Tamron 150-600mm focus hunt (Page 3): Some of the focus problem can be related with the max aperture on the long focus 500 and 600mm, when aperture reach 1/6.3. Not all AF system of...

Yevgen

Some of the focus problem can be related with the max aperture on the long focus 500 and 600mm, when aperture reach 1/6.3.
Not all AF system of DSLR can supported it.

Here are some part of specifications for:

Canon EOS-1D X
"*One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. 1 cross-type AF point at f/8.* (The number of cross-type AF points will differ depending on the lens.)"

Canon EOS 5D Mark III (looks like will not work with aperture smaller that 1/5.6)
"One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. (The number of cross-type AF points will differ depending on the lens.)"

Nikon D7100
"...supports the center 1 focus point with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/8 or faster)".

D800/D800E
"...supports the 11 focus points with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/8 or faster)".

mikiort

I purchased this lens about a month ago and noticed the auto-focus problems of refocusing from near to far away objects almost right away.
After quick googling, I have found that there is a firmware solution for it.
Now, after the lens has already been updated by the local Tamron service, it is supposedly should be OK.
And indeed it is focusing much better.
But still, if a group of focusing points is used or all of them it is refocusing almost OK. I mean it's slow, but it does the refocusing.
On the other hand, if a single (central) focus point is used (even expended) the auto-focus still stuck most of the times trying to refocus from the near objects to far away ones.
The lens is used on a Canon 5D mark III body. I actually didn't have any such problems of refocusing with a single point on any other lens.
Even Canon's EF 300/4 L IS with EF1.4x converter works fine.

Could somebody confirm (preferably with the same camera body 5D mark III) that this is just a general problem of this lens or my copy is still a faulty one?

NM prairie dog Loc: Farmington New Mexico

I received my Tamron on Feb 17th serial # 0037XX and have enjoyed it a lot but after donrich mentioned how much better his lens worked after getting the Firmware updated and testing mine on auto focus noticed it didn't hit the mark every time decided to send it in.
Well tonight Tamron sent e-mail saying there was evidence of shock damage, dust or debri inside lens, and has broken filter seized on front lens I don't know if tech broke the filter or showed up that way?
I felt like I have taken good care of this lens they want $250 to repair the lens I almost didn't send it in just thought the updated firmware would be worth the $25 shipping. I will try to make contact with Tamron tomorrow.
Was hoping MT shooter might have some advice how to handle the situation I don't feel like spending $250

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

NM prairie dog wrote:

I received my Tamron on Feb 17th serial # 0037XX a... (show quote)

All I can say is that I hope you insured the shipment. You need to file a shipping damage claim from the sounds of it. If you did not insure it, then its pretty much your word against Tamrons and you won't win that argument.
Good luck.

NM prairie dog Loc: Farmington New Mexico

Thank You MT shooter for reply, I shipped using fed X I wrapped the lens in bubble wrap enclosed in a shoe box
I did spend an extra $5 for $1000 insurance. Hope I can find my receipt
John Murphy

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Is the firm ware update for issues with near to far focus problems or? Tamron just sent a ship notice and mine is on its way back...they couldnt get it to fail so no repair. Despite all this, I am very pleased with the results when it does focus. Is there anything else I can do?

NM prairie dog Loc: Farmington New Mexico

In-lightened wrote:

Is the firm ware update for issues with near to far focus problems or? Tamron just sent a ship notice and mine is on its way back...they couldnt get it to fail so no repair. Despite all this, I am very pleased with the results when it does focus. Is there anything else I can do?

In-Lightened from what I understand the firmware helps when you are focusing up close and move out with the zoom in the 400 to 600mm range it may not focus the first time also the firmware helps while tracking BIF might want to go to https://www.youtube/watch?v=mihYSbKOisU

NM prairie dog Loc: Farmington New Mexico

MT Shooter wrote:

All I can say is that I hope you insured the shipment. You need to file a shipping damage claim from the sounds of it. If you did not insure it, then its pretty much your word against Tamrons and you won't win that argument.
Good luck.

MT Shooter,
Tamron sent me a picture of the cracked filter
and ding on lens they tell me they need to re-align the lenses for it to work correctly? That is the reason for $250 anyway I will see what FedEx will do
Thanks for listening I will try not to bore you guys much more. maybe I should have PM you?

Cracked filter on tamron 150-600

(Download)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

NM prairie dog wrote:

MT Shooter,
Tamron sent me a picture of the cracked filter
and ding on lens they tell me they need to re-align the lenses for it to work correctly? That is the reason for $250 anyway I will see what FedEx will do
Thanks for listening I will try not to bore you guys much more. maybe I should have PM you?

Definitely stress fracturing on the filter, looks like the box was either dropped on its end, or something very heavy was set on it during transit. I am sure Tamron will assist in the damage evaluation for FedEx as its highly doubtful anyone would ship a lens with that kind of damage already.
They will definitely question the packaging and whether it was competently packed and protected, but thats just routine and meant to get you fired up. Play it cool, they will ask Tamron for their opinion of the packaging too. It could take a few months for a final settlement so I suggest just paying Tamron and going through the process to get re-imbursed. Otherwise, if you wait for them to pay for the repair directly you will be out the lens for the entire time.

NM prairie dog Loc: Farmington New Mexico

MT Shooter wrote:

Definitely stress fracturing on the filter, looks ... (show quote)

Thanks for the feedback I was thinking the same I already miss the lens did you see the moon tonight.
John Murphy

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

NM prairie dog wrote:

In-Lightened from what I understand the firmware helps when you are focusing up close and move out with the zoom in the 400 to 600mm range it may not focus the first time also the firmware helps while tracking BIF might want to go to https://www.youtube/watch?v=mihYSbKOisU

The youtube shows the same problem I have had. My lens is for nikon. Maybe a better question is do they have firmware for that. One would think it would not be necessary after the canon debacle. Alberto at tamron never said anything about firmware...only that they couldnt get it to fail....and I sent my camera body too. Grrrrrr. Many thanks for your help!

mikiort

I discovered a very strange behavior of this Tamron SP 150-600 lens on a Canon 5D mark III.
If you use a single AF point it appears that the central point works much worse than others.
If you use only a single center auto-focus point, the lens is refocusing from near objects (~ 3 m) to remote ones (~ 30m) very badly. In many cases it stuck and can't finish.
And if any other focusing point is selected - the refocusing works OK.
I suspected that maybe it's my camera glitches. So, I put on the Canon EF300 / 4 L IS with 1.4x converter, and of cause the central point here worked exceptionally well with a Canon lens, so that means the camera is OK.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Well....my lens came back from Tamron Friday. Paper work stated that they cleaned 2 specks of dust. I shot over 600 frames over the weekend it focused spot on each time....and I had a lot of nice keepers.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

In-lightened wrote:

Well....my lens came back from Tamron Friday. Paper work stated that they cleaned 2 specks of dust. I shot over 600 frames over the weekend it focused spot on each time....and I had a lot of nice keepers.

Do you suppose the cleaning was the only thing they did to the lens? Did they also correct whatever issue prompted you to send it in?

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

In my conversation with Alberto, he stated that they would clean the lens. In the paper work that accompanied the returned lens, it stated that they cleaned it. I know there is a firmware update for the original produced Canon version...but don't if there is one for Nikon.

Gitchigumi wrote:

Do you suppose the cleaning was the only thing they did to the lens? Did they also correct whatever issue prompted you to send it in?