Sigma 35mm AF issues fixed?

A couple months ago, I bought a Sigma 35/1.4 but returned 2 copies because of inconsistent AF issues. Some times has passed, so I wonder if the AF issues are solved now, either with or without the USB dock.

Really would love to re-buy it because I definitely need a lowlight lens for my 5DIII and the Sigma looked amazing when the AF was ok. But I had a LOT of oof pictures (and believe me, I know how to shoot with large apertures, most uses lens lately is the 70-200/F2.8)

I've had no issues with mine. It was front focusing a little bit at close distances, but a 5-minute adjustment with the dock, and I was completely good to go. The lens is SHARP wide open too; only reason I'm selling it is because I'd like a longer prime to use for portraits.

I have rented 2 copies, similar issues. Dock is merely a band-aid to the issues Sigma has because fundamentally they can never match Canon's focusing system.

not this again....

If you are so insecure just buy the 35L.

Humble Photographer wrote in post #16286781
I have rented 2 copies, similar issues. Dock is merely a band-aid to the issues Sigma has because fundamentally they can never match Canon's focusing system.

I dont understand how having the ability to do at home what a service center would do in their facility, is considered a band aid.

Humble Photographer wrote in post #16286781
I have rented 2 copies, similar issues. Dock is merely a band-aid to the issues Sigma has because fundamentally they can never match Canon's focusing system.

that's what I believe. no one disputes the sharpness of the sigma but you're going to get more misses than with a canon lens. to expect the sigma to focus like a canon is unrealistic.

ed rader wrote in post #16286952
that's what I believe. no one disputes the sharpness of the sigma but you're going to get more misses than with a canon lens. to expect the sigma to focus like a canon is unrealistic.

Considering they have to reverse engineer the autofocus, that isn't much of a shock. Besides, my Sigma performs as well, if not better than a Canon after punched into the dock for 5 minutes.

gnome chompski wrote in post #16286876
I dont understand how having the ability to do at home what a service center would do in their facility, is considered a band aid.

It is a band aid in a sense that it will never match the focus capabilities of a Canon lens. It's a great thing that it will save you a trip to Sigma service center.

In terms of giving people the ability to improve focus accuracy, Sigma has done a great job.

But there is one thing a lot of people are still forgetting and it's the same thing over and over and over again in all of these after market lens conversations. A 3rd party lens will never be able to focus as accurate and as fast as the original one. No matter if there is a dock which can do 4 adjustments heck it can do 40 instead of 4, it still wouldn't matter.

My experience (and I didn't bother posting them here in a separate thread because there is just so many of these threads) is that put them side by side, 35L, in low light (like pitch dark), focuses more than 2x faster. Also in challenging focusing conditions, such as a kid running towards you or passing by you in parallel in close distances or mid to close distances, Sigma, even with the dock, is a hit or miss (less than 30% keeper vs 99% with Canon).

If you are after pure sharpness and you'll be photographing static objects where you can take the same picture with AI servo 15 times and pick the 2 best focused ones, Sigma is the way to go. If you are like me however and prefer accuracy and stability and speed over sharpness (and my 35L is as sharp as Sigma in the center, just softer around the corners between F1.4-F1.8), Sigma is not a good idea.

the docking station is just another tool not a bandaid but i get what you are saying.

bob

Humble Photographer wrote in post #16287639
It is a band aid in a sense that it will never match the focus capabilities of a Canon lens. It's a great thing that it will save you a trip to Sigma service center.

In terms of giving people the ability to improve focus accuracy, Sigma has done a great job.

But there is one thing a lot of people are still forgetting and it's the same thing over and over and over again in all of these after market lens conversations. A 3rd party lens will never be able to focus as accurate and as fast as the original one. No matter if there is a dock which can do 4 adjustments heck it can do 40 instead of 4, it still wouldn't matter.

My experience (and I didn't bother posting them here in a separate thread because there is just so many of these threads) is that put them side by side, 35L, in low light (like pitch dark), focuses more than 2x faster. Also in challenging focusing conditions, such as a kid running towards you or passing by you in parallel in close distances or mid to close distances, Sigma, even with the dock, is a hit or miss (less than 30% keeper vs 99% with Canon).

If you are after pure sharpness and you'll be photographing static objects where you can take the same picture with AI servo 15 times and pick the 2 best focused ones, Sigma is the way to go. If you are like me however and prefer accuracy and stability and speed over sharpness (and my 35L is as sharp as Sigma in the center, just softer around the corners between F1.4-F1.8), Sigma is not a good idea.

Gotcha. Yes, I agree in that sense.

My Sigma 35 is the sharpest lens I've got, after +8 MFA. It focuses well in dim light; maybe not as fast as some Canon lenses, but I'm not shooting jets with it.