Saw this over on POTN. The guy in this video claims to have taken his Tamron into his local shop, where a Tamron rep confirmed a firmware update was available to fix the AI Servo issues many of us have experienced. Funny enough, in his explaining of the problem I believe he gives a "shout out" to the posts here on FM, as he shows screen shots of different forums who reported the problem, and one of 'em looks really familiar.
You can fast-forward ahead a few minutes if you want to get to the meat of things.
That is great news. I've been using my 150-600 with 5DIII spot focus and pumping to compensate for the missed focus until it hit. I have been please with the quality at 600mm wide open. Been shooting lots of small birds in the woods. Birds in flight, even large ones, has been very difficult, though.
I'll have to contact Tamron about getting mine updated.
That is great news. I've been using my 150-600 with 5DIII spot focus and pumping to compensate for the missed focus until it hit. I have been please with the quality at 600mm wide open. Been shooting lots of small birds in the woods. Birds in flight, even large ones, has been very difficult, though.
I'll have to contact Tamron about getting mine updated.
Thanks for passing on the good news.
Steve
Let us all know how it goes when you contact them, as I assume the lens will have to be sent off for the update. I've registered mine with Tamron, so hopefully it's a smooth process, who knows.
gocolts wrote:
Let us all know how it goes when you contact them, as I assume the lens will have to be sent off for the update. I've registered mine with Tamron, so hopefully it's a smooth process, who knows.
Will do. It may be another week or two before I contact them, as I have a project I'm working on (small migratory birds) and the 150-600 has been my main tool, so I don't want to contact Tamron until I'm ready to actually send it in.
Thanks
Steve
I confirmed with Tamron yesterday that there is a firmware update for the 150-600mm concerning AF issues. They recommended that I send in the lens if I suspect AF is not functioning properly. There is an onlinr service request form that I need to fill out and send it with the lens. The firmware will be updated within their 3 business day guarantee.
I was alerted to the firmware update, by friend on Sunday. He sent his lens in for a VC problem and the work order showed the update. He can't really tell if the firmware is helping because the VC was really interfering with the AF, so everything is a huge improvement
They also alerted me to a revision to the lens owner manual. They are not stating that the VC is to be turned off when panning. This is a change from many of their previous lenses. It's stated that the VC in the 150-600mm is designed just for that lens and the lens will not perform to spec if the VC is left on for panning. They need a "new" design with a mode 2 position like Canon.
I'm sending mine back for the update in a week or so. I want to shoot some BIF with the VC off. I want a good baseline of the lenses performance before the firmware is updated. If I have the time I may try to make some before and after comparisons.
Jeff Donald wrote:
I confirmed with Tamron yesterday that there is a firmware update for the 150-600mm concerning AF issues. They recommended that I send in the lens if I suspect AF is not functioning properly. There is an onlinr service request form that I need to fill out and send it with the lens. The firmware will be updated within their 3 business day guarantee.
I was alerted to the firmware update, by friend on Sunday. He sent his lens in for a VC problem and the work order showed the update. He can't really tell if the firmware is helping because the VC was really interfering with the AF, so everything is a huge improvement
They also alerted me to a revision to the lens owner manual. They are not stating that the VC is to be turned off when panning. This is a change from many of their previous lenses. It's stated that the VC in the 150-600mm is designed just for that lens and the lens will not perform to spec if the VC is left on for panning. They need a "new" design with a mode 2 position like Canon.
I'm sending mine back for the update in a week or so. I want to shoot some BIF with the VC off. I want a good baseline of the lenses performance before the firmware is updated. If I have the time I may try to make some before and after comparisons....Show more →
Thanks for the good information. I need to do the same, but need the lens for a racing event in a week and a half, so I'll send it in after that. With a 3 day turnaround hopefully I won't be without the lens very long.
Imagemaster wrote:
What a joke. For months Tamron denies there are any AF issues, and now they issue a firmware update to correct such non-issues.
I would agree, but if they fix the problem correctly, and I'm left with a 150-600mm lens for $1,069 that performs well in all conditions, I'll get over their horrible PR surrounding this issue....
firmware improvements != issue fixes in the technical world.. admitting a problem is a lot more costly than improving the functionality, which happens to correct certain 'annoyance' is OK..
Either way, Ill be happy when I can afford this lens.
I'm glad to hear this..... We'll see when the dust settles.... maybe I'll buy another.... I really liked this lens but the AI-Servo issue was a total show-stopper for me....
Besides, I have a 95mm UV filter that needs a home....
I received some additional information on the firmware update yesterday. If the dealer received the lens after mid February it probably has/had the new firmware. Lenses received before that time should be sent in to have the firmware updated for general AF issues. If you have a Canon lens you can email Tamron service or call them and provide the serial number from the lens and they can tell you if the firmware needs to be updated.
All Nikon mount lenses have the new firmware, no update is needed.
I just called Tamron. After the usual automated answer asking what dept. or else dial your parties ext. number- I dialed 1 for customer service and a real knowledgeable person that I could understand answered after the 1st ring. She told me there was a firmware update available for the 150-600. I'm happy overall with the lens but I have missed some BIF photos that may or may not have been the lense's fault. I told her my S/N- 0051XX- and she said it likely doesn't have the latest firmware. I pay to ship it to them and they fix it and ship it back at their expense. I'm going to send it in when I don't expect to use it for a while. I use it on a 6D.
They deny there was any problem, yet they issue a firmware update to fix it. Too funny. 
