Sigma 500 4.5 problem

[momji1971]

Some of you may remember a previous thread where by I couldn't shoot wide open and had to stop the lens down at least 1-1.5 to create an acceptale image.

Well Sigma have been great and offered to sort it but needed the lens and camera for calibration, possibly new optics.

Scared, I had a thought and removed the 46mm drop in filter. The test shots showed the same problem but alot worse.

So, I purchased a Sigma ex dg uv filter to replace it. Its double coated to reduce light relecting back on to the sensor creating a ghost image. It works! My god, its the lens I've been wanting for a year since I bought it!

Took some test shots today and its razor sharp! Even when coupled with a 1.4 converter is amazing! I think the original glass filter was not coated at all/at least was faulty!

Will post some shots over the weekend. At least now I don't have to shell out £5k for a new nikon 500.

Regards.
Stu.

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by momji1971

... I think the original glass filter was not coated at all/at least was faulty!

Glad to hear you have sorted out the problem yourself, Stu.
It's the age-old problem: Sigma's quality control is second to everyone's.

RichBrew

[RobSutton]

I had a similar problem with a Sigma 300 f2.8 - I tested it and found that it was consistently focusing just infront of where it should have done. Again Sigma suggested that I send in the camera and lens for calibration. I didn't as I was worried that it would affect the focusing of all my other lenses which had to then worked perfectly - even wide open, and just sent the lens back and got a refund. This also had a drop in filter and now I wonder if that was the problem all along - I'll guess I'll never know

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by RichBrew

It's the age-old problem: Sigma's quality control is second to everyone's.

RichBrew

I always here this but Im not sure its 100% true. Ive often wondered if theres a bit of every one can by a sigma lens to fit there brand of camera, so more people have sigma lenses, so there are more around to go wrong and get talked about.

[momji1971]

I've read many times about Sigmas' quality issues too. It a shame because now I'm so happy with this lens now.

Would definately buy another Sigma, however, I got this at a special price from jessops online. At the time I went through camerapricebuster.com and got it £500 cheaper than anywhere else.

However, from now on, if I purchase another sigma, I'll pay a little more to test a couple of samples in store to make sure I have a good one!

I'm sure there are thousands of people out there who have never had a problem with their sigmas.

Now I can shoot wide open, get ready for some serious bokeh!

regards.
Now a happy camper, Stu

[RichBrew]

Ukwildlifeo:

True, there are a lot of Sigma lenses out there, made with a number of lens mounts, but there are vastly more Nikkors, for example - over 40 million manufactured at the last count - and the problem is far less common from these, or Canon/Pentax/Zeiss etc.
There are, however, perfectly good examples of Sigma lenses in circulation (as are other third party optics), but to keep costs competitive, or lower than marque lenses, something has to give.

RichBrew

[momji1971]

Agreed. The old saying "you get what you pay for" ring true.

At the time, it was £2k for the sigma or £4k for the nikon. Her in doors maybe wouldn't have been as understanding. She's already mentioned my gear is insured for more than her car cost!

I have to say though, this has not put me off Sigma. The lens is outstanding (now!) But in future will test rigorously before purchase. In fact I'm soon picking up a 120-400os sigma! sshhhh, don't tell the other half!

regards.
Stu.

[glsammy]

Whilst I like my Sigma lenses, If I'm a typical user they've certain got a quality control problem.
My Bigma was faulty from new, needing a new focusing motor. Since then it's needed two further repairs, both common faults. (Repaired free of charge by Sigma, even though both faults developed outside the usual warranty period.)
I also had that dreadful 120-300mm F2.8, something radically wrong with that one which was returned for a refund.
However, my other Simga lenses, my 150mm and my 10-20mm have been absolutely fine with no problems. So overall a less than 50% success rate for me.
Not that Canon escape from this problem either, my 400mm lens had to go back to have the lens hood fixed, plus my 40D is hardly the most reliable camera I've even owned. My 300mm F4 also had a focusing problem. So in Canons case an even worse record!

[DrNickBurton]

I'm in the market for a second hand Sigma 500mm f/4.5, so I'll be sure to check for that problem before buying!

I've had pretty good experiance so far with Sigma. My 150mm macro is great, and the 100-300mm is amazing. None of the focusing problems you hear about, and they are built like tanks. On the other hand, I did have a Sigma teleconverter that fell apart (into 2 pieces). Luckily, it was not on may camera at the time, as otherwise that would have resulted in a broken 100-300mm also!

[momji1971]

Well took a test shot for you, wide open with a 1x4 converter (AF now works brilliantly with this!) distance 30ft.

D300, Sigma 500 f4.5 + 1.4x F6.3, focus point on the eye (don't forget at that distance and focal length, dof is measured in a few cms)



regards.
Stu.