washy Loc: Dorset UK

Has any one had experience of using this combination of camera and lens. I am struggling with this combination to get very sharp images when blown up to 1 to 1 and sometimes at 1 to 2. Even thought the Canon has been AF micro adjusted to the lens. The main problem is birds in flight, the images of cars moving on a track are okay and images of still subjects are fine. All the different case settings in the 7DMk2 and different clusters of focus points have been tried all to no avail. Any one had similar experiences, only I am getting to the point where this lens, which has been to Tamron UK twice, is going to the market. Images of fast moving birds taken with this camera and a Tamron 70-200 2.8 lens are tack sharp. It is only the 150-600 Tammy that I am having problems with.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

I also had that same combination and was not happy with it. Similar to other people reporting with this combo, the longer I zoomed the lens, the more problems with sharpness I had. I MAed the lens numerous times with little to no improvement. I finally sold the lens and replaced it with a 100-400 II and a 1.4 TC III. Lot more money but also lots better results. With the 7DII you also give up some AF flexibility with the TC as you will be limited at F8 to just the center point. If I just use the 100-400 II without the TC though, I can crop my images to the equivalent of a 600 mm I retain AF flexibility and still get better images than with the Tamaron at 600 mm.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

So, is this a lens, technique, or settings problem? Or some combination of the above?

600mm lens is not like a 200mm lens. Camera movement blur is significantly increased so a higher shutter speed is needed to counteract it.

Are you using image stabilization? A car moving at a steady rate of speed in one direction parallel to the camera's position, i.e. panning, is readily accommodated by setting the lens to that stabilization mode. Birds that are moving at an angle or are erratic are not. You may have better success with image stabilization turned off.

I shoot the 7D II at 1/2000, f/8, ISO 800 (in bright sunlight), Center point expansion (i.e the 5 point cluster) case 2. I am using both the 100-400 Mk I and the 500mm f/4 MkI and can get consistently sharp shots of BIF's.

Many non-oem zooms (and some OEM zooms) are not at their best at the extremes of either focal length or aperture. Try shooting at 560mm for example and f/8 and see what happens.

Come join us on the BIF/BOW special section! There is plenty of good info there regarding this photographic specialty.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Thanks for your reply. The combo has been tried at F8 F11 F6.3 with different cluster settings and different case settings, some how that sharpness is not there. even at 500mm or less still nearly as bad. I think the camera does not "like" the lens somehow. Still objects are not a problem the images are great. I am getting to the stage where the lens and I say good bye.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Thanks for your reply, I think that is the way I may well go Canon 100-400 with a 1.4 tc

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JDMcF

I have that combination and it is great. You may have to calibrate that lens to your
camera for focus.

philo Loc: philo, ca

One problem may be that when you use the 150-600 on you 7d you no longer are you using a 600lmm but a 900mm lens. I would try shooting at least a 1/1000 sutter speed.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I have used that combination in the past hundreds of times with excellent results. Never had any problems with birds in flight, moon shots, insects, etc.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Try using a faster shutter speed. If that doesn't work, send it to market. A 150-600 zoom lens will never be as tack sharp as a prime lens like the 500mm f/4 or 600mm f/4 . If you want stellar results, save your money and buy one of those.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Regis. Hi but your now using a 100-400 with a 1.4 I saw your latest Osprey pic. just magic.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

The lens has been calibrated to the 7d mk2 better than it was but still not sharp enough. I have tried faster shutter speeds and I realise this combo at 600mm is actually 900 mm

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I shoot the very combo using my 7D, and 7D Mark II. When I started using the big Tamron, I had a problem with focus, and focus time. I kept checking my shutter speed, and I finally had to send in the lens to Tamron in New York, for calibration, and adjustment. I sent them sample images I got using the lens on my Mark II, to illustrate the focus problem. I also sent Tamron a list of my camera bodies, when the lens returned I got a very sharp lens. Tamron replaced several elements, and the focus motor, and calibrated the lens to my camera specs. The lens is again back to Tamron, for upgrade for the new 5D Mark IV, live view problem, and update of the VC. I've also learned not to place to much faith in the VC when the lens is zoomed out near 100%, you'll need that good tripod, and at least a good gimbal head. I use a Nest Gimbal, and a very sturdy Bogen 3011 tripod. You may also want to make some test images using your setup. Place a target a distance from where you set up your camera, and tripod. Really secure the camera and lens to the center of the target, and take several test shots to test for focus accuracy. Use both the viewfinder, and live view. In live view chimp the images and look at them with the zoom function. Be sure to use a remote shutter release, and mirror lock up when taking test shots, that is important. With a long lens, any vibration will effect the motion of the lens, and could cause fake focus movement.

B

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

True, but I still occasionally use my Tamron 150-600. But, 95% of the time I use my Canon 100-400 II lens because it is smaller, lighter
and sharper and easier to hand hold.
For the money, the Tamron 150-600 lens is a great deal, washy.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Agree Regis for the money it is a good lens but when the images are not sharp enough with the 7dmk2 something has to go. Images are actually better with an old 500D with BIF
. I think the Tammy just does not like the AF on the 7Dmk2. and images of slower moving objects with the 7D are quite good but not the BIF.