Sigma 17 - 50 "unknown lens" on my K3

Azergoth · 07-03-2015, 04:40 AM

Hi everyone,

I've imported some photos shot with the Sigma 17 - 50 in Lightroom. Apparently, the lens is not recognized: "unknown lens". How can I fix this?

Thanks :-)

Adam · 07-03-2015, 04:43 AM

That's weird, because the lens isn't exactly new and should therefore be recognizable by the software. Have you updated LR/camera raw?

normhead · 07-03-2015, 04:54 AM

All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with.

Azergoth · 07-03-2015, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by Adam

That's weird, because the lens isn't exactly new and should therefore be recognizable by the software. Have you updated LR/camera raw?

It's LR6. And LR6 has the lens' profile.

But I think it's the K3 that does not recognizes the lens.

The Tamron 17 50, on the other hand, is recognized correctly.

**microlight** · 07-03-2015, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by normhead

All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with.

Same issue with the HD20-4- Limited zoom, which is newer than my K-5, and also PDCU4.

Azergoth · 07-03-2015, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by normhead

All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with.

But in my case, it's "unknown lens"... It's totally lost...

ZoeB · 07-03-2015, 07:31 AM

My K-3 doesn't recognise my sigma 50, either. I've just assumed that it's up to a lack of communication between the lens and camera

stevebrot · 07-03-2015, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by Azergoth

It's LR6. And LR6 has the lens' profile.

Originally posted by ZoeB

My K-3 doesn't recognise my sigma 50, either. I've just assumed that it's up to a lack of communication between the lens and camera

This is not a camera issue. The lens type code (when present) is passed through, unmodified, in the image exif data as part of the proprietary makers notes section. When not present, the camera supplies a code depending on whether the lens has "A" contacts or not.

From here on, the story becomes more complex. For some reason, Adobe Lightroom does not properly recognize and translate some lenses on image import despite having profiles for the lens. Lightroom has a Pentax profile for my Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 (C), but does not translate the code on import despite the profile having the proper code mappings. The plot thickens in that exported files have the lens properly identified in the Adobe processing notes portion. Go figure.

As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field. When that is done before import, the image goes into Lightroom with a meaningful label for lens type.

Steve

stevebrot · 07-03-2015, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field.

ExifTool by Phil Harvey

ExifToolGUI

Download for ExifToolGUI
(The program is not currently supported by the developer, but is robust and works well with current versions of ExifTool.

Steve

pishta · 07-03-2015, 09:35 AM

Steve, you are an important contributor to this site! Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users? Are any of these newer lenses firmware flasheable like micro 4/3 lenses? I understand older lenses are not chipped.

cgchang · 07-03-2015, 09:48 AM

Same thing happens with my HD Limiteds (15 and 35). Focal length is recorded in the EXIF but not the actual lens model. Thanks Steve for the tool.

Sagitta · 07-03-2015, 02:27 PM

I can vouch that the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 is also given the 'Unknown Lens' treatment by LR. My 70-300mm simply becomes a "Sigma Lens".

**tduell** · 07-03-2015, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by pishta

Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users?

exiftool is available in most linux distro repositories, but I haven't seen a gui for linux.
Just use it from the command line.

Cheers,
Terry

RonakG · 07-15-2015, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field. When that is done before import, the image goes into Lightroom with a meaningful label for lens type.

Steve

I downloaded the tools you've mentioned. Can you tell me I'm supposed to copy which tool from makernotes to EXIF for Lightroom to pickup lens info during import?

Thanks.

stevebrot · 07-15-2015, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by pishta

Steve, you are an important contributor to this site! Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users?

I have no direct experience with EXIF and Linux. ExifTool is available as a Perl library. That is probably your route of least resistance. You will need to download the full distribution and spend some time with the man file. See the ExifTool Web site for more information.

ExifTool by Phil Harvey

07-03-2015, 04:40 AM	#1
Azergoth Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 189	Sigma 17 - 50 "unknown lens" on my K3 Hi everyone, I've imported some photos shot with the Sigma 17 - 50 in Lightroom. Apparently, the lens is not recognized: "unknown lens". How can I fix this? Thanks :-)

07-03-2015, 04:43 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	That's weird, because the lens isn't exactly new and should therefore be recognizable by the software. Have you updated LR/camera raw? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-03-2015, 04:54 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with.

07-03-2015, 05:25 AM	#4
Azergoth Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 189 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam That's weird, because the lens isn't exactly new and should therefore be recognizable by the software. Have you updated LR/camera raw? It's LR6. And LR6 has the lens' profile. But I think it's the K3 that does not recognizes the lens. The Tamron 17 50, on the other hand, is recognized correctly.

07-03-2015, 05:25 AM	#5
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Originally posted by normhead All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with. Same issue with the HD20-4- Limited zoom, which is newer than my K-5, and also PDCU4.

07-03-2015, 05:27 AM	#6
Azergoth Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 189 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead All SIgma sense get lumped together on my K-3. For my lens samples collections I have to take care to note with is which where there is overlap. I afterwards I can't tell the difference between the Sigma 70-300 and 70 macro... if they are both at 70mm. Thankfully I almost never use the 70-300, but, we do use the 18-250, so there are some images we will never know what lens they were taken with. But in my case, it's "unknown lens"... It's totally lost...

07-03-2015, 07:31 AM	#7
ZoeB Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tromsø, Norway Posts: 886	My K-3 doesn't recognise my sigma 50, either. I've just assumed that it's up to a lack of communication between the lens and camera

07-03-2015, 08:20 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Azergoth It's LR6. And LR6 has the lens' profile. Originally posted by ZoeB My K-3 doesn't recognise my sigma 50, either. I've just assumed that it's up to a lack of communication between the lens and camera This is not a camera issue. The lens type code (when present) is passed through, unmodified, in the image exif data as part of the proprietary makers notes section. When not present, the camera supplies a code depending on whether the lens has "A" contacts or not. From here on, the story becomes more complex. For some reason, Adobe Lightroom does not properly recognize and translate some lenses on image import despite having profiles for the lens. Lightroom has a Pentax profile for my Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 (C), but does not translate the code on import despite the profile having the proper code mappings. The plot thickens in that exported files have the lens properly identified in the Adobe processing notes portion. Go figure. As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field. When that is done before import, the image goes into Lightroom with a meaningful label for lens type. Steve

07-03-2015, 08:27 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field. ExifTool by Phil Harvey ExifToolGUI Download for ExifToolGUI (The program is not currently supported by the developer, but is robust and works well with current versions of ExifTool. Steve

07-03-2015, 09:35 AM	#10
pishta Forum Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 92	Steve, you are an important contributor to this site! Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users? Are any of these newer lenses firmware flasheable like micro 4/3 lenses? I understand older lenses are not chipped.

07-03-2015, 09:48 AM	#11
cgchang Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Delta, British Columbia Posts: 148	Same thing happens with my HD Limiteds (15 and 35). Focal length is recorded in the EXIF but not the actual lens model. Thanks Steve for the tool.

07-03-2015, 02:27 PM	#12
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	I can vouch that the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 is also given the 'Unknown Lens' treatment by LR. My 70-300mm simply becomes a "Sigma Lens".

07-03-2015, 03:45 PM	#13
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,514	Originally posted by pishta Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users? exiftool is available in most linux distro repositories, but I haven't seen a gui for linux. Just use it from the command line. Cheers, Terry

07-15-2015, 04:28 PM	#14
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	Originally posted by stevebrot As a workaround, I use Phil Harvey's ExifTool in conjunction with ExifToolGui to do an automated interpretation of the lens code and insertion of lens name into the appropriate exif field. When that is done before import, the image goes into Lightroom with a meaningful label for lens type. Steve I downloaded the tools you've mentioned. Can you tell me I'm supposed to copy which tool from makernotes to EXIF for Lightroom to pickup lens info during import? Thanks.

07-15-2015, 04:41 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pishta Steve, you are an important contributor to this site! Do you have any EXIF manipulation suggestions for linux users? I have no direct experience with EXIF and Linux. ExifTool is available as a Perl library. That is probably your route of least resistance. You will need to download the full distribution and spend some time with the man file. See the ExifTool Web site for more information. ExifTool by Phil Harvey