Thread of shame - Rechipping for Canon Sigma EX 105/2.8

**pres589** · 12-16-2020, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Just another reason why buying Sigma is not the same as buying from OEMs. At least there's a solution for the DIY guys, not so much for the rest of us.

Not to be overly sarcastic, but sometimes it pays to know how to best utilize decades old 3rd party glass. The answer is not EF mount.

This same thing happened to my sister when she wanted to get into digital photography and use mid-90's EF mount glass. Her Promaster zoom lens acted badly on the SL1 she picked up and I think she gave it away. I think it was a 35-90mm zoom or some such similar range which would have been pretty awful on the 1.6x crop SL1 so it doesn't seem like much of a loss. Plus I honestly doubt the images out of that lens would have been very impressive.

I can definitely understand wanting to keep a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro working as that lens seems pretty all around good.

normhead · 12-16-2020, 07:27 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

but sometimes it pays to know how to best utilize decades old 3rd party glass.

And sometimes it pays to just avoid it.

**pres589** · 12-16-2020, 07:37 AM - **2 Likes**

I really like my Sigma 28mm f1.8 EX DG. Can you show me were in the Pentax catalog a lens like that exists? Closest I know of are the M and K 28 f2.0's and I honestly doubt either outperform the Sigma optically. They're also as expensive on the used market (the K is probably 2x as much money on a good day) and no easier to find.

And no, I don't want an FA 31. This is an old argument. Sometimes 3rd party lenses exist and perform well where there isn't an OEM offering. This isn't a novel concept.

normhead · 12-16-2020, 07:48 AM

I also have a Sigma 24 macro, I wouldn't part with. It's perfect companion to my 28-105 and is quite compact. I'm not sure any of this is relevant in the Pentax world. But my point is, with 3rd party glass, there is less chance they will be compatible as the manufacturer moves forward. That hasn't bitten Pentaxians much as fas as I know. But it could. Especially with Pentax moving on to KAF-4.

Pentax may or may not support older Pentax glass as they move forward. With Sigma it's for certain they won't. Pentax aren't going to waste time trying to figure out Sigma's reverse engineering so they can keep them compatible. And there are already many issues with improperly identified lenses that mean I won't buy any more Sigmas. I have files where I don't know what lens I'm looking at except by looking at the local length, and if it's zoom, often you're just screwed.

It's well known that to avoid licensing fees, Sigma used the same lens i.D number on multiple lenses, making accurate software determination of what lens was used impossible in some cases. To be a Sigma user, you have to be OK with that. But even if you're OK with it personally you still have to admit, you can have issues with Sigma gear you would never have with OEM equipment.

I'm looking at an image from said 24mm ƒ2.8 macro lens right now. It says it's taken by a Sigma 30mm ƒ1.4. That's just Mickey Mouse nonsense.

Last edited by normhead; 12-17-2020 at 09:05 AM.

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12-16-2020, 07:20 AM	#16
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by normhead Just another reason why buying Sigma is not the same as buying from OEMs. At least there's a solution for the DIY guys, not so much for the rest of us. Not to be overly sarcastic, but sometimes it pays to know how to best utilize decades old 3rd party glass. The answer is not EF mount. This same thing happened to my sister when she wanted to get into digital photography and use mid-90's EF mount glass. Her Promaster zoom lens acted badly on the SL1 she picked up and I think she gave it away. I think it was a 35-90mm zoom or some such similar range which would have been pretty awful on the 1.6x crop SL1 so it doesn't seem like much of a loss. Plus I honestly doubt the images out of that lens would have been very impressive. I can definitely understand wanting to keep a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro working as that lens seems pretty all around good.

12-16-2020, 07:27 AM - 1 Like	#17
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by pres589 but sometimes it pays to know how to best utilize decades old 3rd party glass. And sometimes it pays to just avoid it.

12-16-2020, 07:37 AM - 2 Likes	#18
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I really like my Sigma 28mm f1.8 EX DG. Can you show me were in the Pentax catalog a lens like that exists? Closest I know of are the M and K 28 f2.0's and I honestly doubt either outperform the Sigma optically. They're also as expensive on the used market (the K is probably 2x as much money on a good day) and no easier to find. And no, I don't want an FA 31. This is an old argument. Sometimes 3rd party lenses exist and perform well where there isn't an OEM offering. This isn't a novel concept.

12-16-2020, 07:48 AM	#19
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I also have a Sigma 24 macro, I wouldn't part with. It's perfect companion to my 28-105 and is quite compact. I'm not sure any of this is relevant in the Pentax world. But my point is, with 3rd party glass, there is less chance they will be compatible as the manufacturer moves forward. That hasn't bitten Pentaxians much as fas as I know. But it could. Especially with Pentax moving on to KAF-4. Pentax may or may not support older Pentax glass as they move forward. With Sigma it's for certain they won't. Pentax aren't going to waste time trying to figure out Sigma's reverse engineering so they can keep them compatible. And there are already many issues with improperly identified lenses that mean I won't buy any more Sigmas. I have files where I don't know what lens I'm looking at except by looking at the local length, and if it's zoom, often you're just screwed. It's well known that to avoid licensing fees, Sigma used the same lens i.D number on multiple lenses, making accurate software determination of what lens was used impossible in some cases. To be a Sigma user, you have to be OK with that. But even if you're OK with it personally you still have to admit, you can have issues with Sigma gear you would never have with OEM equipment. I'm looking at an image from said 24mm ƒ2.8 macro lens right now. It says it's taken by a Sigma 30mm ƒ1.4. That's just Mickey Mouse nonsense. Last edited by normhead; 12-17-2020 at 09:05 AM.

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