Sigma 17-50 focus problem

wowarning · 12-18-2017, 04:58 PM

I've been using a Sigma 17-50 very happily for a few years now. Recently I have noticed that it will stop autofocusing in the middle of shooting. It is sporadic - frequently it starts off a shoot normally and then quits doing its job. I originally thought it was an issue with the used K3 I'm using since the camera has some other oddities (like the DOF preview releases the shutter). However, I tried the lens on my K5ii and it exhibited the same problem. Other lenses do not do this on the K3, so pretty definitively it's the lens. I tried cleaning the contacts with no improvement. Doing a search I didn't find others with this problem. I was curious if anyone else has run into this, if there was a solution, and if not I thought it would be good to at least have my experience here in the forums for anyone else who runs into it. Thanks in advance.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-18-2017, 09:21 PM

Clean and examine the contacts for irregularities. I think Sigma has a good warranty program so that may be an option.

**Wingincamera** · 12-19-2017, 03:44 PM

I would send it to Sigma for a estimate of the repair, if it's reasonable to you then have them repair it. A few years ago I had a Sigma 24-70 F2.8 lens (Canon mount) that the barrel of the lens cracked (too many motorcycle rides on forest roads I think). The lens also had a very slight front focusing problem but I did not report this. The repair cost was very reasonable, repair time less than two weeks and the returned lens looked brand new, and the front focus problem was also corrected.

reeftool · 12-19-2017, 06:02 PM

I can vouch for the excellent Sigma repair service. My 17-70 took a fall and ended up in 2 pieces. Got it back in about 2 weeks for under $200. They replaced the barrel and circuit board.

wowarning · 12-19-2017, 09:46 PM

Maybe I'll check that out - thanks for the advice. I'm not really sure why that didn't occur to me, but it didn't. I bought mine when they were $650 in the US and I picked it up for $500 from Japan but without a warranty. I rolled the dice - if the repair is $150 or less I guess I'm no worse off, lol. I'll update once I resolve it. Thanks again!

12-18-2017, 04:58 PM	#1
wowarning Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 60	Sigma 17-50 focus problem I've been using a Sigma 17-50 very happily for a few years now. Recently I have noticed that it will stop autofocusing in the middle of shooting. It is sporadic - frequently it starts off a shoot normally and then quits doing its job. I originally thought it was an issue with the used K3 I'm using since the camera has some other oddities (like the DOF preview releases the shutter). However, I tried the lens on my K5ii and it exhibited the same problem. Other lenses do not do this on the K3, so pretty definitively it's the lens. I tried cleaning the contacts with no improvement. Doing a search I didn't find others with this problem. I was curious if anyone else has run into this, if there was a solution, and if not I thought it would be good to at least have my experience here in the forums for anyone else who runs into it. Thanks in advance.

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12-18-2017, 09:21 PM	#2
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Clean and examine the contacts for irregularities. I think Sigma has a good warranty program so that may be an option.

12-19-2017, 03:44 PM	#3
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	I would send it to Sigma for a estimate of the repair, if it's reasonable to you then have them repair it. A few years ago I had a Sigma 24-70 F2.8 lens (Canon mount) that the barrel of the lens cracked (too many motorcycle rides on forest roads I think). The lens also had a very slight front focusing problem but I did not report this. The repair cost was very reasonable, repair time less than two weeks and the returned lens looked brand new, and the front focus problem was also corrected.

12-19-2017, 06:02 PM	#4
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I can vouch for the excellent Sigma repair service. My 17-70 took a fall and ended up in 2 pieces. Got it back in about 2 weeks for under $200. They replaced the barrel and circuit board.

12-19-2017, 09:46 PM	#5
wowarning Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 60 Original Poster	Maybe I'll check that out - thanks for the advice. I'm not really sure why that didn't occur to me, but it didn't. I bought mine when they were $650 in the US and I picked it up for $500 from Japan but without a warranty. I rolled the dice - if the repair is $150 or less I guess I'm no worse off, lol. I'll update once I resolve it. Thanks again!