I bought the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG lens last week here in the UK and realised straight away that when using the central focus point on my D800 the lens was front focusing badly. Note that the AF on my D800 works flawlessly with all of my Nikon lenses.
I fine-tuned the autofocus by shooting two different types of high-contrast flat targets at various distances (mainly between 40 x focal length and 60 x focal length). The targets were positioned on a well-lit vertical wall and I used a tripod and a remote release shutter.
The outcome was that the fine tune needed to be set to +15 to achieve excellent results for the central focus points. However, with this setting images taken using the side focus points (either left or right) were out of focus. After a few additional tests, I realised that the extreme left and right focus points required no AF fine tune adjustments.
Once I get the focus right, the lens is incredibly sharp, even at f/1.4. But I bought this fast lens to be able to use it wide open in low light, and achieving accurate focus is essential for me. I would not mind correcting the AF with fine tune, but the problem is that I cannot find a “global” correction that would work across the frame. In other words, if I calibrate the central focus points, I get out of focus images when shooting with the far right/left focus points, and vice versa.
Judging from the conversations on a number of forums on the internet, this seems to be a widespread problem with the Sigma 35mm / D800 combination.
I really like this amazing lens and wish I could keep it but I think I will return it to Amazon. Do you think I should try and get it exchanged or should I go for a refund and wait for Sigma to resolve this known issue before purchasing a new copy?
Many thanks in advance for your comments / suggestions or for sharing your experience with this lens
Hi Sorry it's not working for you the way it should. I am not very technical as far as fine tuning your lens etc...but I am a shopping expert and I would say given that I don't think Amazon charges for returns, I would reorder a new one and see. What do you have to lose? If they do charge then maybe reconsider, but try another one. I have my eye on this lens and can't wait to get my hands on it, (mind you I have a D3S) so would hate for you to miss out if you could potentially get a better copy that would perform better on your D800
I just spoke with the technical department of Sigma UK.
Their comments are as follows:
*) They recently received a couple of 35mm f/1.4 lenses to be checked for AF issues.
*) They did not comment on the actual volume of lenses being returned / sent it for calibration
*) They said that this is NOT a firmware issue. The lens needs to be calibrated in the lab
*) Customers can send the lens in by itself for calibration, but they recommend to send it together with the camera
*) They are very busy and understaffed. They will keep the lens for 2 to 3 weeks
The fact that they confirmed this is not a firmware issue leads me to think that purchasing their USB dock would not allow customers with AF issues to fix their lenses. These are to be calibrated in a lab.
Seems to me that Sigma would be better off getting their quality under control.
I am to the point that I am afraid to order one of their lens.
I sent back the 150-500 (Nikon Mount) and bought a Nikkor.
If my local shop does not have it in stock for me to try before I buy, I will not get another one.
I'm almost incline to say that this issue is more of a Nikon D800 problem more so than Sigma. I owned two copies of the Sigma lenses and had better results with the second copy. Both required +10 AF tune and this was pre-B1 service repair. However, I have since sold that lens and purchased the Nikon version; 35mm f/1.4g. What I have notice is that all of my prime lenses require an AF tune in the area of +10 to +15 (post B1 service repair) in order to get all focus point to perform with good results. Although the D800 in an awesome camera, It is my opinion that Nikon screwed the pooch with regard to the D800.
tbeam wrote:
I just spoke with the technical department of Sigma UK.
Their comments are as follows:
*) They recently received a couple of 35mm f/1.4 lenses to be checked for AF issues.
*) They did not comment on the actual volume of lenses being returned / sent it for calibration
*) They said that this is NOT a firmware issue. The lens needs to be calibrated in the lab
*) Customers can send the lens in by itself for calibration, but they recommend to send it together with the camera
*) They are very busy and understaffed. They will keep the lens for 2 to 3 weeks
The fact that they confirmed this is not a firmware issue leads me to think that purchasing their USB dock would not allow customers with AF issues to fix their lenses. These are to be calibrated in a lab. ...Show more →
Weird as it can be
I mean I don't doubt what they said to you at all. However, I was an early adopter and had the same issue as you. I sent it in to sigma. It took two weeks and nothing. I was getting pissed at them and picked up the phone, spoke with the manager and he said he was very sorry, that they were expecting an inminent firmware release from Sigma Japan because they were aware of the lens to d800 issues. I also have an email from Sigma UK stating the same thing (we are waiting for a firmware).
Roll on one week, I got a dispatched message. I wrote to them and they confirmed that the lens was updated and ready to rock.
I got it and couldn't be happier.
So either they lied to me and it was not firmware (but it was definitely something as it is now working perfect) or the rep who spoke to you knows nothing abut it and is going by a script...
All the best, hope you sort it.
Ps: If I were given such a response from a rep, I would call again and make it clear you will be buying and returning lenses until I get a fully working copy. At least they will be aware that they are loosing money for not being straightforward or hiding info from you..
EDIT: Also, I wouldn't send them my camera, ever. They are not a Nikon repair facility. What if they messed something up and I had to send the camera to Nikon only to be told someone messed up with it? The other problem being, if they calibrate my camera to their lens, what happens with all my other lenses? They would be thrown out of focus range, likely..
All that said, the Sigma 35 1.4 is my go to lens and makes me very happy. If I had to sell all my lenses, it's very likely that I would keep that one..
ADCOLE wrote:
I'm almost incline to say that this issue is more of a Nikon D800 problem more so than Sigma. I owned two copies of the Sigma lenses and had better results with the second copy. Both required +10 AF tune and this was pre-B1 service repair. However, I have since sold that lens and purchased the Nikon version; 35mm f/1.4g. What I have notice is that all of my prime lenses require an AF tune in the area of +10 to +15 (post B1 service repair) in order to get all focus point to perform with good results. Although the D800 in an awesome camera, It is my opinion that Nikon screwed the pooch with regard to the D800....Show more →
Same problem as original poster but on a D4 but mine was boxed back up & sent back. Glad I don't miss it.
tbeam wrote:
I bought the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG lens last week here in the UK and realised straight away that when using the central focus point on my D800 the lens was front focusing badly. Note that the AF on my D800 works flawlessly with all of my Nikon lenses.
I fine-tuned the autofocus by shooting two different types of high-contrast flat targets at various distances (mainly between 40 x focal length and 60 x focal length). The targets were positioned on a well-lit vertical wall and I used a tripod and a remote release shutter.
The outcome was that the fine tune needed to be set to +15 to achieve excellent results for the central focus points. However, with this setting images taken using the side focus points (either left or right) were out of focus. After a few additional tests, I realised that the extreme left and right focus points required no AF fine tune adjustments.
Once I get the focus right, the lens is incredibly sharp, even at f/1.4. But I bought this fast lens to be able to use it wide open in low light, and achieving accurate focus is essential for me. I would not mind correcting the AF with fine tune, but the problem is that I cannot find a “global” correction that would work across the frame. In other words, if I calibrate the central focus points, I get out of focus images when shooting with the far right/left focus points, and vice versa.
Judging from the conversations on a number of forums on the internet, this seems to be a widespread problem with the Sigma 35mm / D800 combination.
I really like this amazing lens and wish I could keep it but I think I will return it to Amazon. Do you think I should try and get it exchanged or should I go for a refund and wait for Sigma to resolve this known issue before purchasing a new copy?
Many thanks in advance for your comments / suggestions or for sharing your experience with this lens ...Show more →
One thing is strange: if central points and side points do not agree on focus, I'd rather say that it's a camera problem (AF alignment) more than a lens problem.
my nikkor primes are happy from left to right with same micro adjustment. It is a sigma thing, get a good one you are happy, but get a bad one & it is unusable. Lottery at its best.
Albi86 wrote:
One thing is strange: if central points and side points do not agree on focus, I'd rather say that it's a camera problem (AF alignment) more than a lens problem.
Hi Albi86
what you are suggesting is plausible, but the thing is I tested all of my Nikon primes with my D800 and they all work as they should. Sure, some of them require a little bit of AF fine tuning, but I get consistent results across the frame regardless of the focus point I use. So in other words, there is nothing wrong with my camera and therefore I must conclude that this is an issue with the Sigma lens I bought
Guari wrote:
Weird as it can be
I mean I don't doubt what they said to you at all. However, I was an early adopter and had the same issue as you. I sent it in to sigma. It took two weeks and nothing. I was getting pissed at them and picked up the phone, spoke with the manager and he said he was very sorry, that they were expecting an inminent firmware release from Sigma Japan because they were aware of the lens to d800 issues. I also have an email from Sigma UK stating the same thing (we are waiting for a firmware).
Roll on one week, I got a dispatched message. I wrote to them and they confirmed that the lens was updated and ready to rock.
I got it and couldn't be happier.
So either they lied to me and it was not firmware (but it was definitely something as it is now working perfect) or the rep who spoke to you knows nothing abut it and is going by a script...
All the best, hope you sort it.
Ps: If I were given such a response from a rep, I would call again and make it clear you will be buying and returning lenses until I get a fully working copy. At least they will be aware that they are loosing money for not being straightforward or hiding info from you..
EDIT: Also, I wouldn't send them my camera, ever. They are not a Nikon repair facility. What if they messed something up and I had to send the camera to Nikon only to be told someone messed up with it? The other problem being, if they calibrate my camera to their lens, what happens with all my other lenses? They would be thrown out of focus range, likely..
All that said, the Sigma 35 1.4 is my go to lens and makes me very happy. If I had to sell all my lenses, it's very likely that I would keep that one.. ...Show more →
Hi Guari,
many thanks for your post. Glad you are enjoying your lens, finally! Despite all the issues I'm having, I have to say that I was truly impressed by the quality of the photos I was getting with this lens. I do want to get hold of a good copy.
I think I will return my lens to amazon tomorrow and wait for Sigma to sort out the problem. Sending it to Sigma does not guarantee me that I'll get it back fixed, and if I don't return it to amazon in the next few days I'll lose the option of getting a full refund.
I agree with you that nobody should consider the idea of sending their Nikon camera to the Sigma repair centre.
I know that what I was told on the phone today does not match what some of you guys heard from Sigma or read on forums online. I just wanted to share with you - word for word - what the Sigma guy in the technical department (not a sales rep) told me today. Who knows, maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about and just wanted to appear confident and knowledgeable...
Seems like the lens chip has calibration data in it and I would certainly think that the off-axis focus points would need to be calibrated differently than the on-axis focus points due to the variation in lens aberrations with radius from the optical axis (unless the lens has consistent optical characteristics wide open off axis - which it won't). Thus the firmware may not need updating, but the data it contains may need to be . . .
