Returned mine to B & H for a full refund around the middle of Feb. Mine would not properly AF in Servo on my 1DIV. I also had inconsistent AF with my 1DIV on static objects. I would consider buying again if they fix the issues because I loved the size and weight of it. I don't have trouble shooting a 2 pound heavier combination of a 300 2.8 IS with a 2 XIII so I don't believe my problems with the inconsistent AF were just me.
Paul Mo wrote
Nasty. There's a lesson in this Tamron.
Perhaps a lesson for buyers, not the manufacturer. When a product sells for 1/4 of its apparent value, it's usually because its of less than expected value. Is this not the case, in most instances?
Karl Witt wrote:
Returned to Norman Camera in Kalamazoo Michigan. Returned for refund and I appreciate the courtesy this seller offered for a full refund return.
It would not properly AI Servo auto focus on my Canon 1DMKIII body.
Karl
Karl, I am glad to hear of your positive experience with Norman Camera. I live in Kalamazoo. They are great to deal with in person as well. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff with lots of photography experience.
Sorry your Tamron experience didn't work out. I would like to point out that I called them up a few weeks ago for this lens and a trip I was taking to see if they had one in stock. They reported that they didn't (the sales guy I like working with best). He knows I have a 5D3, yet asked me what body I planned to use this lens on. I told him mostly a 1D3 and in time a 1D4. He suggested I read some user reviews before ordering or buying this lens, considering that!
I think the better dealers are learning of some of the issues and becoming more pro-active with their customers regarding the use on this lens for certain purposes and on certain bodies, especially.
to Competitive Cameras? That's where I bought from and although it's working fine on my 6D, who knows what future bodies I (or a buyer) will want to use.
John Caldwell wrote:
Perhaps a lesson for buyers, not the manufacturer. When a product sells for 1/4 of its apparent value, it's usually because its of less than expected value. Is this not the case, in most instances?
Agree. Being a first-adopter of anything has its risks. This just reaffirms that for me. Never understood the urgency in being the first to have something new.
John Caldwell wrote:
Perhaps a lesson for buyers, not the manufacturer. When a product sells for 1/4 of its apparent value, it's usually because its of less than expected value. Is this not the case, in most instances?
John Caldwell
Not for me- I expected there to be workarounds necessary somewhere, either having to stop down to f/8 to get sharp images, or in the case of this Tamron, focus bump when using it in AI Servo with certain camera bodies. As I'm not a birder, and I plan to upgrade my 7D sometime soon, I'm willing to deal with the shortcomings of this lens due to the advantages it provides. Namely a great zoom range with good IQ, and enough money leftover in my "long telephoto budget" to buy another lens if I decide I need it.
But- for 7D or 1DMKIV users who shoot BIF on a regular basis, I can definitely see you wanting to return 'em.
But here's a question- if the Tamron works ok with the 70D, and you're happy with the pure IQ of the Tamron, would it make more sense to keep the 7D and buy another lens that goes to 600mm, or keep the Tamron and buy a 70D? I realize this feels like you're letting Tamron off the hook for its obvious inadequacies, but if you REALLY want a lens with a giant zoom range and good IQ, there aren't a lot of other options....
Returned mine because the exposures were over exposed. In AV mode @ f/8 the shutter speeds varied from 1/160th to 1/4000th with the same lighting conditions. Tamron Support said the lens was probably not communicating with the camera. I tried cleaning the lens contacts but that didn't help. I had already ordered a carrying case for the lens and now it sits unopened. No problem with AF as I was testing lens quality using manual focusing with a manual focusing screen in my 5D2 and never got the chance to try AF.
Will probably reorder after they get the problems sorted out as I don't do BIF. The only birds I photograph are on the Thanksgiving table.
