| Author |
 Replies: 31 / Views: 4,827 |
|
Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
I picked up this lens used at a good price and gave it a quick try last night tethered in Av mode. To switch between Manual and Auto focus the outer lens is pushed in or out.
When in the AF mode the outer tube rotates freely without resistance; when in M mode it feels like a motor is being turned when the outer lens is rotated. It does auto focus when set to the AF mode, but the switch seems backwards to me- the motor resistance should be felt when trying to turn the barrel in AF mode. Can anyone familiar with the lens comment?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
I have the same lens Jeff. You should also have a switch (at least I do) on the camera that allows you to choose autofocus or manual focus. Both have to be set to manual. Then the focus ring will be smooth as you expect.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
That will differ between brands; I've never owned a Canon with such a switch.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Guess I should have mentioned that I'm shooting a Pentax K5. You know the old saying when you assume.... ;)
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
70 Posts |
SRS77-
Thanks for the reply. I saw from a previous post that you are using the same (it persuaded me to pick one up). Perhaps it has a normally positioned AF/ M switch near the connection to the body and I didn't notice. I've read that with Nikon/ Canon mounts only one step needs to be taken but with other mounts it's a 2 switch step. I'm away from the lens at the moment, but I'll look later. I'm using a Canon EOS 40d body.
Another question on the lens- the closest focal point is around 24" (or so). At the closest focus distance a Silver Dollar fills the frame (barely), but a dime hardly fills the frame at all. Am I missing something to get a smaller coin to fill the frame? I know I can crop, but the quality of the image will suffer.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Jeff, the minimal focus distance according to Tamron's site is 0.3m (11.8 in). There is a switch on the lens that allows you to go full or limit. Switch between the two to see which one gets you in that tight. You should be able to pull incredible shots with this lens. Yours I believe had vibration control built into the lens. Can't wait to see pics!
|
|
Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
Thanks for the information. Attached (hopefully) is a picture of my lens:  I don't think it has the stabilization built in (that I know of) but I do see the AF/M switch that I was missing last night. I will play with it a bit over the weekend and post some pics! |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
That is, by the reckoning of most who know, every bit as good a lens as the Canon 100mm Macro. Its' only disadvantage is the lens extending during focus, unlike the Canon. On Canon & Nikon, the Manual/Auto mechanism is as you describe it; Sony/Pentax are as srs77 has observed. So, I'm actually curious about the function of the AF/M switch.
Never having used one, though, I can't address the stiction issue you mention in the OP.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Quote:
So, I'm actually curious about the function of the AF/M switch. SsuperDdave, the AF/M switch simply switches between auto focus and manual focus on the lens. You can focus this lens manually by switching it to M for manual. The gearing sound that the OP talked of meant the lens was still in AF or autofocus mode. What I was referring to with my K5 is that I can instruct the camera that I want to disengage the autofocus on the camera and put it in manual mode which means that I will focus the lens manually as opposed to having the camera do it. The two are not 'tied' together but rather mean the same thing to each of those devices. Hope that helps.... |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Quote:
Thanks for the information. Attached (hopefully) is a picture of my lens: Sorry Jeff, no picture. However, the way to tell if you have the vibration feature is you'll see the letters VC on your lens. If you don't see that then you just have a slightly older version of the lens. I believe the Vibration version is relatively new. Mine doesn't have it either but I do have the feature built into my camera so all of my lenses have the feature. |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I can see the image.  Quote:
I believe the Vibration version is relatively new. Mine doesn't have it either but I do have the feature built into my camera so all of my lenses have the feature. If Canon had in-camera IS, I would be absolutely insufferable.  I wonder if the switch on the lens is the result of a common chip in all versions of the lens, necessary for Sony/Pentax but nonfunctional for Canon/Nikon, so the lens sends the appropriate signal to the camera? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Curious, it's showing as a broken image for me. I've reloaded the page and the image itself and no go... Quote:
I wonder if the switch on the lens is the result of a common chip in all versions of the lens, necessary for Sony/Pentax but nonfunctional for Canon/Nikon, so the lens sends the appropriate signal to the camera? Possibly, would be a good question for Tamron for sure. |
|
Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
I see the image, but it is a bit large. I guess I should have downsized it first- live and learn.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Hi Jeff, I see the image now. Had to be a glitch with my machine. Did you try selecting Manual focus and see if you can manually focus the lens without the gearing sound?
|
|
Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
srs77-
Yes, I tried selecting M and it worked like a champ as you said. I also saw how the difference between "Full" and "Limit" works in the focal length. The lens is able to focus very close. I don't see the "VC" on the lens, so I guess I have an older model (but it matters not to me- this is for macro only). All in all it's a great lens for $200! Now I need to start working on my lighting skills so I can get some nice pics to post.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Glad to hear it Jeff. It's a phenomenal lens and one you'll get better and better at using the more you use it. This forum has been a great help for me, especially when it comes to the lighting so do some searches and practice, practice, practice! Can't wait to see some of your shots....
|
| |
Replies: 31 / Views: 4,827 |
Posted 01/30/2014 09:14 am
