Cannot get K-5 and Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 to work

surfcr8zy · 04-02-2023, 01:22 PM

Hello,

I have a K-5 and wanted a very wide angled lens primarily for night time rocket launches. I have purchased two different Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 lens and I cannot get that lens to work with a K-5. The Pentaxforums Check Camer and Lens Compatibility resource does show the camera and lens are compatible. The first lens I purchased had some damage and I thought that was the reason it was not working. I recently purchased another on on Ebay that looks as advertised: near-mint condition, yet I am seeing the same issues. The issues are:

Will not go auto-focus.

Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting.

Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place.

Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed.

Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11.

I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me.

The lens is completely mounted on the camera. It does click into place and is not loose.

I do not find any evidence of someone experiencing these same issues. I do not find any information on any camera settings specifically for this lens.

Any hints, tips or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks, Dan

kypfer · 04-02-2023, 01:43 PM

Sounds like dirty or sticking contacts on the lens (or camera), but to experience similar symptoms on two different lenses might suggest a camera issue rather than the lens.
Presumably you have other auto-focus lenses that do behave themselves?

vonBaloney · 04-02-2023, 03:50 PM

It should work -- I used to use that combo. You won't get the lower (widest) focal lengths showing up in the EXIF -- that's a known issue. (There are some workarounds to set it later.) However, sounds like you've got a bigger problem, it shouldn't be going crazy. I did also buy a used one that I had to send back to the seller -- can't remember the issue but maybe an inherent problem has started to manifest itself as these lenses age. But since it has happened twice, you first need to verify that it isn't your body -- try another SDM (or preferably Sigma HSM) lens and see if that works on your body, or try the Sigma on a different body.

**UncleVanya** · 04-02-2023, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by surfcr8zy

Hello,

I have a K-5 and wanted a very wide angled lens primarily for night time rocket launches. I have purchased two different Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 lens and I cannot get that lens to work with a K-5. The Pentaxforums Check Camer and Lens Compatibility resource does show the camera and lens are compatible. The first lens I purchased had some damage and I thought that was the reason it was not working. I recently purchased another on on Ebay that looks as advertised: near-mint condition, yet I am seeing the same issues. The issues are:

Will not go auto-focus.

Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting.

Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place.

Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed.

Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11.

I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me.

The lens is completely mounted on the camera. It does click into place and is not loose.

I do not find any evidence of someone experiencing these same issues. I do not find any information on any camera settings specifically for this lens.

Any hints, tips or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks, Dan

Do you have any other internal motor lenses that you can check on the k-5?

vonBaloney · 04-02-2023, 08:00 PM

Also, maybe check the firmware on the K-5. If it has never been updated, there is a chance it could be that.

surfcr8zy · 04-03-2023, 06:30 PM

Hello,

Thanks for the responses and queries.

Yes, I have other auto-focus lens that function normally:

Pentax DA 55-300
Pentax FA 35
Pentax DA 18-55

I also have a K100D, which has a known auto focus (manual only) issue with this lens, but it also exhibits:

- Metering information is not reliable. Values above the lens max F5.6 are showing
- Pictures are under-exposed
- Looking at metadata on my computer all pictures show an F-stop of F-8.

When I first purchased the K-5, in 2019, I checked for firmware level and upgraded to V1.16.

**UncleVanya** · 04-03-2023, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by surfcr8zy

Hello,

Thanks for the responses and queries.

Yes, I have other auto-focus lens that function normally:

Pentax DA 55-300
Pentax FA 35
Pentax DA 18-55

I also have a K100D, which has a known auto focus (manual only) issue with this lens, but it also exhibits:

- Metering information is not reliable. Values above the lens max F5.6 are showing
- Pictures are under-exposed
- Looking at metadata on my computer all pictures show an F-stop of F-8.

When I first purchased the K-5, in 2019, I checked for firmware level and upgraded to V1.16.

Which DA 55-300 is it f5.6 or f6.3 on the long end. If it’s f5.6 then NONE of those lenses have motors in them - they all are screw driven by the body. The HSM 8-16 uses an in lens motor system that’s different. There could be a failure in the body related to only the in lens motor focusing sub-systems.

Oldbayrunner · 04-04-2023, 05:26 AM

Check to see if that is one of the Sigma lens that can be firmware upgrade via the Sigma Doc... It may need that.

vonBaloney · 04-04-2023, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by Oldbayrunner

Check to see if that is one of the Sigma lens that can be firmware upgrade via the Sigma Doc... It may need that.

The 8-16 shouldn't need it just to work. (The K-5 itself might though, can't remember.)

And yes -- you need to test an SDM/HSM lens (or this lens on a different body), i.e. not screw-drive lenses.

surfcr8zy · 04-04-2023, 11:21 AM

The DA 55-300 is f5.8 on the long end.

**UncleVanya** · 04-04-2023, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by surfcr8zy

The DA 55-300 is f5.8 on the long end.

That confirms that this is one of the versions of the lens that is screwdrive - driven by the body's own motor not the lens. The HSM 8-16 is the only lens you have with a motor in it. Something may be wrong with the SDM (HSM uses this also) connections. Do you see the Powerzoom/SDM contacts in the mount on the K-5?

Look at this image:
K-5 - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

On the bottom right as you face your camera - do you see the two gold dots that you see in this image? Those are the SDM contacts (used by HSM as well) that transmit power to the lens. Are they intact? Do they seem to be raised a little from the flat parts around them? Are the other contacts on the body all similar to what is shown?

**mikesbike** · 04-04-2023, 03:00 PM

The K100D does not have contacts to work with lens motors. The K100D Super added this feature.

**UncleVanya** · 04-04-2023, 06:09 PM

Quote:

The issues are:

Will not go auto-focus.

Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting.

Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place.

Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed.

Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11.

I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me.

Of these only the lack of autofocus should happen on the k100d is that true?

---------- Post added 04-04-23 at 09:10 PM ----------

Originally posted by mikesbike

The K100D does not have contacts to work with lens motors. The K100D Super added this feature.

Correct. But as I point out above - that doesn’t stop the lens reporting aperture and exposing accurately.

surfcr8zy · 04-04-2023, 07:06 PM

On the K-5, I see the gold contacts. They are intact. They are raised. They do squish down if I press on them. Yes, all of the other contacts on the body are similar to what is shown. See the attached photo.

---------- Post added 04-04-2023 at 10:28 PM ----------

I also tried something I read on Pentax K5 problem - Pentax - Photo.net. I put the grip on with fresh batteries, but no change. Still the same symptoms.

**Scorpio71GR** · 04-21-2023, 06:02 PM

I do know that the Sigma 8-16 works with the K5. I have used mine going all the way back to my K10D which is older than your K5. It may seem simple but I will add that the Sigma 8-16 does have an Autofocus/Manual Focus switch. You need to have that set to autofocus. If you are trying to use Liveview (the back LCD screen) rather than the viewfinder, I never really seen an older Sigma lens that will work with Liveview. If you truly cannot get that lens to work I suggest two things.

1 Reset the camera back to the factory defaults in the menu.
2 Download the latest firmware and update your camera's firmware to that.

I hope that this is of some help and good luck. The Sigma 8-16 really is a fine lens.

04-02-2023, 01:22 PM	#1
surfcr8zy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA Posts: 80	Cannot get K-5 and Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 to work Hello, I have a K-5 and wanted a very wide angled lens primarily for night time rocket launches. I have purchased two different Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 lens and I cannot get that lens to work with a K-5. The Pentaxforums Check Camer and Lens Compatibility resource does show the camera and lens are compatible. The first lens I purchased had some damage and I thought that was the reason it was not working. I recently purchased another on on Ebay that looks as advertised: near-mint condition, yet I am seeing the same issues. The issues are: Will not go auto-focus. Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting. Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place. Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed. Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11. I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me. The lens is completely mounted on the camera. It does click into place and is not loose. I do not find any evidence of someone experiencing these same issues. I do not find any information on any camera settings specifically for this lens. Any hints, tips or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Dan

04-02-2023, 07:26 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by surfcr8zy Hello, I have a K-5 and wanted a very wide angled lens primarily for night time rocket launches. I have purchased two different Sigma DC HSM 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 lens and I cannot get that lens to work with a K-5. The Pentaxforums Check Camer and Lens Compatibility resource does show the camera and lens are compatible. The first lens I purchased had some damage and I thought that was the reason it was not working. I recently purchased another on on Ebay that looks as advertised: near-mint condition, yet I am seeing the same issues. The issues are: Will not go auto-focus. Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting. Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place. Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed. Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11. I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me. The lens is completely mounted on the camera. It does click into place and is not loose. I do not find any evidence of someone experiencing these same issues. I do not find any information on any camera settings specifically for this lens. Any hints, tips or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Dan Do you have any other internal motor lenses that you can check on the k-5?

04-04-2023, 06:09 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Quote: The issues are: Will not go auto-focus. Metering information shown below the frame in the viewfinder is jumping all over the place: f-stops, shutter speed and ISO setting. Metering infomation shown on the top LCD panel is also jumping all over the place. Pictures are under-exposed and over-exposed. Looking at metadata on my computer I see some pictures with no focal length recorded and F-stop values up to F-11. I cannot control the aperture setting, which is a deal breaker for me. Of these only the lack of autofocus should happen on the k100d is that true? ---------- Post added 04-04-23 at 09:10 PM ---------- Originally posted by mikesbike The K100D does not have contacts to work with lens motors. The K100D Super added this feature. Correct. But as I point out above - that doesn’t stop the lens reporting aperture and exposing accurately.

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04-02-2023, 01:43 PM	#2
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,593	Sounds like dirty or sticking contacts on the lens (or camera), but to experience similar symptoms on two different lenses might suggest a camera issue rather than the lens. Presumably you have other auto-focus lenses that do behave themselves?

04-02-2023, 03:50 PM	#3
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	It should work -- I used to use that combo. You won't get the lower (widest) focal lengths showing up in the EXIF -- that's a known issue. (There are some workarounds to set it later.) However, sounds like you've got a bigger problem, it shouldn't be going crazy. I did also buy a used one that I had to send back to the seller -- can't remember the issue but maybe an inherent problem has started to manifest itself as these lenses age. But since it has happened twice, you first need to verify that it isn't your body -- try another SDM (or preferably Sigma HSM) lens and see if that works on your body, or try the Sigma on a different body.

04-02-2023, 08:00 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Also, maybe check the firmware on the K-5. If it has never been updated, there is a chance it could be that.

04-03-2023, 06:30 PM	#6
surfcr8zy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA Posts: 80 Original Poster	Hello, Thanks for the responses and queries. Yes, I have other auto-focus lens that function normally: Pentax DA 55-300 Pentax FA 35 Pentax DA 18-55 I also have a K100D, which has a known auto focus (manual only) issue with this lens, but it also exhibits: - Metering information is not reliable. Values above the lens max F5.6 are showing - Pictures are under-exposed - Looking at metadata on my computer all pictures show an F-stop of F-8. When I first purchased the K-5, in 2019, I checked for firmware level and upgraded to V1.16.

04-03-2023, 06:38 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by surfcr8zy Hello, Thanks for the responses and queries. Yes, I have other auto-focus lens that function normally: Pentax DA 55-300 Pentax FA 35 Pentax DA 18-55 I also have a K100D, which has a known auto focus (manual only) issue with this lens, but it also exhibits: - Metering information is not reliable. Values above the lens max F5.6 are showing - Pictures are under-exposed - Looking at metadata on my computer all pictures show an F-stop of F-8. When I first purchased the K-5, in 2019, I checked for firmware level and upgraded to V1.16. Which DA 55-300 is it f5.6 or f6.3 on the long end. If it’s f5.6 then NONE of those lenses have motors in them - they all are screw driven by the body. The HSM 8-16 uses an in lens motor system that’s different. There could be a failure in the body related to only the in lens motor focusing sub-systems.

04-04-2023, 05:26 AM	#8
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Check to see if that is one of the Sigma lens that can be firmware upgrade via the Sigma Doc... It may need that.

04-04-2023, 11:01 AM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Oldbayrunner Check to see if that is one of the Sigma lens that can be firmware upgrade via the Sigma Doc... It may need that. The 8-16 shouldn't need it just to work. (The K-5 itself might though, can't remember.) And yes -- you need to test an SDM/HSM lens (or this lens on a different body), i.e. not screw-drive lenses.

04-04-2023, 11:21 AM	#10
surfcr8zy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA Posts: 80 Original Poster	The DA 55-300 is f5.8 on the long end.

04-04-2023, 12:49 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by surfcr8zy The DA 55-300 is f5.8 on the long end. That confirms that this is one of the versions of the lens that is screwdrive - driven by the body's own motor not the lens. The HSM 8-16 is the only lens you have with a motor in it. Something may be wrong with the SDM (HSM uses this also) connections. Do you see the Powerzoom/SDM contacts in the mount on the K-5? Look at this image: K-5 - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications On the bottom right as you face your camera - do you see the two gold dots that you see in this image? Those are the SDM contacts (used by HSM as well) that transmit power to the lens. Are they intact? Do they seem to be raised a little from the flat parts around them? Are the other contacts on the body all similar to what is shown?

04-04-2023, 03:00 PM	#12
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	The K100D does not have contacts to work with lens motors. The K100D Super added this feature.

04-21-2023, 06:02 PM	#15
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	I do know that the Sigma 8-16 works with the K5. I have used mine going all the way back to my K10D which is older than your K5. It may seem simple but I will add that the Sigma 8-16 does have an Autofocus/Manual Focus switch. You need to have that set to autofocus. If you are trying to use Liveview (the back LCD screen) rather than the viewfinder, I never really seen an older Sigma lens that will work with Liveview. If you truly cannot get that lens to work I suggest two things. 1 Reset the camera back to the factory defaults in the menu. 2 Download the latest firmware and update your camera's firmware to that. I hope that this is of some help and good luck. The Sigma 8-16 really is a fine lens.