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I have always said that this lens is completely underrated! I bought it as a temporary lens while I bought the Nikon 200-500mm and the 300 PF, I now have all the Nikon lenses and I absolutely use the Tamron the most. Even more than my beloved Nikon 70- 200 2.8. I like the range and how light and sharp it is. I like the fact that it is light to maneuver and swing around when chasing birds. I have gotten many good shots with it. My first lens was perfect, no calibration required. Probably still my favorite lens on the D850 and the D500. And it is super cheap! Update 18 months later: I use it with my new Z9, it is excellent. I did upgrade the firmware. This lens is a bargain.
Thanks so much for this video. I got this lens 2 years ago, I've been so unhappy like you were. It's such a relief to hear That hopefully with the firmware update it will focus better. It's been in a draw for 2 years now and really disappointed me on my trip to Tanzania.
I had to return the first lens due to autofocus motor stopped working the first day. The second has been great for a few years now. Honest review and much appreciated. Its one of my favorite lenses.
Hi Steve, I am happy to hear that things are going well with your 100-400 lens. I knew that you like that focal length. I have been using a Nikon 80-400 D lens for about a year now. I absolutely love it. Would like to have the updated G lens with AFS. The Tamron sounds interesting and I am open minded. But the calibration issue something new.
I'm glad to hear you finally got one that met your standards, I knew it was out there. I don't know if you remember borrowing mine a couple years ago the NANPA Nature Celebration in Jackson when I was presenting, but I still have the same one, firmware updates later, still great for me, never had to do any adjustments. I have used it regularly on the Z6 and Z7 as well with some great results too. I love the focal length and the weight especially. I hope to be out your way in June doing some work. On a side note, I was out there in January and when we did our regular program with the Teton Raptor Center they presented my workshop co-leader and I one of your books. Great work!
Great video Steve & beautiful photos! I actually won this lens last May at a photography symposium in West Yellowstone. I’ve really enjoyed it but I’ve been putting off calibrating it because it looks horrible. But you have inspired me, so I’m going to get in done. Not working right now so I may as well. Stay safe & healthy 😄
Bought mine for use in drifting/motorsport photography, used the lens on my Eos r at a drift practice and it was perfect, has now taken over from my favourite lens the canon 70-300 nano usm, used the lens on a 80d to take photos of some eurofighter typhoons and it was absolutely appalling, every shot was out of focus at 1250 sec, so basically its a great lens on mirrorless iv found but on DSLR its only worth buying if u get the dock, iv got the dock and it was on latest firmware on the 80d and it really was bad but I didn't try calibrating just easier to use it on mirrorless for me
Hi Steve, I recently purchased the Sigma 100-400 for my Nikon cameras based on your reviews. I love the lens, I also got the usb dock and tuned it and I am really happy with the image quality and the focus speed. I also bought a third party tripod collar mainly because I don't like hanging the camera and lens off the camera base. The collar doesn't rotate but I handhold the lens all the time unless I am using it for video. Thanks for your reviews and please stay safe and healthy.
I bought it yesterday and get it tomorrow (they say) for my nikon D7100. You make me curious to what i get. It will crop to 1.5, but give me 150-600mm. Lets see and thanksss
I shoot an Olympus EM1.2 with the 300mm F4. I wanted a small and light kit and it works great for me. These cameras today all of them are so amazing. The quality is incredible any of them really. For me light weight and weather proofing is super important. And today we can have it all and eat our cake to :)
Steve, I had the same experience with the Tamron on both my D7500 and D750. Sent it back to B&H and exchanged for the Sigma 100-400 which was sharp out of the box. B&H included the USB dock with the lens.
Hi, Steve! I have to say that your video about 100-400mm is very honest, without praise and advantages of this lens. A clear professional approach to things that withstand criticism as well. Than you for that. I run through RU-vid''s cameras and lenses experts' evaluations and no one talks about calibration first of all, and possibilities to return the lens back.This is very important issue. I am sports photographer and randomly landscape and performance shooter. Taking into consideration after testing Nikkor 80-400mm D, first version I understood that it is not what I need. I do not point out here weaknesses of this model. Now, I am looking in Nikons VR III version. But suddenly I watched your video and 'thumb down' evaluation. Because 'thum up' is your advice for I have looked as vell , now I managed to write in your time line here. My short Q simple? What weaknesses did you find and experienced about Nikkor's VR III lens? Please share for my understanding and choose -making between N and T. Thank you for your time in advance.
I just sold mine. (Canon shooter) i felt like at 400mm, it was never as sharp as I wanted. It was probably user error. But i also wanted to go with the 150-600mm. I wonder if the tap-in would've solved my issue. Anyways, glad you're happy with yours now, finally!
@@SteveMattheis Steve, the Tamron is said to have its weak point at the long end at 400mm when compared to the Sigma. (internet, multiple reviews, forums) Have you experienced the same? Were you able to eliminate that said weakness with the tap in console, too?
Hello, I love the lens too. I only bought one copy (+ tab console + tripod clamp). I have had the following results. On my D500 fantastic even at 400mm F6.3. F8 increases performance a little. I love the Kombi Z6 and the Tammy, clearly because of the AF focusing on a sensor basis. Simply top and nice light station wagon. The station wagon with D7200 and the Tammy is a bit more critical. Everything is great here, but with 400mm F6.3 it can be soft, little contrast, with F8.0 everything is great. I don't know if it's because of the D7200 and the Tammy. The AF of the Tammy should sometimes be a little fluctuating at 400mm. But that's something I can live with. Best regards Günter
I am so glad you did this video. I am looking at getting one and I saw your previous vid which totally turned me off of it. I actually had a similar issue with my nikkor 200-500. But now I pre focus / manual focus where I can and it's insanely good lens. you need to go through a few to get a good one but when you do it's absolutely brilliant.
Caleb Wilson if you don’t own a tap in console to calibrate you can send it directly to Tamron USA they will calibrate and clean it for free as long as it is still under warranty. They send it back quick.
Steve, I bought this lens because of your recommendation. I’m having a problem calibrating it. Could you please do a video showing how you did yours. Thanks
I have this lens, and the tamron 24-70 G2, tamron 70-200 G2, for canon, per Dustin Abbott reviews. I've never used the tap in console. All the lenses have worked perfectly for me. Lucky I guess. But the 100-400 is excellent.
In my experience, Tamron lenses seem to work better with canon based on trends. Some good Nikon ones, but most firmware updates in the past were always for the Nikon versions. Idk. Might just be me, but all mine work great. Might relook into my 18-400. It’s taken some blurry shots before, but the lens is super soft because of the wide range. Looking into getting the 100-400, but idk yet.
Thanks I found this very interesting to know. I may have had the same experience with the canon version, which I sent back then sprung for a canon lens.Maybe I should have put the time in; but didn't. I feel sorry for those that pick up the returned lenses, at a bargain price, then get a bad one for sure. Enjoy your videos thanks for sharing with us!
Hi Steve. I really enjoy your videos. Hope you are staying busy at home. I know I am definitely suffering from Cabin Fever, especially now that we are getting nice weather. I just thought I would share my thoughts on why I didn't choose the Tamron 100-400 when looking for a new short to medium tele-zoom. My decision revolved around the fact that I use a D500 and for me the 70-300 AF-P FX was a better choice. Compared to the Tamron, the Nikon is 1 pound lighter, focuses 1 foot closer, and is $250 cheaper. It is also very sharp and focuses very fast; though, the fly-by-wire manual focus takes some getting used to. The only down side is that a tripod foot is not possible. But, I have the 200-500 Nikon when I need it. Hopefully this helps those looking for a new crop sensor tele lens.
I bought a used one. Very soft. 2 months ago I bought the tap in and ran firmware update and the gamut of AFFT. The lens is still soft any wider than f9. At f9 it is great but that robs one of some DOF control. As advised, I will repeat the firmware update and rerun the AFFT with the tap in and hope for better. Otherwise it is limited to bright light where the stop or two of DOF and exposure loss is not an issue or as a backup. I think Tamron should find out where it has failed us and make it right with owners - exchange for free once an updated series is released.
Hi. Would not be surprised that many of the people that reported having bad copies of the lense did not calibrate it with the tap-in console. Using the console might just turn a 'bad' lense into an excellent lense as you have experienced.
Thanks for sharing the interesting equipment info. And THANK YOU for the preview of y our African adventure!!! I love taking photos, but I'm strictly a point and shoot with my Panasonic DMCZS3 with a Leica Lens. It's got 12X Optical Zoom and 48X Digital zoom - which I have surprisingly gotten some decent (for me) images holding the camera in hand. All the settings can be used manually too - lots of them, but my brain shuts down because I don't know enough about it. I just use the presets. Anyway, because I do have an interest in photography, I enjoy the infor you share. Thanks. Stay well!
Is it just me or should a lense not need to be calibrated out of the box to be considered not just good but according to your review useable quality? If Tamron still, after updates, can't produce a quality lense out of the box I'm on to another that can.
I guess I am lucky because my Nikon 80-400 is tack sharp and I love it. I have a friend that has a love/hate relationship with his 80-400. Did you only try 1 copy of the 80-400?
I tried several of the Nikon lenses, none were acceptable unfortunately. I spoke with Nikon service and NPS about them too but nobody could help. Enjoy yours though, sounds like luck favored you👍
I am tossing between the sigma 100-400, tamron 100-400 and the Canon 70-300 usm ii. I am on the Canon 80d and don't know which to get. Any recommendations?
Interesting video (to me anyway). I picked up this lens back in 2018 ( for a Canon). The first lens SUCKED! I brought it back and exchanged it and the 2nd lens was GREAT! Been using it ever since. I use it with a Canon 77D and I love it! Sorry you had so many issues. I never updated firmware or any of that garbage...and it's GREAT! I bought mine from Samy's Camera.
Hi! Nice videos! But you keep saying that there's no possibility to have a tripod collar on the sigma. It's absolutely available. The collar cost about $70 and fits perfectly.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience in such detail! Also loved the background music you used at 13:30 ❤️ Would be grateful if anyone can share details about the particular music 🙏🏽
I have the 200-500 Nikon which I use a great deal of the time but I also find that I need more reach. Not having the primes as you have makes a big difference.
Really encouraging that this lens has potential, it's very competitively priced and very portable, great review Steve. I've always wished Nikon would make this focal length, I had the excellent 200-400f4 but it was big and bulky, I also have the 200-500f5.6 which again is quite large, Nikon should bite the bullet and make a quality version of this lens, maybe they will do a mirrorless version like Sony.
Hi Steve ! Thank you so much for this review. I'm about to pull the trigger on a second hand lens to put on my Canon 70D and was ready to purchase a 600$ 100-400 MkI. With all you've said regarding the variable quality of the Tamron Lenses, would you still advise me to buy one (used) or should I stay on the Canon path ? The price difference is not really an issue. I prefer to get something reliable than something cheaper but with potential flaws. Thank you so much for any input! Keep up the good work!
After all I was right, when I commented on the first revision you made of the lens, at the time I used the D500 and later I started using it on the D850, and on both cameras the lens is very good, it requires tuning, of course but this is basic , happy now?
Had similar experience with the 15-30. Tried 5 lenses and returned every single one of them. Focusing issues combined with centering issues... my 14-24 nikon does the job a lot better.
Could you consider doing a lens tuning tutorial? for most users this is a PITA and not easy to understand or do. I have the 150-600 G2 Tamron and am having horrible trouble with it not focusing correct but too late to send it back. Also Tamron has a 18-400 what are your thoughts on that?
Interesting video Steve. You will probably get a lot of requests to video the calibration process. Add me to the list.. stay healthy and I will look forward to your next vid. 👍
Thanks for sharing.... I was about to buy some other prime lens... Now I have changed my mind. Please upload more photos with this lens. Also, will it have this image quality in a Fuji x apsc camera? Kindly reply.
Im looking forward to the Z mount 100-400. Hopefully its a f5.6 Curious about your 80-400.. was that the first version or the newest one? I heard the old one was junk but the newer version was a lot better in quality and AF performance.
I'm serious considering getting this lens . But I do not have a way to celebrate it to my D500 and D7100 . Is that something that can be done by B&H ? TIA . Also I have an older version on Nikon 400mm lens think it was one made in Japan seems to be a good lens . But I'd really love to give this one a try .
Is the tamrons af better than the sigma's? Thinking of buying 1 of the 2 for my canon. I don't care about the zoom direction and the tripod collar. For me the sigma seems the better option just because I don't want to try 10 different lenses to find one that is working properly. But if the tamrons af is better than the sigma's I'll would prefer the tamron. So does the Tammy have a better af than the sigma?
I watched your video about your previous 3 lens saga. I that you said that f6.3 at 400 was unacceptable for all 3 lenses but f8 was good. Which of the changes for the lens you are featuring in this video, and saying is good at f6.3 and 400, made the difference do you think in that improvement? thanks
I recently sold my very old but reliable AF-D Nikkor 80-400 VR and I'm looking for a replacement and the Tamron is the lens I'm replacing it with. I'd love to get the AF Nikkor 100-500 VR but can't justify the cost for an extra 100mm. What camera are you using and could you provide a link to pictures taken with this lens? I'm using the very old D800, D600 and the excellent D7200.
How did you calibrate for infinity? Any Tips? The 4.9 and 11 feet were not too bad but I'm having trouble with the infinity adjustments. Thanks for the videos!
Great video. I’ve been on the fence about a sigma or Tamron 100-400 or a 150-600. I would like the extra reach but worry about the weight, it’s too heavy to handhold and I’m afraid I won’t use a 150-600 because of this. I think the 100-400 should be my lens to get
I'd suggest renting them both for the weekend to see which you like better👍
4 года назад
Hi. Thanks for a informative video! I've read somewhere on the net that you don't have to calibrate lenses on mirrorless cameras. Do you know if this is true? I was considering buying this lens and have a Z6, and wonder if I also need the TAP in console to calibrate?
HELP! So I bought this lens based off of your in depth video as well as some other videos. I am having some issues with my images not being very in focus and very grainy at longer focal lengths like 200mm+. I updated my firmware and can’t seem to figure out what next..I have some very sharp photos during bright daylight but any sunset stuff seems to be really rough. Any advice?
What was the correlation between the Tamron Tap-In adjustment numbers to the Nikon AF Fine Tune adjustment numbers? Was it a 1:1 correlation or did you find that they differed? Thank you.
Try putting it in for repair ?? Tamron will not allow me to register the lens for any guarantee. Asked why and will not even acknowledge me. Bad way to treat customers.
Yes. And no. It's complicated. And confusing. As I understand it, you can AF fine tune the Zs if you need to and it will affect the phase detect part of the AF process but maybe it doesn't affect the contrast detect process. But I'm not sure and I don't know if anyone truly knows what's going on with this. Once I calibrated the lens of the D850, it has worked great on all of my bodies...
Hey Steve!!! What are your thoughts of the Fuji 100-400 with possibly the combination of the new XT4? I believe I have seen you shoot this lens with the XT3 before.
Given you are a wildlife shooter, I am just surprised you like this lens this much. To me, reach is key for wildlife and 400mm is just not enough in my humble opinion especially when you shoot birds. What body do you shoot with? Is that a 5D? My point is if is a full frame sensor your reach is even more limited. Personally, my pick would be Sigma's 150-600mm (Contemporary version). I would put a 90D on it and with a 1.6x crop factor, I could reach 960mm which is just unbelievable.
I shoot this lens on Canon and it is excellent adapted to an EOS R. The only time I use the console is to upgrade lens firmware. I see you have a Z7; have you tried adaptig it to that yet?
Hi Steve! Interesting video! Following your recommendation, I got this lens with the tap in Console to update and calibrate the lens. Can you remember what distances did you use during this process? Specially the infinity side.. Sadly there's not much detailed information out there, regarding the calibration with the tap in console. Thanks in advance. Greetings from Munich, Germany.
When you open the software, it tells you the distances to calibrate. But admittedly the infinity setting is impossible to calibrate so I just go a little farther back than the next farthest distance...
@@SteveMattheis thanks for replying. I'll take the time then and try also with the Calibration tool. Still I think I got lucky because my lens attached to my Nikon Z6 ist not bad. Just wanted to check if I am getting the most out of this lens as you advised. Keep up the good content! 👍👍
Have a great tip for you....buy a better brand of camera....canon , for example....😁 Seriously.... had this lens on my 5D III....bought a 90D lately..... what a combination..... quality images and ....unbelievable light.....weighs next to nothing.....and the lens was sharp...straight out of the box....
Hello Steve, great video. I have a question. I prefer also the Tamron. I have a Sony a7iii. I got different answers about the use of this lens i.c.w. the mc11. Can you tell me if this combination give me all of the focus settings ?
Michael Bowen Im currently using the 200-500mm and its a terrific lens. My first lens was a Tamron 100-400mm and I must say, both these lenses are extremely sharp for the price with very good image stabilization. The 100-400 however focuses much quicker and do very well even in extremely low light scenarios. In fact, I feel it focuses one of the best in telephoto lenses in this price range. It is also very lightweight which is great for travel. However, it does lack the extra 100mm which is a big deal for wildlife photography. The main reason I ended up with the 200-500 was because inbetween the 100-400 and 200-500, I got the tamron 150-600 G2 thinking I was getting an upgrade. But nope. I find none of the cheap 600mm zooms (besides the Sony 200-600 GM) is decent at all. Use the 100-400 or 200-500 and crop in and you would get better results. I sold my 150-600 G2 after a month and got the 200-500 and was very happy with it every since. Hope this helps :) Do consider the 500mm PF if your budget permits. It is incredible!
@@skyboy123454321 Thank you so very much for the information. The Tamron is obviously less expensive. I just don't want to deal with a lens if it has a consistency of not working very well out of the box. Plus the number of returns that Steve has had with it pushes me towards the Nikon glass. When all this covid-19 crap is over with I might just go up to the camera store and try out both or rent one. The 100-400mm distance is nice though.
How have you found this lens on your Z7? Any issues with compatability? I have the Nikon 70-300mm AF-P E lens, it's a great lens, but I find it's too short for my D750, so I've been planning on getting the Sigma 100-400mm. Since I normally carry my telephoto lenses with the Matin sling strap, the Tamron may be worth a second look now.
Thx for this great video. Do you know by any chance, if this will work on a Nikon Z6 (+FTZ)? I own a Sigma 70-200, but it's way to short of reach for wildlife and birds.
crazy a company sending lens out one after another to be sent back seems like poor quality control not everyone has the know how to calibrate one, should be fit for purpose, thanks for making this video I was going to buy one, but think it will be the Sigma
Can the Tamron 100-400 be used with the Nikon Z cameras with the FTZ adaptor? I had a Tamron 90mm macro which I loved but it would not work with my Z6 and Tamron would not put a date on their firmware update to make it work.
Do we buy a new car and immediately send it off to the workshop for a tune-up? Do we test a number of cars of the same make and model before we decide which one drives best? Just saying....If lens manufacturers can't get consistency in their quality control, they shouldn't be in business.
God I'm so glad I'm not attached to DSLRs... I've never had one as my own camera. One major reason for that is I HATE using a viewfinder! My eyes just can't stand it, optical, digital, doesn't matter, no good for me. I shoot only in live view mode. So I sticked to mirrorless, and because of that, I could manage to avoid the focus misery DSLR users suffer from. 😒
Im waiting for the Z Nikon 100-400 S lens to go with my Z7..then I wont have to do this calibration Garbage that aflicts 3rd Party lenses matched to DSLR cameras
@@SteveMattheis I have one and love it..maybe you could rent and give it a whirl...I am hoping my Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip will still be on for May. Enjoyed the ones you did.
So which would you recommend for a Nikon camera? I have read/watched dozens of reviews and they seem to be evenly split as to which way they lean. I hear that the sigma seems to work better on Nikon where as the Tamron slightly better on Canon, your thoughts?
glad you got it sorted out. I have the Sigma version. I use it on my D7200 and D500. It is spot on with both cameras with no fine tuning needed. I have the sigma dock that I used on another Sigma lens but the 100-400 was absolutely spot on. It is one of my favorite lenses.
I don't think it is a bargain if you have to go through 6 copies to get a good one. Many vendors charge a restocking fee these days to return a lens, so they are making a profit even if their lens is crap. IMO, it is a disaster of a situation that we have to deal with to get a "working" copy of a lens. It's a blight on the entire industry.
Well I agree with your sentiment but this seems a bit dramatic to call it a disaster and a blight on the entire industry... I think it's more about 'you get what you pay for' as quality control is expensive.
@Steve Mattheis I don't t think so when i consider all of the people I personally know who struggle with this, all of the thousands of dollars spent and time lost dealing with this very issue. I have a $2000+ Canon 1-400 mk 2 that I cannot adjust that simply won't make a sharp image. I have a year of "soft" images due to this very thing. Did I get what I paid for? How much I am supposed to pay, exactly? Well, then I starting buying Canon's big white f/4 primes is when the problem finally disappeared, some $17000 (new) later. Fortunately for me, I benefited from people jumping to Sony so I could lower my cost. Frankly, if you can't or won't do quality control, then quit selling expensive lenses.
@@RogerZoul Send it to a Canon repair facility. They will have it back to you in a few days. I know that is not ideal for new equipment, but Canon service really is pretty good. I certainly would not tolerate that for a year.
Richard Beasley I am going to do that before i dump the lens. It is am important lens to the type of photography i do, so it has really hurt me in that sense, but I did finally upgrade (and I am fortunate to have been in a position to upgrade, many others are not) to get beyond it. I got the 400 DO which i love and i have the 500 f/4 mark 2, which is a beast, but it makes lovely images. But still, that ~3ft MFD is something i really need.
I am a canon shooter..... 7D , 5D3, 90D....took the tamron out of the box and cut myself..... so sharp....I am printing the images these days for shaving....so sharp .... threw away my gillette.....maybe Nikons dont taste to well for tamrons.....one way or the other , I am not going to calibrate it....too afraid I am going to cut my camera in half.... or getting arrested for possesion of a lethal weapon..... my point..... buy a decent brand camera..😁😉
