SIGMA Dock, what the? Cable?

Slightly off-topic, but I've always wondered if it would be feasible to set up some type of rental system on the forum for the Sigma dock.

Something along the lines of sending $60 to a dock owner, they send me the dock, and when I return it to them I get my $60 returned minus the cost of shipping. I know $60 in the grand scheme of photography equipment is essentially nothing, but it bothers me knowing that I'm spending $60 for something I will use once and never again. Not to mention, there is the real possibility that the lens won't need any adjustments at all.

Are you only planning on buying 1 Sigma lens? Our purchases rarely end at one, especially for lenses.

mannetti21 wrote in post #17827837
Slightly off-topic, but I've always wondered if it would be feasible to set up some type of rental system on the forum for the Sigma dock.

Something along the lines of sending $60 to a dock owner, they send me the dock, and when I return it to them I get my $60 returned minus the cost of shipping. I know $60 in the grand scheme of photography equipment is essentially nothing, but it bothers me knowing that I'm spending $60 for something I will use once and never again. Not to mention, there is the real possibility that the lens won't need any adjustments at all.

I've not used the Dock for any adjustments yet, so it is not a one time thing.

Some of the lenses have "custom function" settings that you can enable with a flip of a switch on the lens, BUT you have to set what those switches do using the dock. This si the really cool part!

joke, jake. tho brilliant on sigma's part. BTW, I have never MFA'd a canon lens. never felt the need to. the difference is that many sigma lenses must be calibrated and then they MAY work normally but never as well as a canon lens

ed rader wrote in post #17827747
i'd say it's sigma's fault for selling lenses that you must pay to adjust lol!

not all adjustments are focus related...being able to change the focus limiter is a great advantage...one you'll probably never know though...

mannetti21 wrote in post #17827837
Slightly off-topic, but I've always wondered if it would be feasible to set up some type of rental system on the forum for the Sigma dock.

Something along the lines of sending $60 to a dock owner, they send me the dock, and when I return it to them I get my $60 returned minus the cost of shipping. I know $60 in the grand scheme of photography equipment is essentially nothing, but it bothers me knowing that I'm spending $60 for something I will use once and never again. Not to mention, there is the real possibility that the lens won't need any adjustments at all.

As third party lenses are reverse engineered, firmware updates can sometimes be required for bodies released after the lens was designed. The Sigma dock allows that to be done easily by the user instead of at a service centre.
The dock will also allow focus adjustments to be made if you change body and tolerances require AF to be readjusted on the lens.

Custom functions and focus limiting changes already mentioned. Sigma 150-600 S allows changes in the way IS works. (and these can be assigned as a custom function).

Love the dock!

It would be nice for Sigma to have included enough memory that the lens could retain settings for at least a couple of bodies. I know that for the long lenses at least you probably will have a shooting plan for the times you are using them. So mounting the lens in the dock, and putting the settings in for the camera you will be using is fine. The problem comes if something happens and you end up needing to use say your backup camera? I have yet to try the dock, mine is sitting under the tree until Friday, so I guess I'll have some time over the holidays to have a play with it.

Alan

It would have been nice if sigma had a dock to connect to the lens via a cable on the side of the lens so you could make changes while the lens was mounted to a camera. Probably not possible to make love changes though without messing up the lens or body software though and that is why they did it the way they did.

osh_sekta wrote in post #17828176
I give out BW images only:
- alongside colour version, if I am sure, that BW works better. Never JUST the BW [If we talk about regular shooting sessions];
- if specifically asked [BW is my strong side and some clients want me create exactly BW].

The point is, that I think that supplying only BW version of some particular image is viewed [and rightfully so] as "bad colour image which was made BW in order to save it". I don't give a reason clients to have these thoughts.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #17827905
I've not used the Dock for any adjustments yet, so it is not a one time thing.

Some of the lenses have "custom function" settings that you can enable with a flip of a switch on the lens, BUT you have to set what those switches do using the dock. This si the really cool part!

Ahhhh I see...looks like I'm going to end up shelling out the $60 after all.

QFT. these days I just go for the best. already did the bargain route years ago.

What is this dock, what is it for..... does it work for only Sigma lenses?

I have 2 Sigma lenses.... 17-70 and 150-500... would my lenses work with this dock?

Thank you

If your 17-70mm is the contemporary version it would work...its only compatible with art,contemporary, and sport lenses...it allows you to adjust focus, OS settings, AF settings, and focus limiters...and also upgrade firmware

DreDaze wrote in post #17829430
If your 17-70mm is the contemporary version it would work...its only compatible with art,contemporary, and sport lenses...it allows you to adjust focus, OS settings, AF settings, and focus limiters...and also upgrade firmware

How do I find out if my lens is contemporary? I purchased this lens new in May 2012 if that helps.....

Thank you!

does it look like this:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …Macro-OS-Lens-Review.aspx

or this:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …4-DC-Macro-OS-C-Lens.aspx

the second one is the contemporary...note the C on the side

the C was announced in 2013 i believe, so you probably have the old one

Inspeqtor wrote in post #17829674
How do I find out if my lens is contemporary? I purchased this lens new in May 2012 if that helps.....

Thank you!

If it was in the Contemporary series it would carry a large C in a metallic looking circular insert on the barrel.