Why so many bad copies?

Peter7100

Senior Member
I have been studying reviews on the following lenses for some time now -

Nikon 200-500

Tamron 150-600 G2

Sigma 150-600 C


It doesn't matter if your read reviews from professionals like say Steve Perry, who had to return his first TWO copies (that's really bad!) of the Nikon 200-500, or just regular photographers who post in various forums, but you will frequently read stories of the 'bad copies' that have 'been returned'.
Now before anyone jumps in with how good their copy is, I know there is many happy people out there (I can think of three regulars on this forum, who each seem to have a good copy of one of the above), there is definitely a larger percentage than normal of duds. Of course this is not to say that should you be lucky enough to have a good copy then you will likely be a happy bunny.
My question is therefore, why does this range of lenses produce so many failures? Is it due to the challenging optics in a range from 150 to 600mm.
If you are buying new then there is usually the option to return them, but what is happening at the quality control level in production of these lenses.
I can say I have never came across any other group of lenses (and I have followed lens reviews for decades), from any manufacturer that has had so many complaints.
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
happy bunnies just take pictures - pro reviews, IMO they nitpick to much so they have something to
write about or make a video to make $$$$. i am surprised there are not more failures, units are
made in countries with cheap labor and then ship around the world and handled by many folks before a unit lands in a customer hands.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Are you talking about straight-out-of-the-box new or lenses that have been used for a while that start to have issues? I know someone here who had the Tamron but eventually needed to have it repaired. Over on Steve Perry's forum, I do recall reading about the Nikon 200-500mm issues but haven't heard complaints about that lens here.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
Are you talking about straight-out-of-the-box new or lenses that have been used for a while that start to have issues? I know someone here who had the Tamron but eventually needed to have it repaired. Over on Steve Perry's forum, I do recall reading about the Nikon 200-500mm issues but haven't heard complaints about that lens here.

Talking about brand new straight out of box.
There was someone on here that had an issue with the Tamron but I can’t remember who it was.
Having said that wev certainly has a good copy given the amount of cracking shots he posts.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I couldn't have any thing do do with photographic skill or post processing skills? :)

Definitely not that as we are talking about people like Steve Perry who is highly skilled in many aspects of photography.
There is just way too many reports of poor copies.:confused:
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
The larger the range the more difficult it is to keep the optics optimal throughout. That balance can be tricky and extremely minor differences in components can add up to issues after final assembly. I think we're at a place where companies are striking a tricky balance between cost and quality and if they're living on a knife's edge then it results in the occasional (or frequent) dog.

Despite 'pup's whining, pro reviews take into consideration corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge optics and are extremely valuable to those of us who value an experienced opinion more than our own.

I'd been thoroughly happy with a lens I'd used early on and then my brother shot with it and the first thing he says is, "Yeah, it's soft in the corners", and sure enough it was. An amateur is likely concerned with the sharpness of their subject, which will likely occupy the center and strongest point of the lens. A pro knows that there are times when they'll need those edges to be just as sharp. I've heard about occasional issues with the 300mm and 500mm PF lenses, and almost always by folks with a D850. Why? Because the sensor is incredibly good and it's full frame. I have no way of knowing if my copies have issues as they've always only been bolted to a D500 which grabs the center 44% of the frame - which better be sharp (and oh yes, they are).
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
I have heard about the bad copies of the 200-500 having to be sent back and forth several times. That's what scared me away from that lens and instead got the Sigma C 150-600. Having the ability to dial in exact focus at different focal lengths and at different distances for that particular lens/body combo using the dock allows more flexibility than just a global adjustment you are able to do with out the dock through the camera. I think they throw these lenses together with a certain expectation the end user should be able to dial it into their camera. The 200-500 has less options for obtaining the desired result but the in camera focus calibration should work for most people. The dock for the 150-600 may be too difficult for some users to figure out but if you spend the time to dial it in, it can also obtain sharp results too. Bottom line, its important to calibrate your lens to that particular body and understand how to best do that.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
pro reviews take into consideration corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge optics and are extremely valuable to those of us who value an experienced opinion more than our own.

Jake, I couldn't agree more. On the one occasion I bought a lens on one persons recommendation, I was really disappointed with it and wished I had studied reviews on the lens concerned.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
I have heard about the bad copies of the 200-500 having to be sent back and forth several times. That's what scared me away from that lens and instead got the Sigma C 150-600. Having the ability to dial in exact focus at different focal lengths and at different distances for that particular lens/body combo using the dock allows more flexibility than just a global adjustment you are able to do with out the dock through the camera. I think they throw these lenses together with a certain expectation the end user should be able to dial it into their camera. The 200-500 has less options for obtaining the desired result but the in camera focus calibration should work for most people. The dock for the 150-600 may be too difficult for some users to figure out but if you spend the time to dial it in, it can also obtain sharp results too. Bottom line, its important to calibrate your lens to that particular body and understand how to best do that.

Having calibrated the lens, I assume you are pleased with the results and how do you rate it at the 600mm end?
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Having calibrated the lens, I assume you are pleased with the results and how do you rate it at the 600mm end?
Not having anything else to compare it to, I am happy with the results I get. When I got it, I didn't think it was sharp. After calibrating the lens through the dock, I do think its sharp. It's quite involved to dial it in though, running through all the distances at all the different focal lengths takes a considerable amount of time. The time invested was worth it to me. The only bummer I can think of is now that the lens is adjusted to preform on my D7500, its soft when on my Z6 using the FTZ adapter. A workaround would be to calibrate through the dock for both bodies and record the figures in the app. Then I would have to go through the app to adjust the figures to the body I want to use it on. So it has been dedicated to be used exclusively on the D7500 because that's too much effort and I really dont have a good reason to use that lens on the Z6 anyways. How do I rate it at the 600 end? Better than any of my other lenses at 600, LOL! (It's my only lens that goes past 300) But I cant crop any of my other lenses to be as sharp as what I can get with the 150-600 at 600, which is equal to 900 since I use it on the crop sensor. I would go and get this same lens if this one got dumped in the drink, I am that happy with it.
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
Not having anything else to compare it to, I am happy with the results I get. When I got it, I didn't think it was sharp. After calibrating the lens through the dock, I do think its sharp. It's quite involved to dial it in though, running through all the distances at all the different focal lengths takes a considerable amount of time. The time invested was worth it to me. The only bummer I can think of is now that the lens is adjusted to preform on my D7500, its soft when on my Z6 using the FTZ adapter. A workaround would be to calibrate through the dock for both bodies and record the figures in the app. Then I would have to go through the app to adjust the figures to the body I want to use it on. So it has been dedicated to be used exclusively on the D7500 because that's too much effort and I really dont have a good reason to use that lens on the Z6 anyways. How do I rate it at the 600 end? Better than any of my other lenses at 600, LOL! (It's my only lens that goes past 300) But I cant crop any of my other lenses to be as sharp as what I can get with the 150-600 at 600, which is equal to 900 since I use it on the crop sensor. I would go and get this same lens if this one got dumped in the drink, I am that happy with it.

Thanks for the detailed reply :encouragement:
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
One thing to keep in mind is Nikon is changing where its lenses/cameras are made. Hopefully it will be a move for the better as far as quality is concerned. Between that as well as COVID, that might be why there is such a delay on getting items to the dealers. But time will tell.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
In all seriousness, this is a good thread. I think most people have a difficult time deciding on equipment purchases based on online reviews. You will get the gambit from terrible to awesome with most items.
 

mikeee

Senior Member
I'm happy with my sigma c 150-600, and I do like the calibration feature as well. Also on the Sigma A 50-100mm.
 
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