Tamron lens problem

[kik1.6se]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could offer advice on a error message I'm getting, whilst using my camera, with my Tamron lens, please?

The camera (Canon 450D) has started giving the following error message when using my Tamron 70-300mm lens:-

'Communication between the camera and the lens is faulty. Clean the lens contacts.'

The contacts appear to be clean and look ok with the naked eye and I've given them a wipe with a cloth. The camera instructions only say 'clean the contacts' and the lens instructions don't give any information other than saying 'touching the contacts may cause a communication error'.

Has anyone experienced this problem and has a solution, or will I have to have it looked at profesionally or even replace the lens?

The camera works fine with the standard Canon lens.

The lens is one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-AF-70-300mm-F4-5-6-...

Its pretty gutting as I brought the camera and lens second hand 1 month ago. It was a private sale and it has been all working fine until now. The camera is less than a year old, but the previous owner brought the lens second hand, so I don't know how old it is.

Thanks,

Kirk

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 7th November 23:33

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 7th November 23:36

Edited by kik1.6se on Sunday 7th November 23:36

[kik1.6se]

I've been playing with it a bit more this evening. It seems to mainly show the error when zoomed out within the 180-300mm range. I am wondering whether it could be internal contacts failing?

Kirk

[ian in lancs]

Could try cleaning the lens contacts with something slightly more abrasive like copier paper but does sound like the lens is knackered. Would you be able to test it a friends canon? Or maybe another lens on your 450D.

[XG332]

alcahol wipe and a washing up sponge.
Does it work on other cameras?

[kik1.6se]

The standard canon lens works fine, so I am fairly sure it is the lens that is at fault. I'm not sure if I know anyone with another 450D, but I will ask around as that would confirm its the lens.

I've found an exploded view of the lens and that shows a small cable and some contacts in the lens. I'm wondering whether it may be worth try to replace them before giving up on the lens? Does anyone know any companies replacment parts? Anyone here have experience stripping and rebuilding them?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[tim-b]

I've had this problem with my tamron 70-300 (i think the older version of yours), it seems that the aperture was sticking on mine. As with yours, it happened mainly towards the long end of the zoom, and particularly at higher f numbers. Shooting wide open (max aperture/lowest f number) it seemed ok, since the aperture blades don't have to move. You should test shooting at f4 then f32 (or whatever smallest aperture is) to check if it's the same issue - you can see it through the viewfinder if it does stick and you'll hear it unclick when it releases.

Unfortunately I don't have any advice to solve this, in my case the lens was out of warranty and I decided not to get it fixed since it would cost more than it's worth. Good excuse to upgrade though, got a Sigma 70-200 f2.8, which is in a different world!

Edited by tim-b on Tuesday 9th November 10:26

[kik1.6se]

tim-b said:

I've had this problem with my tamron 70-300 (i think the older version of yours), it seems that the aperture was sticking on mine. As with yours, it happened mainly towards the long end of the zoom, and particularly at higher f numbers. Shooting wide open (max aperture/lowest f number) it seemed ok, since the aperture blades don't have to move. You should test shooting at f4 then f32 (or whatever smallest aperture is) to check if it's the same issue - you can see it through the viewfinder if it does stick and you'll hear it unclick when it releases.

Unfortunately I don't have any advice to solve this, in my case the lens was out of warranty and I decided not to get it fixed since it would cost more than it's worth. Good excuse to upgrade though, got a Sigma 70-200 f2.8, which is in a different world!

Edited by tim-b on Tuesday 9th November 10:26

That does seem to be the same problem. It sounds like there isn't an easy fix, so I'm going to try to get to a camera repair shop and get a quote for a repair. I'll look into the Sigma lens as well, it'll probably be worth spending the money on a new one.

Thanks.

Kirk

[fiazshahpal]

Hey, I have a Canon eos 450d and the same Tamron lens and i am having the same issue with lens.
I was doing some research, and some people said that they had to be "Re-chipped" and some said
that you had to buy a small adapter which you fitted between the camera and the lens.

I dont think it is a problem with the lens, as this is too much of a coincidence.

Regards, Fiaz.