Tap-In

Gobae

Senior Member
Has anyone used the Tamron TAP-In Console?

Among other things, it indicates you can fine tune the focus lenses. But presumably you'd have to do this in conjunction with some sort of lens focus chart? Or does it have some other internal method of determining focus?

Any ideas? Thanks!
 
Has anyone used the Tamron TAP-In Console?

Among other things, it indicates you can fine tune the focus lenses. But presumably you'd have to do this in conjunction with some sort of lens focus chart? Or does it have some other internal method of determining focus?

Any ideas? Thanks!


You have the ability to fine tune all your lenses in/with your camera. All Nikons from the D7000 and up can do that. I highly advise it. I use a computer program called FoCal I do that on all my D7100 and my D750. It can make a big difference on some lenses.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I'll just pass along something some people might want to consider when it comes to choosing lenses and fine-tuning the auto-focus and all that because it took me a long time to figure this out...

If you have only Nikon lenses, storing the auto-focus adjustment information in the camera body is your only real option, since Nikon does not offer a "dock" sort of solution like Sigma and Tamron. But you should be aware that the Auto-focus Fine Tune option on Nikon camera bodies comes with some limitations for those of us who own third-party lenses. That limitation being only ONE third-party lens of a particular brand and only TWO brands of third-party lenses will be stored in-camera.

For instance... If I have a Sigma lens, a Tamron lens and a Tokina lens I will only be able to store AF-Fine Tuning settings for two of them. If I add, say another Sigma lens, I'll have to choose *which* of the two Sigma lenses I want the camera body to store AF Fine Tuning information for because, once again... One lens per third-party brand, two third-party brands total. IMO, that sucks.

By using the Sigma dock, and/or the Tamron Tap-in Console, the AF-Fine Tuning adjustments are made to the firmware of the lens itself; that information does not need to be stored on the camera body; which of course sidesteps the whole problem with Nikon not wanting to play nice with third-party glass. The other nice thing about the "dock" (or console) is that they allow you to adjust the auto-focus at multiple distances and focal lengths (for zoom lenses). My Sigma primes were all tuned at three different distances, and my Tamron zoom was tested/calibrated at four distances and three different focal lengths. Something no Nikon camera body will allow you to do.
 
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Gobae

Senior Member
If you have only Nikon lenses, storing the auto-focus adjustment information in the camera body is your only real option, since Nikon does not offer a "dock" sort of solution like Sigma and Tamron. But you should be aware that the Auto-focus Fine Tune option on Nikon camera bodies comes with some limitations for those of us who own third-party lenses. That limitation being only ONE third-party lens of a particular brand and only TWO brands of third-party lenses will be stored in-camera.

Awesome info, TY!
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
For instance... If I have a Sigma lens, a Tamron lens and a Tokina lens I will only be able to store AF-Fine Tuning settings for two of them. If I add, say another Sigma lens, I'll have to choose *which* of the two Sigma lenses I want the camera body to store AF Fine Tuning information for because, once again... One lens per third-party brand, two third-party brands total. IMO, that sucks.

That I never knew. Good info Fish!:encouragement:
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
If I have a Sigma lens, a Tamron lens and a Tokina lens I will only be able to store AF-Fine Tuning settings for two of them. If I add, say another Sigma lens, I'll have to choose *which* of the two Sigma lenses I want the camera body to store AF Fine Tuning information for because, once again... One lens per third-party brand, two third-party brands total. IMO, that sucks.

Not only does that suck, but why isn't it illegal. Is this not restraint of fair trade? Where are the software hackers when you need them?
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
You have the ability to fine tune all your lenses in/with your camera. All Nikons from the D7000 and up can do that. I highly advise it. I use a computer program called FoCal I do that on all my D7100 and my D750. It can make a big difference on some lenses.

despite several attempts I have yet to say i can do this.
I eventually set them all back to factory settings.
I should probably get the software
 

chas1723

Senior Member
I'll just pass along something some people might want to consider when it comes to choosing lenses and fine-tuning the auto-focus and all that because it took me a long time to figure this out...

If you have only Nikon lenses, storing the auto-focus adjustment information in the camera body is your only real option, since Nikon does not offer a "dock" sort of solution like Sigma and Tamron. But you should be aware that the Auto-focus Fine Tune option on Nikon camera bodies comes with some limitations for those of us who own third-party lenses. That limitation being only ONE third-party lens of a particular brand and only TWO brands of third-party lenses will be stored in-camera.

For instance... If I have a Sigma lens, a Tamron lens and a Tokina lens I will only be able to store AF-Fine Tuning settings for two of them. If I add, say another Sigma lens, I'll have to choose *which* of the two Sigma lenses I want the camera body to store AF Fine Tuning information for because, once again... One lens per third-party brand, two third-party brands total. IMO, that sucks.

By using the Sigma dock, and/or the Tamron Tap-in Console, the AF-Fine Tuning adjustments are made to the firmware of the lens itself; that information does not need to be stored on the camera body; which of course sidesteps the whole problem with Nikon not wanting to play nice with third-party glass. The other nice thing about the "dock" (or console) is that they allow you to adjust the auto-focus at multiple distances and focal lengths (for zoom lenses). My Sigma primes were all tuned at three different distances, and my Tamron zoom was tested/calibrated at four distances and three different focal lengths. Something no Nikon camera body will allow you to do.
The D7500 holds 20. It recognizes both my 18-35 F1.8 and my 50-100 F1.8. I was trying out the auto fine tune feature when I saw this. Obviously I would use the dock on these as it is so much more precise.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
The D7500 holds 20. It recognizes both my 18-35 F1.8 and my 50-100 F1.8. I was trying out the auto fine tune feature when I saw this. Obviously I would use the dock on these as it is so much more precise.
I know the D500, D7500 and D7200 have the newer, automated AF-Fine Tuning option. Maybe Nikon loosened up and is allowing more third-party lenses to take advantage of this option... That would be nice. On both my D750 and my D7100 there are 12 lens calibration "slots" for which I can enter lens data (this has to be done manually) but the camera uses only the last calibration setting entered using a Sigma lens for both. It took me a while to figure this out because it looked like it was letting store data for both, when in fact it was not.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Not only does that suck, but why isn't it illegal. Is this not restraint of fair trade? Where are the software hackers when you need them?


Why should this be illegal? If I run a company or produce a product, why should I be forced to support another companies product?

WM
 

gunfighter48

Senior Member
Has anyone used the Tamron TAP-In Console?

Among other things, it indicates you can fine tune the focus lenses. But presumably you'd have to do this in conjunction with some sort of lens focus chart? Or does it have some other internal method of determining focus?

Any ideas? Thanks!

You will need to setup a test target, then put the lens on your camera. Then focus the lens at the target at 3 different distances. You will need to see if the lens is on focus or it it needs to be adjusted for front or back focus. You'll need to do that for each focal length. I have a Tamron 70-200mm lens so I'll probably pick 3 or 4 focal lengths to test/adjust and call it good at that point. It will be time consuming.
 
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