Tamron Help Please

[Brandsman]

I would be grateful for help. I need to remove the front element of a Tamron 80-210 zoom lens - the one with the built in lens hood. There are the usual 2 slots on a retaining ring, but reasonable force will not unscrew it. Are there any tricks? I really don't want to do any damage to a nice lens which simply has a dirty front element. Thanks for any help. Richard

[Dream Merchant]

You could get a special tool for opening the fron element retainer rings from Fatigue here on CS at $30 IIRC. In principle, it's similar to what watch technicians use on a larger scale.

A considerable amount of force is actually needed as usually, the rear and front of lenses are 'screwed' on especially tight to form a seal of sorts.

That's where a specifically designed tool is essential to ensure that you avoid damage if used correctly.

[denniskee]

if you are referring to the thin retaining ring (with 2 small slot at 180deg apart) commonly seen on front of filters, than i always use my vernier caliper (inside measurement jaws). it can cater to even 82mm dia. normally these ring are not super tight, so it will not demage the caliper.

[fatigue]

If it's just one time use, you can dropby at my place and use my special tool. FOC

[Brandsman]

Thanks for the offer. If I find myself in your neck of the woods, I'll drop by! Regards, Richard, Rochester, UK !!

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Brandsman Thanks for the offer. If I find myself in your neck of the woods, I'll drop by! Regards, Richard, Rochester, UK !!

Wah. That's pretty nearby...

[chows]

just went down to John 13 today to ask about this len, but was strongly recommended NOT to get this lens, due to the poor build and loss of sharpness 1-2 yr down the road

anybody face such problem with your Tamron len?

was recommend the Sigma equivalent

your feedback is very much appreciated

[fatigue]

Originally Posted by chows just went down to John 13 today to ask about this len, but was strongly recommended NOT to get this lens, due to the poor build and loss of sharpness 1-2 yr down the road anybody face such problem with your Tamron len? was recommend the Sigma equivalent your feedback is very much appreciated

another opinion...

http://forums.clubsnap.com/showthread.php?t=339935

[zj2000]

Originally Posted by chows just went down to John 13 today to ask about this len, but was strongly recommended NOT to get this lens, due to the poor build and loss of sharpness 1-2 yr down the road anybody face such problem with your Tamron len? was recommend the Sigma equivalent your feedback is very much appreciated

i'm not sure how reliable their advice is..... when i first started out in photography i went to John looking for a telephoto lens.... the owner (i think his name was sam) strongly recommended the EF 75-300mm over the sigma / tamron version..... anyone who has used this lens before will tell you that this is the crappiest piece of **** made by canon and definitely no match for the sigma / tamron.... you can imagine how pissed off i was when i found out....

[calebk]

Originally Posted by chows just went down to John 13 today to ask about this len, but was strongly recommended NOT to get this lens, due to the poor build and loss of sharpness 1-2 yr down the road anybody face such problem with your Tamron len? was recommend the Sigma equivalent your feedback is very much appreciated

The Sigma variant will have deterioration of optics as well, two to three years down the road.

Build-wise, the Sigma will definitely be a bit better, but not amazing either.

Originally Posted by zj2000 i'm not sure how reliable their advice is..... when i first started out in photography i went to John looking for a telephoto lens.... the owner (i think his name was sam) strongly recommended the EF 75-300mm over the sigma / tamron version..... anyone who has used this lens before will tell you that this is the crappiest piece of **** made by canon and definitely no match for the sigma / tamron.... you can imagine how pissed off i was when i found out....

Hmm. I duno, but I don't think the Sigma or Tamron are that much better either. None of the three are amazing lenses. Some say the Sigma is marginally sharper. I've used the 75-300 for leisurely sports shoots before and it's actually quite okay if you get a good copy. Granted, build is crap, but optics wise it's actually acceptable, even for prints up to 4R or so.

[chows]

thats y i ponder. do a search here, may be its not a great lens, but at least none of the user here condemn the Tarmon 17-50 F2.8 like that the owner. some more this lens got so many positive review world wide.

thanks the the info folks