topic Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do. in EF & RF Lenses

Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

TimStriley — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 06:41:37 GMT

I purchased a used Tamron 150-600 (1st gen) from my local dealer, a great place by all accounts. I am on very limited income so it took a while to save up enough to make this purchase. I havea Rebel T6 and I bougjht the lens to up my game with wildlife photography, mostly the bald eagles that frequent my area this time of year. The problem is that I just cannot get a decent shot with the T6, even supported, past about 300-400 mm. I took it to the shop and they tested the lens with my T6 and on a 70D, showing me the results and telling me that it is a compatibilty problem. We checked for firmware upgrade, etc...and still very poort results as far as photo clarity. The store is now telling me my best bet is to get a new (or used), higher-end camera. That means saving up and having an expensive paperweight until then or giving up and either returning the lens (and gimbal and tripod I also purchased) and just waiting for that day to come and starting over again. Does anyone have any insight into the T6 and the Tamron 150-600 to advise me with? Really bummed that I am spending days continuing to try to get the shots and coming up empty.

600mm 1/1600, f6.3, ISO400

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

Waddizzle — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 07:14:23 GMT

The problem is the lens, not the camera body. Or, it could be the way you are using the lens with the T6. It is difficult to draw any conclusions from a single OOF shot of a bird in the sky. Do not expect a 100% keeper rate. Not even 50%. What to expect depends upon you, your gear, and your subject. BIF shots are always hard, which is why people strive to do it.

While the T6 was introduced well after the lens was released, the lens should still be able to focus with it on still subjects in One Shot mode. Tracking in AI Servo mode is another matter. It is feasible the lens needs a firmware upgrade to work with a T6, which would require shipping it to Tamron for a repair, assuming a firmware upgrade even exists.

In One Shot mode, you would typically manually select the center AF point, and always use that. For tracking in AI Servo mode, you would typcially enable all of the AF points. The camera does not provide feedback as to which AF is currentlyl active, nor whether or not the AF point is in focus.

The EXIF in your shot shows 1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 400. That exposure is close to what you want for BIF. However, your EXIF data contains no AF points data. You may have simply missed focus. Post a test shot on a still subject, in One Shot mode, at different focal lengths. I suspect test shots will show a drop off in sharpness as you approach 600mm.

I think that lens has different focusing modes, which change the focus range. These can make a difference. At your high shutter speed, you can almost turn off the image stabilization, because sometimes it gets in the way with older lens designs.

Nevertheless, I say return the lens. While a better body would likely improve your performance in tracking BIF, I think half of the problem is the lens itself. The fact that you say it is good out to 400mm, and then falls off in sharpness out to 600mm tells me the problem is the lens is probably working. It is just not a very good lens at maximum focal lengths. Then again, you could have a bad copy, which is another reason to return the lens.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

TimStriley — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:56:25 GMT

I think the lens is the culprit too. Unfortunately, I am hitting 0%. 350 shots taken yesterday, 0 keepers again.

1/1600 sec. f/6.3 483mm ISO800

1/1250 sec. f/6.3 600mm ISO640

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

Waddizzle — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:32:44 GMT

It does appear that you have a bad copy. But, it is hard to make a good assessment without AF data. It is hard to judge action shots.

Are you using a monopod, or a tripod? In some ways, your shots resemble motion blur, despite the high shutter speed. Your entire image is equally out of focus, which usually a sign of camera motion blur. Turn off image stabilization, and use a tripod to photograph a still subject that's about 30 yards away, for 600mm.

I do not know what sort of image processing you are using, but 100% color saturation is being reported..

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

RobertTheFat — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 12:58:56 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
It does appear that you have a bad copy. But, it is hard to make a good assessment without AF data. It is hard to judge action shots.

Are you using a monopod, or a tripod? In some ways, your shots resemble motion blur, despite the high shutter speed. Your entire image is equally out of focus, which usually a sign of camera motion blur. Turn off image stabilization, and use a tripod to photograph a still subject that's about 30 yards away, for 600mm.

I do not know what sort of image processing you are using, but 100% color saturation is being reported..

I don't think it's motion blur. Motion blur is usually directional; and this isn't, as far as I can see.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

cicopo — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:21:10 GMT

When you need to isolate a problem you go back to the basics. A good solid tripod, a well lit subject & take control of the camera by using Av and / or Tv mode, Auto focus in 1 shot & ON. Between test shots manually turn the focus ring so that the camera needs to re focus for every shot.

This may expand on most everything you can do to nail down whether it's equipment or technique.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=857871

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:02:36 GMT

"When you need to isolate a problem you go back to the basics."

Everything said before is useless until you do that suggestion. At this point you know nothing. Perhaps the lens is faulty (unlikely if you got it from a reputable shop), perhaps it is the camera and perhaps it is you.

Do the basics ASAP. You are going to set up your tripod. Set the T6 on Av. Outside on a nice sunny bright day. Have a fixed subject at several distances, say 50 feet or so to start. Try several apertures and SS but keep the SS at or higher than 1/1000. ISO at 400. Make several test shots. Oh, BTW, always use Raw files. Lens correction in DPP4 or LR. Just use the common sense super tele settings and procedure.

Some say to turn IS, or VC as Tamron calls it, off when using a tripod. I don't think it makes any difference but turn it off for the test.

Consider this, on a Rebel T6 a 600mm super tele is nearly 1000mm of telephoto! That is a lot ! It is a lot, lot ! ! That is about the same as a 20x telescope. But you get the bad with the good. It also means all the problems as magnified by that same 20x. It also means you as a new to super teles need to learn how to shoot with it. Rarely do you just pick one up and great photos fly out of your camera.

So do this before you throw in the towel on this big guy.

"When you need to isolate a problem you go back to the basics."

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:16:23 GMT

BTW, all your examples show missed focus to me. Did you happen to use a tel-con when shooting these?

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

diverhank — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:55:20 GMT

It is possible that the VC (vibration compensation) is defective on this lens. It's fairly common with this version. Try taking pictures with VC turned off and if the result improves then it's the culprit.

The Tamron has 6-year warranty and they'd fix it for free...but not sure if the warranty applies to used gear though. Since you bought it from a store, you might be able to return it.

Personally, I think the Tamron VC is lousy even when it works right and I always have it turned off on mine. I've got better results without it. Even when VC is working right, the original Tamron v1 VC does not work with moving objects. Tamron does have a firmware fix for this VC problem but you need to send it in (no USB port for this one). Not sure if your copy had this done yet.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:48:16 GMT

The Tamron warranty does not apply here. Open box sales or used equipment is excluded.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

TimStriley — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 19:00:06 GMT

No image processing at all in these photos. These are straight from camera, other than being shrunk a little for size constraints on this board.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

TimStriley — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 19:13:23 GMT

I have been trying to get decent shots for 5 weeks with this lens and get far better results with the 75-300 lkit lens that came with the camera, and that same lens with a generic 2x as well, sadly. VC on, VC off, up and down the spectrum with stationary and moving targets (such as perched eagles less than 50 meters away). After three years with first a T5 and now a T6, all with the kits lens', trying supported (usually a sandbag attop a parked car), unsupported still no luck in the 5 weeks with this lens. I shoot in both RAW and JPG but used the JPG here in the forum for size constraints and with no post processing (straight from camera).

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

TimStriley — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 19:14:31 GMT

No tel-con, straight lens and camera. Photos are straight from camera as well, no post.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

diverhank — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 19:47:26 GMT

@TimStriley wrote:
No tel-con, straight lens and camera. Photos are straight from camera as well, no post.

It is possible that the T6 may not be compatible with this Tamron lens. Even though Tamron makes no mention of this camera model in its list of compatible Canon cameras, neither does it mention my Canon 7DII and it works just fine.

You might want to call Tamron to ask. The Canon website post this info for you to call Tamron:

Customer Service Department at 631-858-8400 ext. 2502, or contact us via e-mail at custserv@tamron.com.

Tamron lenses have a lot of issues with newer Canon models...namely not being able to focus while using Live View...were you taking pictures using liveview?

I only own one non-Canon lens and it happened to be this one. It taught me a lesson...I won't buy non-OEM lenses again any time soon...too much trouble...

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 22:08:54 GMT

"I won't buy non-OEM lenses again any time soon...too much trouble..."

That is a shame since there are some fantastic lenses out there. I have looked at your Flickr account so I know for a fact you know what you are doing. Perhaps you and the OP got faulty copies. Who knows? But remember a single bad lens does not define the entire group.

The below picture wasn't with the my Tamron but with my Siggy S.

600mm, f8, 1/60, ISO 800. No tripod with LC done in LR. Actually, it wasn't any more 'trouble' to mount that lens on my 1D Mk IV than any Canon lens I have.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

RobertTheFat — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:17:07 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"I won't buy non-OEM lenses again any time soon...too much trouble..."

That is a shame since there are some fantastic lenses out there. I have looked at your Flickr account so I know for a fact you know what you are doing. Perhaps you and the OP got faulty copies. Who knows? But remember a single bad lens does not define the entire group.

The below picture wasn't with the my Tamron but with my Siggy S.
600mm, f8, 1/60, ISO 800. No tripod with LC done in LR. Actually, it wasn't any more 'trouble' to mount that lens on my 1D Mk IV than any Canon lens I have.

Brighten up the area around his eyes a little, and that will be a great picture. Gorillas are interesting animals. All evidence suggests that they enjoy watching people as much as people enjoy watching them. That one looks like he's hoping you'll let him try the camera.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 23:27:35 GMT

Only LC was applied. No other edits except making it small enough to u/l here. It is silly to discount all third world lenses. Some are pretty darn good.

Re: Tamron 150-600. Pulling my hair out, not sure what to do.

ddown — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:48:04 GMT

I have one on my 6D sharp as a Tack something is amiss. You should be able to she this level of unsharpness when looking thru viewfinder does it look sharp? are you achieving focus is the ring moving can you turn on the confirmation beep?