Issue with Tamron 17-50 f/2.8?

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Chumpalot

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Evening all,

I purchased the above lens (second hand) and today it arrived through the post. Took it out the box, gave it a quick look over and everything seemed fine.

I've just got home from work and had a play with the lens. Image quality seems very sharp (lots sharper than the D40x kit lens) so no issues there.

1) There may be a small issue with the front of the lens, the surround is a bit wobbly and isn't fastened properly (not quite sure how to explain it). It feels as though it could be unscrewed but a) I'm not sure if this is actually possible and b) I don't want to break it.

2) When focusing on a static object. The lens went crazy until I switched it to single servo focus mode where it was fine. Is this normal for the Tamrons? I don't recall this happening with the kit lens.

Grateful if someone with this lens or experience with it could help me out.

Cheers

Dave
 
there's a video on youtube which shows how to tighten the front element surround if this is the problem. its pretty simple, but great care has to be taken not to scratch the glass.
i'll try and find it for you


also the tamron is a noisey lens, if you set the camera to continues focus and keep the camera moving it will keep chaning the focus the entire time you have the shutter release half pressed.
 
Chumpalot said:
Thank you for the link, I'll check it out.

I also notice that the front element is loose too!
Click to expand...

Ummm.... given what you've mentioned about the front element and the motor, I'd be looking for my money back.

Neither are normal - in fact, due to the crappy internal Tamron motors, you'll find that AF-C is the preferred way to shoot over AF-S, it avoids the motor micro-adjustment lag nicely.
 
Have checked again and the element is actually fine. It was a bit deceiving but it's definitely secure... I'm off out into the garden to test out the focusing some more. Can you recommend some good tests for it perhaps just to make sure everything is as it should be?

Thank you for the help. It's much appreciated.

Dave
 
Focus at infinity, then on an object just outside MFD at about 18 inches from the front element, at about 50mm focal length.

In AF-S it'll take about 1 second to look (0.5 second to acquire, 0.5 second to micro adjust).

In AF-C mode, you should be able to shoot (focus priority) slightly quicker than AF-S. It shouldn't take any longer than AF-S.

Don't use AF-A mode, it'll drive the motor nuts.
 
Focusing seems fine. About a second as you say from infinity to close up. Perhaps a tiny bit less... I'll get some photos up if that's ok? Otherwise as you say it might be going back...
 
Sounds OK then to me - as long as its sharp (and it should be razor sharp at 50mm f/2.8) keep it :)
 
These are unedited.

3485986995_03aab12d42_b.jpg


3486800466_1936f7afb2_b.jpg


3486799468_a77166564a_b.jpg
 
Ideally if you can figure out a 100% crop that would be ideal.

From what I can see from the above sharpness, lack of CA and contrast is spot on :)

The 17-50 is superbly good (check out the Canon 24-70 L thread from Marcel and my Sigma 24-70 HSM thread by contrast) and you'll see why I consistant rate Tamron optics as top-notch.
 
The images look fine to me (as sure as I can be with re-sized web images). Go out and enjoy the lens!
 
What arent you sure about, they look fine to me, certainly very similar to what I get from my 17-50.
I took some with my lens this week and put them on my Flickr ( click below) The apple blossom is pretty sharp at original size, but it wasnt at f2.8
Allan
 
puddleduck said:
Did you focus here?

Out of interest is it any sharper around the "mm" from 50mm.
Click to expand...

Yes, I focused here. I've just read Marcel's thread and have downloaded the test chart. Will have a play with it at the weekend.

I used a tripod for this shot to avoid any motion blur.

You are worrying me now :suspect:

Thanks to everyone else who has commented, much appreciated.
 
Don't bother with test charts, your D40x AF sensor is HUGE.

I'm not trying to worry you, just noting an observation.

IMHO you ought to shoot it in decent light, in typical scenarios first.
 
andyred said:
The 2 main photos look great on my monitor, :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm too worried about the sharpness of the lens and really what I should be doing is going out there and taking pictures with it.

Perhaps it is a matter of opinion? We all see things differently and perhaps this is what's happening here?
 
puddleduck said:
Don't bother with test charts, your D40x AF sensor is HUGE.

I'm not trying to worry you, just noting an observation.

IMHO you ought to shoot it in decent light, in typical scenarios first.
Click to expand...

I did wonder about this. I did use the flash but realise the light could be much better.

Thanks for your help though Andy.
 
You know this is strange. When my Tamron 17-50 arrived I had concerns. The pictures had too much clarity and colour. Initially I found this weird - I am sure that a search will find my thread - much the same as yours. It seemed the consensus that the lens is better quality than I am used to rather than there being an issue.

The front of my lens was loose before I purchased it. It was tightened I understand simply and quickly and it has no reoccurred. It is now my favourite and very rarely off the camera (hence my desire to move along my Macro).

Hope this helps.

Chris

Found it! PBase Account now in default.
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=117506&highlight=tamron+17-50
 
Tulipone said:
You know this is strange. When my Tamron 17-50 arrived I had concerns. The pictures had too much clarity and colour. Initially I found this weird - I am sure that a search will find my thread - much the same as yours. It seemed the consensus that the lens is better quality than I am used to rather than there being an issue.

The front of my lens was loose before I purchased it. It was tightened I understand simply and quickly and it has no reoccurred. It is now my favourite and very rarely off the camera (hence my desire to move along my Macro).

Hope this helps.

Chris
Click to expand...

I have since fixed the front of the lens but a bit concerned that it happened in the first place. I'm sure things will be fine. I will continue to use it and see how it all goes. My only other lens before this was the 300 VR so as you can imagine I wasn't taking many shots!

Thanks for your post :clap:
 
Chumpalot said:
Evening all,

I purchased the above lens (second hand) and today it arrived through the post. Took it out the box, gave it a quick look over and everything seemed fine.

I've just got home from work and had a play with the lens. Image quality seems very sharp (lots sharper than the D40x kit lens) so no issues there.

1) There may be a small issue with the front of the lens, the surround is a bit wobbly and isn't fastened properly (not quite sure how to explain it). It feels as though it could be unscrewed but a) I'm not sure if this is actually possible and b) I don't want to break it.

2) When focusing on a static object. The lens went crazy until I switched it to single servo focus mode where it was fine. Is this normal for the Tamrons? I don't recall this happening with the kit lens.

Grateful if someone with this lens or experience with it could help me out.

Cheers

Dave
Click to expand...

Mine had the same issue with the front, fixed it right away (as the video shows). Mine is super sharp
 
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