MC-11 and SIGMA 18-200

[alexplpl]

Hi,

I checked that A6000 with MC-11 converter (I have both) and Sigma C 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary will work just fine, in terms of AF.
The problem is that where I live this particular lens is hardly available and costs a lot, if found in the aftermarket.
I found some information on Sigma site, that MC-11 works only with C (contemporary) lenses, because those use some "new" focusing engine, specific only for contemporary (C) lenses.

Recently I found a lens, which is Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, but without that C and MACRO. Still, it has HSM, which stands for focusing engine - hyper sonic motor. It looks more like the older ones - some golden "Sigma HSM" and "optical stabilizer" writings on it.
Only one specimen of that lens, it is even hard for me to find one's picture online, other than those in the private advertisement. And it is being sold for an affordable price. A real bargain.

Anyone knows if it will work with MC-11 (EF to Sony E) considering AF as the main factor of decision? Will the HSM help, or the new Sigma C lenses use some other mean of focusing, that makes only them to work with MC-11?

Alex

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Hi,

I checked that A6000 with MC-11 converter (I have both) and Sigma C 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary will work just fine, in terms of AF.
The problem is that where I live this particular lens is hardly available and costs a lot, if found in the aftermarket.
I found some information on Sigma site, that MC-11 works only with C (contemporary) lenses, because those use some "new" focusing engine, specific only for contemporary (C) lenses.

Recently I found a lens, which is Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, but without that C and MACRO. Still, it has HSM, which stands for focusing engine - hyper sonic motor. It looks more like the older ones - some golden "Sigma HSM" and "optical stabilizer" writings on it.
Only one specimen of that lens, it is even hard for me to find one's picture online, other than those in the private advertisement. And it is being sold for an affordable price. A real bargain.

Anyone knows if it will work with MC-11 (EF to Sony E) considering AF as the main factor of decision? Will the HSM help, or the new Sigma C lenses use some other mean of focusing, that makes only them to work with MC-11?

Alex

Alex it is a bit hard to go against what Sigma recommends - especially when there is no provided experience on how compatible your alternative lens might be. Might work, but probably more likely would be with another brand adapter.

To give a reason: As far as I can tell Sigma takes the easy-course with their MC-11 and MC-21 adapters by making them compatible with one or more recent released EF lens protocols. Then releases firmware updates (using its lens-docker product) for its lenses to make them also compatible to the same Canon EF lens protocols. Consequently and presumably their 'Contemporary' lenses are suitable for taking this revised set of protocols.

The advantage being that users of the MC-11 and MC-21 (L-Mount) get a swag of Canon EF mount lenses also as a compatible bonus.

Other brands, especially Metabones, have done the hard yards and tried to make as many EF mount lenses (new and old and different brands) compatible. Metabones seems to have 99.9% of EF mount lenses working AF to a greater or lesser degree. But I have no knowledge of the lens that you are concerned about. You could try the Metabones site which lists lenses know to be compatible with each adapter type. But Metabones adapters are more expensive and it might not be to your financial benefit.

Viltrox adapters are a bit cheaper and work well but are not as widely compatible as the Metabones adapter. There are others ....

The lens of course 'might work' with the MC-11 but unless you can find someone who can corroborate this from personal experience you might have to make a guess. At least 'any' adapter including the MC-11 will work the aperture, invoke lens-IS if present and proved EXIF and manual focus .

dpreview is in the process of closing but if you wish to find more helpful advice you could try the new dprforum.com which also has an Adapted Lens Forum.

 

[ProfHankD]

Anyone knows if it will work with MC-11 (EF to Sony E) considering AF as the main factor of decision? Will the HSM help, or the new Sigma C lenses use some other mean of focusing, that makes only them to work with MC-11?

I don't know... and you really do want to know before buying stuff...

Alex it is a bit hard to go against what Sigma recommends

Tom's right to be skeptical, especially WRT Sigma. Although I greatly respect Sigma, they've had to reverse-engineer lens mount protocols for everything, and as a result they have a history of getting things slightly wrong. I think they're good now, but some of their older lenses are probably near misses on full EF compatibility and might not support the particular protocol aspects used by their latest adapters (which is a less-gentle way of saying pretty much what Tom said).

In any case, the odds are good things will at least partly work, but that's not the standard you said you're aiming for...

 

[alexplpl]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the information. Made a decision and bought Tamron 18-200 with a Sony E mount, not to use a converter. I never wanted a bit smaller, lighter lens, with, what I read, a bit worse than Sigma, picture quality. Still, it is going to fit in my shoulder bag a bit better, than bulky Sigma (with a converter, as an addition to size).

And I have been using a 18-200 Tamron with my Canon DSLR for years now, and I think right now it is all what I need.

Ps. Last time I started a thread here, some helpful guys agreed to go to Dprevived. Dprforum is, I think, another fork of DPR. I wonder which is a better choice... time tells, I guess.

 

[ProfHankD]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the information. Made a decision and bought Tamron 18-200 with a Sony E mount, not to use a converter. I never wanted a bit smaller, lighter lens, with, what I read, a bit worse than Sigma, picture quality. Still, it is going to fit in my shoulder bag a bit better, than bulky Sigma (with a converter, as an addition to size).

And I have been using a 18-200 Tamron with my Canon DSLR for years now, and I think right now it is all what I need.

The latest Tamron 18-200mm (TAMRON | 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC )looks pretty good for a superzoom. The MTF charts say it's not awesome in the corners, especially at the wide end, but it is actually notably better than the already-pretty-good EF version . I think you'll be happy.

Think about buying an old manual fast 50 to use alongside it; my default recommendation would be a Minolta MC/MD 50mm f/1.7...

Ps. Last time I started a thread here, some helpful guys agreed to go to Dprevived. Dprforum is, I think, another fork of DPR. I wonder which is a better choice... time tells, I guess.

None of the alternatives offers the same one-stop experience we've enjoyed here. It looks like DPRevived is a bit ahead, but as long as DPReview hasn't locked, most folks still seem to be here...

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the information. Made a decision and bought Tamron 18-200 with a Sony E mount, not to use a converter. I never wanted a bit smaller, lighter lens, with, what I read, a bit worse than Sigma, picture quality. Still, it is going to fit in my shoulder bag a bit better, than bulky Sigma (with a converter, as an addition to size).

And I have been using a 18-200 Tamron with my Canon DSLR for years now, and I think right now it is all what I need.

Ps. Last time I started a thread here, some helpful guys agreed to go to Dprevived. Dprforum is, I think, another fork of DPR. I wonder which is a better choice... time tells, I guess.

Try both.

I just went for dprforum.com on speculation - same way that I seem to have bought lenses . I was invited to be a moderator there as well but that really did not factor in my decision other than a desire to help get one of the new fora off the ground. Its format is similar to MFLenses without the clutter.

Despite not having the threaded view option of dpreview it seems quite easy to follow conversations. I am not sure how the apparently endless threads will pan out. But the promoter has promised to adjust it to popular opinion once past the teething stages.

Due to using a proven shell it seems to have got up and running with very few issues.

I think that the format of dprforum (type) is better for such forums as Adapted Lens as it will allow seriously useful 'instruction' threads to be easy-found.

 

[alexplpl]

Think about buying an old manual fast 50 to use alongside it; my default recommendation would be a Minolta MC/MD 50mm f/1.7...

I use a cheap Yongnuo 50mm 1.8 with an EF mount on my Canon (with AF) and - with a cheaper than MC-11 adapter - Commlite - on a Sony A6000 (with manual focus, which I find much more useful for the more thoughtful, better composed pictures). I also use an old all manual (and all metal!) Zenit 58mm 2.0 lens with M42 adapter on Canon and M42+Commlite adapters on Sony.

I already know, that using a prime lens gets you much more in terms of quality. Still, I like to use a "superzoom" often, too. Today I had some pictures with people working on fields. I also shot some pics of wild living animals, even managed to focus on a flying bird with AF. Around 200 to process on my PC now, it is going to be some happy sunday. It all would be impossible using a 50mm lens.

 

[alexplpl]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the information. Made a decision and bought Tamron 18-200 with a Sony E mount, not to use a converter. I never wanted a bit smaller, lighter lens, with, what I read, a bit worse than Sigma, picture quality. Still, it is going to fit in my shoulder bag a bit better, than bulky Sigma (with a converter, as an addition to size).

And I have been using a 18-200 Tamron with my Canon DSLR for years now, and I think right now it is all what I need.

Ps. Last time I started a thread here, some helpful guys agreed to go to Dprevived. Dprforum is, I think, another fork of DPR. I wonder which is a better choice... time tells, I guess.

Try both.

I just went for dprforum.com on speculation - same way that I seem to have bought lenses . I was invited to be a moderator there as well but that really did not factor in my decision other than a desire to help get one of the new fora off the ground. Its format is similar to MFLenses without the clutter.

Despite not having the threaded view option of dpreview it seems quite easy to follow conversations. I am not sure how the apparently endless threads will pan out. But the promoter has promised to adjust it to popular opinion once past the teething stages.

Due to using a proven shell it seems to have got up and running with very few issues.

I think that the format of dprforum (type) is better for such forums as Adapted Lens as it will allow seriously useful 'instruction' threads to be easy-found.

Just one more thought: every time I ask a question on DPR (-review, - revived) I get much more of the answer, that I expected. It really helps me to learn. A lot. I wonder if all the people involved in photography (and theese forums) are engaged in helping this much, or is it something else?

Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate. Really. It just gets me wondering

 

[ProfHankD]

Think about buying an old manual fast 50 to use alongside it; my default recommendation would be a Minolta MC/MD 50mm f/1.7...

I use a cheap Yongnuo 50mm 1.8 with an EF mount on my Canon (with AF) and - with a cheaper than MC-11 adapter - Commlite - on a Sony A6000 (with manual focus, which I find much more useful for the more thoughtful, better composed pictures).

I've got one of those that I bought for use on the Canon 5D IV -- it suffers less vignetting than the latest Canon brand one, but isn't a particularly good lens in other ways.

I also use an old all manual (and all metal!) Zenit 58mm 2.0 lens with M42 adapter on Canon and M42+Commlite adapters on Sony.

The Zenit 58mm f/2 should be decent. The earlier Helios 44 series were all decent, although I still like the (even cheaper) Minolta better because it has excellent build quality, great color, and is generally better than average in optical quality. Some folks argue even more strongly for the MD 50mm f/2, which is basically the same design.

I already know, that using a prime lens gets you much more in terms of quality. Still, I like to use a "superzoom" often, too. Today I had some pictures with people working on fields. I also shot some pics of wild living animals, even managed to focus on a flying bird with AF. Around 200 to process on my PC now, it is going to be some happy sunday. It all would be impossible using a 50mm lens.

You don't have to explain to me. I've been using a Sigma 28-200mm as a travel lens for years, and last year upgraded to the new Tamron 28-200mm. The Sigma looks quite good on 24MP FF, but shows nothing more on 42MP; the Tamron looks better on 42MP than 24MP. Your new Tamron isn't quite as good as my 28-200mm FF Sony lens, but it's not far off. Remember that 24MP FF is the same pixel size as 10MP APS-C and 60MP FF is 26MP APS-C, so my old Sigma was delivering 8-10PMP (perceptual MP) on APS-C and DxO says your old Tamron 18-200mm was good for about 6PMP. Your new Tamron is probably around 12-14PMP on APS-C. Anything over 6PMP is good enough to look better than 135 film ever really looked...

For travel, I also now lug a Tamron 150-500mm, which paints crisp images on 60MP FF (and 24MP APS-C), but there are always several manual focus lenses too. For my next trip, it'll probably be Tamron 28-200mm and 150-500mm, Laowa 10-18mm, Vivitar (Kiron) 24mm f/2, Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.2, Minolta Rokkor 16mm f/2.8 fisheye, and Pergear 35mm f/1.4. I'll usually carry two bodies, but it'll be A7RV+A7RII now instead of my old usual A7RII+A7II or A7RII+A6500.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Thank you, guys. I appreciate all the information. Made a decision and bought Tamron 18-200 with a Sony E mount, not to use a converter. I never wanted a bit smaller, lighter lens, with, what I read, a bit worse than Sigma, picture quality. Still, it is going to fit in my shoulder bag a bit better, than bulky Sigma (with a converter, as an addition to size).

And I have been using a 18-200 Tamron with my Canon DSLR for years now, and I think right now it is all what I need.

Ps. Last time I started a thread here, some helpful guys agreed to go to Dprevived. Dprforum is, I think, another fork of DPR. I wonder which is a better choice... time tells, I guess.

Try both.

I just went for dprforum.com on speculation - same way that I seem to have bought lenses . I was invited to be a moderator there as well but that really did not factor in my decision other than a desire to help get one of the new fora off the ground. Its format is similar to MFLenses without the clutter.

Despite not having the threaded view option of dpreview it seems quite easy to follow conversations. I am not sure how the apparently endless threads will pan out. But the promoter has promised to adjust it to popular opinion once past the teething stages.

Due to using a proven shell it seems to have got up and running with very few issues.

I think that the format of dprforum (type) is better for such forums as Adapted Lens as it will allow seriously useful 'instruction' threads to be easy-found.

Just one more thought: every time I ask a question on DPR (-review, - revived) I get much more of the answer, that I expected. It really helps me to learn. A lot. I wonder if all the people involved in photography (and theese forums) are engaged in helping this much, or is it something else?

Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate. Really. It just gets me wondering

I think that all people who post to forums have opinions and there is a bit of satisfaction in sharing their knowledge with others. Locally where i live there are few with similar interests that I know (if any) but there are clubs - but clubs mean competitions and foraging for photographic opportunities and I only like competing with myself and finding my own subject matter.

Hopefully those that get answers to queries will continue on to be capable of answering others in due course of time.

It also gives us opportunities to talk to like minded others about things done and gear owned.

 

[QuietOC]

Hi,

I checked that A6000 with MC-11 converter (I have both) and Sigma C 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contemporary will work just fine, in terms of AF.
The problem is that where I live this particular lens is hardly available and costs a lot, if found in the aftermarket.
I found some information on Sigma site, that MC-11 works only with C (contemporary) lenses, because those use some "new" focusing engine, specific only for contemporary (C) lenses.

Recently I found a lens, which is Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, but without that C and MACRO. Still, it has HSM, which stands for focusing engine - hyper sonic motor. It looks more like the older ones - some golden "Sigma HSM" and "optical stabilizer" writings on it.
Only one specimen of that lens, it is even hard for me to find one's picture online, other than those in the private advertisement. And it is being sold for an affordable price. A real bargain.

Anyone knows if it will work with MC-11 (EF to Sony E) considering AF as the main factor of decision? Will the HSM help, or the new Sigma C lenses use some other mean of focusing, that makes only them to work with MC-11?

Alex

Too late reply: the older HSM might somewhat work, but the A6000 would only be using contrast detect which is not great even with native long lenses. It would be nearly useless with that Sigma.

That combination might work ok on newer A6x00 series cameras since Sony enabled on-sensor phase-detect for their adapters on those bodies and the MC-11 emulates those adapters when an unsupported lens like that one is attached.

 

[Nigel Ish]

Even later reply - I tried my (Sigma SD-fit) 18-200 DC OS on an A6400 with the appropriate MC-11 adaptor - the combination gave no AF or aperture control - which was suprising as olderSigma fit lenses do work. While the EF-mount lens may function differently it doesn't give confidence.