Debunking the Sigma QC myth...

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reddeathdrinker

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I'd like your answers to one simple question...

Have you personally had any QC issues with new Sigma lenses?

If so, tell us the lens, the problem, and quite importantly, when!

I've heard it too many times now - "Ohh, Sigma lenses - they suffer from poor QC" - and this was from a tog with a collection of 100% Nikon lenses! I have had 3 new lenses from Sigma, 10-20mm, 18-200mm and 100-300mm f/4 in my time, and all have been perfect.

The list of lenses so far:

  • x1.4TC
  • x2TC
  • 4.5mm f/2.8
  • 8mm f3.5 Fisheye
  • 10-20mm
  • 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6
  • 17-70mm
  • 18-50mm F2.8
  • 18-200mm
  • 20mm f/2.8
  • 24mm f/2.8
  • 24-60mm f/2.8
  • 24-70mm f/2.8
  • 28mm f/2.8
  • 28-70mm f2.8-4
  • 30mm f/1.4
  • 50mm f/1.4
  • 50-150mm f/2.8
  • 50-500mm
  • 55-200mm
  • 70mm Macro
  • 70-210mm f/2.8 macro
  • 70-300mm
  • 70-300mm APO
  • 100-300mm f/4
  • 120-300mm f/2.8
  • 150mm Macro
  • 300mm f/2.8
  • 300-800mm

Currently, the Sigma 10-20mm has 12 good, 4 bad copies in the list - as it seems to be the focus (no pun intended!) of the bulk of the criticism. I wouldn't let the results sway you in any way - the 10-20mm is a great lens. If you happen to get a bad copy, this straw poll also confirms it will be replaced or repaired with no fuss...
 
Firstly, I've had loads of Sigma lens, and never had a problem with the usual suspects ie Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for example. I have had a 150mm macro replaced for a clear optical fault

Sigma lenses I've owned.

Sigma 120-300 f/2.8, Sigma 100-300 f/4 HSM, Sigma 50-500 "Bigma" (thought this was a POS), Sigma 70mm macro (superb), Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (superb), Sigma 10-20 (prefer Tokina 12-24, but nowt wrong with it), Sigma 150mm (had a fault, very soft and hazy at non macro distances - replaced in under 1 week)
 
I've owned:

Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 (x2)

All have been excellent with no focus issues whatsoever. I've also tested the 70mm f/2.8 Macro and 150mm f/2.8 Macro lenses in-store and they've been fine too.
 
Sigma 55-200 - Fine
Sigma 28-70 f2.8-4 - Fine
Sigma 17-70 - Fine
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 - Fine

I have no problems with buying Sigma :)
 
Here's my experience. The numbers on the left are my asset tags just so that I know which is which when I come to update this.
  • (0044) Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Mar 08 - fine
  • (0047) Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM (Nikon) - bought Apr 08 - fine
  • (0086) Sigma 8mm f3.5 EX DG circular fisheye (Canon) - bought Jun 08 - fine
  • (0097) Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM (Nikon) - bought Jun 08 - fine
  • (0098) Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM (Nikon) - bought Jun 08 - fine
  • (0112) Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM (Nikon) - bought Jun 08 - fine
  • (0133) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Sep 08 - misaligned element
  • (0134) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Sep 08 - misaligned element - autofocus failed, Jan 09
  • (0145) Sigma APO Tele Converter 1.4x EX DG (Nikon) - bought Nov 08 - fine
  • (0146) Sigma APO Tele Converter 2x EX DG (Nikon) - bought Nov 08 - fine
  • (0149) Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM circular fisheye (Canon) - bought Nov 08 - fine
  • (0150) Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM circular fisheye (Nikon) - bought Nov 08 - scratched front element
  • (0153) Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Jan 09 - not tested yet
  • (0163) Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM (Nikon) - bought Jun 08 - awaiting delivery
  • (0172) Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM (Nikon) - bought Jan 09 - awaiting delivery
  • (0173) Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM (Nikon) - bought Jan 09 - awaiting delivery
  • (0179) Sigma 8mm f3.5 EX DG circular fisheye (Canon) - bought Jan 09 - not tested yet
 
Stewart, how did you find their service for the faulty ones anyway?
 
I own or have owned

Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 70-210mm f/2.8 macro
Sigma 100-300mm f/4
Sigma 300mm f/2.8
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro
Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8

and not had any problems with any.
 
I have:
24-70 f2.8
105 f2.8 Macro
50-500 f4 - f6.3

Not had a problem with any of them optically, although the Sony did chew the gears on the 105 Macro but the repair was handled without problems under warranty.

puddleduck said:
Sigma 50-500 "Bigma" (thought this was a POS),
Click to expand...

What does POS mean? :thinking:
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Stewart, how did you find their service for the faulty ones anyway?
Click to expand...
(0133) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Sep 08 - misaligned element
Sigma replaced the lens under warranty, but it took them 30 days

(0134) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM (Canon) - bought Sep 08 - misaligned element
Sigma replaced the lens under warranty, but it took them 30 days

(0134) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM (Canon) - autofocus failed, Jan 09
Sigma repaired the lens under warranty, but it took them 14 days

(0150) Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM circular fisheye (Nikon) - bought Nov 08 - scratched front element
Sigma repaired the lens under warranty, and it only took them 1 day
 
It would be interesting after a few more people post, to total up all the lenses and how many have had problems.
 
sigma 17-70 - fine
sigma 70-300 APO DG - fine
Sigma 150 - fine

those are all my 2nd hand sigma 70-200 need to be calibrated.
 
All Canon Fit:-
Sigma 30mm F1.4 - December 2008 - Inconsistent Auto Focus. Returned to store.
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 - Jan 2007 - Consistent front focus. Returned to store (Also really didn't like zoom ring)
Sigma 18-50 F2.8 - No issues with quality, just didn't like the lens
Sigma 120-300 F2.8 - No issues at all, loved that lens.
Sigma 150mm F2.8 Macro - No Issues at all
Sigma 100-300 F4 - No issues at all
 
Sigma 70-300mm APO DG - bought April last year. Fine. Very good in fact. A proper bargain
Sigma 10-20mm - bought around June last year. Right hand side of image blurred
Sigma 10-20mm - replacement for the above unit. Same problem only more so. Awful down the right hand side. Lovely and sharp everywhere else.

Confidence in Sigma now dwindling. Sick of to-ing and fro-ing to camera shop so gave up in the end and splashed on a Canon 10-22mm - no problems with this one.

The two Sigma 10-20mm were from different batches (one was stock that had been in the shop a month or two, the replacement was shipped in from Sigma and had the newer style lens cap on it.)

So, yes, in my experience, there are/were QC issues with some Sigma lenses. Pretty dire ones at that. Not acceptable on such an expensive product.
 
reddeathdrinker said:
Now this is quality information, from the owner of the biggest Sigma lens collection on TP?
Click to expand...
I think I probably am the owner of the biggest Sigma lens collection on TP. But not the biggest in the world. That honour probably goes to Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com in Tennessee. He has very usefully tabulated and published his lens failure data and it makes grim reading for Sigma.
 
fabs said:
Mine has been brilliant as a Polo lens
Click to expand...

You lot go from double dutch to gibberish. What's a polo lens? One with a hole in the middle?

FWIW... I've had 2 Sigma's. Both fine.
 
I think it really is pot luck with sigma, slightly swayed in favour of good rather than bad, but never the less, the impression I get is that incidence of QC issues on new lenses is too high.

Mine have been all fine, I have now stopped buying as I am sure luck has run out.

10-20 - no probs new, now nearly 2 years old and could do with a service, contacts dont always work when bolted to camera despite cleaning.
150mm macro - bought s/h, excellent
120-300 - new, no problems
50-150 - new, no problems
24-70 - new, excellent lens
1.4 TC - new, super, but recently [6mths old] started to come apart internally. Imported, so CBA to send back or pay sigma, so undid outer screws and repaired myself by retightening internal screws, now good as new again.
 
f/2.8 24mm and 28mm - both 2nd-hand MF, cheaply built but no problems.

10-20mm - over 2 years old, no problem.

50-150mm Series II - returned to seller: front focus problem. Replacement (new) arrives on Monday.

Their service department tell me there's currently a 3-week turnaround.
 
StewartR said:
Here's my experience. The numbers on the left are my asset tags just so that I know which is which when I come to update this.
Click to expand...

Stewart - out of interest do you have a figure in mind for the hire of the 50mm f1.4 (Nikon fit)....PM me if you want to. :)
 
Big, cheap zoom (don't remember specifics) 4/3rds fit. Crap image quality, slow to focus etc. but not actually faulty I guess.
30mm f/1.4 on a Sony mount. Faultless.
 
Sigma 10-20 - fine
Sigma 20mm 1.8 - fine
Sigma 50-150 2.8 - fine
Sigma 70-300 (non APO) - fine
Sigma 120-300 2.8 - fine

No technical issues as such, only slight annoyance is that the 50-150 has an appalling minimum focusing distance, but I was aware of this when I purchased the lens, and it has been 'improved' for the HSM II version.
 
StewartR said:
I think I probably am the owner of the biggest Sigma lens collection on TP. But not the biggest in the world. That honour probably goes to Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com in Tennessee. He has very usefully tabulated and published his lens failure data and it makes grim reading for Sigma.
Click to expand...

While that is useful data, think about how people treat a rental car compared to their own car.

I think the poor showing of Sigmas could partly be due to lesser build quality, rather than QC issues.

It's worth a thought anyway, before we start comparing lenses that people own vs lenses that are rented out. I can guarantee the latter get more usage, so maybe we should be talking about longevity instead of QC.
 
rental gear not only gets used a lot more it gets shipped a hell of a lot - that can't do it any good.

in the table stewart linked the top 5 are sigma lenses, but they are all large zooms and all have errors with zoom, autofocus and Optical Stabilisation, all of which are electronic bases

it is noted after the table that super telephoto primes have the lowest repair rate.

hypothesis - it might be electronics in superzooms that are more likely to break, and sigma dominate this section of the market
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
rental gear not only gets used a lot more it gets shipped a hell of a lot - that can't do it any good.

in the table stewart linked the top 5 are sigma lenses, but they are all large zooms and all have errors with zoom, autofocus and Optical Stabilisation, all of which are electronic bases

it is noted after the table that super telephoto primes have the lowest repair rate.

hypothesis - it might be electronics in superzooms that are more likely to break, and sigma dominate this section of the market
Click to expand...

You make a good point. And, relatedly, we really need more information on usage of the lenses that Stewart provided to make any meaningful comparison.

Anyone here work at Sigma? :)
 
10-20...No problems
105 Macro......No problems
300-800.....On its way back to Sigma.....Soft image issue.
 
I have been looking at the Sigma 10 - 20, but how will I know whether I've got a good one or not, how obvious is it and what tests can I do to prove its good or bad?

Or should I just buy the Tokina (or Tamron?)
 
I dont think Sigma QC is something to get too worked up about.A few years ago it was certainly pretty hit and miss but recently I have been assured (local dealer) that they have tightened up their act.That is not to say that they are perfect but then neither is the competition in their market sector.Canon lenses for one can certainly throw up issues from time to time.
I presently own three Sigma lenses and they are all fine.I have bought second hand in the past but always made sure when I have done so that there is a money back guarantee.My local dealer offers an immediate exchange on new(providing it is in stock) which is about as good as customer service gets.
Sigma are the big player in third party lenses and their volumes are considerable so it is no surprise that there may be batch problems from time to time.What surprises me is that not just poor sigma lenses but poor lenses full stop end up on the second hand market when many of these lenses could have been returned at the new stage which would have sorted the problem at source.
For sure build quality is not L class but then neither are the prices.Many of the lenses are excellent and represent terrific value for money.Paying more is not necessarily a guarantee of good QC either.For example Canon L glass is certainly not exempt from criticism.I for one had to return a 100-400L twice to get a sharp example and I personally know of several other instances.
I would certainly not have a problem buying another new Siggy lens.Buying a second hand lens though I would either want to test it first or have a cast iron money back guarantee, as I would with any other second hand lens.
Pete.
 
I went out shopping for lenses for my mum a few weeks back and we were looking at sigmas. She decided on the 10-20 and the 50-150 and we checked through several copies.

There was so much inconsistency in the stock of 10-20's we checked that I asked the shop to get every copy out so that we could have the best one.
 
The answer to the original question:

YES & NO.......

My Sigma 17-70 was an excellent copy first time, still is, however I had to try 3 copies of the Sigma 10-20 until I received a good one, the first two were awful..one completely de-centred & the 2nd wouldn't produce a single in-focus image, fortunately I'm delighted with the 3rd copy but is was a bit of lottery getting it !!

If the other thread about a 40% Sigma price increase is true they better improve their QC or they'll serious hamper their sales figures !!

simon
 
Sigma 17-70 (canon fit) - Top lens, no problems in nearly 2years
Sigma 24-70 (nikon) IQ etc no problems, but there is a known issue where the SB900 using its focus light thing (i'm tired and can't think what it is called! :lol:) Sigma have told me they have a fix and to send my lens in for a warranty repair :thumbs: to Sigma
Sigma 12-24 (nikon) Great lens, no problems

Only had the Nikons since christmas but the QC issues would have been obvious when I started using them

I have just ordered a 70-300 APO DG as well so, Sigma all the way for me! :)
 
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