Guyed1
Thanks for taking the time to upload a series of flight shots with the firmware fix on. They seem consistent unlike my efforts without the fix. Was VC switched off for these?
guyed1 wrote:
Sorry this has taken so long, I was finally able to get some sequence shots with the new firmware.
Overall I am happy with the fix, the only time it takes awhile to focus is when I forget to tell it to limit the range to 15 meters. Otherwise it seems pretty quick. I also think it tracks pretty well, similar to my 400mm 5.6. Although I still have to give the prime the edge in IQ.
I loaded an 18 shot sequence on Flickr click on Here at the end of this post.
(hopefully this link works) these shots have no PP just 50% crop, it is a full about 2 1/2 sec burst with the 7D, the full EXIF should be there.
Guy
I agree with you Mark. This looks pretty close to the results I was getting with my 7D prior to my returning the lens. Hopefully guyed1 and others will provide additional examples for better or for worse. I'm sure there is some learning curve with any new lens, so my expectations have some slack for now.
I Priority Mailed mine this morning from Texas for $18.00 w/ insurance and PO said they should get it Monday. Here's hoping I have a good report by next Friday or Saturday 6/20 or 21/2014.
Kevbirder
These were all shot handheld so VC was on.
Mark
I would have preferred these at 600 but these were my best example, I didn't think the AF tracking would differ that greatly between 450 and 600 although IQ does suffer a bit.
Guy
I sent a note this morning asking if my lens did indeed have the firmware update. I received a prompt reply this afternoon;
"Thank you for contacting Tamron. Unfortunately we cannot tell by the serial number if your lens was updated however if you received the lens in the past month it should have the update."
I replied back that I received my lens on Monday this week, their reply;
"Yes, this would certainly have the update."
Darrell Dorsey wrote:
[deleted]
I sent a note this morning asking if my lens did indeed have the firmware update. I received a prompt reply this afternoon;
"Thank you for contacting Tamron. Unfortunately we cannot tell by the serial number if your lens was updated however if you received the lens in the past month it should have the update."
I replied back that I received my lens on Monday this week, their reply;
"Yes, this would certainly have the update."
[deleted].
Thanks for the update. I hope it works great for you and I look forward to seeing shots.
To have a manufacturer unable to track service performed on a warrantied product (a new product in fact) in 2014 is both fascinating and depressing. Not just for this one firmware fix, but for future repairs to all products. Having to start the repair process at square one with zero prior diagnostic or repair data seems like doing things with more uncertainty than necessary.
You'd think Tamron could have hired a summer intern to keep a columned notebook of incoming and outgoing lenses and the work performed. Heck, I should just mail them an ancient version of Excel that should go the job just fine.
Seems they'd do something to save cost of all those lenses coming back. Anyone that thinks they have the slightest focus issue will want to send it back.
Darrell Dorsey wrote:
I received my copy on Monday, sn 011xxx.
I sent a note this morning asking if my lens did indeed have the firmware update. I received a prompt reply this afternoon;
"Thank you for contacting Tamron. Unfortunately we cannot tell by the serial number if your lens was updated however if you received the lens in the past month it should have the update."
I replied back that I received my lens on Monday this week, their reply;
"Yes, this would certainly have the update."
Sounds like I'm good and no need to send it back.
Seriously, Tamron must be run by a bunch of fools or liars.
I would have no confidence in that lens for quite some time.
I'm faintly hoping that the Nikon version will be better.
I spoke to Tamron service. They actually have to replace the part of the lens where the serial number is. So, you send in your lens and it comes back with a different serial number! That is quite a firmware update....sounds like a hardware replacement to me. Mine will be home on Monday.
Kris Reiswig wrote:
I spoke to Tamron service. They actually have to replace the part of the lens were the serial number is. So, you send in your lens and it comes back with a different serial number!
[deleted]
Thanks for the revelatory update. Yes, a hardware repair indeed, which now helps explain the retailer backorders. They had to retool and re-procedure the assembly process. That's serious.
They really should be notifying the owners whose lenses are being fixed that their lens serial numbers will be changing. I have a database of my lenses' serial numbers, and if I had a different one come back from service, I would communicate unkind reactions back to the maker.
Is this true? Can we get confirmation from members who have gotten the fixed lens back?
This might present an interesting warranty issue later on.
Kris Reiswig wrote:
I spoke to Tamron service. They actually have to replace the part of the lens where the serial number is. So, you send in your lens and it comes back with a different serial number!
Kris Reiswig wrote:
I spoke to Tamron service. They actually have to replace the part of the lens where the serial number is. So, you send in your lens and it comes back with a different serial number! That is quite a firmware update....sounds like a hardware replacement to me. Mine will be home on Monday.
If that is the case Tamron should know which serial numbers need to be replaced and which lenses have already been serviced.
Kris Reiswig wrote:
I spoke to Tamron service. They actually have to replace the part of the lens where the serial number is. So, you send in your lens and it comes back with a different serial number! That is quite a firmware update....sounds like a hardware replacement to me. Mine will be home on Monday.
The serial number is hard to see. I looked at mine and thought it was gone, but then took it out in the sun and there it was, 000712 same number as before I sent it in for the firmware upgrade.
guyed1 wrote:
Kevbirder
These were all shot handheld so VC was on.
Be aware that Tamron who at first stated it was OK to leave VC on for panned shots, now admit that the VC can cause blurring in these cases. The manual has been updated to say so. I think a lot of BIF shots have been suffering from a combination of VC induced blur in addition to AI Servo problems. As your pictures are fairly consistent I think the follow focus is OK (but check for forward/back focussing). Try switching VC off for shots like these and see if they improve.
kevbirder wrote:
Be aware that Tamron who at first stated it was OK to leave VC on for panned shots, now admit that the VC can cause blurring in these cases. The manual has been updated to say so. I think a lot of BIF shots have been suffering from a combination of VC induced blur in addition to AI Servo problems. As your pictures are fairly consistent I think the follow focus is OK (but check for forward/back focussing). Try switching VC off for shots like these and see if they improve.
Also! a couple of times I had removed the camera/lens from my tripod and turned on VC for a few handheld shots and forgot to turn it off immediately when mounting again. Stating the obvious, but don't try using this lens with VC on while mounted on tripod, it doesn't do so well.
Welp I got my lens back...all I've had time to do is come home and test the lens on my 7D doing the same controlled test that it failed before- going from a fence 30 feet away from my patio, to a mailbox on the next block, all in AI Servo mode, with the shutter half-pressed. On that basis, the lens is 100% better than before, where it would NEVER switch targets without focus bumping, and now it switches like you'd expect it to.
I don't have any opportunities to check the AI Servo tracking right now, but that wasn't much of a problem for me before (on racecars, not birds, mind you), but overall. Interested to hear others findings as well.
I got mine back promptly today after 3 days at Tamron. I bought mine on Jan 17 with a very low serial no. of 000084. We left in early February for Florida and I used it extensively for shorebirds which, except for the Reddish Egret I chased around, don't move unusually fast. I'm not really into BIF but did notice some focus issues on both my 5D MKIII and 70D. I didn't have a hissey fit but calmly waited and last week politely asked about repairing it. I sent it in and the repair order said "AF repaired/firmware updated and disassembled and cleaned". It still has the same serial number and the AF followed my Great Dane at a full run around the yard and seems much more responsive. I'm happy!
I'm using one also with "AF repaired / Disassembled and cleaned." The receipt doesn't actually say "firmware", but I figure that must have been part of the AF fix. AF seems to be working in AI servo.
My only complaints are that it's a bit slow (aperture) and not as sharp as I'd hope it'd be. I remember when I first looked at the display with my new 70-200 II mounted, and I thought, "Wow, that's really sharp, even on a lousy LCD." I've AF MA'd my 150-600. I didn't expect 70-200 II sharpness, but I was hoping for a bit more sharpness and contrast than I'm seeing.
