Tamron 100-400mm Lens Thoughts (Updated!)

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?

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!

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.

That elephant taking a dust shower photo is priceless. Thanks for the critical review.

The bad lens is the old Nikkor 80-400, right? I think the newer Nikkor AF-S 80-400 people find it very good

At a 1 chance in 6 possibility of getting a good lens, it's not a great value.

Steve, how did this lens work with you Nikon Z bodies?

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?

At the end where those pictures taken with this lens? And also what camera did you use?

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.

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.

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 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.

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. 😒

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

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 see the majority of photographer hating the 80-400mm from nikon.. but never say why exactly

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.

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.

Was the lack of aperture in the lens a problem?

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.

Go mirrorless and you don't need to calibrate lenses.

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.

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.

No lens is worth six purchases to get a good one.

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.

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'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 .

Hello if i order this lens how can i test it for these problems?Thx

Would this be a good lens for my Canon 80d?thx

Rekindling my interest in this lens. Thank you. But only buy with return policy.

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

Image quality wise, is this better or worse than the Sigma? Also, what is your minimum shutter speed when shooting at 400?

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?

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?

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.

i like you to do a show on how to calibrate a lens thanks i really like your shows

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.

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....

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.

Tanks mate . It was usefull
To be hounest it s good deal with this price and qulity . Chears 🍷

People tend to forget that Nikon do have the incredible 200-400 f4 as well as the outrageously expensive 180-400 f4 as well

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

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.

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?

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.

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..😁😉

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 ?