NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Pistnbroke on February 18, 2017, 20:18:17
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Just purchased at a good price a Sigma 24-105 f4 Art intending to sell it on for a profit.
Testing it out on the D810 the pictures were rubbish even at F8. I set the Fine Focus adjust at 105mm but was not impressed. then I investigated the dock and watching u tube it looks like the required fine focus setting (16 of them) are all over the place from -17 to 0 through the focus range.
So anybody got an ART lens and was it rubbish until you used the dock?
Not sure weather to send it back ..the seller knows nothing about cameras.
You would think it would come out the factory so you could put it on zero and it would work but it seems not ..am I right?
MORE THOUGHTS.
When you have set a series of Fine focus settings using a dock is the lens computer causing the camera to swing its FFA settings or is it done in the lens and the camera sits at 0. This would be important if you wanted to use a D5300
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Apparently getting acceptable focus performance with these lenses is an ART unto itself ??
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The camera does not know the settings you make, by using the Sigma USB dock. It only knows the settings stored in the camera. My advice is to send the lens back, and use only Nikon lenses on a Nikon camera, as long as we're talking about AF lenses.
Sigma lenses are not entirely without glitches when used on Sony mirrorless either, so this is a Sigma thing, IMHO.
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Why not ask Sigma's Helpdesk or Service Centre?
I cannot speak about other countries, but their agent here in Australia has an excellent reputation for their quality of customer support.
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I am going to phone Sigma Monday .re Must I have the dock ? Can I change lens between cameras? Have read what Andy has written on the forum ...very impressive Andy . Not impressive Sigma.
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Return it and find another way to make money.
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got a SIGMA 50/1.4 ART lens and the dock,too. I got the dock because I was expecting that the focus might be off but mine seemed to be perfect :o :o :o
going back to your lens, there is probably a reason why it was sold to you. If I were you, I would just send this thing back. SIGMA isn't really known for good quality control (outside of Japan) ::)
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... SIGMA isn't really known for good quality control (outside of Japan) ::)
My impression as well. The Sigmas I have encountered have shown a wide range in QC and optical quality. In all fairness, some lenses were very good. However, reliability is an important factor to have in the overall equation as well and this aspect is often overlooked in favour of lower price etc.
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of the 3 major 3rd party lens manufacturers, SIGMA has the worst QC as far as i'm concerned. I was hoping that the Global Vision series would change that :o :o :o
PS: off-topic. Thanks, by the way!
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I should add that I have had no focus issues with Sigma lenses on Sony mirrorless, they seem to be particular to DSLRs only. The issues I've seen are a couple of software/firmware issues, that don't affect focus precision, but usability.
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I'm probably on the other wrong side of the equation: I never bought a NON-Nikkor lens for my Nikons. I never had front or back focus issues. I heard and read that Sigma lenses are optically very good. But I prefer to stay with Nikkor. Yes, I am and old fart.
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I'm probably on the other wrong side of the equation: I never bought a NON-Nikkor lens for my Nikons. I never had front or back focus issues. I heard and read that Sigma lenses are optically very good. But I prefer to stay with Nikkor. Yes, I am and old fart.
Most non-Nikkor lenses focus reverse to Nikkors. That drives me up the wall. I won't say never but I haven't bought a non- Nikkor sence about 1974. The are a couple of Voitlander lenses I'd buy but the prices have gone too high.
Dave Hartman
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Most non-Nikkor lenses focus reverse to Nikkors. That drives me up the wall.
That problem has been solved for quite a long time. The problem is that the Nikon lenses focuses in the direction that is opposite to most of the lenses of other makes, which drives experienced video/cinema camera operators nuts. Some follow focus unit can add a small gear to reverse the rotational direction of the focus ring, though.
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The AF error could be a common problem among the lenses using ultrasonic motors.
When I had my AF-S 50/1.8G calibrated at a Nikon service, the tech there told me that the USM would be mis-aligned over time, and then the focusing unit wouldn't stop at the position the camera want. That leads to the AF error which cannot be fully corrected by the in-camera focus micro-tune function. You need periodical re-calibration at the service.
Both my current 50/1.8G bought new and AF-S 24/1.8G that I bought used in pristine condition needed the re-calibration. After the re-calibration, I haven't needed even to switch on the in-camera fine tune function, and the lenses can focus correctly at any distances.
The actuator in an ultrasonic motor is carried on the base using the friction, so its neutral position can be sloppy. I would hope to see the pulse/step motors replacing the supersonic ones.
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I've used this very good zoom (24-105mm f/4 Art) nearly 2 years. I bought it for the purpose of my girlfriend'daughter wedding as I didn't want to change prime lenses all the time during this event.
I planned to sell it straightaway after the wedding, but I decided to use it for general purposes for a while as I enjoyed it. However it is too big for my Df, hence a not so well balance.
It's now sold.
I never needed the dock to correct any front or back focus.
The only disagreement I would report is the lack of AF efficiency in low light, due to the f/4 maximum aperture.
My conclusion : perfect for exterior use, but would need artificial light inside mostly with moving subjects, even if you increase ISO settings. The vibration reduction doesn't compensate as much the lack of brightness.
Pros :
# sharpness;
# nice colour rendition and saturation;
# quiet (equivalent AFS)
# large focal range
cons :
# Huge in size;
# Autofocus needs light;
Below : #1 @ 24mm
#2 @95mm
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2.
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I've never noticed any shift in AF behavior of SWM lenses over time. I guess if there is a real issue of focus miscalibration over time it would be great if Nikon advertised this in the manual in a visible way so that users can take corrective action.
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The only disagreement I would report is the lack of AF efficiency in low light, due to the f/4 maximum aperture.
My conclusion : perfect for exterior use, but would need artificial light inside mostly with moving subjects, even if you increase ISO settings. The vibration reduction doesn't compensate as much the lack of brightness.
I would think that is rather a problem on the side of Df which uses now outdated AF module initially introduced on D7000 and used on D600/610. I loved the image characteristics of D7000 and D610 that I used, but was never really satisfied with the AF performance even with the f1.8 lenses (35/1.8G ED or 50/1.8G). I never came up with the idea of having my rigs calibrated at Nikon service, though.
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I've never noticed any shift in AF behavior of SWM lenses over time. I guess if there is a real issue of focus miscalibration over time it would be great if Nikon advertised this in the manual in a visible way so that users can take corrective action.
That could be a hidden common knowledge among the manufacturers of USM lenses? Canon also offers the in-camera micro tuning. I don't know about the Pentax, though.
I briefly used a second-hand Ai-AF Zoom Nikkor ED 70-300/F4-5.6D, the previous model to the current AF-S version. It had the old screwdrive AF mechanism. I was totally amazed by its accurate AF on my D750 in entire zoom range at any focusing distances.
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That problem has been solved for quite a long time. The problem is that the Nikon lenses focuses in the direction that is opposite to most of the lenses of other makes, which drives experienced video/cinema camera operators nuts. Some follow focus unit can add a small gear to reverse the rotational direction of the focus ring, though.
Nikon and Pentax both adopted the Contax focus direction. I think there are others. I'm not sure why. Someone who knows the history may know. It's very natural to me but then I started serious photograph with a 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor-P on a Nikkormat FTn
If an alternate brand lens company wants to sell me a lens they've got to machine the focus for the correct direction for the camera system the lens is made for.
Dave
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Ironically Sigma was the first third party that promote the focus rings turning in the same direction as those of genuine ones. Today Tokina and Cosina/Zeiss follow Sigma's concept. Tamron's focus ring still turns in the "reversed" direction in Nikon's term.
Now that I depend mostly on AF :'( The only occasions I would focus manually don't require quick focusing (closeups of the still subjects or focusing at infinity or at the moon in live view mode), thus I don't care much about the direction anymore.
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I'm glad alternate brand lens makers are adopting the focus direction of camera brand's own lenses. I look at photos to see what direction lenses focus. I note that the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 125mm f/2.5 focuses as do Nikkors. Unfortunately I was struggling with property tax when I became aware of that lens.
I mostly use AF but I still use manual focus also.
Dave
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It is good mental practice to relearn focus direction often, as I do when I operate my Nikon and Fujifilm-X still cameras at home, and then go to work where the Canon and Fujfilm TV Zooms focus in the opposite direction.
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Pros :
# sharpness;
# nice colour rendition and saturation;
# quiet (equivalent AFS)
# large focal range
cons :
# Huge in size;
# Autofocus needs light;
Below : #1 @ 24mm
#2 @95mm
Can you please comment on how this thing compares to the Nikon :o :o :o
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The AF error could be a common problem among the lenses using ultrasonic motors.
When I had my AF-S 50/1.8G calibrated at a Nikon service, the tech there told me that the USM would be mis-aligned over time, and then the focusing unit wouldn't stop at the position the camera want. That leads to the AF error which cannot be fully corrected by the in-camera focus micro-tune function. You need periodical re-calibration at the service.
,,,
I think this is 'lost in translation' I believe he should have stated: A lens with usm or (swm in Nikon) can become mis-aligned over time,,,
This is what is stated in all of the Nikon repair manuals, if you repair remove and reattach the F-mount or anything similar, you need to recalibrate the lens! All the details are given there if anyone cares to read them,,,
And yes if you want to make sure your lens is at it's top AF performance, you should do maintenance at the Nikon Service.
The ring-motor swm doesn't have a zero position as it has manual override that rotates part of the motor.
In all literature I have seen the same goes for the small-swm with th gearbox design - The repair manual refers to a certain distance the 'drive' has to move the lens croup, not from a zero position,,,
BTW It is believed (by reputable people) that Nikon has incorporated a compensation for focus shift now,,, Could explain why the new G type 1.4 lenses are so damn good at nailing focus,,,
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Spoke to sigma ...
Should work out the box ..slight FFA on camera may help
Should work with any Nikon (if you have more than one body) slight FFA for each body may be required.
Moving the focus point around the screen should be fine.
Warrantee only applies to european lenses and original purchaser.
Its going back as its not working for whatever reason /dropped/fiddled with on a dock.
Thanks everyone for there help.
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I think this is 'lost in translation' I believe he should have stated: A lens with usm or (swm in Nikon) can become mis-aligned over time,,,
This is what is stated in all of the Nikon repair manuals, if you repair remove and reattach the F-mount or anything similar, you need to recalibrate the lens! All the details are given there if anyone cares to read them,,,
And yes if you want to make sure your lens is at it's top AF performance, you should do maintenance at the Nikon Service.
The ring-motor swm doesn't have a zero position as it has manual override that rotates part of the motor.
In all literature I have seen the same goes for the small-swm with th gearbox design - The repair manual refers to a certain distance the 'drive' has to move the lens croup, not from a zero position,,,
BTW It is believed (by reputable people) that Nikon has incorporated a compensation for focus shift now,,, Could explain why the new G type 1.4 lenses are so damn good at nailing focus,,,
Erik, you are right. Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for the detailed follow-up!
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Can you please comment on how this thing compares to the Nikon :o :o :o
Not easy, as I never used a similar Nikon one. The closest would be the Nikkor 24-120mm which the 2 first versions were reputed as from ''crap'' to ''not-so-good'', the last one ( ED version) it said to be very sharp but it's much more expensive.
I got the Sigma second hand in pristine condition for a decent price. I, of course, tried it before purchase (the enlarging function of the live-view helps ;)), as I was aware of this recurrent problem of front/back focus.
I had used few years the macro 150mm f/28, so I was already convinced about Sigma lenses sharpness. :)
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Everything worked extremely well until I brought in the D750 for shutter replacement. Now it's off.