p.2 #1 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Thanks Geoff, I totally agree with all you said and that's the direction I'm heading--> one of the Canons and a 1.4x. I've had decent success with that combo in the past, but was hoping the Tamron would bypass the need/desire for a TC with the native 600mm AND add the benefit of more modern IS/VC. Hopefully Karl's correct and Tamron will be able to get this lens to work for BIF's (assuming it can't at this point, of course).
p.2 #2 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
arbitrage wrote:
Personally if I were you and you are using a 1D3 I would go for either the 100-400 or the 400 (depending on your needs for zooming and IS) and add the 1.4TC when needed to get to 560mm. That will likely net better BIF results than this new Tamron. The new Tamron will be sharper at 500 and maybe at 600 than the 560 f/8 lens you will create with the other combos but the AF sounds like it will be better with the native Canon glass and Mark II or III TCs.
Not a BIF photographer by any stretch of imagination (even mine, on a particularly fanciful day ), I have used several copies of 100-400 with a II 1.4 TC on a 1DIV and a 5DIII (with May 2013 firmware installed), and the AF was slooooooooooooow, pretty much unusable for anything moving. Even when the focus was kind of in the same zone as the subject, the lens would tend to "want" to go through the entire focusing range before snapping to focus. Someone with better manual focusing skills than mine would find a way to avoid this, I am sure.
The Tamron was much snappier on a 70D - no hunting at all. (I only tried it in a store where they had a demo session). So I'd stick my neck out to say that the 150-600 is superior to the 100-400 + 1.4TC for AF. The 300 F/2.8 + 1.4X or even 2X would be a whole 'nother matter!
p.2 #3 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
My takeaway so far is this:
1. If you plan to use the 150-600mm zoom range for mostly static subjects, it's a no-brainer: buy the lens now!
2. If you shoot BIF or mostly moving targets, you may want to hold off for a month or two before making a final decision. I still believe the sample size is pretty small for testing the new Tamron lens (especially for BIF shooting) and I don't believe that anyone has done a side-by-side comparison for BIF with this lens vs. the 100-400mm Canon + TC.
Of course, we can't call birds back to perform the same flight path a second time!
p.2 #4 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
verbiage wrote:
Not a BIF photographer by any stretch of imagination (even mine, on a particularly fanciful day ), I have used several copies of 100-400 with a II 1.4 TC on a 1DIV and a 5DIII (with May 2013 firmware installed), and the AF was slooooooooooooow, pretty much unusable for anything moving. Even when the focus was kind of in the same zone as the subject, the lens would tend to "want" to go through the entire focusing range before snapping to focus. Someone with better manual focusing skills than mine would find a way to avoid this, I am sure.
The Tamron was much snappier on a 70D - no hunting at all. (I only tried it in a store where they had a demo session). So I'd stick my neck out to say that the 150-600 is superior to the 100-400 + 1.4TC for AF. The 300 F/2.8 + 1.4X or even 2X would be a whole 'nother matter!
I have no issues with AF tracking on the 100-400 with 1.4TCIII on the 5D3. Proof is in the pudding. These aren't edited just pulled them off a LR metadata search
p.2 #5 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Sorry guys but if we stick to this Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only we will learn more about the Tamron. Most of us know what we can or can't do with the Canon equipment hence or interest in the Tamron
p.2 #8 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
cameron12x wrote:
1. If you plan to use the 150-600mm zoom range for mostly static subjects, it's a no-brainer: buy the lens now!
2. If you shoot BIF or mostly moving targets, you may want to hold off for a month or two before making a final decision.
I still wonder about those scenarios that are kind of in the middle, like motorsports or airshows, where subjects aren't static but are less demanding than BIF...
p.2 #9 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
I don't know if this will help any but here is a 15 shot sequence shot in burst mode, AI servo, @600mm, handheld, F/7.1. Now My technique with this long a lens in not good! The images themselves are not good ( I'm like an aspen leave quaking in a stiff autumn breeze) But I THINK what it shows is that thru the 15 shots the focus remains the same. It tracked the Goose. I'm using a 60D and back button focus. The timing starts at 11:31:21 thru 11:31:24
I uploaded the sequence here, scroll down the the Canada Goose images there are 15 images. ( the gull shots there are also a burst sequence)
p.2 #10 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Grizz wrote:
I don't know if this will help any but here is a 15 shot sequence shot in burst mode, AI servo, @600mm, handheld, F/7.1. Now My technique with this long a lens in not good! The images themselves are not good ( I'm like an aspen leave quaking in a stiff autumn breeze) But I THINK what it shows is that thru the 15 shots the focus remains the same. It tracked the Goose. I'm using a 60D and back button focus. The timing starts at 11:31:21 thru 11:31:24
I uploaded the sequence here, scroll down the the Canada Goose images there are 15 images. ( the gull shots there are also a burst sequence)
p.2 #11 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Imagemaster wrote:
Could we please limit this thread to only the postings of sequential action shots taken in AI Servo?
There are other threads on this lens for discussions about it.
Since my copy will not even change focus in AI Servo, I am unable to post any examples.
I am STILL waiting for my dealer's reply re his discussion with Tamron as to whether they will replace, repair, or refund.
I hope their procedure is better than B & H. They will only replace it after they receive the one I have back and it will depend on the availability, which they have none in stock. OR to ship it when in stock and let me then send back the one I have after receipt of the new one, I have to pay twice. Many times I have had a new item shipped and you then return the defective item after receiving the new one. For repair by Tamron, they won't pay the shipping to them.
p.2 #13 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Grizz wrote:
How about now?
yes available now
Would say inconclusive results here. Assuming center point and the fact that in several shots the center point would have clearly missed the target to follow it. Hard to tell but thanks for sharing. The real key is if it tracked did it track sharply.
p.2 #16 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Grizz wrote:
Ok good. My internet skills are right up there with my hand holding skills.
Are those shots (geese) cropped at all? Have you applied any sharpening to them? Exif looks like f/7.1 and 1/2500 at 500ISO so good settings but they appear very blurry to me. That is why I'm asking. Thanks.
p.2 #17 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
No crop, just the default sharpening LR applies. 25 I think, Yes they are blurry I'm thinking its because I'm not very good at hand holding at 600mm so its more my lousy technique than a failure of the lens to focus, the reason I say that is they all have pretty much the same amount of shake applied. The ISO range in the first 4-5 from 1600 to 1250 for the middle shots and then 800 on the last few as the bird moves into better light. I was using auto ISO to keep the SS up. Thought I'd offer them up here just for additional info.
The four Gull shot burst was also not cropped. It was close.
p.2 #18 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
Grizz wrote:
No crop, just the default sharpening LR applies. 25 I think, Yes they are blurry I'm thinking its because I'm not very good at hand holding at 600mm so its more my lousy technique than a failure of the lens to focus, the reason I say that is they all have pretty much the same amount of shake applied. The ISO range in the first 4-5 from 1600 to 1250 for the middle shots and then 800 on the last few as the bird moves into better light. I was using auto ISO to keep the SS up. Thought I'd offer them up here just for additional info.
The four Gull shot burst was also not cropped. It was close. ...Show more →
Those look like focus problems to me. Nothing to do with shake.
p.2 #19 · Tamron 150-600 AI Servo sequential shots only
After carefully following this and other threads thought I should try to contribute. Have been working with this lens for a number of days, cold weather making it difficult. Out of the box it was pretty bad, not much sharp. Single point center seemed to help quite a bit and most importantly micro adjusting it to the 7D started to make me think it might be a keeper, but most of what I enjoy is BIF so the AI Servo problem was very important.
Spent most of the day today (finally warmed up to 30) shooting gulls who were very cooperative. Here is a representative set from the keepers, not much post some NR and contrast etc. Sorry the at sign seems to be causing a problem in the link.
Tried to keep the EXIF intact, single point center, AP 7.1, ISO 1000, AI Servo Continuous low
The conclusion so far is careful MA helps a lot, In 2 hours of almost constant shooting AF AI Servo only stalled a couple of times which could have well been the operator. I have sequences of gulls coming and going that are pretty good, I think as good as I would do with the 400 5.6.
), I have used several copies of 100-400 with a II 1.4 TC on a 1DIV and a 5DIII (with May 2013 firmware installed), and the AF was slooooooooooooow, pretty much unusable for anything moving. Even when the focus was kind of in the same zone as the subject, the lens would tend to "want" to go through the entire focusing range before snapping to focus. Someone with better manual focusing skills than mine would find a way to avoid this, I am sure. 
The images themselves are not good ( I'm like an aspen leave quaking in a stiff autumn breeze) But I THINK what it shows is that thru the 15 shots the focus remains the same. It tracked the Goose. I'm using a 60D and back button focus. The timing starts at 11:31:21 thru 11:31:24