ricosurfs Loc: Santa Cruz, Ca.

This is my first post as I just joined. With the setup above my camera can't auto focus. Sometimes it MAY work for one picture only. HELP
I'm happy to now be part of a fantastic community.

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

You may not have enough lite.

Robeng Loc: California

Hi Ricosurfs,

I have this set up and my systems works fine. I use back button focusing on my setting. Try resetting your camera back to it original settings and go from their.

Robeng

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome aboard. Sounds like your ISO is too low or lighting conditions are poor.

Ourspolair

I was just reading a review which said that this is a common problem with this Tamron lens...

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

A good replacement for that is a Sigma 150-600 lens.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. Hope I don't have that issue as I have one on order. Is yours a G2?

tcthome Loc: NJ

Which Nikon do you shoot with. Some models are better than others. I have the D810 , (I use BBF, Auto WB & Auto ISO with it maxed out at 3200 unless full sun out in the open) with the Nikon 200-500. In good light I get a fair amount of keeper shots but not all. In low light or dark shaded areas , a lot less keepers as the auto focus of the system struggles in low light. What is your shutter speed set at?

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

If it's not an insufficient light problem then make sure the contacts on the lens and camera body are clean. Sometimes just remounting the lens cures the problem.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Some suggestions/points -

Light - yes focusing above f/8 (with TC e.g.) OR in dim conditions can be a problem...this lens is a "sunny day" lens or for bright overcast. Shooting in heavily shaded areas (under dense trees e.g.) can also be an issue. However this is not a hard and fast rule...I've used this lens at night in Times Square with just the light of the moon and TS lights/displays (see below).

Firmware - update the firmware of both the D500 and lens - get a USB Tap in Console as Tamron calls it... you can also use this to fine tune the lens. I think this works with only the G2 version. It's a good idea to update the firmware anyway even if the cause is something else.

Check your AF settings. What AF points are you using (auto or fixed D9, 15, etc.)?....lot's of variables here. Check the AF-single(S) or continuous tracking (C). Generally I use BBF (back button focusing, AF-C which also can act as AF-S with BBF, fixed points D9, on a D7200, focusing assigned to the AE-L/AF-L button on the back)

D7200, Tarmron 150-600 G2 @600 f/6.3, 1/160 ISO 6400 handheld - summer 2019 - he was about 25 floors up I was at the street level. At night around 9pm.

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vista

I also use the D500 with the Tamron 150-600. Make sure your lens has the correct settings enabled. It took me a while to get the focus corrected. It works great now. You can google for information. That’s how I found the best lens setting to use.

Paradise Pirate Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I have the Tamron 150-600 G2 and have not had a problem and very pleased with the lens. Only thing I can say abour problem is to check the switch on camera and the lens, also the G2 can be set for certain focal loengths. If you have it set for distance objects it may not focus if subject is in a closer setting range.

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

He stated he was using a Nikon D500 along with the Tamaron (I think he meant Tamron) 150-600. I sounds to me like he needs to reset all of his D500 initial settings, and then read the directions for the lens. This lens has several settings. I shoot with both a D500 and a D850, and a Sigma 150-600, and I know all the setting have to be set correctly. Basically the Tamron and Sigma are both very good lenses, and work very similarly.

A. T.

Welcome to hedgehog. I have that same setup and while you will find those on this forum who will tell you that their setup works just fine; I will tell you that my Tamron 150-600mm G2 is for sale. I purchased the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 which is by far a better lens. What you will find is that you will never get that Tamron to be sharp at 600mm. If you don't believe what I'm telling you, simply conduct your own experiment. Place your D500 on a tripod and take a series of photos throughout the entire focal length and make your own determination. I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your lens, I'm just telling you what you can do to see for yourself. I have the D500, D850 and D4s and have used it on all three DSLRs with the same results. Also, that lens is a light hog meaning, you will not be able to use the lens in low light without the need to dramatically increase your ISO which will also increase the noise in your image. Again, please know that I am not trying to be that person with the bad news; however, if someone had told me what I'm telling you before I spent a small fortune on this lens I would have done more homework before my purchase.

A. T.

Please read my posted answer to this gentleman's problem. I have the exact same setup and I will tell you that if I had it to do all over, I would have purchased the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 which is a much sharper lens with much better color rendition. I have the D500, D850 and D4s with a host of professional Nikkor lenses. The only off brand lens that I have other than the Tamron 150-600mm G2 is the Tokina 100mm macro which is a fabulous lens. I have learned in my short photography life to stick with Nikkor lenses for my Nikon DSLRs. Nikon has been known forever to have superior glass.