Sigma Compatibility Problem?

[Phreddie]

A friend of mine has a Sigma 17-35 EX HSM, about 5 years old.

It works fine on his EOS 30 (film not 30D) but won't autofocus on his 300D, and there seems to be a variability problem with exposure as well.

He is going to contact Sigma, but I wondered if any of you guys had had any similar problems with this lens?

[lomond]

I believe some of the older Sigma lenses have to be rechipped to be compatible with the newer DSLR's.
If memory serves me right, Sigma may do this for free.

[kevin_c]

I have this lens but It's only a year and a half old, although it is the newer 'DG' version and have had no problems on my 20D or my friends 350D - I think there were issues with some older Sigmas, these could/can be re-chipped by Sigma for free I believe (I stand to be corrected on this). It all depends on the age of the lens I believe.

[condyk]

Contact Sigma and ask them about the lens and the possibility of getting it sorted, giving them the serial number so they know how old it is. They are very helpful.

[mrfourcows]

I have this lens but It's only a year and a half old, although it is the newer 'DG' version and have had no problems on my 20D or my friends 350D - I think there were issues with some older Sigmas, these could/can be re-chipped by Sigma for free I believe (I stand to be corrected on this). It all depends on the age of the lens I believe.

yup, the age is important - cause sometimes they just stop producing the lens and eventually run out of spare parts.

[Phreddie]

Thanks for the speedy replies guys.

We'd reasoned he'd have to contact Sigma, it'll be interesting to see if they will (or can)do anything for a five year old lens.

Thanks again.

[FlashZebra]

A friend of mine has a Sigma 17-35 EX HSM, about 5 years old.

It works fine on his EOS 30 (film not 30D) but won't autofocus on his 300D, and there seems to be a variability problem with exposure as well.

He is going to contact Sigma, but I wondered if any of you guys had had any similar problems with this lens?
Typically if Sigma has spare parts, they will make the upgrade for free (you pay the shipping).

If they do not have parts, you are out of luck.

This is constantly referred to as "rechipping", but I think that the actual lens upgrade may consist of installing more than a chip, and the nature of the upgrade may vary from lens to lens.

A lens that I inquired about (Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Macro) actually required an updated circuit board to be installed and some wires soldered. But in my case Sigma had no parts for the update, and no plans to ever produce any additional update parts.

Sigma is very responsive with this sort of request, to get to the bottom line. You can speak with a lens technician directly.

Since this lens is still in Sigma's line, I think it is very likely they can make the upgrade.

Enjoy! Lon

[Phreddie]

Thanks for that Ionduck.

My friend got a quick reply from Sigma UK, saying that there shouldn't be any compatibility problems with that lens, and that there is probably a fault with it.

Unfortunately he no longer has his EOS30 (sold it on ebay), so he can't do a direct 'quick swap'.

Sigma have asked him to return the lens, and they'll give him an estimate to repair it.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[FlashZebra]

Thanks for that Ionduck.

My friend got a quick reply from Sigma UK, saying that there shouldn't be any compatibility problems with that lens, and that there is probably a fault with it.

Unfortunately he no longer has his EOS30 (sold it on ebay), so he can't do a direct 'quick swap'.

Sigma have asked him to return the lens, and they'll give him an estimate to repair it.

Thanks again for all the advice.
Yes, I had a suspicion that the lens might have a defect. The most common Sigma incompatibility issues are typically with the aperture at anything other than wide open, not autofocus issues.

The incompatible lenses typically autofocus just fine, but lock up the camera if you set any aperture other than wide open.

Enjoy! Lon

[tbrasington]

The incompatible lenses typically autofocus just fine, but lock up the camera if you set any aperture other than wide open.


Yeah I have a really old sigma 24mm f/2.8 that only works on 2.8 otherwise you get a lot of nasty error messages flashing