Hi all,
thank you for all the helpful answers you have sent me while I was busy writing emails to the seller, and to Sigma.
Unfortunately Sigma service seems to be on holiday too, or at least the service of my country and my neighbouring country both do not give me any sign that they have received or seen my emails.
I will try to reach out to them by phone and try to get some answers tomorrow, my timeframe for returning the lens gets really tight.
Also the seller responded in the meantime, the lens was working fine on his K-5. He also thinks the lens might need a firmware update.
Thank you kypfer for the valuable information that the lens in general works with the KP and newer models - and regarding your note:
Originally posted by kypfer ...Assuming your KP "behaves normally" with another lens attached, especially if the other lens isn't screw-drive focus, I'd invoke the warranty and get the lens returned.
Yes I have the KP working fine with the HD 16-85mm and the 55-300 PLM, so the camera drives those external AF motors just fine.
I was able to figure out by comparing pictures of the Sigma 50-500 on this page
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO OS HSM Review - Review | PentaxForums.com Reviews that I seem to have the or at lease a newer model - it looks exactly like the left one shown in the comparative picture.
This might rule out the idea of C_Jones:
Originally posted by C_Jones ... But a Pentax camera has the in body AF, so you could switch the AF off on the lens and set your camera AF on. ...
I can clearly see the nose of the camera body AF motor sticking out, but no corresponding space on the lens, where this nose would fit in. Maybe the older version of the lens had this possibility.
And thank you Oldbayrunner for this little piece of information:
Originally posted by Oldbayrunner ...However if it is firmware your SOL because Sigma no longer support older Pentax version updating or so I ws told by their techs on another lens that needed one. The doc will not work
You saved me from rushing out to get the dock.
Roger completes my picture with this:
Originally posted by rogerstg ...found a note relating to a recall, "In 2010, Sigma recalled some lenses due to a "potential autofocus defect". Sigma offered customers a modification service, free of charge. Lenses requiring the modification were those with serial numbers between 10674301 and 10972000." Might yours be in that S/N range?
The serial number of my lens begins with 1386.. so that seems to be much newer. Thank you anyway, I can rule that one out too.
Thank you again all of you for your help, I am really overwhelmed.
I will keep you updated.
Marc