whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Well, I've been hemmin' and hawin' about getting a longer reach quality telephoto for use with both my EOS R and T6s than my old Canon 70-200mm 1:c.8 L IS USM bought used last year. Even with the second hand 1.2x and 2x Canon Extenders, the reach isn't super, and as some here had cautioned, with the 2x image quality suffers a bit.

When I bought my R, I tested a Tamron 100-400 - and a Tamron tech present for Mike's tent sale even performed a firmware update onsite - but AF performance was dismal. So, I had settled on either getting an old Canon 100-400mm with IS or Tamron's 150-600 G2, which was said to perform well with the R. Now, I see on Tamron's website that version 1 AND the 100-400 are claimed to be "Usable after firmware update." Now that I've received a used G2 (rated EX) from KEH, I can confirm that it works just dandy with the R, and I'll attach a couple of backyard photos as evidence. [Following is a short story to go with the photos.]

I've been watching various sources for a suitable deal on a G2, and almost pulled the trigger on one at KEH rated BARGAIN. Dallied, missed, then this EX popped up, I talked it over with the spouse, and made the leap. It didn't hurt that KEH is offering a full year warranty on anything sold in Nov and Dec!

I took the lens out with both cameras on a dim gray day yesterday to try it out, and it worked fine. Until just before I headed home, when the zoom ring got really stiff. It was fairly cold, but only in the 40s, so I thought that shouldn't be a problem. In the backyard today, it was still stiff...until suddenly it wasn't. I had intended to call KEH today and warn them the lens might be coming back. Now I'm unsure. I'm thinking maybe I should just send them an email to describe what happened and warn them I may end up returning the lens. Then wait and see.

What do you think?

Anyway, the story on my sample freehand shots here...again, a really gray day (excuse up front): there were 5 squirrels in the row of trees at the back of our yard, an unusually large gathering. One looks black from a distance. This one dark squirrel kept chasing 3 squirrels away while alternately separating the 5 squirrel in a different direction. That strategy's purpose became clear as he eventually had his way with her while the other 3 looked on from a distance. He's a very distinctive sort of squirrel, methinks.

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rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Call them, but you might want to wait until next week after the Christmas insanity. Their Customer Service has always been excellent.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Great point! Thanks. Waiting a few days makes good sense.

DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Sure you're not lightly engaging the lens lock used to prevent lens creep? I ask because I accidently engage mine occasionally and it can be a surprise.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I've been using one for several years and never had a problem.

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I just took this photo with that exact lens at 600mm handheld.

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MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

This was my first thought. I’ve had my G2 for 2 years now and on occasion I still do this by accident. It’s very easy to do.

whitehall Loc: Canada

I had mine for several years. Works very well, though had to be calibrated. I would certainly check whether you might have engaged the lens lock ( push - pull)

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

[quote=whitehall]I had mine for several years. Works very well, though had to be calibrated. I would certainly check whether you might have engaged the lens lock ( push - pull

How hard is it to calibrate this lens with the tap-in console?

whitehall Loc: Canada

I only use the lens on a 7 D Mkii so I did the in-camera calibration, but judging by Dustin Abbott’s blog, tap in calibration is not all that much different

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

I own a copy of this lens. Great lens. Use it a lot. I strongly suspect, as have others before me, it's the zoom lock that you are engaging accidentally (although it surprises me a bit you could get the zoom to move at all with the lock engaged). Some folks like this new feature and others do not. The following is from one of the many reviews of this lens I found on-line.

"See Flex Zoom Lock

One of the major updates present is the “Flex Zoom Lock” mechanism.
This is a furtherance of the traditional zoom lock switch available on many high-end telephoto lenses. Instead of using the zoom lock switch as usual, the photographer now has the option to lock in at any at any zoom range simply by sliding the entire zoom ring forward. This not only saves time but also ensures the photographer can intuitively lock zoom without breaking eye contact with the subject."

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Awesome image! Exactly the kind of shot I'm hoping to be accessing.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Yep, I know me enough, that's the first thing I checked. It was unlocked. A few times I had to switch to MF due to shooting through branches, and I feared I may have thrown the wrong switch, but not the case.

Good call, though. First logical thing to check.

whlsdn Loc: Colorado

Good to know. I've always had good fortune with Tamrons, and mine have always been preowned... and never before this expensive.

whitehall Loc: Canada

That not the lock we are speaking about, that locks the lens at 150= The pull lock can be used at any focal length, and it uses the same ring as the zoom