SIGMA STIGMA

Over the past year, I've kept hearing the good and bad things about sigma lenses. If you get a great copy of a lens, life is good, if you don't....well life isn't really all that bright. I recently purchased a 50mm 1.4 from sigma, and I liked it alright, when it focused correctly. Unfortunately, my had a front focus and oh my life was so much the worse. I contemplated sending it to Sigma for calibration, but after sleeping on it, decided on returning it because sending it in doesn't guarantee that the problem will be solved. What I don't understand is, how can the quality control be so bad. From what I've read on these forums, its a hit or miss deal. Are we as consumers supposed to stand for that? How can sigma not attempt to get a handle on this issue? You're dropping a good amount of money on their products. It just blows my mind. I have no issue with Sigma trying to bring us quality glass at a great price, but I need to be able to trust that they can deliver on the money, every single time. Thats my hope for Sigma. Maybe someday.

I've had a Sigma 50mm before. LOVED the lens. But I got rid of it because I didn't like a focal length on my cop body. But now that I have a 5dmkii, I regret cor getting rid of it. It was a nice lens and VERY sharp wide open! I don't know how it would act on a FF body but I'm sure it would be superb. I have a 50 1.8II and for some reason I just won't get another 50mm; it's light, cheap, sharp AND performs better than some of my L's at the same aperture settings! I use a 50mm for travel sothe Sigma would be a little too heavy for me...

I feel the same exact way as you. While some claim good results and luck with Sigma glass, I just dont think its acceptable as a consumer to have to drop a few hundred dollars on a lens only to have to send it in to a company to calibrate.
I guess if this was the norm with all companies maybe i would go for it but since it is not, I will continue to stay away from Sigma until they can deliver a working lens.

As someone who got a good one the first try, I'd say you're making a mistake.

EDIT: there's also no perfect 50mm lens out there, so it's all about picking the lesser of the evils. Personally I'd like the problem I could send in once and have fixed and not have to worry about again over permanent focus shift or build quality worries.

I got a 30 mm 1.4 used from this forum. I feel it is VERY sharp and right on with focus. I do however feel I got lucky as I have read of all the troubles people have. At some point I'm sure I will be drawn to the FF body and don't know what I'll do. I'm scared! Inthe meantime I will just love the one I have.

idsurfer wrote in post #13482729
I got a 30 mm 1.4 used from this forum. I feel it is VERY sharp and right on with focus. I do however feel I got lucky as I have read of all the troubles people have. At some point I'm sure I will be drawn to the FF body and don't know what I'll do. I'm scared! Inthe meantime I will just love the one I have.

I'm glad you got a great copy!

i must be lucky with my 2 sigma lenses...

i don't really worry about it as sigma has a awesome warranty and 10 minutes from my home.

Just used a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens at a basketball game.

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NChaparro wrote in post #13482666
but I need to be able to trust that they can deliver on the money, every single time. Thats my hope for Sigma. Maybe someday.

Why should sigma be able to do what canon can't?

chomish wrote in post #13482690
I feel the same exact way as you. While some claim good results and luck with Sigma glass, I just dont think its acceptable as a consumer to have to drop a few hundred dollars on a lens only to have to send it in to a company to calibrate.
I guess if this was the norm with all companies maybe i would go for it but since it is not, I will continue to stay away from Sigma until they can deliver a working lens.

You must be very lucky or not very picky with your Canon glass then. I am currently 4 for 8 with Canon and either having to send back, send in for calibration or use MFA if it isn't too bad. And three of the four good ones were f5.6 lenses that can't produce the thin DOF that the others can so i might not even be able to tell if those three are off without some serious pixel peeping. My only Sigma is dead on accurate, but the simple fact is there is sample variation with every brand.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …ation-facts-and-fallacies

Sirrith wrote in post #13483089
Why should sigma be able to do what canon can't?

Exactly.

Not much different from the L lenses, I've sent a bunch of them brand new for calibration.

maverick678 wrote in post #13483467
Not much different from the L lenses, I've sent a bunch of them brand new for calibration.

Say it isn't so!

Unfortunately it's the case, let see... 35L (3 times), 24-70L mulitple copies with different kind of issues, 17-40L, 300 f/4 IS L, I'm sure some more that I've forgotten.

wayne.robbins wrote in post #13483501
Say it isn't so!

Consumer have a choice - so purchase only Canon or Zeiss because thay have MF and you will not have issues with AF at all

NChaparro wrote in post #13482666
Over the past year, I've kept hearing the good and bad things about sigma lenses. If you get a great copy of a lens, life is good, if you don't....well life isn't really all that bright. I recently purchased a 50mm 1.4 from sigma, and I liked it alright, when it focused correctly. Unfortunately, my had a front focus and oh my life was so much the worse. I contemplated sending it to Sigma for calibration, but after sleeping on it, decided on returning it because sending it in doesn't guarantee that the problem will be solved. What I don't understand is, how can the quality control be so bad. From what I've read on these forums, its a hit or miss deal. Are we as consumers supposed to stand for that? How can sigma not attempt to get a handle on this issue? You're dropping a good amount of money on their products. It just blows my mind. I have no issue with Sigma trying to bring us quality glass at a great price, but I need to be able to trust that they can deliver on the money, every single time. Thats my hope for Sigma. Maybe someday.