ARGH! Broken shutter on my 70-300mm Sigma

*Bokehboy* · 07-03-2009, 01:43 PM

Frustrating day! I was cleaning up some lenses getting ready to do some shooting. Picked up my Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro and discovered that one of the aperture blades is loose. I do not know how it happened. I have babied this lens like I do all of my gear. It jams and will not function properly. Attached at the base (big) end but the narrow end just flops around in there.

I sent an email to Precision Camera in Connecticut for warranty repairs but if anyone has a favorite Sigma warranty repair shop in the U.S.A. I would appreciate any suggestions. I bought the lens off of Jake's Cameras on ebay. They are an authorized Sigma dealer in Philadelphia but they do not do repairs.

I do not have a whole lot of money as I am putting the son through college right now. This is sooooo frustrating!!!!! AARRGGHH!!!!

*joeyc* · 07-03-2009, 01:52 PM

I believe you mean aperture blade? Try Sigma directly, they are usually pretty reasonable. Of course, it may be more cost effective to just replace.

*joeyc* · 07-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Quick search of eBay... About $150 for that lens new with warranty.

*Bokehboy* · 07-03-2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by joeyc

I believe you mean aperture blade? Try Sigma directly, they are usually pretty reasonable. Of course, it may be more cost effective to just replace.

Oops, my bad.

Right you are so I edited my post to "aperture" blade.

The lens is still under warranty from Sigma so I would prefer to get the warranty work done first. They have several authorized warranty shops in the U.S.A. so I guess I should ask if anyone has experience with any of their shops.

You may be right though. Sending it back to Sigma may be the best bet.

Thanks for your help. I have never had to do this with any lens before so I am a newbie to this type of issue.

*joeyc* · 07-03-2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Bokehboy

Oops, my bad. Right you are so I edited my post to "aperture" blade.

The lens is still under warranty from Sigma so I would prefer to get the warranty work done first. They have several authorized warranty shops in the U.S.A. so I guess I should ask if anyone has experience with any of their shops.

You may be right though. Sending it back to Sigma may be the best bet.

Thanks for your help. I have never had to do this with any lens before so I am a newbie to this type of issue.

Being in PA, just send it to Sigma in NY. I sent a DP1 to them and the turn around time to SC was surprisingly fast. They even replaced it instead of repairing.

*Bokehboy* · 07-03-2009, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by joeyc

Being in PA, just send it to Sigma in NY. I sent a DP1 to them and the turn around time to SC was surprisingly fast. They even replaced it instead of repairing.

Cool! I will contact them after the holiday, probably Monday. Thanks for the tip!