Sigma 50-150 HSM refuse to focus in LV on K5

adi3000 · 12-13-2010, 07:30 AM

I just bought a k5 body and I tested a sigma lens: 50-150 HSM II f2.8 and it refuse to focus in LV.
I tested on 2 k5 bodies and did the same test on another new sigma lens (50-150) (mine was 2 years old but was ok on k20d) and has the same symptom.

Vaikis_ · 12-13-2010, 07:36 AM

your Sigma needs Firmware update

Same with all SIGMA lenses which have HSM (if you use LV with Pentax K-5). Wrote or call Sigma, maybe you can send lenses and they upgrade firmware.

RBellavance · 12-13-2010, 07:40 AM

Coincidentally, I just bought the same lens.

Yep, that's a known quirk/limitation of this lens in Pentax mount. Nothing happens if you press the "AF" button, and if you press the shuitter button the lens just travels through the focusing range without stopping. I knew about this before I bought mine, and I didn't care because I don't use LV.

Not unexpectedly my copy front-focuses, but in a different way than what I've had read about (which is FF at 150mm @ f/2.8): mine front-focuses at 50mm. Additionally, I had to dial in -10 AF adjustment to make the other focal lengths behave, so it will be going back to Sigma for calibration soon.

Other than that, I am *very* pleased with this lens. Focusing is quick, and it is very sharp, even wide-open, when focused properly. And in Canada, it comes with a 10-year warranty...

RBellavance · 12-13-2010, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Vaikis_

your Sigma needs Firmware update

Same with all SIGMA lenses which have HSM (if you use LV with Pentax K-5). Wrote or call Sigma, maybe you can send lenses and they upgrade firmware.

Interesting! I will add a note to this effect when I send my copy over for recalibration, then ! Thanks.

Vaikis_ · 12-13-2010, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Interesting! I will add a note to this effect when I send my copy over for recalibration, then ! Thanks.

I think LV phase-detection mode should work ? Or I'am wrong ?

Vaikis_ · 12-13-2010, 07:50 AM

Nikon D7000 also can't autofocus with Sigma HSM lenses in LV

alexeyga · 12-13-2010, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Yep, that's a known quirk/limitation of this lens in Pentax mount..

In defense of Pentax... D7000 seems to have the same issue with Sigma lenses... Nobody wants to make third-parties life easier.... but its the end-users who pay the price....

RBellavance · 12-13-2010, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Vaikis_

I think LV phase-detection mode should work ? Or I'am wrong ?

You're right, it does. I just tried it.

Originally posted by alexeyga

In defense of Pentax... D7000 seems to have the same issue with Sigma lenses... Nobody wants to make third-parties life easier.... but its the end-users who pay the price....

Sigma's incompatibilities often stem from the fact that they reverse-engineer the protocols instead of paying license fees to the manufacturers.

ivoire · 12-13-2010, 09:33 AM

The Sony A33 and A55 have similar problems with Sigma lenses

Rick Clark · 12-13-2010, 09:46 AM

I'm glad I bought the Pentax 55-300 so I don't have these problems.

opiedog · 12-13-2010, 09:53 AM

i had that problem on the 50-150 with my kx.
sent it to sigma and they updated the lens' fw and came back working in LV.

it's new and under warranty, give sigma a call and send it in.

philbaum · 12-13-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Sigma's incompatibilities often stem from the fact that they reverse-engineer the protocols instead of paying license fees to the manufacturers.

I've wondered whether these license fees are the reason that Tamron has opted out of some future lenses, and Sigma is still in the game. One of the reasons i first got into pentax vice Olympus, was the availability of 3rd party lenses.

I assume that the Sigma screw drive lenses like 10-20 will work ok with K5 in LV? Is that correct?

RBellavance · 12-13-2010, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by Rick Clark

I'm glad I bought the Pentax 55-300 so I don't have these problems.

You can't really compare that lens with the Sigma 50-150/2.8 (or the Pentax DA*50-135/2.8, for that matter). They are meant for slightly different usages, even though their focal range overlaps.

RBellavance · 12-21-2010, 06:46 AM

Quick update, my lens is now at Sigma Canada (Gentec International) to correct the front-focusing and have its firmware updated.

I used it to shoot my son's 1st gymnastics competition 2 weekends ago and I am extremely pleased with the images I got and how the lens behaved. Now if I can only get me a K-5 so I have two more stops of usable ISO

**dadipentak** · 12-21-2010, 07:10 AM

Huh! I just bought and returned a Sigma 50-150mm because the resolution was awful. Maybe I should have sent it to Sigma for calibration instead of returning it?

Anyway, I'm in the market for a good copy used.

12-13-2010, 07:30 AM	#1
adi3000 New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest Posts: 20	Sigma 50-150 HSM refuse to focus in LV on K5 I just bought a k5 body and I tested a sigma lens: 50-150 HSM II f2.8 and it refuse to focus in LV. I tested on 2 k5 bodies and did the same test on another new sigma lens (50-150) (mine was 2 years old but was ok on k20d) and has the same symptom.

12-21-2010, 07:10 AM	#15
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Huh! I just bought and returned a Sigma 50-150mm because the resolution was awful. Maybe I should have sent it to Sigma for calibration instead of returning it? Anyway, I'm in the market for a good copy used. Last edited by dadipentak; 12-21-2010 at 07:17 AM.

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12-13-2010, 07:36 AM	#2
Vaikis_ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 213	your Sigma needs Firmware update Same with all SIGMA lenses which have HSM (if you use LV with Pentax K-5). Wrote or call Sigma, maybe you can send lenses and they upgrade firmware.

12-13-2010, 07:40 AM	#3
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Coincidentally, I just bought the same lens. Yep, that's a known quirk/limitation of this lens in Pentax mount. Nothing happens if you press the "AF" button, and if you press the shuitter button the lens just travels through the focusing range without stopping. I knew about this before I bought mine, and I didn't care because I don't use LV. Not unexpectedly my copy front-focuses, but in a different way than what I've had read about (which is FF at 150mm @ f/2.8): mine front-focuses at 50mm. Additionally, I had to dial in -10 AF adjustment to make the other focal lengths behave, so it will be going back to Sigma for calibration soon. Other than that, I am very pleased with this lens. Focusing is quick, and it is very sharp, even wide-open, when focused properly. And in Canada, it comes with a 10-year warranty...

12-13-2010, 07:42 AM	#4
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Vaikis_ your Sigma needs Firmware update Same with all SIGMA lenses which have HSM (if you use LV with Pentax K-5). Wrote or call Sigma, maybe you can send lenses and they upgrade firmware. Interesting! I will add a note to this effect when I send my copy over for recalibration, then ! Thanks.

12-13-2010, 07:43 AM	#5
Vaikis_ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 213	Originally posted by RBellavance Interesting! I will add a note to this effect when I send my copy over for recalibration, then ! Thanks. I think LV phase-detection mode should work ? Or I'am wrong ?

12-13-2010, 07:50 AM	#6
Vaikis_ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 213	Nikon D7000 also can't autofocus with Sigma HSM lenses in LV

12-13-2010, 08:11 AM	#7
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Originally posted by RBellavance Yep, that's a known quirk/limitation of this lens in Pentax mount.. In defense of Pentax... D7000 seems to have the same issue with Sigma lenses... Nobody wants to make third-parties life easier.... but its the end-users who pay the price....

12-13-2010, 08:21 AM	#8
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Vaikis_ I think LV phase-detection mode should work ? Or I'am wrong ? You're right, it does. I just tried it. Originally posted by alexeyga In defense of Pentax... D7000 seems to have the same issue with Sigma lenses... Nobody wants to make third-parties life easier.... but its the end-users who pay the price.... Sigma's incompatibilities often stem from the fact that they reverse-engineer the protocols instead of paying license fees to the manufacturers.

12-13-2010, 09:33 AM	#9
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	The Sony A33 and A55 have similar problems with Sigma lenses

12-13-2010, 09:46 AM	#10
Rick Clark Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 128	I'm glad I bought the Pentax 55-300 so I don't have these problems.

12-13-2010, 09:53 AM	#11
opiedog Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 787	i had that problem on the 50-150 with my kx. sent it to sigma and they updated the lens' fw and came back working in LV. it's new and under warranty, give sigma a call and send it in.

12-13-2010, 09:57 AM	#12
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by RBellavance Sigma's incompatibilities often stem from the fact that they reverse-engineer the protocols instead of paying license fees to the manufacturers. I've wondered whether these license fees are the reason that Tamron has opted out of some future lenses, and Sigma is still in the game. One of the reasons i first got into pentax vice Olympus, was the availability of 3rd party lenses. I assume that the Sigma screw drive lenses like 10-20 will work ok with K5 in LV? Is that correct?

12-13-2010, 10:00 AM	#13
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Rick Clark I'm glad I bought the Pentax 55-300 so I don't have these problems. You can't really compare that lens with the Sigma 50-150/2.8 (or the Pentax DA*50-135/2.8, for that matter). They are meant for slightly different usages, even though their focal range overlaps.

12-21-2010, 06:46 AM	#14
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Quick update, my lens is now at Sigma Canada (Gentec International) to correct the front-focusing and have its firmware updated. I used it to shoot my son's 1st gymnastics competition 2 weekends ago and I am extremely pleased with the images I got and how the lens behaved. Now if I can only get me a K-5 so I have two more stops of usable ISO