LENS QUEST SETBACK...

[Steve Parr]

Well, in my quest for a wide lens, I called a friend of mine at a local shop. He said he had a Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX. The store got it as part of the stock they bought when another store went out of business. As such, he said he could give me a nicer than normal deal on it. So, after work, I went over to the shop to try it out.

I removed my 85mm f/1.8 and put on the Sigma, then turned the camera on.

"Dude... what's 'Error 99'??"

The lens simply would not work on the 300D. I replaced my lens just to verify that it wasn't my camera that was causing the problem. The camera was fine. Another gentleman who worked at the store stated that this incompatability wasn't uncommon with older Sigma lenses (although they weren't sure how old this one was), and that the newer ones are have this problem far less often.

My concern is that, apparently, Sigma's do still have the problem on occasion.

I've been looking through online sales sites, eBay, etc., for the last week looking at Sigma, and now there's no way in Hell I'd buy one sight unseen. I'd hate to have to go through the hassle of a return if the lens didn't work.

Has anyone here heard of this problem with Sigma lenses?

Steve

[ssim]

I've heard of similar problems with older Sigma lenses. There was a discussion here awhile ago about getting the older lenses rechipped to work with today's cameras.

[defordphoto]

Well, in my quest for a wide lens, I called a friend of mine at a local shop. He said he had a Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX.

Just remember that with an APS-C sized sensor, 28mm is equal to 44.8mm and is therefore, not really a wide lens. If you want wide, you need to get into the teens. 17mm is equal to 27.2mm. 10mm is equal to 16mm.

[Steve Parr]

Just remember that with an APS-C sized sensor, 28mm is equal to 44.8mm and is therefore, not really a wide lens. If you want wide, you need to get into the teens. 17mm is equal to 27.2mm. 10mm is equal to 16mm.

Oh, I realize that. I should've said "wider" instead of "wide". I want something wider than my 50mm f/1.8...

Steve

[raylks]

Haven't experience about that. But most Sigma lens shall be compatible enough.

[weemannie]

I've had this problem with 2 sigma lenses in the past and that's why I'd never buy another.
My understanding is, that this is a common problem with Sigma. Each time a new camera is brought out, there are compatibility problems with older lenses.

Apparently, you can send them back to Sigma for re-chipping - but, for me at least, that's too much hassle. :evil: :evil:

[Steve Parr]

Haven't experience about that. But most Sigma lens shall be compatible enough.

Well, I've had one Sigma lens on my camera, and it failed, so that's my experience with it. My concern is ordering one online, having it not work, and then have to go through the hassle of returning it.

I don't think I'd ever buy a Sigma without being able to test it on my camera first...

Steve

[Steve Parr]

I've had this problem with 2 sigma lenses in the past and that's why I'd never buy another.
My understanding is, that this is a common problem with Sigma. Each time a new camera is brought out, there are compatibility problems with older lenses.

Apparently, you can send them back to Sigma for re-chipping - but, for me at least, that's too much hassle. :evil: :evil:

See, the way I see it, if I buy a new lens, I shouldn't have to send it to anybody for anything...

Steve

[cc10d]

and depending on how old the lens is, Sigma may not rechip it.

[Steve Parr]

and depending on how old the lens is, Sigma may not rechip it.

That would be a downside with this lens, in that I, or the guys at the store, have no idea how old it is. They bought it as part of the stock from a store which was going out of business about a year ago...

Steve

[CoolToolGuy]

Rick chuckles to himself as this topic comes up for the umpteen-millionth time.

Have Fun,

[Steve Parr]

Rick chuckles to himself as this topic comes up for the umpteen-millionth time.

Have Fun,

Hehehehehe... Somehow, somewhere, I must've done something to piss off the Lens Gods...

Steve

[rdenney]

Has anyone here heard of this problem with Sigma lenses?


Sigma lenses made before about 2001 or so did not have the programming needed to please the later Canon cameras. My understanding is that at that time they started paying Canon's licensing fees instead of reverse-engineering the programming.

When I bought my 10D, I had three Sigma-made lenses for my Elan II, a 14/3.5, a cheapie Quantaray-labeled 18-35, and a 28-70/2.8. All three caused the Err99 problem with the 10D. The Q-ray was a cheapie that I replaced with a much better Canon 20-35, and I keep it on the Elan. I sent the 14 and the 28-70 back to Sigma and they put new chips in them and had them back in my hands in about two weeks, and all it cost me was shipping.

I would use this to force a really good deal from the camera shop and then try to get it rechipped by Sigma. If you fail, ebay it off, or call Sigma USA first to get information. Or, get the camera store to have it done. But if you are willing to a assume just a bit of risk, you could end up with a good deal, and as new-old-stock, it will have a warranty and Sigma will assuredly make the repair.

Rick "who thinks this is no reason to hate Sigma" Denney

[hickory]

I agree with Rick, but you could also get the serial number and call Sigma with it and ask them if it could be rechipped. They can tell by the serial number if it could or couldn't, and if not they may even offer to take it in on trade towards a newer compatible lens. They have in fact done that in the past.

But again thats a lot of messing around when you could just buy a Canon lens and have it today.

Tom

[Andy_T]

Steve,

also take a look at this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48942).
I asked about which 28 mm lens to get and the comments I received about the Sigma were not that enthusiastic.

If you want the 1.8 aperture, the way to go might be the Canon 28/1.8. If you don't need that fast a lens, a used Canon 28/2.8 might be cheaper than the Sigma before you even go through all the hassle.

Best regards,
Andy