Not sure what to do about my lenses

[Toggerman]

I've been having some issues with a couple of my lenses which I've been able to cope with, until now.

I have a Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC which can't be used on my 5D3 and 1DX with the 5 central focus points (the f2.8 sensitive ones). Every other focus point is fine but if I use the central 5 it tends to back focus most of the time. It is also beyond the microadjustment limit of my 70D. The lens has been sent in twice and has the latest firmware.

My Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC works fine on the 5D3 and 1DX but only works with the centre point on the 70D, any other point and it also back focuses.

I've also got a Sigma 120-300mm OS that has been in for repair 3 times since I bought it less than a year ago (twice for OS failure and once for recalibration after the first repair). Now I think the focus system is going, I've been having moments over the last month where it refuses to focus and then others where it takes around 5-10 seconds to lock on. This happens on all 3 bodies and is quite inconsistent, I have been unable to replicate the problem on demand.

All 3 of these lenses are very good and sharp when working correctly, but there have been many times that I've missed shots due to their quirks. I've been getting busier lately, started making some money and as such I've been getting more annoyed when I have missed shots. I've started thinking about switching to Canon lenses as every one I've used so far has work flawlessly with my cameras. Would I be stupid ditching these 3 lenses for the Canon 24-70 f2.8 Mk1 and 70-200 f2.8 MkII? I shoot motorsport, sport and have started shooting events.

 

[mike_6480]

The things you will miss if you swap will be:
1) OS for 24-70. Maybe try using your tamron with this switched off to see if you will miss it.

2) Reach of the sigma. How often do you use the sigma rather than the tamron?

 

[Toggerman]

I mostly have the VC turned off on the 24-70 as it seems to introduce some blur when used at higher shutter speeds. But it is useful to have when needed.

For the sports and motorsport I use the Sigma as much as I use the Tamron, and almost always at 300mm. My biggest concern over switching was the extra focal length and I wouldn't be able to afford something to replace it yet. I do have a Canon 1.4TC that would be used on the 70-200, but then I also use it on the Sigma sometimes for 420mm.

The other option is to forget the 24-70 for now (I've got a 17-40L and 50mm 1.8 that would cover most of what I use the 24-70 for) and get a Canon 300mm F4 prime again. I bought one whilst my Sigma went back for repair the 2nd time as a temporary measure and I loved it, when the Sigma came back the 3rd time it was a hard choice to get rid of it.

 

[HoppyUK]

For whatever reason, and rightly or wrongly, you have lost confidence in third-party lenses. So swap for the Canon 24-70/2.8 Mk2 (you know you will want that one), 70-200/2.8 Mk2, and 300/4. Then it's sorted.

ps And then stop looking for problems. You will always find something wrong if you go searching for it, even with the best kit

 

[simonblue]

For whatever reason, and rightly or wrongly, you have lost confidence in third-party lenses. So swap for the Canon 24-70/2.8 Mk2 (you know you will want that one), 70-200/2.8 Mk2, and 300/4. Then it's sorted.

ps And then stop looking for problems. You will always find something wrong if you go searching for it, even with the best kit

done it myself

 

[Toggerman]

For whatever reason, and rightly or wrongly, you have lost confidence in third-party lenses.

I've definitely lost confidence in my Sigma lens, I still might try another yet. And my problems with Tamron I think are down to having newer bodies and the AF system in the lenses not fully compatible yet (maybe there's another firmware update or one coming soon), when I had my 1DIII I had no issue with either Tamron on it. I have no doubt that if I changed to an older camera the Tamrons would be perfect, but that's not something I want to do.

ps And then stop looking for problems. You will always find something wrong if you go searching for it, even with the best kit

True but it's not always a case of looking for them, sometimes problems are incredibly obvious. With the Tamrons I'm not talking a couple of mm backfocussing on the ears instead of the eyes, most of the time it misses the people entirely and gets the ground/objects behind.

There are workarounds for the Tamron, just use/don't use certain AF points in certain configurations, but sometimes in the heat of the moment you forget and just start snapping.

 

[HoppyUK]

If there are firmware upgrades you're missing, lens and/or camera, then that obviously needs sorting. And normally with cameras like the 5D3 and 1DX, I'd say check and double check your AF settings as there are a lot of options there, but you seem to know what you're doing

Which Sigma 120-300 do you have? If it's not the newest Sports version that might be worth a try, though more money (and it weighs a ton). I'm sure there are more changes under the hood of that lens than Sigma is letting on, plus the Dock thing of course. Whatever else, I'm convinced the Sports version has slightly different optics (despite denials) and appears to be even sharper - it is certainly incredibly sharp, even at 300mm.

 

[mrjames]

I use only canon lenses now for this exact reason

I shot 15,000 images last week- with canon, sigma, tamron lenses, 80% of sigma and tamron shots are in focus, not a problem for an amateur, or light pro use where you can check focus and reshoot if needed, but 20% of many thousands of images is a lot of missed shots and missed moments

I never had issues with the 5d2, but the 5d3 just isn't compatible

 

[Toggerman]

If there are firmware upgrades you're missing, lens and/or camera, then that obviously needs sorting. And normally with cameras like the 5D3 and 1DX, I'd say check and double check your AF settings as there are a lot of options there, but you seem to know what you're doing
Which Sigma 120-300 do you have? If it's not the newest Sports version that might be worth a try, though more money (and it weighs a ton). I'm sure there are more changes under the hood of that lens than Sigma is letting on, plus the Dock thing of course. Whatever else, I'm convinced the Sports version has slightly different optics (despite denials) and appears to be even sharper - it is certainly incredibly sharp, even at 300mm.

To start with I thought it was my settings with the Tamron, until I started noticing a pattern on the 5D3, when I got the 1DX through I saw the same pattern.

I've got the 1st gen OS model of the Sigma. I'd love a Sport but can't afford new and they don't come up often 2nd hand. From what I've seen and heard about the Sport model I agree that it sounds like they've changed more than they let on.

There's another non-Sport OS model in Mifsuds at the moment which I've been tempted in trying. It's currently being serviced and having some work done on the AF, so I've been put off a little, still might drive down and try it when it comes back as the family and I love the area.