This is an email that was forwarded to me from my local Tamron rep:
"
As you know, I have shot this lens on a variety of camera bodies and did not have any issue using it in Ai Servo mode. The lens is in the hands on many reviewers at this time and we have not heard any negative feedback.
What I have confirmed with our lens and other manufacturers lenses similar in focal length is the following.
When in Ai servo mode and attempting to AF lock on a moving subject it is helpful if you first use the manual focus ring and get the subject somewhat in focus and then push the shutter release to obtain AF. I spoke to one of our professionals and asked him his technique and he told me the same thing.
If this does not solve the problem then I would recommend sending me the camera body and well as the lens for our evaluation. It is possible that the lens is not performing to its maximum capability due to the optical performance level, AF structure, and camera AF system.
We would need to see the system to make this determination".
Pat Simonetti
Director
Technical & Customer Service/Distribution
Tamron USA, INC
10 Austin Blvd
Commack, NY
1st - I don't have lens yet .
What bodies was it check on ? FF . crop ?
I only have 3 bodies it will fit - Elan [ won't even be mounted on ] XTI and 7 D .
I don't think I am alone in saying I won't ship my 7 D . I don't need a lens that
will only work on an adjusted body .
Would you list the bodies you checked the lens on and firmware version on each ?
It would also be nice to know the sweet spot on lens .
It would also be nice to know why there are no lenses in stock anywhere .
Can't get part [ s ] , trying to fix problem , major flu outbreak at plant , strike at
one or more plants - Right now most people are assuming you know there are
problems and trying to fix them . Why else would one one back returned lenses
for sale .
I for one just passed on the 100-400 rebate hoping to get the lens .
gwaww wrote:
This is an email that was forwarded to me from my local Tamron rep:
"
As you know, I have shot this lens on a variety of camera bodies and did not have any issue using it in Ai Servo mode. The lens is in the hands on many reviewers at this time and we have not heard any negative feedback.
What I have confirmed with our lens and other manufacturers lenses similar in focal length is the following.
When in Ai servo mode and attempting to AF lock on a moving subject it is helpful if you first use the manual focus ring and get the subject somewhat in focus and then push the shutter release to obtain AF. I spoke to one of our professionals and asked him his technique and he told me the same thing.
If this does not solve the problem then I would recommend sending me the camera body and well as the lens for our evaluation. It is possible that the lens is not performing to its maximum capability due to the optical performance level, AF structure, and camera AF system.
We would need to see the system to make this determination".
Pat Simonetti
Director
Technical & Customer Service/Distribution
Tamron USA, INC
10 Austin Blvd
Commack, NY ...Show more →
Send those reps links to the multiple threads here from users who have taken a lot of time to test their lens and find the specific problem. Would they really read all the comments here and just say "eh, those people don't know what they're doing!".
While this AI Servo issue doesn't affect me based on how I utilize the lens, it definitely leaves a sour taste in my mouth concerning their future product offerings, and my willingness to suggest their lenses to others.
gwaww wrote:
This is an email that was forwarded to me from my local Tamron rep:
"
As you know, I have shot this lens on a variety of camera bodies and did not have any issue using it in Ai Servo mode. The lens is in the hands on many reviewers at this time and we have not heard any negative feedback.
What I have confirmed with our lens and other manufacturers lenses similar in focal length is the following.
When in Ai servo mode and attempting to AF lock on a moving subject it is helpful if you first use the manual focus ring and get the subject somewhat in focus and then push the shutter release to obtain AF. I spoke to one of our professionals and asked him his technique and he told me the same thing.
I am bummed to see that Tamron has such low expectations about the autofocus capabilities of their lenses (if you manually prefocus the lens, the autofocus may work - WTF? ).
It looks like the early adopters here saved the rest of the forum members some time and frustration. Thank You all for all the in-depth reports.
I went ahead and bought a Canon 400mm F5.6. You don't have to prefocus this lens, or stand on one leg on a Thursday, to get it to work.
I do wish the Tamron lens worked as it should, but I guess they are determined to keep their 3rd tier reputation. Their response really shows how little, they themselves expect, from their products.
Imagemaster wrote:
What a bunch of double-talk. I guess he has not been in touch with Head Office that has been informed of this problem by me and probably others.
Since when do you have to manually prefocus on a Canon 500 or 600 to get AI Servo AF to work properly?
Perhaps Tamron has invented "semi-autofocus" ??
'When in Ai servo mode and attempting to AF lock on a moving subject it is helpful if you first use the manual focus ring and get the subject somewhat in focus and then push the shutter release to obtain AF. I spoke to one of our professionals and asked him his technique and he told me the same thing"
Would this not require switching AF to Manual switch on lens, then manually focusing focus ring.
So then whats the point of having AF, or am I missing something.
Sounds like at that point you have nothing more than a manually focusing lens. If you change targets, you then have to repeat the process of manually focusing..
Why doesn't AF do this in the first place, as intended .
If I am understanding this correctly, I am having a good laugh.
Most Canon lenses, and all the big guns have FTM (full time manual) feature, which allows you manually adjust focus without switching to Manual mode.
I think the lens in question has that feature too
IndyFab wrote:
'When in Ai servo mode and attempting to AF lock on a moving subject it is helpful if you first use the manual focus ring and get the subject somewhat in focus and then push the shutter release to obtain AF. I spoke to one of our professionals and asked him his technique and he told me the same thing"
Would this not require switching AF to Manual switch on lens, then manually focusing focus ring.
So then whats the point of having AF, or am I missing something.
Sounds like at that point you have nothing more than a manually focusing lens. If you change targets, you then have to repeat the process of manually focusing..
Why doesn't AF do this in the first place, as intended .
If I am understanding this correctly, I am having a good laugh.
Imagemaster wrote:
What a bunch of double-talk. I guess he has not been in touch with Head Office that has been informed of this problem by me and probably others.
Since when do you have to manually prefocus on a Canon 500 or 600 to get AI Servo AF to work properly?
IM,
I understand that this lens didn't meet your requirements particularly when coupled with the 7D. You continue to make this point repeatedly and vociferously. I'm still watching this whole discussion wondering about the lens. Frankly it seems remarkable at the price particularly with stationary objects. In the above quote you dismiss Tamron's response (which is rather lame) by noting it doesn't perform like a Canon 500 or 600. Perhaps this is part of the perceived problem with the 120-600. To expect a 2nd tier lens maker to introduce a lens at ~$1K that will compete directly with one of Canon's big primes - what are they $6K - $8K - simply isn't realistic. Even if we concede that Canon's profit margin on the "big whites" is well beyond normal (likely true), there's no way such a lens can be produced in the $1K range. Conversely there is also - best I can tell - no possible way a $1K lens is going to compete against an "ultimate" prime.
It seems clear that at least on some cameras the 120-600 doesn't do AIservo well at all. On the other hand there have been examples presented in this thread of fairly good results by some. The poster with the duck sequence comes to mind. I believe you agreed they were okay but wanted pix from "smaller faster" birds. I agree with you completely. The Tamron zoom is not in the same league as the Canon primes.
Having conceded that point, my real question is "Can the Tamron work well within some limits, e.g., of a tripod on stationary or relatively stationary objects?" This appears to be so from some of the pix in this thread. In other words "Can I get $1K of value at 600mm from the Tamron in a reasonable number of scenarios?" Any thought by you or other users of this lens would be appreciated.
Robert
BTW I regularly have to manually prefocus with macro lenses (including Canon's). Admittedly different subjects, but not necessary a damning indictment.
Perhaps you should read my posts more carefully, and not state what I did not say. I did not say "it does not perform like a Canon 500 or 600". I said, Since when do you have to manually prefocus on a Canon 500 or 600 to get AI Servo AF to work properly? That is hardly the same thing. By the way, it is a Tamron 150-600, not a 120-600.
Also, it is you that is comparing the Tamron zoom to primes, not me. You don't have to manually pre-focus Sigma zooms, nor do you have to manually pre-focus the Tamron 200-500, Tamron 90mm macro, or Tamron 180mm macro, so why should you have to do so with the Tamron 150-600 I also have a Canon 100mm macro and I do not HAVE TO manually prefocus.
So what if I continually mention the Tamron does not focus properly with several Canon bodies? I have also stated repeatedly that for stationary subjects, it gives great results and is the best bang for your buck to get to 600mm.
Tamron repeatedly states there is no problem, yet others besides myself repeatedly state otherwise.
Please tell me why the Sigma zooms work properly at the same price range, but the Tamron does not.
Having to prefocus is a damning indictment for those who shoot fast moving subjects. With wildlife, you often barely have time to get the camera up to your eye and get it in the viewfinder, let alone manually prefocus.
FYI, I have another copy arriving today. Supposedly, it will AF properly on my 70D, and will still give me the cheapest 600mm for static subjects on my 1D4.
Perhaps you should read my posts more carefully, and not state what I did not say. I did not say "it does not perform like a Canon 500 or 600". I said, That is hardly the same thing. By the way, it is a Tamron 150-600, not a 120-600.
Also, it is you that is comparing the Tamron zoom to primes, not me. You don't have to manually pre-focus Sigma zooms, nor do you have to manually pre-focus the Tamron 200-500, Tamron 90mm macro, or Tamron 180mm macro, so why should you have to do so with the Tamron 150-600 I also have a Canon 100mm macro and I do not HAVE TO manually prefocus.
So what if I continually mention the Tamron does not focus properly with several Canon bodies? I have also stated repeatedly that for stationary subjects, it gives great results and is the best bang for your buck to get to 600mm.
Tamron repeatedly states there is no problem, yet others besides myself repeatedly state otherwise.
Please tell me why the Sigma zooms work properly at the same price range, but the Tamron does not.
Having to prefocus is a damning indictment for those who shoot fast moving subjects. With wildlife, you often barely have time to get the camera up to your eye and get it in the viewfinder, let alone manually prefocus.
FYI, I have another copy arriving today. Supposedly, it will AF properly on my 70D, and will still give me the cheapest 600mm for static subjects on my 1D4....Show more →
Glad to hear you have another copy coming today...be sure to let us know how it does on the 70D, as that's been a thought of mine going forward depending on the price/performance on a 7DII....assuming it's announced sometime this century.
1st , I don't have the 150-600 .
2nd , I am on back order in 2 local stores
3 rd , I did not like 50-500 or 150-500 siggys , but do own 3 others .
4th , since I don't use AI servo , I don't really care if it works or not .
5th , I seldom drag around a tripod, I do use it in Mexico with a remote [ still
have not caught a good humming bird shot ]
6th , Even if I prefocus my Canon 50 1.4 , it still sucks - I have to use live view
@ 1.4 .
7th , it would be nice if Tamron would print a sticker saying AI servo may not work
on - list a few bodies - or - AI servo will only work on - list a few bodies and release the
lens to the rest of us .
Canon already does - AF won't work @ / above f 6 on crops , the 2X III won't work very
well on non version II lens even if it fits .
Jim, needless to say, it is another cloudy, rainy day in the PNW so have just taken some test shots with my 1D4. The AF in AI Servo works this time, and AF in One Shot mode works with a Kenko 1.4x DGX TC.
Hopefully will get to test with 70D tomorrow.
Just for anyone's interest, the serial number on my first copy was 0018XX and on this copy is 0070XX. Seems to confirm this is from Tamron's second shipment to North America.
Imagemaster wrote:
Jim, needless to say, it is another cloudy, rainy day in the PNW so have just taken some test shots with my 1D4. The AF in AI Servo works this time, and AF in One Shot mode works with a Tamron 1.4x DGX TC.
Hopefully will get to test with 70D tomorrow.
Just for anyone's interest, the serial number on my first copy was 0018XX and on this copy is 0070XX. Seems to confirm this is from Tamron's second shipment to North America.
They send you a whole new lens and do it seem to perform better?
Imagemaster wrote:
Jim, needless to say, it is another cloudy, rainy day in the PNW so have just taken some test shots with my 1D4. The AF in AI Servo works this time, and AF in One Shot mode works with a Tamron 1.4x DGX TC.
Hopefully will get to test with 70D tomorrow.
Just for anyone's interest, the serial number on my first copy was 0018XX and on this copy is 0070XX. Seems to confirm this is from Tamron's second shipment to North America.
