What's the truth with Sigma lens incompatability?

[PeterH53]

I am very keen to buy an x-300 or x-200 zoom lens for my 300D.

Because of high prices in Australia the best value Canon is a 90-300 USM.
The Sigma 70-300 Macro is about the same price.

I like the idea of macro in the Sigma but I have read plenty about Err99 errors with the 300D and Canon not wanting to know anything about it.

Should I forget about the Sigma (or any others) and get the Canon 90-300 even though it reportedly have poor definition at full zoom?

Are there any happy Sigma 70-300 users out there who have not encountered this error problem?

regards

PeterH

 

[Steve Lupton]

I like the idea of macro in the Sigma but I have read plenty about
Err99 errors with the 300D and Canon not wanting to know anything
about it.

It is only the older Sigma lenses that are affected, and even then Sigma will rechip almost all of them free of charge.

You would have no worries buying a new lens.

Steve

 

[Enoch179136]

I have the Sigma 70-300 macro. Bought it 3 or 4 years ago. I've never had a problem with my DR. I've never had any error message.

Enoch

 

[grdSavant]

Ya, me too. I bought a really fine, older Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8 APO IF (EX equiv.) at great savings, but got err99. Called Sigma, and sent it off for the free upgrade (lens internal electronics). Oh! and by the way, it gets a free cleaning and tune-up, too. Life is good.

The error was introduced by Canon EOS late 2000, so Sigma changed their stuff to be compatible since December 2000. Canon does not reveal their changes in advance.

--jerry

I like the idea of macro in the Sigma but I have read plenty about
Err99 errors with the 300D and Canon not wanting to know anything
about it.

It is only the older Sigma lenses that are affected, and even then
Sigma will rechip almost all of them free of charge.

You would have no worries buying a new lens.

Steve

 

[mlowe_au]

Hi PeterH,

Although this is perhaps not a true answer to your question - have you considered purchasing the lens over the internet from the US at either http://www.adorama.com or http://www.bhphotovideo.com?

I purchased the Canon 70-200L f/4 lens from Adorama last Thursday and received it on Tuesday in perfect condition, very well packaged for a total cost of around A$830 (US$579 plus roughly US$54 shipping).

I was looking to purchase in Australia, but the price was just too prohibitive - the lenses are about half the price in the US.

Cheers,
Melissa

I am very keen to buy an x-300 or x-200 zoom lens for my 300D.

Because of high prices in Australia the best value Canon is a
90-300 USM.
The Sigma 70-300 Macro is about the same price.

I like the idea of macro in the Sigma but I have read plenty about
Err99 errors with the 300D and Canon not wanting to know anything
about it.

Should I forget about the Sigma (or any others) and get the Canon
90-300 even though it reportedly have poor definition at full zoom?

Are there any happy Sigma 70-300 users out there who have not
encountered this error problem?

regards

PeterH

 

[Dr. Don Sandell208748]

If you buy a new Sigma, you should have no problems at all.

--

Photography has suprisingly little to do with cameras; but indeed almost everything to do with the person behind the camera.

 

[David Barker91965]

Hi Melissa,

Do you (did you) have to pay import duty in Australia for goods from USA? I'm not asking you to shop yourself, but I'm just interested to build up an impression of the situation in different countries.

FWIW, I bought a lens from B&H, it arrived within a week, I paid for UPS, also for import duty and VAT (17.5% extra).

--
DB

 

[hydrotoast]

Hi

I imported a sigma lense 70-200 2.8 HSM from USA arrived in 5 working days no duty was charged by customs, it you are charged it is only GST at 10 percent. Total cost billed to my Visa was AUD $927, these lenses are listed at "dirt cheap" for $1875. Have also recently brought some iceskates and there was also no duty with 5 working days for delivery. I think duty is the luck of the draw as customs only check so many Items

Another Aussie

I am very keen to buy an x-300 or x-200 zoom lens for my 300D.

Because of high prices in Australia the best value Canon is a
90-300 USM.
The Sigma 70-300 Macro is about the same price.

I like the idea of macro in the Sigma but I have read plenty about
Err99 errors with the 300D and Canon not wanting to know anything
about it.

Should I forget about the Sigma (or any others) and get the Canon
90-300 even though it reportedly have poor definition at full zoom?

Are there any happy Sigma 70-300 users out there who have not
encountered this error problem?

regards

PeterH