Only sharp photos with Live View?

I don't have the USB dock (And dont really want to spend more money on it, since I'm broke from buying the lens). Will take it in with my camera body under warranty today to get it Calibrated.

If the store won't exchange it or calibrate it for you, I'd rent this http://www.lensrentals​.com …-dock-for-canon-ef-lenses

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #16400054
If the store won't exchange it or calibrate it for you, I'd rent this http://www.lensrentals​.com …-dock-for-canon-ef-lenses

Oh wow thanks so much for that. I was actually trying to find a place I could rent the dock but couldn't find it.

I can get it sent to get calibrated but I think they won't do a very good job and I probably could get better results with the dock anyway.

i'm sorry, but why spend $45 to rent something for 5 days that costs $59...buy it...and then sell it for $40 when you're done

DreDaze wrote in post #16400858
i'm sorry, but why spend $45 to rent something for 5 days that costs $59...buy it...and then sell it for $40 when you're done

Agreed. The sigma 18-35 f1.8 is an amazing lens but it does sound like yours isn't playing nice with your camera (all camera and lenses have calibration variations. A different 18-35 might be more closely calibrated to your camera).

If you think it's a dud I would say exchange it. If you think it's just out of calibration to your camera (what it sound like to me) then just buy the dock. It will only be $20 more to buy it then to rent it (B&H and Adorama both have it with free shipping). Then you'll have it in case of any firmware updates or in case you get a new camera body that is calibrated differently then your current one.

bruc3 wrote in post #16397489
Hi guys,

I am really confused by my issue and hope some of you camera pros can shed some light.

I recently purchased the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 for my Canon 550D. I have been noticing an extremely large rate of completely blurred photos. At first I suspected it was my technique, but it was way to frequent to be at ease.

So I set up a test with the Camera on a tripod focused straight onto a box with text on it.

When focusing in Live view mode it pretty much hits focus razor sharp more than 90% of the shots. But trying to focus with the Viewfinder, it misses like crazy and probably only get about 10-20% sharp photos.

So what is the issue? Is it the Camera body or the lens? Advise?

I really don't want to have to shoot all the time with Live View for it focuses slower and is not comfortable to use.

No idea if you are focusing the lens manually, but if you are and looking at the subject through the viewfinder, adjust the diopter correction of the viewfinder for your eyesight.

I will try to see if I can get an exchange for it. If not I will just send it under Warranty to get calibrated.

I want to buy the Sigma dock but the wife is annoyed at me for getting this lens and won't let me spend any more money now

DreDaze wrote in post #16400858
i'm sorry, but why spend $45 to rent something for 5 days that costs $59...buy it...and then sell it for $40 when you're done

I didn't realize it was that cheap. I used that same logic when I bought my Bower 85mm, I realized renting it was nearly a quarter the price after shipping so I just bought it

bruc3 wrote in post #16401600
I will try to see if I can get an exchange for it. If not I will just send it under Warranty to get calibrated.

I want to buy the Sigma dock but the wife is annoyed at me for getting this lens and won't let me spend any more money now

Have her look at it this way, by the time you pay for packaging, shipping, and insurance to send the lens in you will once again only be a little off of what the dock costs.

Add to it that they will just do a generic calibration where with that dock you can calibrate it to your specific camera body at 4 different focal lens at 4 different focal distances each (16 different calibration points). Then if you chance bodies later you can recalibrate it to that body

Or when it doubt, buy it and sleep on the couch for a couple days after she finds out you did

gremlin75 wrote in post #16402724
Or when it doubt, buy it and sleep on the couch for a couple days after she finds out you did

hehe...I like your thinking.

Ok guys, just an update. I got the lens replaced and it was still showing similar front focusing issues, which I think likely may be an issue with my 550d body + lens combination. I have just put in both my 550d + lens with CR Kennedy to calibrate, should receive it back within 3 weeks....fingers crossed it gets fixed.

Note: There is also another user having almost identical issues to me, and he also has a 550D and has exchange the lens twice too hmmm.....

I've just bought a sigma 35mm f1.4 and it to was front focusing on my 550d, I have a 50mm f1.8 which was front focusing before I bought the sigma but just put it down to being a cheap lens.
Turns out after doing lots of research that its a common problem with the 550d but most people won't notice until they put some fast glass on.
At this point I'm really annoyed as my warranty ran out 8 weeks ago so I'll have to fork out and pay to have the body calibrated.

Ps I have the docking station for the Sigma lens and I've pulled the focus as far back as it will go, the results were good shooting wide open but it could do with going back a tad more.