Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1

kobi. · 10-07-2016, 12:17 AM

Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1, lens focus very weak and just over 4meter is not focusing at all.
this lens work excellent on a k5.
I'd love to help or solution
Sorry for my english it is not my primary language
thanks

Reed · 10-07-2016, 12:29 AM

If you are using live view, it will not focus at all, its lens firmware issue, that Tamron don't care about.
But-it should work fine using optical viewfinder, I had mine mounted on K-1 and it was spot on. No problem at all.

kobi. · 10-07-2016, 12:37 AM

thanks reed
the Problem is with the optical viewfinder

Adam · 10-07-2016, 01:17 AM

Have you calibrated the AF? It's camera-specific.

Adam
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kobi. · 10-07-2016, 02:37 AM

i don't calibrate the lens. and yes it's only in this specific camera. other tamron and sigma lenses works good

Reed · 10-07-2016, 03:20 AM

Well this seems to be problem within lens contacts on your K-1 or tamron, maybe there is some weak contact or no grounding. Try to rub clean both camera and lens mount with some technical alcohol.
What K-1 firmware version you are using? As far as I know there is no update for lensrom by Tamron for this model. I had some conversation with them about live view problems.

GeneV · 10-07-2016, 05:08 AM

This is one of my favorite lenses for the K1, which I bought at the same time as the body. I have found the AF performance superb with the optical finder (can't recall using it with live view). As others noted, I think there is a problem with this copy of the lens or body. I hope it is something as simple as the contacts, but he AF is screw drive so I don't quite understand how the contacts cause the AF to be "weak."

bdery · 10-07-2016, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Reed

If you are using live view, it will not focus at all, its lens firmware issue, that Tamron don't care about.

That could be true with older copies, but I can confirm that live view AF works with a new copy of the lens. It's not very reliable, but it does work.

Reed · 10-07-2016, 05:53 AM

It depends on camera body-on K-5 it works nice, on K-S2 It is possible to focus with Live View ,but its very unreliable, on my K-30 its totally useless. At best I can get around 1 spot on shot with 20 tries. Using the same target. On tripod. With camera SR off. No remedy for this- and no interest to make it work by Tamron. There are few threads about that over here, and on web. On the other hand- PDAF works superb on every DSLR I've tried,including K-1, maybe slightly front focusing at 200/2.8 on my current K-S2. I got mine new, ordered from Tamron partner in june 2015. But I can't tell date of manufacture by serial number.

virusn3t · 10-07-2016, 05:58 AM

Its strange i have been used a Tamron 70-200 on a K30, a K3 and a K1, and gradually the speed and accuracy improved with the newer camera. I dont have the lens anymore, but i didnt have any problem, do you know somebody with the same lens or camera with you can switch and try to replicate the problem?

Reed · 10-07-2016, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by virusn3t

Its strange i have been used a Tamron 70-200 on a K30, a K3 and a K1, and gradually the speed and accuracy improved with the newer camera. I dont have the lens anymore, but i didnt have any problem, do you know somebody with the same lens or camera with you can switch and try to replicate the problem?

I don't know if OP can check this out with other DSLR but in my case:
Tried two copies of that lens, one from friend used extensively for few years, and mine-brand new-both performed very well using the viewfinder, but very poor with live view.
I don't really use LV other way than with manual focus, so its not an issue for me, but Tamron response was-the lens is ok, the design is old, and it will not work with LV -end of story, they don't have interest/option for fixing that. Lens was provided to their service centre with my DSLR.

btnapa · 10-07-2016, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by kobi.

Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1, lens focus very weak and just over 4meter is not focusing at all.
this lens work excellent on a k5.
I'd love to help or solution
Sorry for my english it is not my primary language
thanks

Hi Kobi,

I bought my Tamron 70-200 when I owned my k5IIs and K3. It worked fine on both of them and it is working just fine on my K1. Tamron has a 6 year warranty. If it is a lens issue they should be able to fix it. Before you send it off to Tamron as others have a suggested, clean the contacts both on the lens and the body. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

**BigMackCam** · 10-07-2016, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by bdery

That could be true with older copies, but I can confirm that live view AF works with a new copy of the lens. It's not very reliable, but it does work.

That wasn't my experience, sadly. A few months ago I went through two brand new copies of this lens; one from stock, and a replacement that was sent to me as soon as it arrived in the UK from Tamron (about as new as you can get

). Neither of them functioned correctly in LiveView on my K-3 (and both had severe front-focusing issues

)...

kobi. · 10-07-2016, 08:16 PM

Thanks guys.
Indeed I cleaned the contacts with alcohol and it is not help. The question is if the with calibration the lens will help?
my firmware is 1.30

hooverfocus · 10-10-2016, 08:55 AM

Can anybody be more specific about the problem they're having with this lens?

I tried my copy — bought 4 years ago, don't know if this qualifies as new or old — on the K-1, focuses reliably and fast with the optical viewfinder and focuses just fine, near and far, in LV, albeit much more slowly.

10-07-2016, 12:17 AM	#1
kobi. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 35	Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1 Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1, lens focus very weak and just over 4meter is not focusing at all. this lens work excellent on a k5. I'd love to help or solution Sorry for my english it is not my primary language thanks

10-07-2016, 12:29 AM	#2
Reed Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 638	If you are using live view, it will not focus at all, its lens firmware issue, that Tamron don't care about. But-it should work fine using optical viewfinder, I had mine mounted on K-1 and it was spot on. No problem at all. Last edited by BigMackCam; 10-07-2016 at 02:46 AM. Reason: Edited masked vulgarity

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10-07-2016, 12:37 AM	#3
kobi. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 35 Original Poster	thanks reed the Problem is with the optical viewfinder

10-07-2016, 01:17 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Have you calibrated the AF? It's camera-specific. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-07-2016, 02:37 AM	#5
kobi. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 35 Original Poster	i don't calibrate the lens. and yes it's only in this specific camera. other tamron and sigma lenses works good

10-07-2016, 03:20 AM	#6
Reed Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 638	Well this seems to be problem within lens contacts on your K-1 or tamron, maybe there is some weak contact or no grounding. Try to rub clean both camera and lens mount with some technical alcohol. What K-1 firmware version you are using? As far as I know there is no update for lensrom by Tamron for this model. I had some conversation with them about live view problems.

10-07-2016, 05:08 AM	#7
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	This is one of my favorite lenses for the K1, which I bought at the same time as the body. I have found the AF performance superb with the optical finder (can't recall using it with live view). As others noted, I think there is a problem with this copy of the lens or body. I hope it is something as simple as the contacts, but he AF is screw drive so I don't quite understand how the contacts cause the AF to be "weak."

10-07-2016, 05:20 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Reed If you are using live view, it will not focus at all, its lens firmware issue, that Tamron don't care about. That could be true with older copies, but I can confirm that live view AF works with a new copy of the lens. It's not very reliable, but it does work.

10-07-2016, 05:53 AM	#9
Reed Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 638	It depends on camera body-on K-5 it works nice, on K-S2 It is possible to focus with Live View ,but its very unreliable, on my K-30 its totally useless. At best I can get around 1 spot on shot with 20 tries. Using the same target. On tripod. With camera SR off. No remedy for this- and no interest to make it work by Tamron. There are few threads about that over here, and on web. On the other hand- PDAF works superb on every DSLR I've tried,including K-1, maybe slightly front focusing at 200/2.8 on my current K-S2. I got mine new, ordered from Tamron partner in june 2015. But I can't tell date of manufacture by serial number.

10-07-2016, 05:58 AM	#10
virusn3t Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 676	Its strange i have been used a Tamron 70-200 on a K30, a K3 and a K1, and gradually the speed and accuracy improved with the newer camera. I dont have the lens anymore, but i didnt have any problem, do you know somebody with the same lens or camera with you can switch and try to replicate the problem?

10-07-2016, 06:15 AM	#11
Reed Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 638	Originally posted by virusn3t Its strange i have been used a Tamron 70-200 on a K30, a K3 and a K1, and gradually the speed and accuracy improved with the newer camera. I dont have the lens anymore, but i didnt have any problem, do you know somebody with the same lens or camera with you can switch and try to replicate the problem? I don't know if OP can check this out with other DSLR but in my case: Tried two copies of that lens, one from friend used extensively for few years, and mine-brand new-both performed very well using the viewfinder, but very poor with live view. I don't really use LV other way than with manual focus, so its not an issue for me, but Tamron response was-the lens is ok, the design is old, and it will not work with LV -end of story, they don't have interest/option for fixing that. Lens was provided to their service centre with my DSLR.

10-07-2016, 07:28 AM	#12
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,616	Originally posted by kobi. Problem with Tamron 70-200 on the K1, lens focus very weak and just over 4meter is not focusing at all. this lens work excellent on a k5. I'd love to help or solution Sorry for my english it is not my primary language thanks Hi Kobi, I bought my Tamron 70-200 when I owned my k5IIs and K3. It worked fine on both of them and it is working just fine on my K1. Tamron has a 6 year warranty. If it is a lens issue they should be able to fix it. Before you send it off to Tamron as others have a suggested, clean the contacts both on the lens and the body. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

10-07-2016, 02:08 PM	#13
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,671	Originally posted by bdery That could be true with older copies, but I can confirm that live view AF works with a new copy of the lens. It's not very reliable, but it does work. That wasn't my experience, sadly. A few months ago I went through two brand new copies of this lens; one from stock, and a replacement that was sent to me as soon as it arrived in the UK from Tamron (about as new as you can get ). Neither of them functioned correctly in LiveView on my K-3 (and both had severe front-focusing issues )...

10-07-2016, 08:16 PM	#14
kobi. Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 35 Original Poster	Thanks guys. Indeed I cleaned the contacts with alcohol and it is not help. The question is if the with calibration the lens will help? my firmware is 1.30

10-10-2016, 08:55 AM	#15
hooverfocus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 210	Can anybody be more specific about the problem they're having with this lens? I tried my copy — bought 4 years ago, don't know if this qualifies as new or old — on the K-1, focuses reliably and fast with the optical viewfinder and focuses just fine, near and far, in LV, albeit much more slowly.