Digital EOS and SIGMA lens compatibility issues...

I know a lot has been written about compatibility issues between Canon EOS SLR bodies and SIGMA lenses. A few friends of mine had their camera electronics ruined because of old batch Sigma lenses. I know newer Sigma lenses should be less prone to cause these kinds of problems, but I still want to ask:

Does anyone have first-hand (or mediated) experience with the new Canon EOS 350D in combination with one of the following lenses:

• Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC

I am considering the purchase of one of these lenses to go with the 350D, but what's been so far preventing me from doing so is the apparent higher incidence of compatibility issues (AF not functioning, aperture not closing, camera electronics down, body not detecting the lens etc.). Also, since the 350D is a new kid on the block, not many people have had the opportunity to test the various lens-body combinations. Just wondering...

The implied subquestion, of course, is which would you choose as an all-arounder (up to the price point of the 18-50) )) Can't seem to find too many reviews of the 24-135...

All thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

McMailen said:

Does anyone have first-hand (or mediated) experience with the new
Canon EOS 350D in combination with one of the following lenses:

• Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC

Click to expand...

I have the Sigma 18-50/2.8 and the 350

Works well, except with focus assist, but Sigma will fix that for me when I take it in next week

I think the lens is excellent - the only competition is Canon 17-40/4.

I do not have the Sigma 24-135, but I do have the Canon 28-135, which I rarely use now I have the 18-50.

John

go for 18-50/2.8

I have the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and it has a strong front focus with my 350d (Rebel XT). It also has the same problem on my 10D. On a friend's 300d it works perfect.
Sigma told me that it is a "Camera-Problem" and they can not fix it.
When focused it is, however a great lens, even wide open.

Because of the AF-problem and the statement fron Sigma I will never again buy any Sigma product..

Best wishes, Achim

http://www.startrails.de

3-4 years of posting from this site, you will find the issue of Sigma compatiblity with Canon bodies. There was even a post about 2 years back that Sigma has finally gotten all the pin signals and that all will be well with future generations of Canon bodies.

2-3 years later, these problems still persist.

it is a pity because there are reallys some great optics from Sigma. That 50-500 is a classic, the 150 macro will become a classic. But the others, well, they will have their prime time and they disappear.

At the end of the day, if your lenses don't focus right, it doesn't matter if you have great optics for a cheap price. This compatibility issue is not going away. It is a sword of democles that will hang in a sigma owner's head in future versions of canon bodies. And to me, this is the deal breaker.

There has been no past problems with compatibility with Tamrons.
There isn't any present problems with compatibility with Tamrons.

I wil likely have no future problems with my Tamrons when it comes to future Canon bodies.

Even if a Sigma is sharper, better built, faster AF, cheaper, etc., etc. if it will be haunted by future problems or AF issues, I'd stick wtih Canon lenses, Tamron or other 3rd parties that do not have these problems.

I am not saying you shouldn't buy a sigma lens. If you believe that constant re-chipping or updating is not a big deal, then go get a sigma lens. And I don't mean this to be a sarcastic statement. I say this normally and without sarcasm. If you believe that 2-3 years down the road you don't mind sending your lenses for re-programming or whatever, then Sigma is a the lens to get if it meets your needs.

In our country, this will cost you money and is not free for most people. And it is a lot of hassle. And this is why I have no plans of buying a Sigma lens. Nothing to do with optics, nothing to do with the company, nothing to do with being anti-Sigma. As a semi-pro, I cannot afford these distractions and apprehensions. I cannot afford to have problematical gear whenever I get a new camera body or use a different Canon gear.

I will likely get a 350D this year. With my Canon and Tamron lenses, I don't expect any problems. That is some peace of mind that I enjoy by not having a Sigma lens. Maybe I will get a 20D next or maybe something new if Canon comes up with a 20D replacement somehow by end of 2006. If my my semi-pro photography sideline picks up some more I will definitlely need some better bodies (after investing in lenses). It's just a question of when. My d60 and 300d will not be just aging, but I will need to upgrade my body by end of the year (my 300d and d60 will be 2 years old by then). Again, if that happens, I don't have to think that my Canon and Tamron lenses will have problems with whatever camera Canon has to offer in the future.

---------------------

• Caterpillar

'Always in the process of changing, growing, and transforming.'

I haven't tried the particular lenses you mentioned, but I did try to use my son's Sigma lenses on my 350D and they didn't work (Error 99). Neither the 28-80mm 1:35-5.6 Macro Aspherical nor the 70-300 mm 1:4-5.6 APO Macro lenses worked. Both these lenses are several years old. Maybe they have come out with newer versions that might work with the 350D/XT
--
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God gave us an incredible world. Touch it, taste it, smell it, PHOTOGRAPH IT!

Ess Four Hundred, Ess Five Hundred, Ess Sixty, E-0 S Reb XT

caterpillar said:

3-4 years of posting from this site, you will find the issue of
Sigma compatiblity with Canon bodies. There was even a post about 2
years back that Sigma has finally gotten all the pin signals and
that all will be well with future generations of Canon bodies.

2-3 years later, these problems still persist.

Click to expand...

Which lenses has Sigma developed in the past 2-3 years that cause problems with the current Canon bodies?

caterpillar said:

it is a pity because there are reallys some great optics from
Sigma. That 50-500 is a classic, the 150 macro will become a
classic. But the others, well, they will have their prime time and
they disappear.

Click to expand...

What makes you single out just these 2 lenses?

caterpillar said:

I wil likely have no future problems with my Tamrons when it comes
to future Canon bodies.

Click to expand...

Considering that Tamron also reverse engineered the EF mount, the probability of a Tamron lens having compatibility problems with future Canon bodies is no less than it is for Sigma's. Like in the stock market, past successes are no guarantee for the future.

Granted, you said "likely".

Roy.

P.S.: point taken, just throwing in my 2c worth of perspective

have your old lens re-chipped

Roy van der Woning said:

Which lenses has Sigma developed in the past 2-3 years that cause
problems with the current Canon bodies?

Click to expand...

70-200 f2.8 EX HSM
24-70 f2.8 EX HSM

That's two that I know about (and I own the 70-200 which has problems with focus assist on my 20d).

SandyKHo said:

I haven't tried the particular lenses you mentioned, but I did try
to use my son's Sigma lenses on my 350D and they didn't work (Error
99). Neither the 28-80mm 1:35-5.6 Macro Aspherical nor the 70-300
mm 1:4-5.6 APO Macro lenses worked. Both these lenses are several
years old. Maybe they have come out with newer versions that might
work with the 350D/XT

Click to expand...

I have the 28-80 3.5-5.6 which doesn't work on my 20D either. Sigma quoted £35 I think to rechip it to work with the 20D, or free if I could produce proof of purchase (I can't as I bought it secondhand with a body a while ago). I have an old 70-210 too which also doesn't work correctly, but I can use it wide open.

Having focus assist issues with the 70-200 EX HSM f/2.8 lens has made me think twice about buying Sigma again in the future, although they do make some rather interesting lenses.

Roy van der Woning said:

Roy van der Woning said:

I wil likely have no future problems with my Tamrons when it comes
to future Canon bodies.

Click to expand...

Considering that Tamron also reverse engineered the EF mount, the
probability of a Tamron lens having compatibility problems with
future Canon bodies is no less than it is for Sigma's. Like in the
stock market, past successes are no guarantee for the future.

Granted, you said "likely".

Click to expand...

My understanding is that Tamron pays Canon for its technology instead of reverse engineering. I heard if from a guy who heard it from a guy....