I got even less satisfaction from Tamron Japan. They asked for details of my problem, which I sent, along with the serial number of the lens I returned. I asked them to test this lens plus others with a 7D and 1D4.
I also clearly explained that with either body in AI Servo and in the 500-600mm range, simply aiming the lens at a distance object and moving to a nearer object with the shutter button half-depressed, the lens would not change focus. It was also explained that "focus search" was on, they were contrasty subjects, and the near subject was not closer than the MFD. I also explained that all other lenses I have owned, including Tamrons and Sigmas, never had this problem.
The only response I have had from them is: Your information is very important for us and we will do our best to reflect it to our new development in the future for better customers' satisfaction.
I wonder if all 7D's are equal and perhaps the AF sensors in 7Ds and 5D3s/6Ds are fundamentally different. It is possible that 7Ds have different generations of AF sensors.
Perhaps newer 7Ds do not exhibit this problem. I certainly have problems with my 7D and Canon 100-400 and very often have to coax the combination to refocus, especially in marginal light.
I think that the AF in the 7D is considerably different from that of the 5D3. Perhaps it's a previous generation technology.
For the record, I'm getting great static shots with my Tamron, but I have yet to really test it on BIF with either my T4i or my 5D3. I believe that the AF system in the T4i has roots in the 40D/50D/60D system (9 cross points, extra sensitive center point with f/2.8 lenses).
Tammy pays canon to use it's software for lack of a better word .
An EFS lens uses different " stuff " than an EF . The 17-40 and the 100-400 both sucked on my XTI , then when checked - almost as bad on 7 D . The 70-200 mk II works great . My 50 1.4 - iffy AF - I just use live view .
Karl Witt - Imagemaster - I read it here or potn or dpreview.com
It is a hobby for me and if someone posts something that is doubtful , there are a bunch of yeas and nays .
It kind of made sense to me - reverse engineering is costly . I have a couple of manual - non EOS Tammy lenses , but none that are AF .
I don't really do BIF unless you consider humming birds , bees , hornets etc . So the camera is seldom in AI servo .
I will be getting the 150-600 , wether I keep it or not will depend on the shots I get .
After the problems with the 50 1.4 - great lens , etc - well I got one played with it , next day Sister-in-law is in Hospital , 3 weeks in LA , got back and found the AF could not be counted on .
If it sucks for me - it will go back - I did not like either of the Sigmas 500 mm zooms in store .
If Canon does not upgrade the 100-400 , then I will just keep using either the 70-200 +2X or the 135-400 Siggy .
So, if I have understood the thousands of posts, the Tamron 150-600 works [with the one MAJOR exception of the 7D] very well with current Canon bodies and makes photos essentially indistinguishable from Canon 200-400 with 1.4 TC. Certainly jjbird http://jjbird.smugmug.com/Photography/Tamron-150600-Lens/i-ffwC7qd has many impressive photos from the Tamron on a 6D.
Some pixel peeping actually showed the lens to have slightly superior resolution in some areas.
On the 7D, the problem appears to be isolated to AI Servo mode, and focuses well in One Shot mode. For some people this is a absolute deal killer. [I never use AI Servo, so it is irrelevant to me.] The rumor mill is spouting the imminent announcement of a new 7D II.
Speed of focus appears to be about the same, but I have not seen any quantified results. I have not seen any quantified IS/VC results, but since I have not seen any complaints, I assume the IS/VC is acceptable.
Unknown to date is reliability. However, even if the Tamron lasts only 1 year, one could buy a new one every year for a decade, and still come out ahead over the EF 200-400 financially. Of course, the Tamron does not have the pretty white paint or ego-satisfaction associated with a $11k lens.
On the down side, Tamron's customer service seems poor.
Have I misunderstood or misrepresented this thread? All in all, this sounds like a killer lens (except possibly for 7D owners).
Couple of points regarding krementzs' post above -
I don't think it's just the 7D that's having problems in AI Servo mode. I have yet to really test it on my T4i. I've had good results on static subjects with that combination if the light is good. AI Servo may or may not be acceptable, though that is not the primary intent of this lens on this body for me. I will get some use out of it.
If I knew that the 150-600 was likely to fail every year, I'd save my money for a couple of years and get the 200-400 instead - the image quality and functionality of that lens is excellent. But I suspect that the Tamron will last several years. And I don't really see it as a direct competitor to the 200-400. I could see the justification in buying the 2-4, or even owning both.
krementz wrote:
So, if I have understood the thousands of posts, the Tamron 150-600 works [with the one MAJOR exception of the 7D] very well with current Canon bodies and makes photos essentially indistinguishable from Canon 200-400 with 1.4 TC. Certainly jjbird http://jjbird.smugmug.com/Photography/Tamron-150600-Lens/i-ffwC7qd has many impressive photos from the Tamron on a 6D.
Some pixel peeping actually showed the lens to have slightly superior resolution in some areas.
On the 7D, the problem appears to be isolated to AI Servo mode, and focuses well in One Shot mode. For some people this is a absolute deal killer. [I never use AI Servo, so it is irrelevant to me.] The rumor mill is spouting the imminent announcement of a new 7D II.
Speed of focus appears to be about the same, but I have not seen any quantified results. I have not seen any quantified IS/VC results, but since I have not seen any complaints, I assume the IS/VC is acceptable.
Unknown to date is reliability. However, even if the Tamron lasts only 1 year, one could buy a new one every year for a decade, and still come out ahead over the EF 200-400 financially. Of course, the Tamron does not have the pretty white paint or ego-satisfaction associated with a $11k lens.
On the down side, Tamron's customer service seems poor.
Have I misunderstood or misrepresented this thread? All in all, this sounds like a killer lens (except possibly for 7D owners).
Good executive summary. And- as a 7D & 6D owner that doesn't shoot birds, I think the Tamron will be ok for me, even using the 7D, as AI Servo works great as long as you don't try to change subjects while keeping your finger half-depressed on the shutter in AI Servo. For my shooting habits at racetracks, this issue won't be a problem for me. And like others, I've also found the Tamron to be very solid with the 6D.
One day I'll own a 200-400L, but it'll be after it's been out for awhile and used ones start to come for sale. In the meantime, I'll give the Tamron a shot, and if it doesn't work out, I'll go back to a "big white" prime of some sort, but for now, as I'm not getting paid by anyone to enjoy my hobby, I'll give the 'ole Tamron a shot and see what happens.
1. I doubt that you read thousands of posts on this subject.
2. I have not read a single comment saying the Tamron is better than the 200-400 plus 1.4x TC.
3. You are incorrect in assuming the AI Servo problem is only with the 7D. It is also a problem with the 1D4 and to my knowledge every other body older than the 7d.
4. To date, it is unreliable on all the bodies I have mentioned, and why would anyone with one of those bodies and shoots in AI Servo, want to buy one Tamron every year, let alone one year
1) I count about 93 pages regarding the Tamron 150-600, which, with an average of 20 postings per message, is 1,860. I may have missed a few messages, but not too many. Perhaps I should have written "over a thousand".
3) Thank you for telling me about some of the other older bodies having problems. My primary interest for possibly getting one is for my 6D, so I didn't track the other camera issues.
4) I thought I clearly stated that EXCEPT for the 7D (and other older cameras) it appeared to be a great lens. Sorry if that was not clear to you. By reliability, I meant the lens breaks or becomes inoperable. Obviously if the specific lens/camera/focusing mode combination has inconsistent focusing, it is foolish to buy even one.
Have a great day!
Imagemaster wrote:
Krementz, not sure where you got your info.
1. I doubt that you read thousands of posts on this subject.
2. I have not read a single comment saying the Tamron is better than the 200-400 plus 1.4x TC.
3. You are incorrect in assuming the AI Servo problem is only with the 7D. It is also a problem with the 1D4 and to my knowledge every other body older than the 7d.
4. To date, it is unreliable on all the bodies I have mentioned, and why would anyone with one of those bodies and shoots in AI Servo, want to buy one Tamron every year, let alone one year...Show more →
However, even if the Tamron lasts only 1 year, one could buy a new one every year for a decade, and still come out ahead over the EF 200-400 financially.
Not true. With the EF 200-400, after 10 years you'll have a 10-year old 200-400 which will still be worth mucho dinero.
krementz wrote:
By reliability, I meant the lens breaks or becomes inoperable. Obviously if the specific lens/camera/focusing mode combination has inconsistent focusing, it is foolish to buy even one.
Aha, reliability to me means: Reliability engineering: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time.
The Tamron fails right from the starting line by not performing a required function under stated conditions. And the Tamron company is not showing much reliability by failing to address the problem and communicate properly to those that have bought the lens and experienced the problem.
