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Tamron 28-75 sloooow focus!

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that sounds discouraging... I was ready to go out and get one of these puppies because of the good reviews it's been getting on the forum.

Is it really that slow?

I have a 50 1.4 G that everyone slams for its dog slow AF speed but i'm pretty content with it. Yes, its slow but it doesn't bug me that much. Anyone have the 50G and the tamron 28-75mm too and can comment on this?

I actually have the 28-105mm and like it, but would like a 2.8 walkaround that won't be too heavy to lug around. Should i just stick with the 28-105mm and spend my cash on another lens altogether? the 28-105 is best at f8 and the tammy seems to be good at f4 onwards for good copies, thats the most tempting bit. but the comments on slow tic tic focus is making me think twice!
 
If I focus at 4 feet and then focus at 20 feet, I can say one thousand one, one thousand two at a normal pace and then it confirms focus with a beep. I doesn't hunt for focus as you can watch the focus ring turn as it focuses and it goes in one direction only, it just micro focuses in small incrments until focus is confirmed. I have 2 other Tamrons without built in motors and they just focus instantly....POW! I also have 2 copies of the 28-105 and this is one amazing lens, that's why I bought a back up. I just needed F2.8 for low light situations. I also have a Nikon 35-70/F2.8 which is excellent but I needed the 28 wide end, that is only why I bought the Tamron. I also have a Nikon 35/F2 but that wasn't wide enough also.

All of these a screw drive and they focus instantly, and can track moving objects. The Tammy 28-75 is looking too good so far.
 
I sent out 2 emails today to customer service, and repair service. I received a reply to send in the lens, but i'm not sure that they even understand that the lens is not broke, it's the poorly designed focusing system that's the issue.

I replied back asking if they clearly understand this, and if so, is there a fix by changing firmware, electronics, or with a newly revised BIM? Hopefully they understand this request and will get back to me. I see no reason sending in a lens with excellent IQ and have it messed up by them if they are not going to update the lens with new revised components to obtain better focus with the D700.
 
Bought it on Ebay Friday. It is focusing at warp speed compared to the BIM version which is slower than a dead slug...

I compared the IQ of both the BIM version and screw-drive model using high resolution test charts the IQ is identical at F2.8 (sharp) and F5.6 (sharp, sharp). Same color casts (none) so there doesn't seem to be any difference in lens design on the new BIM model.

I also went in my dark attic without windows and the screw drive model focused on anything at any distance using the D700 camera AF assist light with speed and ease. Too bad Tamron stopped the screw drive model production.

The BIM lens is going to Tamron repair tomorrow as I'm keeping both lenses, one on the D700 and the other on the D300. I will post here when the lens returns to indicate if the BIM speed was improved upon.
 
I think 1 second focus time is too much and I cannot afford the Nikon 24-70. So how about the new Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM? That's what I am considering to replace my 18-70 kit lens, now that I have the Tokina 12-24 to cover the extra-wide angles.
--
Chris J
 
Last Tuesday I received my Tamron with the BIM and that focuses slow. Yesterday I received my screw driven version that I bought on Ebay. The screw driven version is as fast as any other Tamron or Nikon lenses that I own including AFS versions. Thus I now own both, and will keep both, the BIM version is going back to Tamron as I believe that there is just some flaw. We will find out if it focuses fast when it is returned.

Now for the best.....

I spent all day yesterday shooting lens resolution charts with both lenses and there is positively no image quality differences at any F-stop, or focal length, even at F2.8. No color cast differences either. That is good news considering all the reports of sample variations. I would say that my screw driven model is a few years old so the lens design has not changed. That is really good news since these two copies are sharp at F2.8 and sharp, sharp at 3.5 and above.

Try one at the store to see if it focuses fast.....
 
Here is the reply that I got:

"As far as we know, that's not considered a known issue. If you're having problems with the autofocus, or any sort of error message, then you can definitely send that in to us and we can check it out-- the lens certainly shouldn't be giving you a problem like that."

Given that so many others have reported similar problems, this could be interpreted two ways. Either they are actually unaware that this is a problem (strange), or they do not consider it to be normal and not something that they would fix.

I've sent them a follow-up to try to find out which. If the latter is the case, then the only thing we can do is to spread the word to warn others about this. Perhaps they will eventually fix it if it affects sales. They did eventually fix the fill flash exposure problem with the 17-50/2.8.

Did anyone here ever try sending a 28-75 in for repair due to this slow focus problem? If so, what happened?
  • Helge
 
I think that my copy is really abnormal in the focusing as it just constantly stutters to focus, there is never that single smooth rotation up to the focus point. If I take a picture, move back one inch, shoot again the lens stutters to focus for over one second.

I just cannot beliive that Tamron would allow a design out that is that bad in focusing as with my sample. The screw version that I received on Monday is extremely fast!

Here is a video of focus speed using a Tamron 17-50mm with the same build in motor. My lens doesn't even come close to this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BuXfRQ-4os
 
Petruska said:
I am now stumped why Tamron even released this BIM version and canceled the non-BIM version.
Click to expand...
D40/D60/D5000 and all future consumer Nikons is why they released the BIM model; too many potentially lost sales. When I got my used screwdrive model I was pleasantly surprised at how fast it focusses, probably the fastest I have at the moment. My 18-135 Nikon AFS isn't as fast, but I've never felt that lens was a great example of AFS. I think Tamron really needs to develop their own version of the ring motor because they definitely know how to design optically stellar lenses but are let down by the mechanicals. With the growing popularity of FX I would think there would be a resurgence of interest in this 28-75 range and enough of a market for the faster focussing screwdrive version to keep it in the line. I feel so fortunate to have found a like new copy of this lens for $275 shipped! It's now part of my wife's wedding kit.
I hope you find a solution to your problem.

--
Regards, Paul

Lili's Dad
 
I now own both versions, BIM and screw drive of the 28-75 so I'm covered. I'm a hardware fanatic, I need to see what Tamron does with the BIM when I send it back. I can sell the new lens on Ebay wihout any problems if I elect to do so. I also own, Nikon 35-70/F2.8, 35/F2 and 85/F1.4, 50/F1.4: along with a stellar copy of the Tamron 17-50/F2.8 screw drive, 90/F2.8 macro. This covers most of my lower end.

I also have the Nikon 18-200, (2) 28-105 (really like this lens), 18-70 AFS, 55-200 (AFS), 28-80.

Yes I agree that it would be nice for Tarmon to make a better focusing motor (I'm sure that is in the works) and say 18-85/F2.8 lens with their fine optics.
 
18-85 2.8, wouldn't that be nice! Tamron could probably make it fairly compact too, judging by the size difference between the Nikon 28-70 vs. Tamron 28-75. Of course there's a bit of a difference in build quality.....
--
Regards, Paul

Lili's Dad
 
Pau, regarding build quality. Yes Tamrons are plastic, but so are a lot of Nikons. If I was a pro and banged my equipment around, then yes I need heavy duty stuff. But I like many others do this as a hobby, value our equipment, take great care not to damge or scratch it. No one of my lenses have any marks, all look mint.

I have no problems with Tamron's build quality.

I'm sure that we will see some great lenses from 3rd parties in the next few years....
 
I asked Tamron about this, and they told me to send it in. (5 seconds in a low light [in the office under fluro lights, not that dark] test from 3 meters to 8 meters). They said to send it in.

Strangely enough, I thought it felt a little faster on my D90 compared to my D700. A friend tried it on his D90, in daylight, and thought it was a great fast lens (what I thought till the D700)

I will send it in later this week, and let you guys know how I go.

Compared to the other lenses I have, the tammy is so slow. :(

(the BIM version in case you didn't guess)
 
Mine is still at Tamron, no word about it. I will also post here on the outcome.
 
repair sheet stated that - "Meets specs, no repair required"!

I just mounted it on my D700 and D300 and it focuses slower than a dead slug.

It's going up on ebay and if this is the focusing motor that Tamron intends to use on current and new designs then I will never buy another Tamron lens. Too bad as IQ is great, but this super slow focusing indoors is not useable for event photography and very annoying!
 
I did the same as you and got rid of my BIM 28-75 and got a used scew-drive version. I did subsequently purchase the Tamron 28-300 VC lens that is only available as a BIM. I knew what I was getting into but the lens is a "vacation" lens where fast focus won't be a critical issue. The BIM is not an option when quick focus is required, such as when I am shooting a wedding. On a good note I do have the Tamron 28-75, 17-35, and 24-135 which are all the older screw-drive lenses and as such are great on my D700!
 
Yes, it's sad that the Tamron engineers came up with this crapy BIM system. They knew it wasn't any good and still put it into production.

I like you have the Tamron 17-70, 90 macro and 28-75 with screw drives and love them. I also have 11 other Nikons with screw drive or AFS and never even thought about the Tamrons not being competetive against the Nikons when it came to focusing speed. I really never noticed focusing speed on any camera or lens that I owned until this BIM (Big Internal Mess) came along. The problem that I see is that most of the BIM lens owners never complain to Tamron, it's only us 1% that Tamron couldn't care less about, thus I doubt that Tamron is in any hurry to change thefocusing motors on all their new lens designs.
 
Petruska said:
it locks on focus fast, as fast as any of my other lenses. My concern is tracking moving objects, shooting at indoor events when people move. I need to check it out more. Last night I compared this Tamron to my other 2 Tamrons without the built in motors and the the 2 without BIMs focus in about 1/10th the time as the BIM lens, they just sanp to focus.
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They may snap to focus, but do they have front or rear focus issues? Seems

the older non BIM models had focus issues, even when the AF was adjusted on D300 or D700 cameras.
 
Petruska said:
you are all correct when you state that it does the gross focus in 75% of travel and then micro focuses the remaining 25% and that could take up to 2 seconds in some cases, it just goes, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic ,tic ,tic .......very annoying!
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I would love to be able to turn off micro focus on this lense.
 
DrSnow said:
I asked Tamron about this, and they told me to send it in. (5 seconds in a low light [in the office under fluro lights, not that dark] test from 3 meters to 8 meters). They said to send it in.

Strangely enough, I thought it felt a little faster on my D90 compared to my D700. A friend tried it on his D90, in daylight, and thought it was a great fast lens (what I thought till the D700)
Click to expand...
This lense definitely focuses even slower in low light. Almost 3 seconds or sometimes never.
 
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