera find focus on a point you choose then zoom in to 1:1 and carefully check your focus - if it's off just hand focus it until it's sharp and take the picture. Do it again but don't hand focus. Compare the shots. If both are okay it's a human factor (maybe shaky hands) but if the first is sharper, you may have to hand focus it to achieve success. I usually find that the camera can focus extremely well in Live View but if it's critical, I always double check the focus at 1:1. My D7500 can show you this 1 to 1 view by presetting my okay button set to this function. I'm not sure if you can do the same but if not simply zoom in and proceed to focus. But to prove it's the lens you have to use the tripod and timer.

lonedog Loc: DC area

I don’t know if it’s a factory reset but I did reset all the settings.

CO

Here's someone on DP Review who had the same problem with that lens on a Canon.

Focus problem with Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di ll VC PZD Macro
Feb 2, 2017

I purchased the Tamron 16-300 in June of 2015, I used it on a Canon 7D. I notice that in 'Live View Mode' the lens was slow to focus, I mean like 5 or 10 seconds. At 300mm it failed to find focus at all. When using eye level view finder it worked OK but, still was slow at the long end.

I traded in my 7D for a Canon 80D for the superior video functions and touch screen focus in live view. The Tamron 16-300mm not only does not focus in live view, it freezes the camera. I must remove the battery, re-insert the battery and turn the camera back on to clear out the problem caused by the Tamron 16-300. Other lens' work well on the 80D.

I really like the Tamron 16-300, I know it is a jack of all trades and master of none but I am more interested in versatility than high quality. I believe that the IQ of the Tamron is adequate for me.

I wonder if there could be a software or firmware update that could correct this problem? Does anyone know about this?

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

Searching for answers at DP Review I found the above write-up and below it was this follow up:

I've exactly same the problem with my Canon 80D and the Tamron 16-300. Did you find a way to solve this annoying problem? ....

Yes! There is an answer. I sent the lens to Tamron in New York. They fixed it and had it back to me in a little over a week. They asked for a copy of my receipt or warranty number. Fortunately, I had the receipt, send them a copy of it so the repair was free. I guess if you don't have a receipt or warranty number, they will charge you for it. I don't know what it may cost. Google Tamron.

The lens works as well as such a versatile lens can be expected to work. Still slow on the long end in live view. I guess you could make a better lens if you let it cost many thousands of dollars
-----------------
In another article I found this about the effect of it's high f stop which may be why you have trouble focusing at all at 300mm (maybe your camera struggles to focus at f5.6 and above?) ...

With careful camera set-up and good technique - i.e. keeping the AF point accurately nailed to the subject - sharp action and sports images are quite possible, but the hit-rate is lower than you might get from a faster-aperture telephoto. At 300mm, the maximum aperture rises to F6.3 and that's technically above the F5.6 autofocus ceiling of many DSLRs, including the Canon EOS 7D we used for this test.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

It is likely the lens that has stopped focusing. I had that same problem with a Sigma lens on my D7100. My Nikon lenses all worked normally, the Sigma did not auto-focus. So, I sent it in to Sigma (fortunately it was still under warranty). They did some magic to it, sent it back in about a week. It works perfectly again. Just make sure you have your sales receipt, as they will ask for that.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Since you aren't clear if this is new or just overlooked/never tested, I'd say that you probably need a firmware upgrade from Tamron - which they will do for free if it can be done. In any case, it's worth a shout to Tamron.

lonedog Loc: DC area

I believe it's a new problem. I will definitely check with Tamron regards the firmware upgrade.

Thanks.

lonedog Loc: DC area

thanks for the info. I will check it out. May sell the lens as I switched to mirrorless

kathy

david vt Loc: Vermont

I agree with Gitchi here. Had the same issue you are describing with my older model Sigma 50-150, where it would be find through the viewfinder but would not AF in LV. Sigma took it in (without a reciept), updated the firmware, and sent back on their dime! I would definitely contact Tamron and discuss the age of your lens vs camera and see what they say.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I had the same thing happen to me with a Sigma 100-300 F4 and a 150 F2.8 Macro. And yes, no charge at all.

lonedog Loc: DC area

David VT also. Thanks. I hope tamron is so gracious.