p.48 #2 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
jeetsukumaran wrote:
Have not managed to adjust focus back and forth using the Sony bluetooth remote. I can do autofocus. But just not use the "+"/"-" button to adjust focus. I called Sigma and spoke to an engineer to find out if this was at all possible or I had a defective copy (or two copies, since neither could do it). He said he would get back to me. Interestingly, he said that Sony's software and interface is all open, and so he anticipates no incompatibility issues going forward into the future.
Did you hear back from the Sigma engineer?
I just got the bluetooth remote and the focus adjust works for all my lenses except the sigma 14-24 (works on sony 16-35 f/4, sony 55mm, batis 25mm). A bit annoying as I would guess this is bug or oversight.
I was really hoping to use the remote for focus stacking with the sigma. I will submit a bug report to raise attention.
p.48 #3 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
sbay wrote:
Did you hear back from the Sigma engineer?
I just got the bluetooth remote and the focus adjust works for all my lenses except the sigma 14-24 (works on sony 16-35 f/4, sony 55mm, batis 25mm). A bit annoying as I would guess this is bug or oversight.
I was really hoping to use the remote for focus stacking with the sigma. I will submit a bug report to raise attention.
Yes, I did. He could not get it to work. But I figured out a way. Basically, while with Sony lenses, simply pressing "+" or "-" advances/reverses focus, with this lens you have to press "+" and then press "AF-ON" (on the remote). This steps forward or back the focus one level. So, it really is kind of annoying --- you have to press twice the number of keys. But at least it works.
But please DO submit a bug report! The lens is capable of doing it, and I suspect a software update may allow it to work better with Sony. As I said, the Sigma engineer told me that Sony has open sourced their API (which is AWESOMELY open-minded, forward-thinking, and to the benefit of both Sony and us), so it seems everyone wants things to work fully as native lenses.
It seems to me that most FM people do not focus stack or put up with the annoyances (and opportunity for error or knocking composition or shake etc.) of manually refocusing each slice, because nobody seems to care very much about using the remote to bracket focus. I'm glad I'm not the only one looking for a better solution!
p.48 #4 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
jeetsukumaran wrote:
with this lens you have to press "+" and then press "AF-ON" (on the remote). This steps forward or back the focus one level. So, it really is kind of annoying --- you have to press twice the number of keys. But at least it works.
That's really interesting. I tried this on my setup and sometimes it advances the focus, other times it won't do anything and/or I have to repeat like 10 times until it moves to the next spot on the distance scale.
For example, based on my 16-35 lens moving from 0.7m to 0.8 should only take 1 or 2 presses at f/11 @16mm. On the sigma, sometimes it advances in 1 or 2, other times I might hit the combo many times before it changes.
p.48 #5 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
sbay wrote:
That's really interesting. I tried this on my setup and sometimes it advances the focus, other times it won't do anything and/or I have to repeat like 10 times until it moves to the next spot on the distance scale.
For example, based on my 16-35 lens moving from 0.7m to 0.8 should only take 1 or 2 presses at f/11 @16mm. On the sigma, sometimes it advances in 1 or 2, other times I might hit the combo many times before it changes.
Hmm. I have not thoroughly explored it yet, but I cannot recall it not actually advancing or retracting focus distance on each press of "+"/"-" followed by AF-ON. Are you sure that focus did not change at all? Maybe it did change but not enough for the focus scale to update?
One thing I really like about using the remote to adjust focus on my 16-35GM (or other Sony lenses) is how the discrete steps are somehow tied to circle of confusion / DoF. So it typically takes 2-3 presses to get to the next focal slice regardless of aperture (smaller distance change with each step with f/2.8, bigger distance change with each step with f/8). I was wondering if this was the case with the Sigma. It did not seem so, and seemed to take the same small step no matter what the aperture was. So maybe that would explain why it seemed like the Sigma was not advancing? With the Sony lenses at f/11 a couple of presses to take you to the "next" circle of confusion is a large change in distance. Whereas if the Sigma distance adjustment is the same minute discrete step regardless of aperture, you are still only advancing very little at close distances so that the focal distance scale may not show any change?
p.48 #7 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
The Sigma 14-24 has proved to be a dependable tool, with no drama. I thought I might miss the 12mm end when I bought this to replace the 12-24 GM, but I really haven't. And being able to get excellent results at ƒ2.8 is a big plus for some of the poorly lit spaces I get to shoot.
Here's a few from a recent shoot. Nothing glamorous, just a great lens doing its job.
p.48 #11 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
jeetsukumaran wrote:
Hmm. I have not thoroughly explored it yet, but I cannot recall it not actually advancing or retracting focus distance on each press of "+"/"-" followed by AF-ON. Are you sure that focus did not change at all? Maybe it did change but not enough for the focus scale to update?
I think that may have been the case (focus change but not enough for distance scale to update).
I did a more careful test and used ExifTool to extract distances from each push
What is a bit bothersome is that the focus shift is not consistent with each button press on neither the sigma or other Sony lenses. Although with 3 presses the shift is a bit more regular. I wonder if the duration of a quick press changes the amount of shift. If I hold the button, it continuously advances (on sony lens)..
With the sigma, it is annoying with all the button presses. I think I might get repetitive strain injury on my thumb
p.48 #12 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Nice samples! Ah I miss my old sigma 14-24 I had on my DSLR....it was just a darn tank tho I am sure later on I will get the mirrorless version as crazy as I might be when I want that 14mm instead of 16mm with the GM Or maybe I'll just a 12mm prime Would be really cool to see sigma do a sale on this lens in the future. I'd jump on that.
p.48 #14 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Just got this lens in the mail yesterday. Anyone else annoyed that the lens cap doesn't click on? Even my inexpensive Samyang fisheye has a cap that clicks on. This Sigma is just a push on/pull off with no real attachment. Not good, and I know the cap isn't going to stay on in my bag, which is a problem because there's no other way to protect the front element because it doesn't take front filters. Boo.
p.48 #15 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
GregS wrote:
Just got this lens in the mail yesterday. Anyone else annoyed that the lens cap doesn't click on? Even my inexpensive Samyang fisheye has a cap that clicks on. This Sigma is just a push on/pull off with no real attachment. Not good, and I know the cap isn't going to stay on in my bag, which is a problem because there's no other way to protect the front element because it doesn't take front filters. Boo.
Yes, it is bit annoying.I keep checking every 5 minutes if it is still there when carrying around. It seems fine but i just don't trust it Also lens hood could have been 5-10% bigger to prevent lens flare better, especially at 14mm.
p.48 #16 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
GregS wrote:
Just got this lens in the mail yesterday. Anyone else annoyed that the lens cap doesn't click on? Even my inexpensive Samyang fisheye has a cap that clicks on. This Sigma is just a push on/pull off with no real attachment. Not good, and I know the cap isn't going to stay on in my bag, which is a problem because there's no other way to protect the front element because it doesn't take front filters. Boo.
My cap is very snug and far from being a 'passive fit' and is quite tight. I would not forsee mine falling off ever in the bag and doubt it would if slung over my shoulder and the lens/cap exposed, unless I knocked it against something. If it was knocked, a "click on" cap would not stay either.
p.48 #18 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Has anyone actually had the cap come off, or is this all just "feels"? Maybe I am jinxing myself here, but so far, up and down some mountain and across some desert trails several times and that cap has stayed securely on. Both in my backpack as well as, much more often, just hanging out there on my cotton carrier or dangling at the end of a Luma loop. You want to know what had an empirically-verifiable HORRIBLE lens cap? My (original) Zeiss 21mm. That thing would drop off if your breathed hard at it! I got one of those neoprene hoodie things for it, and that worked well enough till I picked up a third-party pinch cap.
p.48 #19 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
jeetsukumaran wrote:
Has anyone actually had the cap come off, or is this all just "feels"? Maybe I am jinxing myself here, but so far, up and down some mountain and across some desert trails several times and that cap has stayed securely on. Both in my backpack as well as, much more often, just hanging out there on my cotton carrier or dangling at the end of a Luma loop. You want to know what had an empirically-verifiable HORRIBLE lens cap? My (original) Zeiss 21mm. That thing would drop off if your breathed hard at it! I got one of those neoprene hoodie things for it, and that worked well enough till I picked up a third-party pinch cap....Show more →
I have no issues with the cap. I've taken the lens to a few trips and it never came out on its own.
Ah I miss my old sigma 14-24 I had on my DSLR....it was just a darn tank tho 
I am sure later on I will get the mirrorless version as crazy as I might be when I want that 14mm instead of 16mm with the GM 
Would be really cool to see sigma do a sale on this lens in the future. I'd jump on that.