TAMRON 28-75mm OUT OF FOCUS ISSUE at f/2.8

[gibralphotar]

Hi

I have to say the Tamron 28-75mm is a great lens with vibrant colours and excellent picture quality. I have one problem though. When I take pictures at a wide aperture of f/2.8 my pictures tend to come out of focus somehow and not really sharp. I thought it was my focusing at the beginning but it isn't. using AV control and setting it at f/2.8 seems to produce relatively out of focus pics, most of the time "not sharp at all".

Does anyone have this same issue? Is it the lens itself which needs calibration?. I have read on other postings that it is a calibration issue as other people tend to get crisp sharp images at f/2.8. Would appreciate some feedback, incase my lens needs to be changed.

Regards

Joe
:(

[Superbaldguy]

If the lens performs well stopped down, it's simple - most zooms are at their worst wide-open, shallow DOF. Is the image sharp in the center at f/2.8? Sounds like you're expecting more from the zoom than you'll get or people have been making exaggerated claims about it.

[runninmann]

What type of photos? Does it happen 100% of the time or does it "tend to" happen? Can you post an example?

[gibralphotar]

It happens at the f/2.8 aperture most of the time. Maybe 1 out of 9 photos comes out clearer. At other apertures photos are sharp and vibrant.

Below is an example of what i mean. Photo was taken at f/2.8 shutter speed 1/1000, ISO 200, Focal Length 65mm.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/IMG_2058.jpg



Regards

Joe

[gibralphotar]

Here is another pic showing what the lens is capable of, at other apertures.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/hibiscus.jpg

Regards

Joe

[steveathome]

are you using AF or manual? If AF try manual, maybe it could be front focusing

[gibralphotar]

are you using AF or manual? If AF try manual, maybe it could be front focusingYes mainly autofocus mode, its one aspect I have to try with, and that's the manual focusing, but surely it should be okay with autofocus also I guess.

[steveathome]

It should be, but if you can get better results from manual focus at least it will prove that you lens just needs calibrating, rather than you have a duff lens.

[gibralphotar]

Took some pics with manual focusing, still same result. I definitely think it has to do something with the lens. When buying this lens I guess the price you pay is for that extra stop such as f/2.8 so really it defeats the whole purpose if one cannot make use of this aperture.

Will be phoning Tamron today, see what they have to say.

[steveathome]

Took some pics with manual focusing, still same result. I definitely think it has to do something with the lens. When buying this lens I guess the price you pay is for that extra stop such as f/2.8 so really it defeats the whole purpose if one cannot make use of this aperture.

Will be phoning Tamron today, see what they have to say.


Sorry to hear that, I hope you get it sorted quickly.

[Cadwell]

Whilst all lenses are a little softer wide open than stopped down, my own experience with the Tamron 28-75mm tells me it should be sharper than that at f/2.8. It looks like your particular example has a problem and you need Tamron to do a warranty fix on it.

[05Xrunner]

I know it sounds silly..You sure you didnt get to close. Its easy to if you are trying to get as close as possiable and then at the last sec just nudge tad to close.
My 28-75 is pretty sharp wide open

[Andy_T]

While my 28-75/2.8 is not very sharp wide open (but it is @ f/4.0), it is certainly much better than the image posted.

Have you done a focus test yet?

Best regards,
Andy

[pfogle]

At risk of stating the obvious - how on earth do you expect to be able to judge a lens from a picture in which *nothing* is in focus???

It looks to me as though the focus point is somewhere below the tops of the petals, but above the leaves. If that's the case, there's no way you could assess the lens from that image.

[gibralphotar]

That is one of the many images I have taken. Both of flowers and family portraits. Maybe the one I posted in particular was not the best example being totally out of focus completely. Some family portraits were blurry to a soft focus, but none of them where sharp either. Believe me I have taken loads to test and none came out sharp. As soon as I changed aperture by stopping down lens, pics improved and were okay. It just happens at f/2.8.

Having said this I phoned Tamron Support Europe today and told them my problem. They told me to send it to them, apparently its a known issue because lenses are usually calibrated with other models such as the 1D (for example), and said that my lens had to be recalibrated for my Canon EOS 350D.

As I said it seems like a known issues when they told me to send it to them for recalibration.

Thanks for all your comments and replies, will update you all when I receive it back in 5 - 6 weeks hopefully. I do hope it comes back okay.

Cadwell I think you are right, I have taken loads of pics and can never get it right at f/2.8 no matter what settings I try.

Regards

Joe
;)

[PaCiFiSt]

hey, I have this lens - the first lens i bought after the kit lens - and i LOVE it, mine seems sharp even wide open, I've never had a problem with it, so i'd suspect you just got a bad copy that needs calibrating. When its tack sharp, this lens is awesome for the money.

[crispypie]

just a thought , but have you tried turning off AF, set the lens to its closest focusing point and move the camera back and forward until the image is as sharp as possible in the view finder. Then compare whats on the screen with what you saw in the finder. My tammy is really good wide open even on AF, but I find it easier this way so I can get as close as possible without crashing into the minimum focusing distance.

[gibralphotar]

just a thought , but have you tried turning off AF, set the lens to its closest focusing point and move the camera back and forward until the image is as sharp as possible in the view finder. Then compare whats on the screen with what you saw in the finder. My tammy is really good wide open even on AF, but I find it easier this way so I can get as close as possible without crashing into the minimum focusing distance.Yes I have done this particularly on closeup shots. On the camera viewfinder its tack sharp as I see it. When I transfer to PC I notice they are blurred and soft, It's something like many other things I have also tried. Thanks for info much appreciated.

Its nice to see how many people confirm of getting sharp images at f/2.8 so something must be wrong with my lens at this setting, guess the calibration will do the job hopefully.

[gibralphotar]

Here are some pics I took but at other aperture settings. This is why I know something is wrong at f/2.8 because other apertures are excellent quality.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/01-05-200720-47-29_0065.jpg




http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/01-05-200720-39-53_0031.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/Paige.jpg

[Zepher]

I would have taken a few images of the same thing at different apertures, and not move the camera and turn of AF.

[stevensje]

I have this lens and have the exact same problem wide open. Images are very very soft at 2.8, and slowly improve as I stop it down. So soft that the images are not worth using. I'm going to try a test w manual focus rather than AF and see the results...maybe be shipping to Tamron for calibration soon. good luck

[PaCiFiSt]

here at two "test" shots i took when i first got the lens, shot wide open...

as it happens, the one of the snapple label is one of my favorite shots i've taken.. the colors just POP when its blown up...

also the quality is a little degraded from posting on the web.. but you get the idea

http://pacifist.smugmug.com/photos/55001998-M.jpg
http://pacifist.smugmug.com/photos/53530753-M.jpg

[bangarang]

DAMN....nice shots..makes me regret selling my copy. I had a sharp one too.

[gibralphotar]

here at two "test" shots i took when i first got the lens, shot wide open...

as it happens, the one of the snapple label is one of my favorite shots i've taken.. the colors just POP when its blown up...

also the quality is a little degraded from posting on the web.. but you get the ideaGreat shots. My lens is no were near as sharp as yours at f/2.8, thats for sure. Yours has sharp front focus and totally blurred background as it should be. Nice pics PaCiFiSt.
:)

[JMHPhotography]

I had one and it was a sharp copy as well. Looked great at F/2.8. I don't regret selling it though.

[PaCiFiSt]

Yup, I LOVE that lens

...makes me really wonder how good L lenses really are since everyone says they are better..

thanks for the kind comments on those two test shots, I agree I think you got a bad copy, I'd try to send it in and get a new one, or get it calibrated.

[cjm]

Interested to know what your shutter speed is on that soft rose. Because if it is in the 1/thousands that could be very well your problem.

[steveathome]

Interested to know what your shutter speed is on that soft rose. Because if it is in the 1/thousands that could be very well your problem.


how do you work that out?

[Mark_48]

Interested to know what your shutter speed is on that soft rose. Because if it is in the 1/thousands that could be very well your problem.

This was his caption just above the image.
"Below is an example of what i mean. Photo was taken at f/2.8 shutter speed 1/1000, ISO 200, Focal Length 65mm."


Same here, "how do you work that out?"

[rowdyred94]

I believe this lens is simply not sharp wide open. I'd like to see some 2.8 shots that are very sharp. I think it's a rare copy that does it well.

[kurtru]

I have a very sharp copy of this lens I purchased a little over two years ago. I just went through three copies at one store trying to get a good one for my girlfriend. All three copies were v-e-r-y soft below f/4. Interestingly, my lens is made in China, the three duff copies were made in Japan (two had sequential serial numbers, the third was about 100 numbers different).

I gave up and went to a different store (we have a couple of good camera stores in the Seattle area) and got a copy that is made in China and it is sharp as a tack at all apretures, just like mine. I don't think the Japan/China thing has anything to do with it (I would probably expect the quality issue to lower with the Chinese made model, if anything), I just find it interesting.

A sharp copy of this lens is a joy. The lens is light, compact and easy to carry, and my experience is that while it is not a USM lens, the focusing is pretty darn good.

[JunkieXL]

IMHO the first thing to do it to check focus accuracy

Download and print this chart:

http://www.focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf

[PaCiFiSt]

I believe this lens is simply not sharp wide open. I'd like to see some 2.8 shots that are very sharp. I think it's a rare copy that does it well.

are you saying mine are sharp, or that its rare:lol:

[crispypie]

I believe this lens is simply not sharp wide open. I'd like to see some 2.8 shots that are very sharp. I think it's a rare copy that does it well.


Hi Clint,

I still have a way to go before I would say I was good at this, but my tammy does pretty well at 2.8 with me behind it.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1554107#post1554107

[Andy_T]

Interested to know what your shutter speed is on that soft rose. Because if it is in the 1/thousands that could be very well your problem.

I'm the third one here on the forum that has never heard that too fast a shutter speed can cause a problem.

Christopher, could you care to explain, if possible with a link to some additional information about that?

People routinely use 1/8000 with their 85/1.2s to get sharp shots @ f/1.2 with 100 ISO...

Best regards,
Andy

[JMHPhotography]

Yup, I LOVE that lens

...makes me really wonder how good L lenses really are since everyone says they are better..

thanks for the kind comments on those two test shots, I agree I think you got a bad copy, I'd try to send it in and get a new one, or get it calibrated.

As good as my 28-75mm was, my 24-70L is undoubtedly better. The 24-70L is about $1,139.00 and the 28-75 is $379.00. So I guess the question is, is it $700+/- better? Maybe not for those who only care about IQ... Yes, the Canon is better but not $700 better. But if you need things like ultra fast AF to keep up with moving subjects, or the ability to manually tweak the focus in AF mode, or a water and dust resistant build than you absolutely can not get that from the Tamron, and to me... that along with the better IQ makes it $700 better. Ok, before any of you wiseguys say, "Forkball, you have a 30D/20D tandem and They're not weather sealed..." Yeah, I know. But I can and DO put a clear plastic bag over the camera in the rain and I use a rubber band to hold it closed around the back end of the lens by the mount. I can keep the lens exposed so that I can zoom in/out, and use the focus ring... it's a beautiful thing. I did it just this past weekend at a rainy wedding. Of course when I get my mkIII... :) Just remember, not EVERYONE just looks at the optics when buying a lens. And to prove I'm not an "L" snob... I also now own the Sigma 17-70mm lens to mount to my 20D as a light walk around setup. It covers the same range as both my 17-40L and 24-70L and with the 20D gripless it feels very light... I like that setup for those days I just need a camera for leisure shooting.

[PaCiFiSt]

The difference of 700 dollars is ALOT of money to a poor student.. :lol: :lol:

[gibralphotar]

I have a very sharp copy of this lens I purchased a little over two years ago. I just went through three copies at one store trying to get a good one for my girlfriend. All three copies were v-e-r-y soft below f/4. Interestingly, my lens is made in China, the three duff copies were made in Japan (two had sequential serial numbers, the third was about 100 numbers different).

I gave up and went to a different store (we have a couple of good camera stores in the Seattle area) and got a copy that is made in China and it is sharp as a tack at all apretures, just like mine. I don't think the Japan/China thing has anything to do with it (I would probably expect the quality issue to lower with the Chinese made model, if anything), I just find it interesting.

A sharp copy of this lens is a joy. The lens is light, compact and easy to carry, and my experience is that while it is not a USM lens, the focusing is pretty darn good.

I have to agree. My copy was also made in China but in my occasion didn't seem like a good copy at f/2.8. Let me say once again I am extremely happy with the quality of this lens, I think its sharp with vivid colours at other apertures but at f/2.8 my particular copy was crappy.

As mentioned earlier on one of my postings I do not think there is much quality control nowadays. If a lens is faulty the company is prepared to change it for you, no questions asked, no quibble guarantee. Mass production prevails, if you get a good copy consider yourself one of the lucky ones, in my case there was no objection by Tamron Europe to send over the Tammy lens to them for recalibration, infact I'd have to say the guy there at support was really helpful, and was not negative at any moment in time, instead he agreed with me and told me to send it over, as they would calibrate it "FOR" my DSLR hence the 350D so as said it must be a known issue, lenses are calibrated to suit some superior and more expensive models like the 1D. Having said this the calibration might work on other models perfectly, but if it doesn't then you find yourself in a situation similar to mine, having to resend it back for recalibration. I guess its really the luck of the draw, one would expect to purchase a good copy always but apprently this is not the case.

Regards

Joe

[pfogle]

My copy has 'assembled in China - Tamron Japan' written on it, so I'm guessing it's one of the 'made in China' lenses.

It's very sharp in the center at all apertures, but quite soft in the corners on the 5D - something that's no trouble at all on the crop format cameras.

If you can get yours to perform by just getting it 'calibrated' (I never figured out what that means, unless it's tweaking the AF motor controller or something) then that's excellent news, and good luck - I'm sure you'll be very impressed when you get it back :)

As an aside, it would be interesting to see if that makes any difference to the results when you're using manual focus, which I do a lot. Keep us informed!

[gibralphotar]

My copy has 'assembled in China - Tamron Japan' written on it, so I'm guessing it's one of the 'made in China' lenses.

This is exactly what mine had written on it.

It's very sharp in the center at all apertures, but quite soft in the corners on the 5D - something that's no trouble at all on the crop format cameras.

If you can get yours to perform by just getting it 'calibrated' (I never figured out what that means, unless it's tweaking the AF motor controller or something) then that's excellent news, and good luck - I'm sure you'll be very impressed when you get it back :smile:

As an aside, it would be interesting to see if that makes any difference to the results when you're using manual focus, which I do a lot. Keep us informed!


I did try on manual focusing also and got same results.

I will definitely keep you informed as to the results when I get it back hopefully in a few weeks.

The 5D is a camera I would love to get but expensive for me right now. I guess for a full frame camera it must perform brilliantly.

:)

[pfogle]

...
The 5D is a camera I would love to get but expensive for me right now. I guess for a full frame camera it must perform brilliantly.

:)as a geriatric photog with coming up 40 years using 35mm cameras, but who hasn't put a film in a camera since 1999, I can tell you, it's an emotional moment when you pick up a 35mm camera that works like you expect, and it's digital :D

[gibralphotar]

Hi all

I just got my Tammy back right now and impatiently took an indoor pic of a small porcelain figurine with no flash no tripod and minimal sunlight just coming directly from the window as its an overcast day. To me it definitely makes a difference in sharpness, (compared to the rose posted earlier on). I still have to test it outdoors and see the outcome, but I am quite pleased with the indoor sample. The background is totally out of focus as it should be at f/2.8 and the photo in general is quite sharp for its low light condition.
I phoned Tamron Europe a few times asking for an update on my lens. I must mention the excellent staff at the service department, they where all extremely helpful and willing to help. My thanks to them all. Well worth the wait I guess.

Your views would be appreciated.

Regards

Joe

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/IMG_2927.jpg

http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s209/gibralphotar/?action=view&current=IMG_2927.jpg

[crispypie]

Looks good, but 100% crop would show it properly!

[gibralphotar]

Chris

When you mention 100% crop? do you mean the whole figurine at f/2.8 instead of how I have taken it?

Regards

Joe

[crispypie]

No, zoom into 100% in your edit program and cut out a section, post that without any further resizing. Choose the sharpest region of the photo.

[Tosh-san]

I believe this lens is simply not sharp wide open. I'd like to see some 2.8 shots that are very sharp. I think it's a rare copy that does it well.

Clint,

It might be the rare copy that is sharp, but it need not be.
I bought a new Tammy 28-75 when I shot Nikon and it was soft wide open. I sent it in for calibration (6 weeks turnaround time!) and it came back extremely sharp.

When I switched to Canon this spring, I bought a Tammy 28-75. Surprisingly, it was extremely sharp right out of the box.
It was a made in China version.

Here are my test shots of the Canon-mount 28-75 at f/2.8.
As my target, I use staggered cassette boxes with NY Times newsprint on them.
I use a tripod, remote release, natural lighting through windows and am about 36-40 inches from the target.
No sharpening in camera and no postprocessing.

http://GTIkeda.smugmug.com/photos/170075729-O.jpg
Full view of test shot at 75mm at 2.8


http://GTIkeda.smugmug.com/photos/170075742-O.jpg
100% crop of 75mm at 2.8


http://GTIkeda.smugmug.com/photos/170077118-O.jpg
100% crop of 50mm at 2.8.


http://GTIkeda.smugmug.com/photos/170077117-O.jpg
100% crop of 35mm at 2.8.


http://GTIkeda.smugmug.com/photos/170075725-O.jpg
100% crop of 28mm at 2.8

Unfortunately, if you buy this lens new there is a bit of a gamble as to whether it was properly calibrated when it came out of Tamron's factory. If you get a soft copy wide open, but are willing to spend the time and effort to get it calibrated, you should be amply rewarded.