Sigma honeymoon is over and reality sets in

I'm not going to slog my two recent-purchase Sigma 85 and 50, but suffice to say the honeymoon is over and reality has set in.

The 85 and 50 lenses have been microadjusted to my 7D and both perform well. Beautiful color rendering, quick enough and accurate enough focus. Both get the job done in fine fashion.

OTOH, on the 5D where microadjust doesn't exist, both are leaving much to be desired. The 50mm is MA to +12 on the 7D, the 85 at +10. Neither produces tack sharp images on the 5D when doing portrait work. I thought they did initially, but after further review, they really don't.

Guess at this point, I have a few choices: Return to retailer for better, similar or worse copies of each; Ship to Sigma for calibration; buy a 5DII which is sounding better and better all the time.

...it's always something!

dave

I'd say calibrate to the 5D..You have 2 bodies so you wont be too out of things while you wait to get the lenses calibrated, getting it calibrated on the 5D should theoretically get it dialed in on the 7D as well, but if not, the 7D can MA...

So many people it seems dont even bother with the calibration and just automatically play the lens vendor roulette

For all you know you'll just be getting another defective focusing lens

Actually I'd laugh if it turns out the same lens gets circulated around 5-6 times or something and half the complaints arent the same malfunctioning lens just getting rotated around to different people...

Have them calibrated by Sigma. Remember to mention to Sigma how much both lenses are off either front or back focusing. Your next copies may be the same result. By the time you are into your third or fourth copies, you would have gotten back your lenses from Sigma already.

Yeah, I hear you guys. Definitely not pulling the return to retailer for one that someone else returned for the same reason. And if they go anywhere, it'll be to Sigma for adjustment.

And I really LIKE the lenses. The results are very nice. Unfortunately, neither are accurate enough on the 5D at this point. Maybe that 5DII is calling again.

dave

snyderman wrote in post #11924432
Yeah, I hear you guys. Definitely not pulling the return to retailer for one that someone else returned for the same reason. And if they go anywhere, it'll be to Sigma for adjustment.

And I really LIKE the lenses. The results are very nice. Unfortunately, neither are accurate enough on the 5D at this point. Maybe that 5DII is calling again.

dave

I think you're looking for an excuse to get a 5DII

I'm starting to think im the only one whos Sigmalux needed no MA!

That's a difficult choice really.

I have both the 50 and the 85 but I also live relatively close to the Sigma service center so I can always just bring it in myself and have them calibrate my lenses to my cameras on the spot. Otherwise, I think I would return the lens to the retailer and hope for a better copy. Sooner or later though, you'll have to make up your mind and either just move on or send it in. With Sigma, sending it in is really no guarantee that it will come back fixed and they will take their sweet time as well...like 3 to 4 weeks.

nicksan wrote in post #11924969
That's a difficult choice really.

I have both the 50 and the 85 but I also live relatively close to the Sigma service center so I can always just bring it in myself and have them calibrate my lenses to my cameras on the spot. Otherwise, I think I would return the lens to the retailer and hope for a better copy. Sooner or later though, you'll have to make up your mind and either just move on or send it in. With Sigma, sending it in is really no guarantee that it will come back fixed and they will take their sweet time as well...like 3 to 4 weeks.

Ouch! That's a long turnaround time on service. Where is the service center, Nicksan? NYC?

dave

snyderman wrote in post #11925413
Ouch! That's a long turnaround time on service. Where is the service center, Nicksan? NYC?

dave

Long Island, NY. About 45min-1 hour drive from where I live. I heard they will calibrate your lens to your camera on the spot if you being it in person. That's what I plan to do soon.

It's a difficult choice b/c when these lenses are on, they are ON...and they have the IQ.

nicksan wrote in post #11925653
Long Island, NY. About 45min-1 hour drive from where I live. I heard they will calibrate your lens to your camera on the spot if you being it in person. That's what I plan to do soon.

It's a difficult choice b/c when these lenses are on, they are ON...and they have the IQ.

Agree wholeheartedly. The Canon 85mm f/1.8 and 50 f/1.4 went on the sell block as soon as the Sigma 85mm showed up. I really like the way the lenses render color and backgrounds. VERY nicely!!!

dave

I can vouch for their service. I got a 30 1.4 the other day that front focused. So on I a whim I drove out to the NY service center, about a 1 hr drive with some traffic, got there and they were quite friendly. I explained the problem and one of the tech said give him and hour. He was back in about 25 minutes. He said it did front focus and was re-calibrated. He said it should be good, but if I had any problems just come back with the body.
The Lens focuses much better, but I think it could be sharper, could just be me being a novice, but I think next time I have free time I might take a ride out there with my body.

nicksan wrote in post #11925653
Long Island, NY. About 45min-1 hour drive from where I live. I heard they will calibrate your lens to your camera on the spot if you being it in person. That's what I plan to do soon.

It's a difficult choice b/c when these lenses are on, they are ON...and they have the IQ.

G-Darc wrote in post #11927066
I can vouch for their service. I got a 30 1.4 the other day that front focused. So on I a whim I drove out to the NY service center, about a 1 hr drive with some traffic, got there and they were quite friendly. I explained the problem and one of the tech said give him and hour. He was back in about 25 minutes. He said it did front focus and was re-calibrated. He said it should be good, but if I had any problems just come back with the body.
The Lens focuses much better, but I think it could be sharper, could just be me being a novice, but I think next time I have free time I might take a ride out there with my body.

I have my Sigma 50 calibrated too right before the holiday season. Same thing, I drove there. I asked the rep if I can get the lens back today. He said yes. Then, he asked if I would like to have it shipped back to me. I said probably not because I came all the way here and expected to have my lens back. He said just come back in an hour and the lens should be OK. I handed them my 1dmarkIII with me too. Now, what I didn't realize was that it is not customary to get my lens back the same day. I have no problems buying Sigma lenses. In fact, I think I will pick up the Sigma 85 later. Of course, we New Yorkers are just lucky of having Sigma and Canon service centers right around the corner. BTW, the Canon NJ center's turn around time is within 5 days for lens calibration.