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Archive 2009Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
p.2 #1Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
M Vers wrote:
JimSo I'm assuming the other two had AF issues? If so what type did they exhibit?
If you look at the link you posted for the prior Poll you will see my experience with the first two copies.
One was purchased when it was released and another about three months ago. My newest copy was purchased 2 weeks ago. I had different experiences with each lens.
This new one required very little MA on my present camera line up to work perfectly. I also had a different camera line up during the first two. I replaced the 1DsMKII with the 5D MKII, sold my 40D, and although I had the XSi at the time I hadn't used it with the 50 f/1.4 until I got this new copy.
Jim
Jim Victory wrote
This one is my third copy and it functions perfectly on a 1DMKIII, 5D MKII, 50D, and XSi. Ser#1015xxx.Jim
If you look at the link you posted for the prior Poll you will see my experience with the first two copies.
One was purchased when it was released and another about three months ago. My newest copy was purchased 2 weeks ago. I had different experiences with each lens.
This new one required very little MA on my present camera line up to work perfectly. I also had a different camera line up during the first two. I replaced the 1DsMKII with the 5D MKII, sold my 40D, and although I had the XSi at the time I hadn't used it with the 50 f/1.4 until I got this new copy.
Jim
Apr 30, 2009 at 05:40 PM
p.2 #2Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
no issues on a 1DsII haven't tried it much on my 40d but will surely do so soon.
Apr 30, 2009 at 06:31 PM
p.2 #3Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
Don't know the serial # because I returned it - serious issues at MFD (and less serious but still bad @ 10ft) on a 50D and 400D... won't try one again in a hurry.
May 01, 2009 at 12:14 AM
p.2 #4Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
I just got mine back from the lab, after the second go round, and am very encouraged.
I've only shot a few things around work and home, but after including my camera with the repair this time, to get the lens adjusted perfectly to it, I can say that informally, the lens seems to be behaving the way you'd expect a lens to.
A 50mm is not going to be able to get perfect focus all the time at longer distances, but it's so much better already than it was when I brought it in. My point to those on the fence or having problems - the camera body itself makes a huge difference. I think I am really going to like this, now that I have what I thought I was buying in the first place.
At this point, I don't think it would be interesting to show the controlled shots I took that illustrated how badly it was back-focusing. But, I can say I am sort of spooked to do it again. Right now, I'm thinking, good enough. If it isn't perfect, I don't even WANT to know anymore
Edit: OK. Here's what bad was. The focus point was the toy, about the size of a head. The 135 box was ~8 ft. behind the target. This was slightly cropped. The range was probably 15-20 feet. It only got worse the farther out I got. The serial # is 1004XXX
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3577160719_51a0c636e8_o.jpg
Mindful of trumpet_guy's tests, here is one from today:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3577203197_96a5d6d12b_o.jpg
And here is the near-100% crop. No sharpening applied. This doesn't show it as well, but the 100% is about as sharp as you would want.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3578010496_42e41b4382_o.jpg
Edited on May 30, 2009 at 01:21 AM · View previous versions
I've only shot a few things around work and home, but after including my camera with the repair this time, to get the lens adjusted perfectly to it, I can say that informally, the lens seems to be behaving the way you'd expect a lens to.
A 50mm is not going to be able to get perfect focus all the time at longer distances, but it's so much better already than it was when I brought it in. My point to those on the fence or having problems - the camera body itself makes a huge difference. I think I am really going to like this, now that I have what I thought I was buying in the first place.
At this point, I don't think it would be interesting to show the controlled shots I took that illustrated how badly it was back-focusing. But, I can say I am sort of spooked to do it again. Right now, I'm thinking, good enough. If it isn't perfect, I don't even WANT to know anymore
Edit: OK. Here's what bad was. The focus point was the toy, about the size of a head. The 135 box was ~8 ft. behind the target. This was slightly cropped. The range was probably 15-20 feet. It only got worse the farther out I got. The serial # is 1004XXX
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3577160719_51a0c636e8_o.jpg
Mindful of trumpet_guy's tests, here is one from today:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3577203197_96a5d6d12b_o.jpg
And here is the near-100% crop. No sharpening applied. This doesn't show it as well, but the 100% is about as sharp as you would want.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3578010496_42e41b4382_o.jpg
Edited on May 30, 2009 at 01:21 AM · View previous versions
May 29, 2009 at 11:27 PM
p.2 #5Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
On my 5D, I have some focus issues at 15+ feet. Nothing new here, but I'll give the link
to my previously performed testing:
www.pbase.com/tswen/sig50af
I'll probably ask Sigma to take a look at it soon. But it's good enough that
I'm somewhat scared to let them touch it for fear they mess up its optical performance.
Mine is serial number 1001xxx.
A very early unit.
to my previously performed testing:
www.pbase.com/tswen/sig50af
I'll probably ask Sigma to take a look at it soon. But it's good enough that
I'm somewhat scared to let them touch it for fear they mess up its optical performance.
Mine is serial number 1001xxx.
A very early unit.
May 29, 2009 at 11:34 PM
p.2 #6Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
My Sigma 50mm f1.4 front focused on about every shot. I returned it and decided to get the Sigma 30mm f1.4 instead since the 50 was so close to my other primes. Luckily, the 30 seems perfect.
Edited on May 30, 2009 at 05:26 AM · View previous versions
Edited on May 30, 2009 at 05:26 AM · View previous versions
May 30, 2009 at 04:31 AM
p.2 #7Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
as of now, 17-23 (focus issues vs. no focus issues).
now, this is from uncorroborated self reporting (and from a rather emotional group of individuals at that: photographers), but a 42% focus issue rate isn't reassuring.
by the way, could there have been a poll choice "focus issues at all distances"? (that might have bagged a few more votes and made the results look a little different.) ...mine had back focus and front focus problems.
that said, if sigma were to actually fix this design flaw in the future, i'd buy this lens again, no question.
now, this is from uncorroborated self reporting (and from a rather emotional group of individuals at that: photographers), but a 42% focus issue rate isn't reassuring.
by the way, could there have been a poll choice "focus issues at all distances"? (that might have bagged a few more votes and made the results look a little different.) ...mine had back focus and front focus problems.
that said, if sigma were to actually fix this design flaw in the future, i'd buy this lens again, no question.
May 30, 2009 at 04:43 AM
p.2 #8Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
No problems on my 40D. It will occasionally blow AF, but no moreso than any of my other lenses (and empirically less than my Canon 50/1.4). Serial #1008xxx
May 30, 2009 at 07:33 AM
p.2 #9Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
I have also found it to be more accurate than my old Canon 50 f/1.4. It's good at any focus distance for me. It's not as accurate in % as my old 35L, but that hit on 99% of shots, so I'll have to live with my ~95% hit ratio on my Sigma 50. 
May 30, 2009 at 08:04 AM
p.2 #10Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
abam wrote:
by the way, could there have been a poll choice "focus issues at all distances"?
There is that option...Focus issues at MFD-+10ft.
by the way, could there have been a poll choice "focus issues at all distances"?
There is that option...Focus issues at MFD-+10ft.
May 30, 2009 at 08:34 AM
p.2 #11Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
joekraft wrote:
I just got mine back from the lab, after the second go round, and am very encouraged.
I've only shot a few things around work and home, but after including my camera with the repair this time, to get the lens adjusted perfectly to it, I can say that informally, the lens seems to be behaving the way you'd expect a lens to.
A 50mm is not going to be able to get perfect focus all the time at longer distances, but it's so much better already than it was when I brought it in. My point to those on...Show more →
Joe;
How did Sigma handle the shipping expense for you to send the lens the 2nd time with your camera body? Did you have to pay, or did they pick up the tab?
I sent mine in to Sigma last week. They got it in NY on Tuesday of this week, then turned around and shipped it to Chandler AZ. I haven't heard anything from them yet, but will more likely than not call them on Monday.
This is my 3rd copy of the lens. The problem I have it is with focusing at less than 10 feet. Shots at 20 feet or more seem to be fine. I sent a disc with images I took side by side with my Canon 50 f/1.4 which clearly illustrate that the Sigma is not as sharp as the Canon at close distances. I really want to get this done right the first time around, but I don't think it's right that I should have to pay the shipping to send my camera body in.
Serial number on this copy is 1031***
Mark
I just got mine back from the lab, after the second go round, and am very encouraged.
I've only shot a few things around work and home, but after including my camera with the repair this time, to get the lens adjusted perfectly to it, I can say that informally, the lens seems to be behaving the way you'd expect a lens to.
A 50mm is not going to be able to get perfect focus all the time at longer distances, but it's so much better already than it was when I brought it in. My point to those on...Show more →
Joe;
How did Sigma handle the shipping expense for you to send the lens the 2nd time with your camera body? Did you have to pay, or did they pick up the tab?
I sent mine in to Sigma last week. They got it in NY on Tuesday of this week, then turned around and shipped it to Chandler AZ. I haven't heard anything from them yet, but will more likely than not call them on Monday.
This is my 3rd copy of the lens. The problem I have it is with focusing at less than 10 feet. Shots at 20 feet or more seem to be fine. I sent a disc with images I took side by side with my Canon 50 f/1.4 which clearly illustrate that the Sigma is not as sharp as the Canon at close distances. I really want to get this done right the first time around, but I don't think it's right that I should have to pay the shipping to send my camera body in.
Serial number on this copy is 1031***
Mark
May 30, 2009 at 09:46 AM
p.2 #12Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
thx, good eyes. that read in my head as "focus issues at minimum focusing distance plus or minus 10 feet," which i suppose is impossible if i'd just thought about it for moment. (can't focus behind you...yet.)
May 30, 2009 at 09:54 AM
p.2 #13Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
Actually Mark, I called Sigma to discuss, and it says on their website that they may send it to a facility that is nearest the customer - Chandler AZ, in my case - so I wound up just taking it back to the Chandler shop.
It's kind of a long story, but, bottom line, I didn't have to ship anything, because I just walked it in. Having the camera made a huge difference however. I gave them a disc of over 50 shots I think, from MFD up to 30', and they consistently showed backfocus. I am really liking this lens now.
Good luck, I've anecdotally heard they are really good with customer service, so maybe they will cover it.
It's kind of a long story, but, bottom line, I didn't have to ship anything, because I just walked it in. Having the camera made a huge difference however. I gave them a disc of over 50 shots I think, from MFD up to 30', and they consistently showed backfocus. I am really liking this lens now.
Good luck, I've anecdotally heard they are really good with customer service, so maybe they will cover it.
May 30, 2009 at 10:34 AM
p.2 #14Sigma 50/1.4 AF Issues [pt.II]
Joe;
Thanks for the feedback. I'll call Chandler AZ on Monday and talk to them. I really don't want to have to send the lens off twice to get it right, even if that means I do have to pay to ship my camera body out to them. If I can get images as sharp as that second shot you posted I will be very happy.
Mark
Thanks for the feedback. I'll call Chandler AZ on Monday and talk to them. I really don't want to have to send the lens off twice to get it right, even if that means I do have to pay to ship my camera body out to them. If I can get images as sharp as that second shot you posted I will be very happy.
Mark
May 30, 2009 at 12:26 PM