Is it Possible to add Auto Focus to a Manual lens ?

[Professor1991]

I have recently acquired a Sigma 70mm F2.8 macro lens. I've only messed around with it briefly but I can't really complain. I got it off eBay and item was as described, condition was top notch. 1 glaring issue I do have and may be this was a major over sight on my part, but I've just found out the lens doesn't have auto focus. I am aware many older lens don't support auto focus but this Sigma lens looks comparatively "modern" and so I just assumed to my detriment that auto focus was a given. I also intend to use the lens for portraits and I've found auto focus on my other lens has often been reliable and I intend to use the lens for portraits and what not.

Throwing this out there but is it possible to somehow add auto focusing ability to this lens ? I am aware of some type of adaptor but it is seemingly only for Sony cameras and I possess a Nikon D5500.

 

[ancient_mariner]

I have recently acquired a Sigma 70mm F2.8 macro lens. I've only messed around with it briefly but I can't really complain. I got it off eBay and item was as described, condition was top notch. 1 glaring issue I do have and may be this was a major over sight on my part, but I've just found out the lens doesn't have auto focus. I am aware many older lens don't support auto focus but this Sigma lens looks comparatively "modern" and so I just assumed to my detriment that auto focus was a given. I also intend to use the lens for portraits and I've found auto focus on my other lens has often been reliable and I intend to use the lens for portraits and what not.

Throwing this out there but is it possible to somehow add auto focusing ability to this lens ? I am aware of some type of adaptor but it is seemingly only for Sony cameras and I possess a Nikon D5500.

It's quite possible the lens is autofocus, but only for nikon cameras with a built-in AF motor. The 5500 is an entry level model, and isn't backwards-compatible with older lenses like this. It will probably give a focus confirmation in the viewfinder, but rely on you to actually perform the focussing manually - this is not necessarily a disadvantage, and I find manual focussing with a focus aid quite quick & accurate. Otherwise just flog the lens & get something more recent.

 

[StewartR]

I've just found out the lens doesn't have auto focus.

It is an autofocus lens. See that switch on the side that's marked LIMIT/FULL? That's an autofocus distance limiter. Set it to LIMIT when shooting macro, and the lens will only try to focus at distances out to 0.5m.

If you're not convinced, use Google to find reviews of the lens and see what they say. For example, DP Review: "It has a reputation for being one of the sharpest lenses on the market, but autofocus is slow."
https://www.dpreview.com/products/sigma/lenses/sigma_70_2p8_macro

The issue is that this lens does not have a focus motor built in; it expects the camera to do the work. However your D5500 camera is a lower end model which does not have a focus motor built in and expects the lens to do the work. If you had a D7000 camera or higher, it would work fine (albeit slowly). With your camera you would need a lens with HSM in the name, which in Sigma nomenclature is the equivalent of Nikon's AF-S.

Throwing this out there but is it possible to somehow add auto focusing ability to this lens ?

No. Even if it were a manual focus lens, it's not possible to retrofit an autofocus capability.

I am aware of some type of adaptor but it is seemingly only for Sony cameras.

Whatever this adapter does, it won't add autofocus capability.

 

[acs]

No. Even if it were a manual focus lens, it's not possible to retrofit an autofocus capability.

While not particularly relevant in this case, it is possible to add AF, for example, Nikon used to produce a tele-converter that allowed cameras to auto-focus manual lenses and other similar devices were around back in the day. Basically the AF unit is mounted behind the lens rather than inside it.

 

[mikew]

Whilst acs is correct and the converter can still be bought on evilbay it still needs a camera with a built in AF motor I dont think i would bother,enjoy the lens as is and consider in the future picking a body up that will drive it,some of the early low mp camera will do it and still give good results on macro.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-TC-...226284?hash=item4d60d7a22c:g:D-AAAOSw66pZivWR

These where done on a D70 with a sigma macro

 

[Deleted member 49428]

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Whatever this adapter does, it won't add autofocus capability.

Totally OT since this is about Sony in a Nikon Thread but
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