Here are some "real world" tests using the second copy of the lens I got from amazon.
Focal point - M in Macro
This one actually looks pretty decent.
Focal point - MM in community
Off by a bit, it's FFing again. Notice the left of the test is clear (paper was at a slight angle to me). MM's are blurry.
Focal point - first "M" in memory card
Again, look at the letters. The left side (slightly slanting to me) clear. Right side very near the M (and the M itself) is blurry (I realize the far right side is past the DOF, but near the focal point should be clear).
I also took some portraits and snapshots at F/2.8. They're almost unusable when I crop, OOF not cropped and all show front focusing symptoms.
I really want to like this lens, but I think I'm going to return it and just get my money back this time. I bought it to shoot at f/2.8 at least in focus, if not sharp, and it's not doing this
I think I'll try to spring for a Pentax lens, so that if
that FFs, I can just send both lens and camera to Pentax for repair or calibration or something.
Edit -- I wrote Pentax support, maybe they can help me. I recall having front focus (though not this bad) with several of my lenses, so perhaps my camera is out of whack. I'm curious as to what they say when I say the only lens I own now is the Tamron. Will they refuse to calibrate 3rd party?