Err 99 with Quantaray 18-35

[stuartf287]

I recently bought a used Quantaray 18-35 F3.5-4.5 lens on ebay for my EOS 10D. It arrived today and is producing endless "Err 99" messages when I try to take pictures with it.

I have read the posts on older Sigma lenses having to be "rechipped" by Sigma before they will work on the 10D. I also have heard that this Quantaray lens was manufactured by Sigma. Does anyone know whether the Quantaray 18-35 can be upgraded to work on the 10D? I would really prefer to keep the lens rather than trying to return it to the ebay seller (who promised me that it would work with all Canon digital camera models).

Please, no lectures on this lens being unworthy of a Canon camera. I just want to fill in the wide angle gap and take some pictures.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Some Quantarays are indeed Sigma... but I am not aware of a Sigma 18-35?? They have a 17-35,.. and the 15-30,... hmmm

The best you could do is talk to Sigma I guess,. they have offices in NY,..

here is the pertinant link for you.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/news/News.htm


also,. You could try to contact Ritz and find out for sure who the manufacturer is.


Good luck, and let us know how you make out,..

[stuartf287]

I don't think Sigma ever sold the 18-35 zoom lens under the Sigma brand, but just manufactured it for Quantaray/Ritz. I contacted the Ritz website and the live help did not have a solution to offer. My ebay seller sent along the warranty card so I will try that avenue next. Thanks for the reply. Any others?

[Jeppe]

Well, yes Sigma has sold an 18-35 under sigma-brand. But that was a long time ago, and it is probably the known "Sigma-flaw" that is the problem here. I dont think that sigma will be able to upgrade it (lack of spare parts).

[PaulB]

The Sigma 18-35mm/3.5 is the same vintage as my old 18mm/3.5 Sigma which just gave Error 99 all the time as well. Sigma importers here in the UK have changed recently and it as not worth pursuing a possible upgrade - it went in PX for a 16-35mm/2.8L........

[rdenney]

Despite what others have said, this lens is indeed a Sigma. I have one just like yours. It says "Quantaray Tech 10" on it, right?

I have seen a Sigma-branded lens that was identical to it in the used case at my local camera store. It is an old design indeed. The only visible difference between mine and the Sigma is the label ring.

And, yes, it needs to be rechipped. The Sigma-branded lens gives the same error. I have sent off my 14 and my 28-70, but I didn't bother with the Quantaray, because I have replaced it with the 20-35 Canon lens that performs much better. I'll either flog it on ebay or just keep it for use on my Elan II when in conditions where I wouldn't want to risk the 20-35.

When I was talking to Sigma, I didn't ask about this lens, but I found them helpful and responsive, so I would suggest just calling and asking them. With my older Sigma lenses, they told me I'd have to wait as much as a couple of months for parts from Japan, and that might be the case here, too.

The problem only occurs when the camera attempts to stop the lens down, so you can test the lens to see if it is worth the trouble by shooting on aperture-priority AE with the aperture setting to maximum. Of course, this isn't where the lens works best, but you can at least play with it a bit.

Rick "who likes ultra-wide zooms even cheapies" Denney

[stuartf287]

Thanks very much for your post. The lens says "Quantaray" but not "Tech 10." The box says "version 5," whatever that means. I may be stuck with a nonfunctional lens, so calling Sigma can't hurt.
I would anticipate, however, that Sigma may not have manufactured any new chips that would upgrade the Quantaray 18-35 to work on the new EOS 10D cameras. Sigma apparently made the decision to produce new chips for their own brand lenses in order to back their market position. That is, Sigma had to design new 10D-compatible chips for their line of Canon lenses going forward, so it was a relatively easy decision to upgrade preexisting lenses by installing the chips.
I doubt that Sigma would go to such lengths for a non-Sigma brand lens that is no longer in production. Obviously I made a big mistake when I bought the lens and now am feeling rather stupid. I think lens-greed overwhelmed my judgment (assuming I had any in the first place).

[rdenney]

Mine is identical to an old Sigma-branded lens, so I'd bet they use the same parts. As you say, you have nothing to lose by calling.

Rick "so far impressed by Sigma's support if not by their forethought" Denney

[stuartf287]

I checked with Sigma and they indicated that Sigma would, indeed, upgrade a Quantaray lens to work properly with the 10D. I packed up the lens and sent it off to Sigma last weekend. I'll add a post as to the results when known. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Well that is good news Stuart :)

Thanks for keeping us posted. It helps,.. for the next person who comes in asking the same question,.. now we will have the right answer for them :)

[stuartf287]

The repaired lens arrived today from Sigma, and seems to work fine with the 10D. I have only taken a few test shots, but there is no Err 99 message. I am really impressed with Sigma's helpfulness. The turnaround was less than 2 weeks. The lens may not be a great one, but Sigma's service is first rate in my book.