Free Sigma upgrade, is it true?

[indpndnt]

I have a new Rebel Digital which always gives me error messages when I use my Sigma 100-300mm lens. After doing some research on-line, I found that some newer models are rechipped to work with a digital. Mine is about 4 years old, but when I called Sigma, the lady said all I had to do is send it to NY (she gave me the address) and it would be upgraded free of charge. Is this true? How should I pack it for shipping?

[Orogeny]

It's true.

[pierrot]

How should I pack it for shipping?Carefully. :rolleyes: :mrgreen:

[indpndnt]

That's just hard to believe. I'd read that SOME could be rechipped, and there was a charge. It just sounds too easy to send it to them and they fix it and send it back at no charge! I'll wrap it several times in bubble wrap and set it in styrofoam and hope for the best.

[CyberDyneSystems]

... er,.. i think you need to contact them before sending it in though. ;)

[ron chappel]

I've heard many times on the net that sigma upgrade lenses (those that can have their memory reflashed) for free
When i asked here in australia about a 70-300 macro II,they said about au$60 +.
Maybe it's only the american market that get's the free service?

[indpndnt]

Cyber,
How else should I try to contact them? I don't find an email contact and I called the 800-896-6858 number. The lady had a thick accent, but I believe I understood her and she said to just include a note telling them what kind of camera I was now using. I don't want to lose my lens in some dark hole. I figured I'd insure it and track it. I just thought maybe someone here had gone through the process. It does sound too good to be true, and we know what they say about that.

[CyberDyneSystems]

.. I did not realize you had called..

Several members here in the past have done this,. and the wait time did vary.. but I think everyone got them back o-kay.

[Alexia]

How to pack a lens or other delicate objects.

Do you still have the original box? Use that and make sure the lens is snug inside before packing it in an outside box with some bubble wrap and peanuts.
Otherwise: Make sure your caps are on. Wrap tissue paper around it to protect the lens from packing material. Wrap bubble wrap around them about six times. Depending how paranoid you are, use a box 2-3 times large than the lens and fill with peanuts.

When it comes to shipping expensive items, never skimp!

[Orogeny]

That's just hard to believe. I'd read that SOME could be rechipped, and there was a charge. It just sounds too easy to send it to them and they fix it and send it back at no charge! I'll wrap it several times in bubble wrap and set it in styrofoam and hope for the best.

I have the same lens and when I got my DRebel, I got the Err99 with this lens. I called Sigma, they told me where to send it and I got it back about 1 week later. No more Err99.

Tim

[indpndnt]

Sounds great! I'll pack it up and send it in. Thanks for your input.

[mikehsia]

I tried to send mine back for an upgrade in jan of last year, it took them forever to get back to me since they were 'backed up'....i called every week for like two months straight until they had mine pinned down and started processing it. eventually i get a package back in april or so with the lens just as it was when it was sent out. the invoice said that it did infact need the upgrade and it would take 3 weeks and ~$67.00 or so. I never want to deal with sigma again. I hope your business transaction goes down better than mine.

[prsast]

I've just been in contact with Sigma UK about a 4 year old 105mm macro that needs rechipping.

The cost is just postage if you have the original reciept (about £5), if you don't then the cost is £34 including rechipping and return postage.

I just contacted the service e-mail from the Sigma UK web page.

Andy

[MarkoPolo]

I sent a 28-300mm Sigma in last year, and it came back no problem. I did, however, e-mail them first with purchase info and serial #. It works fine now, but I'm so spoiled with Canon glass, I seldom use it, unless I really need to travel light. Mark

[indpndnt]

Hmmm. I packed it up and sent it today, but not with a copy of my receipt (which I do have). I included my phone number and email address, so maybe they'll contact me if there are any additional charges or questions.

[Orogeny]

I didn't have a receipt when I sent mine in. As long as it is a lens that is still in Sigma's lineup, they should do it for free.

Tim

[stuartf287]

I have owned two lenses with the Sigma syndrome (99 error). The first was rechipped quickly and effectively by Sigma after I mailed it to the NY address -- at no charge. The only cost to me was mailing to Sigma. Sigma didn't even charge me for the return mail cost. I had the repaired and working lens within 10 days of the date I placed it in the mail to Sigma. Great service. No, AMAZING service.

When I acquired the 2nd lens, a 400mm F5.6 APO, Sigma once again directed me to mail it to the NY address for rechipping. I did so happily expecting the same great result. No such luck. After 3 weeks had passed without any word or return, I contacted Sigma. I got some run-around. Finally after another week or so I found someone who could tell me that my lens was sitting in the repair/rechipping facility without any action. It turns out that Sigma either didn't have, or had run out of, chips for that specific lens that would make it work with the Canon EOS 10D. Ultimately the lens was shipped back to me (no charge of course) unrepaired.

Neither lens was still in Sigma's line-up at the time I contacted the company and mailed it in. In fact, the first lens was a Quantaray label 18-35 that is no longer offered by Sigma or by Wolf/Ritz/Quantaray. I think Sigma may have a limited supply of "new" electronic chips for the Canon EOS models of its older lenses, and when those are gone, they won't be replenished.

Good luck with your particular lens. It sounds as though you should be OK because the 70-300 is still being sold. Based on my experience, however, the people you get on the telephone or by e-mail may not know which chips are in stock and which aren't for a particular model.

[indpndnt]

I got an email from Sigma today saying "no need to mail us a copy of store receipt or contact us with the information which camera you use (our technicians can tell by the mount)." I realize that many people may have gotten digitals for Christmas and are upgrading their lenses, so I may be in for a wait. Hopefully, they'll be prepared for the onslaught.