100-400mm alternatives

From what I was told by a rep from Tamron UK (Intro2020?) the problem is hardware related and was due to the clever auto sensing system in the other lenses not being able to handle the magnification of the 600mm. I was under the impression that the firmwear update was to handle some camera specific AF issues, and had no effect on the VC system. Certainly in my use (glad it was a rental) for an airshow, for aircraft passing across the front of me out to about 60 degrees either side the useable image rate was 0! Outside of that where the camera movement is reduced significantly things started to improve. Head on and going away aircraft were fine.

Alan

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #17697258
This is interesting. I don't know what firmware version my Tammy had, but I bought it in the spring of 2014.
Gee, if the firmware makes a difference, I'd like give the lens another try.

I had mine upgraded in the spring of 2015. I don't think it was available until early 2015. Late 2014 at the earliest.

Spring of 2014 would not have had the new firmware.

BigAl007 wrote in post #17697283
From what I was told by a rep from Tamron UK (Intro2020?) the problem is hardware related and was due to the clever auto sensing system in the other lenses not being able to handle the magnification of the 600mm. I was under the impression that the firmwear update was to handle some camera specific AF issues, and had no effect on the VC system. Certainly in my use (glad it was a rental) for an airshow, for aircraft passing across the front of me out to about 60 degrees either side the useable image rate was 0! Outside of that where the camera movement is reduced significantly things started to improve. Head on and going away aircraft were fine.

Alan

I bought and use mine for BIF and while I want to get the update done, my keeper rate is OK until that happens. 0 keepers on aircraft is incredible. Just visit the Tammy thread to see actual results.

BigAl007 wrote in post #17697283
From what I was told by a rep from Tamron UK (Intro2020?) the problem is hardware related and was due to the clever auto sensing system in the other lenses not being able to handle the magnification of the 600mm. I was under the impression that the firmwear update was to handle some camera specific AF issues, and had no effect on the VC system. Certainly in my use (glad it was a rental) for an airshow, for aircraft passing across the front of me out to about 60 degrees either side the useable image rate was 0! Outside of that where the camera movement is reduced significantly things started to improve. Head on and going away aircraft were fine.

Alan

There have been at least two firmware upgrades. The first one dealt with the problem of the AI servo not changing focus when quickly moving from near to far (or vice-versa). This was the one I sent my lens in for. When arranging the service, I was told that there was a newer upgrade that also addressed the panning issues. As I said, it improved performance.

Thanks to all who posted about the Tamron. I'll have to check around and see if I can rent the lens that has all the latest & greatest upgrades.

But 4 more days till my Sigma 150-600 C arrives. Can't wait to see how it works out for me.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #17697779
Thanks to all who posted about the Tamron. I'll have to check around and see if I can rent the lens that has all the latest & greatest upgrades.

But 4 more days till my Sigma 150-600 C arrives. Can't wait to see how it works out for me.

I have a friend who got the Sigma for his Nikon last month, after waiting a very long time. I have not seen shots from it yet, but he says that he likes it. If the Sigma had been available when I was in the market I might have gone that way (I have the Sigma dock for the 30mm 1.4), but it wasn't, and I have had my Tamron for over a year, taking great shots. No regrets.