Me or the Lens? Tamron 150-600mm

I've had the Tamron 150-600mm for a month now and love the reach I can get with this lens, however I'm wondering if the lens needs looking at by Tamron?

I have had some lovely sharp shots, particularly when there is a clear background e.g.

ƒ/8.0, 600.0 mm, 1/640, ISO 400

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ndi2​VF

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^ It looks like lack of resolving power. As for the last two images looking not as flattering as the previous, it is most likely due to poor lighting (also doesn't look like you processed the last two images). Also, the background looks strange like if there were a lot of fumes around or heat haze etc. Have you made sure of this? Have you compared it to another lens at the same location? You may need one of similar focal length, however, so that may be difficult. Someone else with this same lens may be of more help to you.

Looks like heat haze. You'll get it on sunny days at long distances. There's nothing you or the lens could do about it.

Hmmm heat haze, hadn't thought of that. It was midday, but only low 20's C, cool by Perth standards

Would that also affect the focusing ability, as it was struggling to get focus lock on the Osprey?

stang67 - just converted from RAW and slight cropping, not worth doing much else!

If there is heat hazing behind the bird, then there is in front of the bird too, affecting your final focus. As convection currents affect clarity dynamically, it is possible it messed with your len's focusing ability. Locking onto the bird perch might provide a more positive focus though, since it has alot of contrast.

As everyone else pointed out, it's the atmosphere..
The water body behind the bird could be causing the haze..

Looks like heat haze to me. Based on your other shots, the lens seems to have no problem focusing accurately.

Although....technique does play a role when you're talking a field of view close to 1,000mm (assuming you're using your 7D with the Tamron). Even with full frame- I took the Tamron and 6D to the zoo last weekend, and I found that since the lens is so light, it's easy to get careless about technique and end up with too much movement, especially in shots where light is low (the gorilla house, specifically).

I'm betting that there is a body of water infront of the Osprey too. This is perfect for giving a lot of mirage. Now the funny thing about mirage, especially in colder conditions, is that better quality lenses show it more than cheap ones. I am also a long range rifle shooter. On a coaching course I had the chance to use a very good Ziess spotting scope. In about 8 deg C temps you could see a mirrage running that was invisible in all of the lesser scopes.

I would say that this is actually a good sign for the 150-600 lens and it's resolving power.

Alan

Correct BigAl It's an inlet off a large river with mud flats and I was shooting across shallow pools.

I'll try to get there early morning next week before it heats up and see how it goes then. I was fortunate to see a Whistling Kite harassing the Osprey today, so would love some clearer shots of that!

There's only so much you can do with heat haze.
You probably want to hide, stay low, but some elevation can help.
The lower your shooting position the more you'll notice haze.

My prime suspect is heat haze as well.

But additional as a second suspect it could be a filter. So in case you use filter, please make a test without the filter too. Sometimes filter affects bokeh on longer focal lenghts.

Definitely heat haze. The bird is actually quite sharp considering. As for lack of resolving power , it is sooooooooooooooo bad you have actually finally made up my mind: I will be putting my order for a Bigron in very shortly

Choderboy wrote in post #16852123
There's only so much you can do with heat haze.
You probably want to hide, stay low, but some elevation can help.
The lower your shooting position the more you'll notice haze.

The playing field next to the reserved is slightly elevated, but I had got as low and as close to the perimeter as I could, will also try staying higher next time. Thanks

ZoneV wrote in post #16852131
My prime suspect is heat haze as well.

But additional as a second suspect it could be a filter. So in case you use filter, please make a test without the filter too. Sometimes filter affects bokeh on longer focal lenghts.

Nope, no filter. I have one on order but that is only for use when at the beach to avoid sea spray on the front element.

BigDil wrote in post #16852133
Definitely heat haze. The bird is actually quite sharp considering. As for lack of resolving power , it is sooooooooooooooo bad you have actually finally made up my mind: I will be putting my order for a Bigron in very shortly

Haha, thanks - enjoy

That does not look like heat haze to me. It is too uniform. Notice how it is as bad on the near side of the pond as it is on the far side. I suggest that it may be a combination of over-sharpening and lack of masking. I can very easily replicate that background by MAX SHARPENING and NO MASKING in Lightroom.

CollegKid - Nope, the last two images were imported into LR, just cropped slightly and then exported as jpeg. As I mentioned earlier they weren't worth attempting any PP on in my view.