Eastern Towhee in the snow

Took this with my 7D II and Tammy 150-600mm @600. This lens is just "hit and miss" when it comes to AF. Still working with it, but mostly disappointing. This is one that got fairly close.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/r2Hz​J2

That's a pretty decent image considering the conditions and lighting were not your best friend Joel.
Although I don't own or use this lens, I and others might benefit from an expansion of your "hit and miss" description. Is the lens hunting for focus or is it locking on to what it thinks is in focus only to be off?

Steve,
It seems to lock focus all the time, and thru the lens it looks like it is in focus. I took about 20 shots of this bird, and one shot was good enough to post. I had another shot that was close. The others were fuzzy. You can look at feathers on birds and tell very quickly if you have good sharp pics (as you know).
I have tried every micro-adjust on the camera, and, even though, +12 seems to be best, it is still not reliable to hit focus every time. I was using f9.0 so I tried to widen my DOF. I recently sent this lens to Tamron for their update and adjustment. Still not preforming like I want.

Interesting Joel, but frustrating I'm sure.
I'm going to assume that you've checked to be sure the MA settings your doing is being saved properly by your 7DII body. Other than that my only suggestion would be to bypass the Focus3 software you've mentioned and check the MA for this lens manually using your Lensalign. Sorry buddy but that's all I've got for you.

guntoter wrote in post #17447410
Took this with my 7D II and Tammy 150-600mm @600. This lens is just "hit and miss" when it comes to AF. Still working with it, but mostly disappointing. This is one that got fairly close.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/r2Hz​J2 Eastern Towhee-5501-2 by J Ownby Photography, on Flickr

If you haven't read this, (read it if you want) see what you think. I have a similar problem, but it's my Focus Limiter, and maybe it's what you are having trouble with, it may not be, but maybe we have some of the same problems. It's on several pages including replies...
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17439383

I do get super sharp shots, almost too sharp though, but I can't get "super" consistency.
Maybe it'll help, or give you and idea or two. (I have the same camera and lens as you)

Randy

Thanks Randy,
I leave my lens on "FULL", and I assumed that would cover all situations.

I need to look into this. I would love to find out that it is just something I am doing wrong, and I can correct it.

EDIT: I checked the user manual and found this:

USING THE FOCUS LIMITER (Ref. Figs. 7 & 8)
When autofocus is set, the focusing operation can be accelerated by setting the focus limiter switch.
For the maximum close-up to infinity range
Set the focus limiter switch to “FULL”.

So from what I am reading here, the FULL setting will cover close and distant.

guntoter wrote in post #17449161
Thanks Randy,
I leave my lens on "FULL", and I assumed that would cover all situations.

I need to look into this. I would love to find out that it is just something I am doing wrong, and I can correct it.

EDIT: I checked the user manual and found this:

USING THE FOCUS LIMITER (Ref. Figs. 7 & 8)
When autofocus is set, the focusing operation can be accelerated by setting the focus limiter switch.
For the maximum close-up to infinity range
Set the focus limiter switch to “FULL”.

So from what I am reading here, the FULL setting will cover close and distant.

That's what I get for not reading the entire manual. heheh I really am not that impressed with the manual, to be honest, so I guess in my head I assumed they didn't have anything, I really don't have a real excuse as to why I didn't read that.
Thanks for letting me know, not that I didn't believe the others that said the same, but still, it's in the manual.

Like I said too, I may have made it worse by Micro-Focusing the way I did, after I get time and get some steady sun here, I plan on re-doing the MFA stuff.

Thanks again, and I hope that you get it figured out, please don't give up like I almost did, I would've really regretted that decision had I sent it back.

Randy

Randy,
Thanks for your input. Believe me, I wish you had found a problem with my technique. I am frustrated with this lens. No, I am not going to give up, and like you I need better weather and a good day off to trash out this problem.

Of course I can always call Tamron and see if they have more ideas.

Thanks again.