A bit perplexed...
Aug 10, 2018 20:36:35 #
Thanks TomV. I have a calibration kit and tap-in console (and intend to use it) with this lens at some point (sooner vs later perhaps).
I have read the online reviews of this lens and understand the focal limitations. However, in Africa and the Galapagos with the G1 version of this lens I had good results at 600mm.
This is why I am considering the possibility of a defective lens, but I am not ready to conclude that yet.
I have read the online reviews of this lens and understand the focal limitations. However, in Africa and the Galapagos with the G1 version of this lens I had good results at 600mm.
This is why I am considering the possibility of a defective lens, but I am not ready to conclude that yet.
Aug 10, 2018 21:07:31 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
Was disappointed with my 150-600mm G2 out of the box. Got sharp images <500mm, but could only get sharp images in manual focus at 500 - 600mm. Talked to Customer service and sent the lens with my D7200 back to Tamron to be calibrated together. Was better when it came back, but still not great. Used the Tamron Tap-in to walk it in and now get very sharp images from 150-600mm using AF and am happy with it. So, you might want to check the lens calibration as well as continue to improve your technique.
Aug 10, 2018 22:20:12 #
Aug 11, 2018 06:10:52 #
Atmospheric distortion is possible, ISO set that high on a 7D Mk ll will affect image quality, in the photo of the eagle it appears that the camera focused on the leaves in front of the eagle, depth of field is very shallow at that focal length but most of all, I think your lens has to be calibrated to the camera. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself you can send the lens and camera body to Tamron and they will do it for you.
Aug 11, 2018 06:33:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
fotobyferg wrote:
OK, so I consider myself to be an amateur photogra... (show quote)
1. If the bird is in the bush most times the camera focuses on the bush and not the bird, I would suggest going to single point focusing and put that spot right on the bird, one spot only.
2. This is the one that many will disagree with, your lens, sell it and get the Canon 100-400 II with the Canon 1.4 teleconverter. And yes, then you will start to get better results.
Aug 11, 2018 06:35:13 #
Is it relevant that I have read that IS/VA should not be used when using a tripod? I do not recall the technical explanation of why that is.
Aug 11, 2018 06:36:07 #
Bill_de wrote:
That is probably helpful to a lot of photographers. Thanks. (I read something similar once before.)
Aug 11, 2018 06:46:19 #
fotobyferg wrote:
OK, so I consider myself to be an amateur photogra... (show quote)
First off you will have a very shallow DOF when zoomed out. When shooting birds I always use spot focus, AI-servo and continuous shoot. If you are using evaluative it will grab and focus on closer stuff rendering the bird out of focus. I use manual or Shutter pri. Which depends on the scene in front. Quite often I go manual say f/8 for a single bird, 1/1000(if I expect it might take flight) and auto ISO. Let the camera do the heavy ISO lifting. Spot focus takes some practice especially for flying. When sitting in a tree put the spot on his head.
Good luck.
Aug 11, 2018 06:46:56 #
I think you’ll always get blurry photos with a iso over 1250 your 6400 iso is a problem, it causes grain ...if you shoot manually you can set your shutter ( does not have to be very high for sitting subjects) and aperture setting accordingly to light as well as ISO .learn about SHUTTER APERTURE ISO. 😊👍🏻Happy shooting
Cheers
Cheers
Aug 11, 2018 08:31:09 #
fotobyferg wrote:
OK, so these are embarrassingly awful and totally unedited. IâÂÂm not sure which settings go with the pictures since I canâÂÂt seem to access the metadata right now.
Your first image is ok, but I am pretty sure any softness you are seeing is from diffraction - you used F20 on this one.
With the eagle shot I am perplexed about your camera settings - ISO 6400, I/8000 sec, F6.3 . A better combination would have been ISO 800, 1/1000 sec, and F6.3. Any chance of recording fine detail is lost in the noise. Lower ISO, using Mode 1 on VC, would have given you a better quality image. If this was not shot as a raw file,
I disagree with the notion that you have a focus issue. If is due to a focusing error then something should be in focus. There are many leaves at the eagle's distance and slightly in front of and behind the eagle. A focus calibration issue would look like either front or back focusing.
Given the size of the eagle, I am going to take a guess and say you must have been at least 300 yds away.
The image below was taken at a distance of about 250 yds, using a 600mmF4 and a 1.4 extender on a D800, 14 bit lossless compress raw file. Even though it is fairly crisp there is no real fine detail. The second image is the shot it was cropped from.
Aug 11, 2018 08:38:11 #
Thanks Pithy...when shooting birds I usually am on spot metering, but I probably had it on his body vs his head, since he was so high up and I have neck issues that prevent me from being truly comfortable with a hyper flexed neck.
At this point I also am wondering if I was inconsistant with my back button focus. It was really hot, and I never do well in those conditions.
I may just try again on the way home tomorrow with special attention on some of the suggestions made on this thread.
At this point I also am wondering if I was inconsistant with my back button focus. It was really hot, and I never do well in those conditions.
I may just try again on the way home tomorrow with special attention on some of the suggestions made on this thread.
Aug 11, 2018 09:01:36 #
I have the same issue.... I sent my lens back to Tamron. It is better, but still not where it should be.
Aug 11, 2018 10:02:23 #
600mm is not that lens strong suit. Backing off a little to say 550 would have produced a slightly smaller but sharper image.
Aug 11, 2018 10:16:35 #
jwn
Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA
sounds like AF issue not exposure. But get a second opinion, set camera to auto and take shot and see what the camera thinks the best setting may be. these cameras are smart.
Aug 11, 2018 10:57:47 #
Gene, Good comments, I agree with you. at the very least the settings used were not correct. your suggestion of ISO 800, 1/1000 sec, and F6.3 would be much better. I also agree that it does NOT seem to be a focusing error. Like you did, I also looked for SOMETHING in focus and could not really find any part of the picture that was not "soft". With a 1/8000 it is VERY unlikely that it is camera shake. The high ISO might adversely impact several things, but I don't think it is the cause for softness in this picture. So this leaves 2 likely possibilities. Either atmospheric interference or the lens is just not very good. I am guessing you have an issue with the lens. I would suggest testing the lens inside (use VERY bright lights) so there is NO atmospheric distortion and testing it using a good tripod with various settings. Use a low ISO, under 400 if you can. I do not own this lens, but I think this lens has received good reviews and this image does not seem to be anywhere near what should be acceptable.
Hope this helps,
Joe
Hope this helps,
Joe
Gene51 wrote:
Your first image is ok, but I am pretty sure any s... (show quote)
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