New Sigma 35mm f/1.4 HSM DG

Random question... Just out of curiosity, does this lens have a nickname like other sigma lenses?

Artma... Maybe?

Hi, quick question for you all. This kind of applies to any new lens rather than just the Sigma 35. I got hold of my copy of this lens this weekend, very pleased so far. One thing i noticed though, doesnt happen every time either but the AF is squeaking when i change focus. Basically if i set it to Servo and pan the camera round, changing focus i get a little squeaking.

This may sound obvious but i dont have enough experiemce with new lenses to know, but is this common with a new lense? Is it likely it will "Wear in" a bit or does it indicate an issue ?

Thankyou!

GuitarDTO wrote in post #15620092
I'm getting ready to order this lens, and is curious if any of you can comment on ordering from Amazon? I typically order lens from B&H, but I signed up for Amazon prime, and also was going to do the 12 month no interest with them. I'm curious about returns/trades when it comes to the focus. Their return policy seems to indicate 30 days for most items (assuming you haven't trashed it), but I was curious if anyone had experience returning lenses in particular. I just want to be prepared in case I needed to swap for a better copy of the lens, but hopefully that wouldn't be necessary! Thanks for the advice

You will have no problem with Amazon, quick free shipping and a great return policy and good customer service. I bought mine from Amazon through the Warehouse Deals. It was supposed to have been used, still like new. Everything was still wrapped in plastic when I got it, I do not think it had ever even taken a shot. I added the $3.99 one day shipping and had it by noon the next day. Anywhere else it would have been $30-$40 for next day shipping.

jonnybloo wrote in post #15622766
Hi, quick question for you all. This kind of applies to any new lens rather than just the Sigma 35. I got hold of my copy of this lens this weekend, very pleased so far. One thing i noticed though, doesnt happen every time either but the AF is squeaking when i change focus. Basically if i set it to Servo and pan the camera round, changing focus i get a little squeaking.

This may sound obvious but i dont have enough experiemce with new lenses to know, but is this common with a new lense? Is it likely it will "Wear in" a bit or does it indicate an issue ?

Thankyou!

I've never owned a lens (new or used) that squeaked during focus. FWIW, I've owned Canon, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. Not sure if it will wear in or not either. To be honest, the only time I've ever heard of anything like this happening is from a similar complaint at B&H under the lens reviews for this lens .

I had too the squeaking thing during the first 200-300 shots. Now, I haven`t heard it anymore.

tjbrock42 wrote in post #15621648
Random question... Just out of curiosity, does this lens have a nickname like other sigma lenses?

Artma... Maybe?

It's not gonna come when you call it, regardless of what you name it.

I have heard it called the 35 LKILLER

Or maybe it was just a dream *LOL*

Cheers for the advice, i will speak to the retailer and forewarn them but give it some use first before i make a decision, see if it stops!

Received my copy today; sharp and no af issues

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/16848360@N02/8​486638546/

tjbrock42 wrote in post #15623111
I've never owned a lens (new or used) that squeaked during focus. FWIW, I've owned Canon, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. Not sure if it will wear in or not either. To be honest, the only time I've ever heard of anything like this happening is from a similar complaint at B&H under the lens reviews for this lens .

My copy was initially working well after +8 AFMA. After about 400-500 shots the AF started to malfunction occasionally (the lens would simply refuse to focus). I could hear a very faint noise as it was trying to focus but there was no movement inside the lens. Finally it stopped working completely a couple days ago. Returned to retailer for exchange.

It's cause it doesn't work in that -20c degree weather up there in Canada! :P


As far as nicknames go, I think Sigmart would be good. Play on K-Mart quality control :P

jkokbaker wrote in post #15623026
You will have no problem with Amazon, quick free shipping and a great return policy and good customer service. I bought mine from Amazon through the Warehouse Deals. It was supposed to have been used, still like new. Everything was still wrapped in plastic when I got it, I do not think it had ever even taken a shot. I added the $3.99 one day shipping and had it by noon the next day. Anywhere else it would have been $30-$40 for next day shipping.

People can re-wrap the parts to make them look like they were still wrapped from the factory... For example, Apple does this.

I went to demo a new Sigma 35 1.4 in my local store on my 5d2.

First off the focus was badly out and the store keeper helped me make some MFA on the camera. That did help a lot. I ask if that was common and he said yes.

Then after about the 10th test shot, the autofocus would would jump around.
I tried a few more shots and heard a faint click click click sound. On the next shot the auto focus totally died.

The shop assistant was really embarrassed and mentioned that he had many returns due to this same issue, but had expect his new batch to be problem free.

I have owned two previous Signa lenses in the past and they have had poor autofocus.

After this fiasco, how can I trust a Sigma lens again?

For all the owners who have good copies, it is a ticking time bomb until your Sigma autofocus unit gives up on you.

If Sigma made this lens in MANUAL FOCUS only with external iris control, I would buy it instantly.

Conclusion: SIGMA LOTTERY

Simplistic wrote in post #15623725
It's cause it doesn't work in that -20c degree weather up there in Canada! :P
:P

Actually it started to act up when I was doing indoor shots so maybe the shipment they sent for Canada is tuned to only work in -20c?

photosurgeon wrote in post #15623854
I went to demo a new Sigma 35 1.4 in my local store on my 5d2.

First off the focus was badly out and the store keeper helped me make some MFA on the camera. That did help a lot. I ask if that was common and he said yes.

Then after about the 10th test shot, the autofocus would would jump around.
I tried a few more shots and heard a faint click click click sound. On the next shot the auto focus totally died.

The shop assistant was really embarrassed and mentioned that he had many returns due to this same issue, but had expect his new batch to be problem free.

I have owned two previous Signa lenses in the past and they have had poor autofocus.

After this fiasco, how can I trust a Sigma lens again?

For all the owners who have good copies, it is a ticking time bomb until your Sigma autofocus unit gives up on you.

If Sigma made this lens in MANUAL FOCUS only with external iris control, I would buy it instantly.

Conclusion: SIGMA LOTTERY

This is exactly what happened to my copy (granted it took a few hundred shots for it to happen). Interestingly I had not seen this AF-sudden-death issue mentioned anywhere else so I thought it should be a rare case and decided to give them a second chance.