Sigma 24-105 hum w/ IS turned off

[Dark and blurry]

I recently noticed, shooting in a quiet environment, that when I turn off IS while camera is on a tripod, the lens intermittently emits a high pitched hum. It stops when I move the switch on the lens back to on or just nudge the switch a little. Should I assume the image stabilization is headed to failure? Is it common? Thanks in advance.

 

[hikerdoc]

I noted the same sound on my Nikon version and discussed it with Sigma USA three years back. Noise aside, the lens performed well, focusing quickly and accurately, and producing sharper images than the similar Canon or Nikon offerings.

The text of response from Sigma:

"That sound is normal on a Nikon camera, it is the OS unit of the lens. The OS element is held in place in an electromagnetic field whether it is on or off, that is what you hear."

Your IS terminology suggests you are on a Canon system but I suspect the sound is similar in origin. Early in history of that lens there were a few posts questioning excess battery use with no real consensus. There was also a Nikon lawsuit against Sigma for unauthorized use of Nikon patented VR technology in their OS technology with settlement results not disclosed. I have no idea if Nikon or Canon stabilization systems are energized like the Sigma even when off and "parked". I have no idea if the settlement conditions played a role in the OS for that particular lens.

Use it and enjoy it.

D

 

[hikerdoc]

Forgot to include text of my inquiry:

Sigma 24-105 art HSM OS, Nikon mount, serial number: xxxx

I have noticed a humming whistling sound with this lens while on D4 and to lesser extent on D700. It occurs with OS on or off, and is not necessarily related to AF activation. It varies in intensity and pitch, and is much more noticeable than the faint hum on my Sigma 85,f/1.4 or Sigma 35 f/1.4. It is a different sound than the customary sound of AF. I first thought it OS related, but it persists even with OS off. It is intermittent, particularly the faint whistling character. I have not heard the whistling (kind of like a small air leak on a window) on those other lenses. The lens is just under two months old and registered with you. Is this a normal sound?

D

 

[Dark and blurry]

Mine is for a Nikon (I use it on a D750). Works beautifully. (Off the subject, I'm wondering how much improvement I might get using a dock and fine tuning it- guilding the lily?)

Anyway, the hum sounds like a small electric motor. I emailed a query to Sigma customer support. I'll update when I hear back.

Of course, later in the day, I tried the different configurations (AF on and off and the VR on and off)- no sound. I'll see how my luck holds out.

 

[Island Golfer]

I really like this lens. I have the lens mounted on a Nikon D810. I have taken in excess of 750 shots with it. I have used the OS on and off. I have never noticed the sound you describe. As for fine tuning it on the USB doc, when I initially received the lens, I spent about 2-3 hours with the lens on the dock. I found that its sharp images could not really be improved upon. So, I reverted all of the zones back to '0'; and have used it that way ever since.

 

[hikerdoc]

I really like this lens. I have the lens mounted on a Nikon D810. I have taken in excess of 750 shots with it. I have used the OS on and off. I have never noticed the sound you describe. As for fine tuning it on the USB doc, when I initially received the lens, I spent about 2-3 hours with the lens on the dock. I found that its sharp images could not really be improved upon. So, I reverted all of the zones back to '0'; and have used it that way ever since.

 

[Dark and blurry]

Thanks to everyone for your comments. My conclusion about the noise until I hear different from Sigma is that 'it happens' and may not be a problem. Heading to Mt Tamalpais (north of SF) for a hilly hike with the D750 and this lens. Due to the weight, I won't take any other lenses. I lugged a Nikkor 70-300 along in the bag recently. Can you imagine the weight? Just have to crop. Not to mention a light tripod. Motivation to get back in shape.

But I will post the response from Sigma, alternate facts not withstanding.