A second firmware update for Tamron 150-600 Canon mount

I have had my Tamron 150-600 for 10 months (62 months left on my warranty! ), and have been very pleased. I have not had the focus issues that others have reported, although my use of AI Servo has been limited. It does track a moving subject well. However, the other day I happened to notice that I was indeed experiencing one of the issues that some 150-600 users have described in AI Servo mode. That is, if I achieve focus on a subject at either a far distance or near distance, when I move the camera to a near or far subject (respectively), it does not change focus. Not good, so I emailed Tamron support and described my problem. Below is part of the response I received:

"Thank you for contacting Tamron. I'm sorry to hear about the issue you are having with your 150-600 lens. We do have an update for this lens that should help with autofocus all around. This update may be able to help with the problems you are having. It's also possible that there is something else wrong with the lens but we could check this as well. In addition we released another update recently that will improve autofocus functionality when panning with a subject. If you would like to send it in for the update, please fill out the attached service form, and include a copy of your proof of purchase OR your warranty confirmation number. "

So, it appears that the AF-while-panning issue, which was not addressed in the initial firmware update, has now been addressed in a new update. My lens is going back tomorrow, and I will report on its behavior when I get it back.

Fixing the lack of VC at slow shutter speeds would really help the Tamron, especially now that the Sigma C is available at nearly the same price which has a panning mode for the OS.

Alan

Nuts.
Really hate sending things back. But now that I've been informed, I'll always wonder if I could have benefitted from it, if I don't.

You suck

LV Moose wrote in post #17554038
Nuts.
Really hate sending things back. But now that I've been informed, I'll always wonder if I could have benefitted from it, if I don't.

You suck

We aim to please!

BigAl007 wrote in post #17554037
Fixing the lack of VC at slow shutter speeds would really help the Tamron, especially now that the Sigma C is available at nearly the same price which has a panning mode for the OS.

Alan

Agreed. Tamron claims that their VC technology does not require a panning mode, except that it didn't work out for them on this lens. I hope that this update brings the 150-600 into line with their other lenses.

pknight wrote in post #17554054
Agreed. Tamron claims that their VC technology does not require a panning mode, except that it didn't work out for them on this lens. I hope that this update brings the 150-600 into line with their other lenses.

I know that fixing the VC would be good for Tamron, I do not think that it will be possible with a firmware fix. From the lengthy telephone conversation I had with a Rep from the Tamron UK importers it is a hardware issue. The auto detecting system in the 70-200/300 lenses apparently cannot cope with the extreme magnification at 600mm, so that had to use a completely different system to those other lenses. This conversation was pre the Sigma 150-600 announcement, so at that time they had no competition. The Tamron is still a very good lens, but the lack of VC while panning at shutter speeds below around 1/500 is a bit of a killer for those of us who need that option. It's not such a problem for the birders though, as for BiF it seems that the higher the shutter speed the better.

Alan

Well, I know that you need those slow shutter speeds for plane shots, so I understand. However, the proof is in the pudding, and I will try to find something to pan using a slow shutter speed once I get the lens back. If I am interpreting your message correctly, the rep told you that the 150-600 had to have a different VC system than what is found in the shorter Tamron lenses. That might explain, due to a lack of experience with the new system, why there are problems, but I don't see why new programming for the new system could not, theoretically, make it work better. Of course, the message I received did not talk about the VC system at all, but only mentioned improved autofocus functionality when panning. Whether that means they are addressing the VC operation is not clear.

I will remain skeptical about everything until I get the lens back. I'm not sure what difference the update will make, and I am have heard and seen too many false statements from retailers and the like (who are just one step removed from importers ) to put a lot of stock in what they say. I will report back when I put the lens through its paces, probably not before the end of next week.