Own A Recalled Sigma Lens - Send it in or not?

I have a Sigma 50-500OS that is in the serial # range of batch being recalled.

As not every lens has an issue and as I haven't noticed anything bad about the AF yet I'm debating on whether to send it in or not. The pictures I've taken so far haven't been bad (most good, some slightly OOF, some great) but I assume that it's me learning to use such a long lens (previously 270mm Tamron was maximum reach for me) properly. As well I only have a 350XT which I've heard hasn't got the most reliable AF to start out with.

I've e-mailed Sigma to see if they could describe how the problem is exhibited so I would know if my lens appears defective. If I get that info then I'll post it here as well.

Should I just keep the lens in its factory assembled condition or send it in and risk something having get f*cked up somehow?

Send it in! You might not be enduring the problem that they are recalling for, but I would always wonder if it's not perfect...

Plus, you'll get a free clean.

With a $1500 lens the best thing to remember is "It's better to be safe than sorry.".


Just because you don't see any problems now doesn't mean problems won't pop up later. Send it in, let them check it out. The worse thing that happens is you get back the lens in exactly the condition you sent it, and you're out a few weeks or so without the lens.


If you send it in and they "mess it up", you can easily get a new lens from them to replace it, that probably won't be one of the recalls.

Here is what Sigma e-mailed me back.

"Thank you for choosing Sigma products.

Even if your serial number falls in the range it may not affect your lens.

I know it wasn’t specific but the autofocus issue entails failure, meaning that the AF will fail completely.

If you AF fails completely then I would send it into our NY service center."

Don

If there no time limit you can certianly hold off. Of course, if the lens fails it will happen at the worst time.

DDL wrote in post #10373781
Here is what Sigma e-mailed me back.

"Thank you for choosing Sigma products.

Even if your serial number falls in the range it may not affect your lens.

I know it wasn’t specific but the autofocus issue entails failure, meaning that the AF will fail completely.

If you AF fails completely then I would send it into our NY service center."

Don

Then it wouldn't be a recall; it would be a warranty repair. A recall typically includes all items in a series (serial number, date code, time period, etc.). If they planned only to repair the broken ones, then they don't need to have a recall campaign. Did Sigma actually use the word "recall"?

If so, I'd send it in and expect Sigma to do whatever they have determined is the remedy.

Sigma Press Release is as follows.

"After thorough investigation, we have ascertained that some APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM,APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM and APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses, produced recently, may have a potential autofocus defect.

This issue could possibly occur in some lenses within the following range of serial numbers.
[LIST of lenses requiring the modification]
This is a limited problem that will not occur in any lenses other than those specifically listed above.
[SUPport for this problem]
To overcome this issue, we will be offering our customers an inspection and where applicable, a modification service, free of charge. In the case of any autofocus problem becoming apparent oninspection, we will rectify the situation through our local authorized Sigma Service Stations. We deeply apologize if any inconvenience has been caused to our customers.
For further information, please contact your nearest authorized Sigma Service Station.
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/ne​twork/index.htm
APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10633051 and 10972000.
APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10574001 and 10972000.
APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10674301 and 10972000."

I'm not sure if this is a recall or not.

In Canada Sigma APO lenses have a 10 year warranty.

Don

DDL wrote in post #10374048
Sigma Press Release is as follows.

"After thorough investigation, we have ascertained that some APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM,APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM and APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses, produced recently, may have a potential autofocus defect.

This issue could possibly occur in some lenses within the following range of serial numbers.[LIST of lenses requiring the modification]
This is a limited problem that will not occur in any lenses other than those specifically listed above.
[SUPport for this problem]
To overcome this issue, we will be offering our customers an inspection and where applicable, a modification service, free of charge. In the case of any autofocus problem becoming apparent oninspection, we will rectify the situation through our local authorized Sigma Service Stations. We deeply apologize if any inconvenience has been caused to our customers.
For further information, please contact your nearest authorized Sigma Service Station.
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/ne​twork/index.htm
APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10633051 and 10972000.
APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10574001 and 10972000.
APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Serial Number between 10674301 and 10972000."

I'm not sure if this is a recall or not.

In Canada Sigma APO lenses have a 10 year warranty.

Don

Based on that, I consider it a recall. They will inspect all of the lenses within those serial number ranges for whatever the defect is and will "rectify the situation" accordingly.

If I were in your position, I'd send my lens in.

wow, 10 year warranty sounds pretty good. i'd still send it in, though. if you foresee a period where you know you won't be using it, send it in. i'd hate to have it fail at a critical time. then you'd have that nagging feeling of "i should've sent it in when i had the chance."

If your auto maker recalls your car because of a faulty seat belt or brakes, but still works fine....would you still send it in?

dengar wrote in post #10374710
If your auto maker recalls your car because of a faulty seat belt or brakes, but still works fine....would you still send it in?

Exactly! That's what a recall is for - to prevent failures that might be caused by the defect.

I would send mine in if it fell within the serial numbers they mentioned.

The problem with this relative to a car recall is that I can't really schedule it at my convenience and I don't know how long it will be gone in total. With the car I can usually get it looked at and fixed the same day!

I'll probably send it in after the summer vacation when I think I could live without it for two to four weeks. In Canada I believe the Gentec-Sigma warranty for EX and APO lenses was 48 hour turnaround (I assume from time of receipt at factory authorized warranty facility to looking at it and repairing if possible).

Thanks

my sigma 150-500mm came just before the batch of serial numbers they are "recalling"...when i first read it my initial thoughts were...well...i've got a few things in the next couple weeks i need the lens for...so i'll send it in after that if i have too...i think i've read that their turnaround time has gotten really good...and i'd think it'd be faster for an issue like this...i'd expect it to be out 2 weeks tops...probably less

but i'd definitely send it in even if it was working fine