7D and Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 SP Di VC USD lens

Hasan Karagulmez said:

Long time lurker here, just registered to answer

I'm using this exact combo, 7D and Tamron 150-600mm.

It works very well, though, I've recently went to the repaircenter here in the Netherlands to get the latest firmware-update for panning.

Also, early batches had problems with the 7D - so be alert if you buy second hand.

Furthermore, I'd definitely take a second look at the Sigma 150-600mm which supports the Sigma USB-Dock, more panning modes, and specific support for teleconverters. The Sigma wasn't announced yet when I bought the Tamron, but I'd probably go with that when buying new.

Overall, I'm happy with my Tamron though, I've got a couple of albums with photo's taken with it, and I'm sure I'm not exactly the only one using this combo

Examples on my Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157655598575415

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157646486179918

Hope this helps,

Hasan

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Michael Thomas Mitchell said:

Hasan Karagulmez said:

Long time lurker here, just registered to answer

I'm using this exact combo, 7D and Tamron 150-600mm.

It works very well, though, I've recently went to the repaircenter here in the Netherlands to get the latest firmware-update for panning.

Also, early batches had problems with the 7D - so be alert if you buy second hand.

Furthermore, I'd definitely take a second look at the Sigma 150-600mm which supports the Sigma USB-Dock, more panning modes, and specific support for teleconverters. The Sigma wasn't announced yet when I bought the Tamron, but I'd probably go with that when buying new.

Overall, I'm happy with my Tamron though, I've got a couple of albums with photo's taken with it, and I'm sure I'm not exactly the only one using this combo

Examples on my Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157655598575415

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157646486179918

Hope this helps,

Hasan

Click to expand...

You have some nice images there.

On your flickr, you mention that your model is "firmware updated". Can you explain?

Click to expand...

Hasan Karagulmez said:

Long time lurker here, just registered to answer

I'm using this exact combo, 7D and Tamron 150-600mm.

It works very well, though, I've recently went to the repaircenter here in the Netherlands to get the latest firmware-update for panning.

Also, early batches had problems with the 7D - so be alert if you buy second hand.

Furthermore, I'd definitely take a second look at the Sigma 150-600mm which supports the Sigma USB-Dock, more panning modes, and specific support for teleconverters. The Sigma wasn't announced yet when I bought the Tamron, but I'd probably go with that when buying new.

Overall, I'm happy with my Tamron though, I've got a couple of albums with photo's taken with it, and I'm sure I'm not exactly the only one using this combo

Examples on my Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157655598575415

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157646486179918

Hope this helps,

Hasan

Click to expand...

victorian squid said:

Michael Thomas Mitchell said:

Hasan Karagulmez said:

Long time lurker here, just registered to answer

I'm using this exact combo, 7D and Tamron 150-600mm.

It works very well, though, I've recently went to the repaircenter here in the Netherlands to get the latest firmware-update for panning.

Also, early batches had problems with the 7D - so be alert if you buy second hand.

Furthermore, I'd definitely take a second look at the Sigma 150-600mm which supports the Sigma USB-Dock, more panning modes, and specific support for teleconverters. The Sigma wasn't announced yet when I bought the Tamron, but I'd probably go with that when buying new.

Overall, I'm happy with my Tamron though, I've got a couple of albums with photo's taken with it, and I'm sure I'm not exactly the only one using this combo

Examples on my Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157655598575415

https://www.flickr.com/photos/17316292@N00/sets/72157646486179918

Hope this helps,

Hasan

Click to expand...

You have some nice images there.

On your flickr, you mention that your model is "firmware updated". Can you explain?

Click to expand...

I use it on a 70D, which technically is the same AF as the 7D. It works great.

I just got mine back from the firmware update too.

If there's reasons to buy a Sigma, this would be a big one. Tamron has had more than one firmware update for Canon since the release of the lens. This is the first one that they actually issued a bulletin for. There's been a lot of discussion about it on the third party lens forum, I suggest you check there for more than just my opinion on the matter.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55894581

Basically, the update was for the VC, which apparently didn't work when panning. The whole marketing pitch Tamron gave was that the stabilization was smart, and would adjust accordingly to how you were using the camera. Then all of a sudden they claimed that you should be turning off the VC if you planned to pan the camera. (!?!)

This sort of behavior has been Tamron's typical response since releasing the lens - basically saying the users need lessons. (such as the first batch that didn't work with the 7D, and they pulled from production rather than admitting issue)

Well, I guess there were complaints with the VC "we told you to turn it off" when everybody could turn to their advertising, so Tamron decided to do the firmware upgrade for free. As far as they feel like discussing it - I can only assume all the update does is shut off the VC when panning, rather than switching to a mode of stabilization that will work when panning.

The Sigma 150-600C has a 2 mode OS that's for either normal use, or panning. It works great. I have a similar version on my 70-200/2.8 OS. Plus, if you need a firmware update, you just plug it into your USB dock and update it.

It cost me $50 to send my lens off from California. And, I might have to do it yet again, because as soon as they shipped it back they announced that they needed to update the firmware if you have a 5Ds. Great.

If your serial number is below 054212 it needs the update. If you haven't bought your lens, chances are it will be above this. However, if you buy from a small brick & mortar store, check it as their inventory may have been sitting for a while.

The lens is very nice, although I think I've seen more than enough proof that the Sigma is better. Someone who has owned both lenses has plenty of shots on a 7DII and I'm convinced. Even if they were identical in IQ, the ability to fine-tune on the USB dock and update firmware, as well as being almost half a pound lighter is a good reason to consider the Sigma. Unless you're a Tamron fan, that would be my suggestion. I don't think there's enough of a reason for me to sell the Tammy and go with a Sigma, but I could change my mind.

Tamron's service has been exemplary, I can't say anything bad about that. I returned it only for a firmware update. They disassembled the lens and cleaned it, as well as supposedly tweaking the focus. I haven't verified any changes on Reikan FoCal yet, but I'm anxious to see if I don't need the same amount of MFA as Kevin G. reported over on the third party forum. My first sample shots seem the same, but since the MFA is cranked up, if it should be at zero now instead, it might improve.

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