Sigma 150-600C focus problem.

Chilt

Chilt

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So I understand about the sigma dock and that, it seems that when stuff if further away it locks on with focus but the image just don’t seem like it’s in focus, I’m getting a sigma dock soon to adjust stuff but I’m not really sure how it all works, I need to get a auto focus board thing with the ruler on I and stuff to see if it’s back or forward focusing but is there anything else I can use cause I believe the one on amazon is quite small?

I’m using it on a canon 550d

Thanks for any help if you get what I mean? Haha
Chilt
 
Before you go changing focus settings, be sure you're using a shutter speed fast enough to stop camera shake.

When I first got mine, I couldn't get anything properly in focus at less than 1/1250. It won't take you long to get used to it - 600mm is a long lens.
 
I've partially done my Sigma 100-400 as it was front focusing at around 25 feet (a tweak on the relevant distance setting as a quick-fix as I need to set a couple of hours aside to calibrate all the distances at the various zoom distance settings, and my available spare time needs to coincide with suitable weather to do this).

As Trevor says, keep your shutter speed high to eliminate camera shake and blur, and use a sturdy tripod. A long tape measure will also be required to measure the various distances between the camera and the object, and remember to measure from the 'film plane' mark on the camera and not from the front of the lens.

There are some 'how to' videos on YouTube about using the Sigma dock, including some from Sigma. You'll also need to choose a clear, dry day to calibrate your lens, as you'll need to check focus at infinity. Hope these suggestions are useful and best of luck.
 
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My shutter speed is usually around the 1/2000 so it’s not that, and I am using a tripod today and still the same, tried it with OS on and off, so I defo think it needs tweaking in the settings.

Thanks for the advice guys
Chilt
 
Ah - fair enough. It's not that then.

Good luck with your 'tweaking'. :)
 
The £4-5 versions of the focus card is small there's a bigger one for £25 I think.

I have the small card option done me well. Even helped calibrate my other lenses, as I have on board camera adjustments.
 
Found out what the problem was! Just been on a 5 hour walk! Taking photos wondering why everything is not really focused..

Just got back to the car.. noticed some writing on the front of the lens, pretty much on the glass.. it had a filter on it!!! Got it off eBay you see and no filter was mentioned, I’ve taken it off and everything seems really sharp and in focus! it’s a (rise uk) filter.. so gunna pop back out now and see if ya I can get any decent photos hahaha

Wish me luck
Thanks
Chilt
 
Chilt said:
Found out what the problem was! Just been on a 5 hour walk! Taking photos wondering why everything is not really focused..

Just got back to the car.. noticed some writing on the front of the lens, pretty much on the glass.. it had a filter on it!!! Got it off eBay you see and no filter was mentioned, I’ve taken it off and everything seems really sharp and in focus! it’s a (rise uk) filter.. so gunna pop back out now and see if ya I can get any decent photos hahaha

Wish me luck
Thanks
Chilt
Click to expand...

A cheap brand filter on a quality lens will never end good.

Glad to hear that you seem to have resolved it :)

PS out of interest, just what else does it say on the filter i.e. specifically what type of filter did the previous owner put on the lens???
 
Box Brownie said:
A cheap brand filter on a quality lens will never end good.

Glad to hear that you seem to have resolved it :)

PS out of interest, just what else does it say on the filter i.e. specifically what type of filter did the previous owner put on the lens???
Click to expand...

It says on it RISE(UK) UV 95mm FILTER

It was starting to worry me.. as all my photos were just pure poop! Haha

Thanks
Chilt
 
Glad you fixed the issue. The Sigma dock is still useful to get though (or to borrow from someone who has a Canon one that will fit your camera) if only to check the lens firmware is up to date. You can also use it to select different focus and OS settings, as well as tweaking lens calibration. I bought a used one from London Camera Exchange, in as new condition only £10 cheaper than new.
 
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Mr Badger said:
Glad you fixed the issue. The Sigma dock is still useful to get though (or to borrow from someone who has a Canon one that will fit your camera) if only to check the lens firmware is up to date. You can also use it to select different focus and OS settings, as well as tweaking lens calibration. I bought a used one from London Camera Exchange, in as new condition only £10 cheaper than new.
Click to expand...

Yeah I find the OS without the dock still isn’t great and I’ve seen if you change it with the dock it can help quite a bit more! I’m not really having too much trouble with the AF, yaah it’s not like a 400mm 5.6L speed but it ain’t mega slow, yeah somethings like water that’s in front of me, it doesn’t seem to focus on that so I have to move the manual focus a bit to catch it, other than that it seems like a great lens, but I probably will get the dock still :)

Thanks
Chilt
 
the dock would be worth, I have the sport version. Focus was 17points out in one part.
 
I have the sigma 150-600 c and I had focusing issues. Luckily enough for me it was under warranty and sent it back to be calibrated by sigma.
I would suggest watching the front and rear focusing youtube videos as they are very good at solving this problem.
 
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