I should have read more of the discussion before replying, but I do remember using that lens. Actually Sean talked me into keeping it when I was busy complaining about the focus noise and it searching for focus when there wasn't enough contrast in the subject. Because I was using it for landscape and interior rooms shots, the problems I had with it were meaningless. Rocks and chairs are rarely spooked by noise making manual focus that much easier. When I did use auto focus, I had to make sure there was something there for the camera to lock on to. I was usually happy with the results barring stupidity on my end. For what I wanted in a lens at that price range, it was ideal. If through manual focusing you can't get anything sharp in the frame, it is prolly a bad copy and needs fixed. Using auto focus mode, if it just misses the focus point, that means you need the lens calibrated to your camera. I hope this incident doesn't sway you from buying Tamron /Sigma lens. When buying something new, you expect it to work and it should, but we're asking a lot of technology /small parts... And multiple shipping trucks with humans throwing them around in between. It's a small miracle most lens work. Hope your luck improves with this lens and future purchases.