Severe Inconsistent Focusing Problem

[jameszhan]

I bought this lens with great excitement because the samples I have seen are fantastic, and most of the reviews I saw were highly positive.

But too bad it wasn't able to focus properly on my Canon 80D.

Because you say "get the USB dock," let me tell you that I did, and it simply could not solve the problem because the focusing issues are inconsistent. For example, at 50mm, one shot is back focused, and the next shot is front focused.

Returning this lens is a huge sorrow to me because the build quality is insane, and also the sharpness is insane (when I got it to focus). Just hope Sigma will make sure their lenses are better calibrated in the future.

 

[davel33]

James I am very sorry that you had to return your lens but I do have one question, why did you not try another one ? The 50-100 I have is great, take a look




Sigma 50-100 1.8 Art Canon 7DII

This was a grab shot walking out the door for lunch about 50 mins after it was dropped off. I used the camera the night before and left the ISO at 1000 so the camera adjusted the 1.8 I wanted to 2.2 to not over expose

--
"Just one more Lens, I promise....."
Dave

 

[jameszhan]

James I am very sorry that you had to return your lens but I do have one question, why did you not try another one ? The 50-100 I have is great, take a look


Sigma 50-100 1.8 Art Canon 7DII

This was a grab shot walking out the door for lunch about 50 mins after it was dropped off. I used the camera the night before and left the ISO at 1000 so the camera adjusted the 1.8 I wanted to 2.2 to not over expose

--
"Just one more Lens, I promise....."
Dave

I did try out another copy, and I also tried out the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art in store because I know big sample variations is a thing with Sigma lenses (quality control???). They all had focusing problems. The Tamron SP 45mm did not! It always focuses accurately.

 

[cnzsystem]

I have been saying Sigma has focus inconsistency issue and many accused me of being a troll,

I also have similar experience with Tamron, much more consistent than Sigma though still not as good as first party Nikon/Canon lenses.

 

[jameszhan]

I have been saying Sigma has focus inconsistency issue and many accused me of being a troll,

I also have similar experience with Tamron, much more consistent than Sigma though still not as good as first party Nikon/Canon lenses.

I think Sigma is known for its focus inconsistency issues tho. Many known youtube photographers have already addressed it.

I think Tamron reverse engineered Canon's AF system, but Tamron's lenses still have way less focus problem than Sigma ones.

 

[noggin2k1]

Focus inconsistencies will always be a problem for third party lenses - and always will be until the manufacturers offer third parties native AF algorithms and associated technologies.

Sigma/Tamron are having to reverse engineer AF as best they can, and even then a camera firmware update can put a spanner in the works for them.

 

[jameszhan]

Focus inconsistencies will always be a problem for third party lenses - and always will be until the manufacturers offer third parties native AF algorithms and associated technologies.

Sigma/Tamron are having to reverse engineer AF as best they can, and even then a camera firmware update can put a spanner in the works for them.

The thing is that Tamron did a way better job in focus accuracy than Sigma, though Tamron is a bit slow but that's not a problem with me.

 

[herion]

I had the chance to try both the Tamron 45mm and the Sigma 50mm Art - I have had several not-so-good experiences with Sigma, and I've always felt that "getting the dock" is just another excuse for poor QC/QA. Plus, there have been a number of "cracking barrels" videos on YT for the Sigma lenses.

I wound up with the Tamron. I like the VC, the build quality is superb and there are no focus inconsistencies. It *is* sometimes a bit slower than a Canon lens, but it's about 1-2 eyeblinks difference when it happens. And it works like a dream on my 70D and M5.

And yes, I got the Tamron Tap-In dock as well. But I've yet to use it for adjustment - just for firmware updates.

 

[jameszhan]

I had the chance to try both the Tamron 45mm and the Sigma 50mm Art - I have had several not-so-good experiences with Sigma, and I've always felt that "getting the dock" is just another excuse for poor QC/QA. Plus, there have been a number of "cracking barrels" videos on YT for the Sigma lenses.

I wound up with the Tamron. I like the VC, the build quality is superb and there are no focus inconsistencies. It *is* sometimes a bit slower than a Canon lens, but it's about 1-2 eyeblinks difference when it happens. And it works like a dream on my 70D and M5.

And yes, I got the Tamron Tap-In dock as well. But I've yet to use it for adjustment - just for firmware updates.

I'm with you there. I think I have a slight back focusing with my Tamron 45mm, but you can only notice it when you pixel peep. So just for the heck of it I brought the lens to Tamron for them to calibrate it.

Does firmware updates actually do anything really? My camera has a new firmware and according to the log none of the updates matters in my case.

 

[herion]

Usually when a new camera comes out, there may or may not be a period when the lens doesn't work or work as well.

I have a EF-M Mount Tamron and that needed a firmware update to work with my M5. I never had a focus problem with it before, but I'm sure Tamron did a calibration anyway because when it came back (2 days!! ) it definitely seemed a little snappier and sharper.

I may have the same miniscule back-focus issue with my 90mm Macro, but like you, it's very hard to spot unless I'm blowing the picture up to 2-foot by three-foot size.

I really like the new SP series from them. I'm considering getting their 10-24 as well - I can use it on my APS-C cams, as well as go to about 13mm on my 6D II (when I get it)

 

[jameszhan]

Usually when a new camera comes out, there may or may not be a period when the lens doesn't work or work as well.

I have a EF-M Mount Tamron and that needed a firmware update to work with my M5. I never had a focus problem with it before, but I'm sure Tamron did a calibration anyway because when it came back (2 days!! ) it definitely seemed a little snappier and sharper.

I may have the same miniscule back-focus issue with my 90mm Macro, but like you, it's very hard to spot unless I'm blowing the picture up to 2-foot by three-foot size.

I really like the new SP series from them. I'm considering getting their 10-24 as well - I can use it on my APS-C cams, as well as go to about 13mm on my 6D II (when I get it)

That's good to hear. I'm anxiously waiting to get the lens back from Tamron, and hopefully there will be some improvements. Straight out of the box the Tamron has way better AF accuracy than this Sigma in my case!

I really like the SP series from them too. the SP 70-200mm and 85mm is on my wishlist!!

 

[hikerdoc]

I would have to disagree in part with the dock is an excuse for poor QA/QC comment. I have had a number of Sigma lenses which are extremely sharp, accurate in AF, and quick in AF. However, with each new Nikon body purchase there would be issues with AF. I do not see that as poor QA, but rather the fact that the lens firmware is not programmed to communicate with the new body. Sigma has generally been extremely efficient in producing the firmware updates which are readily transferred with the dock, upon which the proper AF function returns. I can not speak for any Tamron offerings as they have never interested me. When Nikon produces a new body they can make sure it will communicate with their lenses, and when they produce a new lens they will make sure it communicates with their bodies. They have no concerns on whether Sigma or Tamron lenses function properly on their new releases.

D

 

[Adam2]

I bought this lens with great excitement because the samples I have seen are fantastic, and most of the reviews I saw were highly positive.

But too bad it wasn't able to focus properly on my Canon 80D.

Because you say "get the USB dock," let me tell you that I did, and it simply could not solve the problem because the focusing issues are inconsistent. For example, at 50mm, one shot is back focused, and the next shot is front focused.

Returning this lens is a huge sorrow to me because the build quality is insane, and also the sharpness is insane (when I got it to focus). Just hope Sigma will make sure their lenses are better calibrated in the future.

That's an unfortunate but not an unheard of experience. I'm not sure whether it is a lens communication problem or some other incompatibility issue but I've experienced similar challenges with Sigma lenses and my Canon bodies. The latest go around was with the 150-600 but I attributed this to the AF of a slower lens? I could never achieve consistent AF, spent way too much time calibrating with the dock, sent the lens in for calibration, and eventually sold it for a huge loss. Before that, I lost my shirt on a 35mm 1.4 art which suffered similar problems.

Ironically, the complaints seem to be fewer with Nikon and I've seen some wonderful images with lens . The question is whether the problems lie with Canon, Sigma, or the combination of the two? AF consistency plagued some Canon bodies even with Canon lenses such as the 7d so, it leads one to think that there is more to the story than simply blaming Sigma?

 

[herion]

If I hadn't gotten a super-sweet deal on a lightly used Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II, I would be getting the Tamron!

However ... Canonrumors is mentioning a 24-70 f/2.8 IS... now *THAT* I would sell my 24-70 I and 28-70 for!

And ... the 85 is super sweet at well!

 

[herion]

I certainly can't speak for their Nikon versions, but their Canon mounts do suffer from a considerable AF issue; sometimes it can be corrected with the dock, sometimes not. Their sample variation on the Canon side also seems very high.

 

[jameszhan]

I would have to disagree in part with the dock is an excuse for poor QA/QC comment. I have had a number of Sigma lenses which are extremely sharp, accurate in AF, and quick in AF. However, with each new Nikon body purchase there would be issues with AF. I do not see that as poor QA, but rather the fact that the lens firmware is not programmed to communicate with the new body. Sigma has generally been extremely efficient in producing the firmware updates which are readily transferred with the dock, upon which the proper AF function returns. I can not speak for any Tamron offerings as they have never interested me. When Nikon produces a new body they can make sure it will communicate with their lenses, and when they produce a new lens they will make sure it communicates with their bodies. They have no concerns on whether Sigma or Tamron lenses function properly on their new releases.

D

I agree with you. The dock can only fix consistent issues at the very best. In my case, I experience both back and front focusing for the same focal length. Now that's not something you can just fix with the dock.

Having said that, I don't like the idea of asking the customers to calibrate the lens with the dock because for a zoom lens it's going to require a LOT of work and for a super zoom lens, some distances you need for calibration are like over 20 feet--it really requires a lot of work to just calibrate it myself. The whole process just take away the joy of photography (for me).

I want to be able to dump over a grand on a lens, mount it and start shooting the day I got it.

My next camera will be a mirrorless as mirrorless cameras don't need lens calibration.

 

[jameszhan]

I bought this lens with great excitement because the samples I have seen are fantastic, and most of the reviews I saw were highly positive.

But too bad it wasn't able to focus properly on my Canon 80D.

Because you say "get the USB dock," let me tell you that I did, and it simply could not solve the problem because the focusing issues are inconsistent. For example, at 50mm, one shot is back focused, and the next shot is front focused.

Returning this lens is a huge sorrow to me because the build quality is insane, and also the sharpness is insane (when I got it to focus). Just hope Sigma will make sure their lenses are better calibrated in the future.

That's an unfortunate but not an unheard of experience. I'm not sure whether it is a lens communication problem or some other incompatibility issue but I've experienced similar challenges with Sigma lenses and my Canon bodies. The latest go around was with the 150-600 but I attributed this to the AF of a slower lens? I could never achieve consistent AF, spent way too much time calibrating with the dock, sent the lens in for calibration, and eventually sold it for a huge loss. Before that, I lost my shirt on a 35mm 1.4 art which suffered similar problems.

Ironically, the complaints seem to be fewer with Nikon and I've seen some wonderful images with lens . The question is whether the problems lie with Canon, Sigma, or the combination of the two? AF consistency plagued some Canon bodies even with Canon lenses such as the 7d so, it leads one to think that there is more to the story than simply blaming Sigma?

I never expect any lens to nail focus every time. Both Sigma and Tamron reverse engineered Canon's AF system (so I have heard). I believe my camera body (80D) is rather new and it has this new DPAF technology, which I heard is what is incompatible with the Art series lenses.

I still think Sigma makes great lenses. The build quality of the Sigma lens I had was the best I have ever touched and the optics are fantastic. I'm pretty sure my camera body is partly to be blamed.

 

[jameszhan]

If I hadn't gotten a super-sweet deal on a lightly used Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II, I would be getting the Tamron!

However ... Canonrumors is mentioning a 24-70 f/2.8 IS... now *THAT* I would sell my 24-70 I and 28-70 for!

And ... the 85 is super sweet at well!

24-70 with IS? That would be a cool lens. I heard 24-70 is the weak of all red rings so I hope they made improvements in this new one

 

[Darek_bab]

Hi Jameszhan,

I have a similar issues with my SIGMA 150-600 C. I am going back and forth with calibration process using USB dock. This is the third time where I am recalibrating my focus. When I'm done with calibration and go out to take shots I'm getting different results. Pictures are out of focus and or blurry. I'm wonder if it is me? The way i handle this lense? Even when I try taking pictures with 1/2000 secs I get pictures out of focus. I just can't figure it out.

 

[jameszhan]

Hi Jameszhan,

I have a similar issues with my SIGMA 150-600 C. I am going back and forth with calibration process using USB dock. This is the third time where I am recalibrating my focus. When I'm done with calibration and go out to take shots I'm getting different results. Pictures are out of focus and or blurry. I'm wonder if it is me? The way i handle this lense? Even when I try taking pictures with 1/2000 secs I get pictures out of focus. I just can't figure it out.

It's not just you. You can't use the dock to fix all the focusing problems. You can only fix consistent focusing problems, such as all photos are front focused or all photos are back focused. If the lens sometimes back focuses and sometimes front focuses, you either have to send it to Sigma's service center to get it calibrate or get another copy to test out. I heard sample variation is pretty drastic with Sigma.

Also what camera body are you using? Newer camera bodies tend to have more problems with lenses that came out before the bodies did.