Two of three Sigma lenses refuse to focus at all

Sentenza · 12-25-2010, 04:23 AM

Hi everybody an a happy Christmas to all!

I've just received my K-5 Body on last thursday and i'm nearly happy with the overall perfomance.
Unluckily two of my three Sigma Lenses which i used without problems on a K-20D won't focus at all in LV, AF.S or AF.C-Mode(105 mm 2.8 DG Macro EX and a 30 mm 1.4 DC EX).

My Sigma 8-16 mm 4.5-5.6 HSM which i bought 3 weeks ago has no focus-problems at all.

Has this ocurred to anyone else? Who is to blame, Sigma-Firmware or Pentax-Firmware? Any Ideas?

ytterbium · 12-25-2010, 04:31 AM

I'd say sigma. They've always had issues with newer camera compatibility and focusing in general. I try to avoid the brand as plague.

noons · 12-25-2010, 06:06 AM

It's sigma firmware. Send it off for firmware upgrade.

Wheatfield · 12-25-2010, 10:19 AM

Another SIGnificant MAlfunction

**Eric Seavey** · 12-25-2010, 11:53 AM

I have both those lenses and have not had any problems with my K-5, other than the low light front focus...

bats · 12-26-2010, 04:52 PM

I have the Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro - in fact, I was out shooting with it and my K5 the other night. No problems focusing here. In the original size (not downsized on Flickr), it looks quite good.

I haven't noticed any focus problems at close range either... like on this shot of an Xray held up to a window. It's as sharp as the original xray:

I also have the Sigma 8-16mm and, like you, it focuses fine on the K5.

peteng · 12-27-2010, 01:33 AM

I've the older "Sigma 10-20mm non-HSM" and the "Sigma 30mm f1.4". Both screwdrive and I've not noticed any focus problems.

1connu · 12-27-2010, 01:55 AM

Bonjour, je pense qu'il suffit d'autoriser les focales fixes dans le dernier menu (j'ai oublié le chiffre) et de le placer sur 2

Sentenza · 12-27-2010, 03:13 AM

Okay, after your posts i gave the 105mm macro another try.

At first it didn't work, then i unlocked the aperture ring from A-position and switched back firmly to A and it worked! I think, i accidently unlocked it a little bit while switching the lenses from K20D-body. My fault!

But the 30mm 1.4 HSM-Version still doesn't work.

blende8 · 12-27-2010, 12:09 PM

I have read on a German forum from people having the same problems.
They sent the lens in, got an update and it works.

Cambo · 12-27-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by Sentenza

Hi everybody an a happy Christmas to all!

I've just received my K-5 Body on last thursday and i'm nearly happy with the overall perfomance.
Unluckily two of my three Sigma Lenses which i used without problems on a K-20D won't focus at all in LV, AF.S or AF.C-Mode(105 mm 2.8 DG Macro EX and a 30 mm 1.4 DC EX).

My Sigma 8-16 mm 4.5-5.6 HSM which i bought 3 weeks ago has no focus-problems at all.

Has this ocurred to anyone else? Who is to blame, Sigma-Firmware or Pentax-Firmware? Any Ideas?

I still remember the days when they were selling 300mm f=2.8 lenses with the front element stuck on with double-sided tape...can you say 'alignment issues'. I know they have improved their QC since then, but they certainly lost me as a customer for all time...

Originally posted by ytterbium

I'd say sigma. They've always had issues with newer camera compatibility and focusing in general. I try to avoid the brand as plague.

Me too...never bought one...

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Another SIGnificant MAlfunction

Yup.

There's a reason why they're cheaper, folks.

Cheers,
Cameron

photopao · 12-30-2010, 03:09 AM

Hi anyone owns the new 18-250mm Sigma? I have a pentax k5 body and planning of getting an all-in-one lens, i'm looking at tamron 18-200mm and the Sigma equivalent

any comments, suggestions and recommendations appreciated.
thanks and regards.

gilbert

Class A · 12-30-2010, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Another SIGnificant MAlfunction

I love self-referencing posts. But check your shift key, it seems to get stuck at times.

Originally posted by Cambo

There's a reason why they're cheaper, folks.

You've got that the wrong way round. There is no good reason why the oh so holy Pentax glass is so expensive. Maybe people like to pay to get the thrill of finding out how long their SDM is going to last. Ever heard of Sigma HSM failures to this extent?

Modern premium Sigma lenses are among the best out there. This Sigma bashing based on a long gone shoddy past really got old a long time ago. Or maybe we should judge Pentax DSLRs by the first *ist model?

garyk · 12-30-2010, 04:26 AM

I have to agree with the Sigma not focusing. I bought a 300mm f2.8 lens from them for Pentax about a year ago now. After 3 trips to the service center, and verrrry stressful. It is finally fixed. It took a new chip just developed a few months ago. What a crock of shi_t. Never again. Also it took 9 months to get the focus issue resolved... Not to mention comming back to me with the appeture stuck and had to be sent back again for a fix. So I say Sigma still has serious problems.

kenyee · 12-30-2010, 09:13 AM

This happened fairly often w/ Canon users when Canon switched to USM.
Sadly, the same thing happens w/ HSM. Only HSM is affected AFAIK. No idea why the protocols are different when they change bodies.
Back then as Sigma probably does now, a firmware upgrade is free AFAIK, but you have to send the lens in...

12-25-2010, 04:23 AM	#1
Sentenza New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Velbert, NRW Posts: 3	Two of three Sigma lenses refuse to focus at all Hi everybody an a happy Christmas to all! I've just received my K-5 Body on last thursday and i'm nearly happy with the overall perfomance. Unluckily two of my three Sigma Lenses which i used without problems on a K-20D won't focus at all in LV, AF.S or AF.C-Mode(105 mm 2.8 DG Macro EX and a 30 mm 1.4 DC EX). My Sigma 8-16 mm 4.5-5.6 HSM which i bought 3 weeks ago has no focus-problems at all. Has this ocurred to anyone else? Who is to blame, Sigma-Firmware or Pentax-Firmware? Any Ideas?

12-26-2010, 04:52 PM	#6
bats Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery Posts: 102	I have the Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro - in fact, I was out shooting with it and my K5 the other night. No problems focusing here. In the original size (not downsized on Flickr), it looks quite good. I haven't noticed any focus problems at close range either... like on this shot of an Xray held up to a window. It's as sharp as the original xray: I also have the Sigma 8-16mm and, like you, it focuses fine on the K5. Last edited by bats; 12-26-2010 at 05:05 PM.

12-27-2010, 12:22 PM	#11
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Sigma... :hmm: Originally posted by Sentenza Hi everybody an a happy Christmas to all! I've just received my K-5 Body on last thursday and i'm nearly happy with the overall perfomance. Unluckily two of my three Sigma Lenses which i used without problems on a K-20D won't focus at all in LV, AF.S or AF.C-Mode(105 mm 2.8 DG Macro EX and a 30 mm 1.4 DC EX). My Sigma 8-16 mm 4.5-5.6 HSM which i bought 3 weeks ago has no focus-problems at all. Has this ocurred to anyone else? Who is to blame, Sigma-Firmware or Pentax-Firmware? Any Ideas? I still remember the days when they were selling 300mm f=2.8 lenses with the front element stuck on with double-sided tape...can you say 'alignment issues'. I know they have improved their QC since then, but they certainly lost me as a customer for all time... Originally posted by ytterbium I'd say sigma. They've always had issues with newer camera compatibility and focusing in general. I try to avoid the brand as plague. Me too...never bought one... Originally posted by Wheatfield Another SIGnificant MAlfunction Yup. There's a reason why they're cheaper, folks. Cheers, Cameron

12-30-2010, 03:44 AM	#13
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Wheatfield Another SIGnificant MAlfunction I love self-referencing posts. But check your shift key, it seems to get stuck at times. Originally posted by Cambo There's a reason why they're cheaper, folks. You've got that the wrong way round. There is no good reason why the oh so holy Pentax glass is so expensive. Maybe people like to pay to get the thrill of finding out how long their SDM is going to last. Ever heard of Sigma HSM failures to this extent? Modern premium Sigma lenses are among the best out there. This Sigma bashing based on a long gone shoddy past really got old a long time ago. Or maybe we should judge Pentax DSLRs by the first ist model? Last edited by Class A; 12-30-2010 at 04:40 AM.*

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12-25-2010, 04:31 AM	#2
ytterbium Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,076	I'd say sigma. They've always had issues with newer camera compatibility and focusing in general. I try to avoid the brand as plague.

12-25-2010, 06:06 AM	#3
noons Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: WA, Australia Posts: 164	It's sigma firmware. Send it off for firmware upgrade.

12-25-2010, 10:19 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Another SIGnificant MAlfunction

12-25-2010, 11:53 AM	#5
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307	I have both those lenses and have not had any problems with my K-5, other than the low light front focus...

12-27-2010, 01:33 AM	#7
peteng Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	I've the older "Sigma 10-20mm non-HSM" and the "Sigma 30mm f1.4". Both screwdrive and I've not noticed any focus problems.

12-27-2010, 01:55 AM	#8
1connu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 8	Bonjour, je pense qu'il suffit d'autoriser les focales fixes dans le dernier menu (j'ai oublié le chiffre) et de le placer sur 2

12-27-2010, 03:13 AM	#9
Sentenza New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Velbert, NRW Posts: 3 Original Poster	Okay, after your posts i gave the 105mm macro another try. At first it didn't work, then i unlocked the aperture ring from A-position and switched back firmly to A and it worked! I think, i accidently unlocked it a little bit while switching the lenses from K20D-body. My fault! But the 30mm 1.4 HSM-Version still doesn't work.

12-27-2010, 12:09 PM	#10
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	I have read on a German forum from people having the same problems. They sent the lens in, got an update and it works.

12-30-2010, 03:09 AM	#12
photopao New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Imus, Cavite, PH Posts: 1	Hi anyone owns the new 18-250mm Sigma? I have a pentax k5 body and planning of getting an all-in-one lens, i'm looking at tamron 18-200mm and the Sigma equivalent any comments, suggestions and recommendations appreciated. thanks and regards. gilbert

12-30-2010, 04:26 AM	#14
garyk Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	I have to agree with the Sigma not focusing. I bought a 300mm f2.8 lens from them for Pentax about a year ago now. After 3 trips to the service center, and verrrry stressful. It is finally fixed. It took a new chip just developed a few months ago. What a crock of shi_t. Never again. Also it took 9 months to get the focus issue resolved... Not to mention comming back to me with the appeture stuck and had to be sent back again for a fix. So I say Sigma still has serious problems.

12-30-2010, 09:13 AM	#15
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	This happened fairly often w/ Canon users when Canon switched to USM. Sadly, the same thing happens w/ HSM. Only HSM is affected AFAIK. No idea why the protocols are different when they change bodies. Back then as Sigma probably does now, a firmware upgrade is free AFAIK, but you have to send the lens in...