VC on Tamron 150-600mm lens

[girishmenon]

<p>How good is the VC on the Tamron 150-600mm lens? Am I correct in assuming that a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second (handheld) will be good enough across the entire range of focal lengths?<br>

Is it necessary to switch off the VC when using a tripod?</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<blockquote>

<p>Am I correct in assuming that a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second (handheld) will be good enough across the entire range of focal lengths?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Should be. I tried it in the store and was surprise to get quite sharp images even at 1/15s and 600mm setting. The sales person was too - but managed to do the same.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Is it necessary to switch off the VC when using a tripod?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It's recommended - but for me depends a bit on circumstances. Windy condition and a not-locked down gimbal head, and I would leave it on. Unless I am shooting at 1/500s or faster anyway, in which case, VC should be off anyway (even handheld).</p>

 

[Robin Smith]

<p>Perhaps, but it is best to shoot off sequences of shots (as with most image stabilization systems), shooting just one is not guaranteed to work. Of course what is "sharp" differs between people. I doubt I would ever find a shot taken at 600mm at 1/15 sharp by my assessment.</p>

[sami_palta1]

<p>I shot the lens with entire focal lengths especiallay 300mm,400mm, 500mm and 600mm with VC on, all with 800 or 1000 ISO, shutter speed 1/500, 800 and 1000 and aperture not less than 8.</p>

<p>All handheld shots were out of focus at % 100. All were blurred because of lens shaken. Tried with monopod and the shots around 300 mm was better but after 400 mm it was blurring again. I think I am shaking it also with monopod. Though sky was cloudy. Want to try it in a sunny day.</p>

<p>It seems it is not good choice for me as sharpness is very important for me... </p>

[kerry_grim]

Sami, I would use a tripod and test the focusing. That has been an issue with these lenses.

[jim_service]

<p>I have never set up any specific test procedure, but with normal shooting, VC works very well.</p>

[sami_palta1]

<p>@ <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=1506870">Kerry </a> Thanks for the contribution. <br>

I made shots with ISO 1000 and 1/1000 sec. No way that I am shaken hand. May be an issue with focusing. Don't know how to correct it. Will make test in a bright day with a tripod again. I thinks @ 600 mm focusing and sharpness a bit poor...</p>

[kerry_grim]

Sami, I said focus issue but actually meat softness. I know of a person returning several Tamron lens and they came back being very sharp. Although it could be a focus issue, so best to test.

[sami_palta1]

<p>I bought it on ebay second hand. If it is focus or softness issue no chance other than selling. I don't live in Usa to be coveredwith return warranty ! Thank you so much for helping...</p>

[dcstep]

<p>For super-sharp images, raise the shutter speed to 1/1000 to 1/3200-sec., when hand holding birds in flight. For mammals, you can start going down below 1/1000-sec, but 1/1000-sec. does NOT stop animal action, but is a good rule of thumb for humans.</p>

<p>I own the Canon 500/f4-II and have hand held it at 1/40-sec. and gotten sharp images of the moon at 1,000mm (2x TC attached). Still, when shooting in the field, I'm at 1/1000 and above, whenever practical. Since you're posting in the Canon Forum, I assume you're shooting on a Canon body. Most are very good to ISO 800. On my 7D MkII, I use ISO 800 as my default and come down to ISO 400 in very bright sunlight, particularly with white birds. When it's overcast, I go up to ISO 1600. (After sundown I'm up to ISO 6400, with shutter speed below 1/1000-sec.</p>

<p>Here's a sample from last weekend, with white birds at ISO 400, f/8 and 1/3200-sec., 700mm, with the 1.4x TC-III:</p>

<p><a title="Watch Out Below" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/637/22629841976_261a038640_c.jpg" alt="Watch Out Below" width="800" height="534" /></a></p>