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Front focusing problem - sigma lens

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J.Smith
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Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 12:02 pm

Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by J.Smith » Mon Aug 01, 2016 7:38 pm

I recently purchased a Sigma 18-300mm lens, however it appears to have a front focusing problem (?-focusing in front of the subject) at 300mm, I haven't noticed the problem at any other focal lengths yet (only used it once).
I've sent off for the free Sigma USB dock, however that won't come for 6-8 weeks. Should I take the lens back to the shop and get it replaced? Send it back to sigma? Or wait until the dock arrives and try fix it myself?
Will Sigma charge if I send it to them to get it sorted out?

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:03 pm

J.Smith wrote:I recently purchased a Sigma 18-300mm lens, however it appears to have a front focusing problem (?-focusing in front of the subject) at 300mm, I haven't noticed the problem at any other focal lengths yet (only used it once).
I've sent off for the free Sigma USB dock, however that won't come for 6-8 weeks. Should I take the lens back to the shop and get it replaced? Send it back to sigma? Or wait until the dock arrives and try fix it myself?
Will Sigma charge if I send it to them to get it sorted out?

Most lenses and camera bodies benefit form micro focus adjustment, and this can be done if it is set up in camera to do so, its just a matter of matching up the lens to the body, this is mostly noticable at the long end as the depth of focus and depth of field become less, exageratting the front or back miss focus.

Have a look in the manual and see if it shows micro focus adjustment.

Regards

Cornish.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

J.Smith
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 12:02 pm

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by J.Smith » Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:09 pm

Thanks for that. :)
My 70D supports micro focus adjustment, however my 600D doesn't, and the 600D is the camera that the lens will spend majority of its time on.

J.Smith
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 12:02 pm

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by J.Smith » Tue Aug 02, 2016 5:58 pm

Just adjusted the micro focusing adjustment on my 70D and it seems to be between +7 and +10 units
Will this be fixable with the Sigma dock when it eventually arrives?

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Tue Aug 02, 2016 11:54 pm

J.Smith wrote:Just adjusted the micro focusing adjustment on my 70D and it seems to be between +7 and +10 units
Will this be fixable with the Sigma dock when it eventually arrives?

Thats a good question - but not knowing the device I couldn't comment on it, but sure somone will come along on here who can answer it.

C.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

Thor
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Location: On the muddy banks of Lake Dilligaf

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Thor » Wed Aug 03, 2016 7:38 pm

Yes, the dock will allow you to adjust focus at several focal lengths. I've not done any tweaking on my 150-600 sport so far, but used the dock to set up a custom config as a test.

J.Smith
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by J.Smith » Wed Aug 03, 2016 9:29 pm

Thanks :thumb:
Now I just got to wait till the dock arrives, thankfully it isn't my main airshow lens (Sigma 150-600mm is my main lens, beautiful lens btw)

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Wed Aug 03, 2016 10:29 pm

Tell you what I have been reading - with Sigma long Zooms 120-400/150-500 etc, when used on modern cams D7100/D7200, the lens may need a firmware update for them to OS correctly, doesn't seem to be a problem in older bodies D300/D90 etc.

C.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

Thor
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Location: On the muddy banks of Lake Dilligaf

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Thor » Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:27 pm

Cornish-guy wrote:Tell you what I have been reading - with Sigma long Zooms 120-400/150-500 etc, when used on modern cams D7100/D7200, the lens may need a firmware update for them to OS correctly, doesn't seem to be a problem in older bodies D300/D90 etc.

C.
When you fire up the SOP software and connect the lens, the app checks firmware and does the update if necessary. Only after doing the firmware check does the user get access to the lens settings. I'm using mine with a D7200, but the lens was supplied with the latest firmware installed.

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Thu Aug 04, 2016 7:31 pm

Thor wrote:
Cornish-guy wrote:Tell you what I have been reading - with Sigma long Zooms 120-400/150-500 etc, when used on modern cams D7100/D7200, the lens may need a firmware update for them to OS correctly, doesn't seem to be a problem in older bodies D300/D90 etc.

C.
When you fire up the SOP software and connect the lens, the app checks firmware and does the update if necessary. Only after doing the firmware check does the user get access to the lens settings. I'm using mine with a D7200, but the lens was supplied with the latest firmware installed.
Interesting - Can you explain it in more detail please as it sounds very usefull :thumb:

C.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

Green133
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Green133 » Thu Aug 04, 2016 9:55 pm

Here's a link to the first of a series of short videos that explains how to use the usb dock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0TqxdZSlaA

I think they can be found on the Sigma website as well.

Green133

Thor
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Location: On the muddy banks of Lake Dilligaf

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Thor » Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:18 am

Thanks G133 - that's far better than any explanation I could have proffered :)

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Fri Aug 05, 2016 11:43 pm

The dock looks very interesting for new/current models - wonder what happens with disscontinued models like 120-400/150-500?

C.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

Thor
Posts: 607
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Location: On the muddy banks of Lake Dilligaf

Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Thor » Sat Aug 06, 2016 9:37 pm

Cornish-guy wrote:The dock looks very interesting for new/current models - wonder what happens with disscontinued models like 120-400/150-500?

C.

It's only compatible with the new sport/art/contemporary lenses, so it'll not work with lenses not specifically in those ranges.

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Cornish-guy
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by Cornish-guy » Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:54 am

Thor wrote:
Cornish-guy wrote:The dock looks very interesting for new/current models - wonder what happens with disscontinued models like 120-400/150-500?

C.

It's only compatible with the new sport/art/contemporary lenses, so it'll not work with lenses not specifically in those ranges.


Yep so it seems, read on another forum older lenses like i mentioned - if the Stabiliser plays up on more modern bodies, they have to be sent to Sigma to have thier elec bits updated or something, wonder if there is another work round that could be done?


C.
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 f4 IF ED :-)

jeallen01
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Re: Front focusing problem - sigma lens

Post by jeallen01 » Sun Aug 07, 2016 6:37 pm

Contact Sigma Imaging UK at Welwyn - they should be able to fix the problem ( have had very good service from them with my Pentax- mount 100-300 F4 and 150-500 F5.6-6.3)

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