Sigma 30mm Auto-NON-focus

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nobby noname

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Calling International Rescue! Advice or comments most welcome on the following...

I have just got a sigma 30mm 1.4 for my EOS 550d. Only it sadly appears to have a real problem with the autofocus. I have attached (fingers crossed!) three pics, all taken using a gorillapod and remote to keep the camera fairly still, and all at 1.4.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/6956909126_25fbab86dd_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/6956903618_705324d1db_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/6956906254_259378d09c_b.jpg

First is the sigma’s go at autofocus (centre focus and aimed at the top window), second is the same but in live-view, and lastly is using manual focus on live-view. I think it shows the sigma is focusing about 20ft from where the subject actually is. Better with live-view (different focusing method, I understand) but still pretty abysmal.

Got from Jessops, so will have a chat with them about what to do next, but before I do are there any comments that would help me? I understand that Sigma can adjust the lens to work with my camera. Any drawback with that? Would I be better off getting a refund and trying something like the canon 28mm 1.8? (I have a canon 50mm 1.4 which is fantastic imho, but the 30mm was looking really good for general/ indoor use, if only the piggin thing would focus!)

What do people think?
 
Got a 4 yr old Nikon version. Af is ok normally, with live view doesn't seem to work and manually I am happy with. Nikon version wasn't available at the time (35 1.8) and my camera then didn't have live view. I'm happy enough with the lens to keep it without bothering to get a firmware update (lost receipt). If you get it tuned to your camera, the lens won't be worth much when you change body or try to sell it.....
 
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tictoc said:
Got a 4 yr old Nikon version. Af is ok normally, with live view doesn't seem to work and manually I am happy with. Nikon version wasn't available at the time (35 1.8) and my camera then didn't have live view. I'm happy enough with the lens to keep it without bothering to get a firmware update (lost receipt). If you get it tuned to your camera, the lens won't be worth much when you change body or try to sell it.....
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Yep, think, I'd be happier if the af was ok (rather than the live view), but the af seems really far off on the copy I have.

Do get
your point. Second hand value...
 
Looks like it's front focussing, typical sigma quality control, you could return it for calibration or try another and another until maybe you get a good copy or bite the bullet and get a Canon.
 
nobby noname said:
Should read... "do get your point re second hand value"
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I have found that most of my camera issues have been user related. My focussing technique and choice of settings has made all my lenses much sharper 😉. Your lens is new, give it back and try another one. All Sigmas have a 3 yr warranty now ( not when I bought it!). So you don't even have to worry if it will be ok with your next camera or two.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Doesn't look like 20ft from those samples! But yes, the AF looks off.
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My odd sense of humour getting in the way again! Didn't really mean 20 ft, honest. But did seem to make all pics on af at 1.4 oof
 
Tictoc: yes, most of my camera issues have been me for sure! Does look like this copy of the sigma is out though. Didn't realise it was now a 3 year warranty for these, that's good news. Will talk to jessops and see what they say...
 
nobby noname said:
Tictoc: yes, most of my camera issues have been me for sure! Does look like this copy of the sigma is out though. Didn't realise it was now a 3 year warranty for these, that's good news. Will talk to jessops and see what they say...
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Nikon doesn't offer 3 yrs warranty with anything so far as I know, with all the bad things said about third party lenses, a company who will stand by their products and deal with warranty issues is worth a second look and a bit of perseverance in getting a good copy....even if quality control is loose. I think the warranty requires some form of on line registration if the dealer doesn't fill out the card for you.
 
Well.. Swapped lens for a second sigma 30mm. Just as bad. Checked with other lenses on my body ( including 50mm 1.4) and no probs so not the body. Took back to jessops and got them to double check in case it was me. Confirmed lens a proper duffer. Could have ordered a third but now fed up enough to forget the extra f-stop and gone with the canon 28mm 1.8 for about the same cost.

Only trouble is, jessops don't stock anything nowadays, so back to waiting for an order. Bah!
 
daugirdas said:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/155-canon-ef-28mm-f18-usm-test-report--review?start=2

don't waste your money on this either. depending on your kit look for 17-55 f/2.8 zoom or a longer Canon prime.
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Oh dear! Too late I'm afraid - already on order! (seen other reviews that were ok though, so we'll see when I eventually get it). For what it's worth, I want a prime to make me learn more ( making me move around to get a good shot) so should hopefully do that anyway even if the image isn't L quality. Also, paid for by tesco vouchers so effectively half price - result! (errrrrrr... Possibly)
 
Dully question, but are you using a tripod? The DOF @1.4 is tiny!
 
DaveKing said:
Dully question, but are you using a tripod? The DOF @1.4 is tiny!
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Exactly, all you need do is move slightly as you press the shutter (or breathe) and the focus will be miles out.

Repeat the tests with the camera mounted on a tripod and ideally using a remote and remember, just because a lens opens to f/1.4 doesn't mean you have to shoot wide open......
 
I had a Siggy 30mm f1.4 for years and was very happy with it, I never had a problem. I sold it here and was amazed and shocked that the new owner was having all sorts of problems and posted some example shots on this forum, focus was all over the place. Of course I offered a full refund but the buyer kept it, AFAIK.

My point is that IMVHO wide aperture lenses of this kind require care, thought and good technique. Personally I think that most of the "Siggy QC control is crap" stuff we read on the net is poor technique. I've had and still have a number of fast Siggy lenses and I've never ever had an issue on either of my Canon bodies. Maybe I've just been lucky.

I'm not saying that the OP deffo has poor technique, but personally when faced with possible faulty kit the first thing that I personally do is eliminate any possible user error. Especially if another copy seems faulty too.

PS. I've told this story before but it's on point... I have a Siggy 50mm f1.4 that I'm very happy with. Someone else tried it and immediately dismissed it as a miss focusing pile of poo but it was obvious to me that he was visibly swaying when taking the shot. A shot that I could and indeed did take perfectly. Try telling someone it's their fault though when everyone knows you get loads of problems with Siggy lenses.
 
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woof woof said:
I had a Siggy 30mm f1.4 for years and was very happy with it, I never had a problem. I sold it here and was amazed and shocked that the new owner was having all sorts of problems and posted some example shots on this forum, focus was all over the place. Of course I offered a full refund but the buyer kept it, AFAIK.

My point is that IMVHO wide aperture lenses of this kind require care, thought and good technique. Personally I think that most of the "Siggy QC control is crap" stuff we read on the net is poor technique. I've had and still have a number of fast Siggy lenses and I've never ever had an issue on either of my Canon bodies. Maybe I've just been lucky.

I'm not saying that the OP deffo has poor technique, but personally when faced with possible faulty kit the first thing that I personally do is eliminate any possible user error. Especially if another copy seems faulty too.

PS. I've told this story before but it's on point... I have a Siggy 50mm f1.4 that I'm very happy with. Someone else tried it and immediately dismissed it as a miss focusing pile of poo but it was obvious to me that he was visibly swaying when taking the shot. A shot that I could and indeed did take perfectly. Try telling someone it's their fault though when everyone knows you get loads of problems with Siggy lenses.
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Oh please!
If one can get one fast lens to behave perfectly well, by definition, there is no reason why another - perfectly good lens - would suddenly should not cause any trouble.
To this day I have tested many sigma lenses, and even owned one for half a day. Only one was behaving - 50mm - one copy out of two. Obviously Canon or whatever else is no perfect and makes plenty of duffers (seen more than enough :gag:), but the Sigma rate is beyond the limits I'm afraid. How about 150mm OS demo lens failing to focus at all on 1Ds?
 
daugirdas said:
Oh please!
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And yet I've never ever had a focusing issue with any of mine and have seen first hand how poor technique causes problems for people who just wont accept they're the problem. Go figure...

Like I said, but you chose not to highlight "I'm not saying that the OP deffo has poor technique, but personally when faced with possible faulty kit the first thing that I personally do is eliminate any possible user error. Especially if another copy seems faulty too."
 
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woof woof said:
And yet I've never ever had a focusing issue with any of mine and have seen first hand how poor technique causes problems for people who just wont accept they're the problem. Go figure...

Like I said, but you chose not to highlight "I'm not saying that the OP deffo has poor technique, but personally when faced with possible faulty kit the first thing that I personally do is eliminate any possible user error. Especially if another copy seems faulty too."
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He uses 50/1.4 which is technically not that dissimilar to the one in question :rules:

I agree about poor technique though, but then it is poor consistently.
 
daugirdas said:
He uses 50/1.4 which is technically not that dissimilar to the one in question :rules:

I agree about poor technique though, but then it is poor consistently.
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You have to be able to decide what is a fault and what isn’t whilst also remembering that AF varies and that Canon say on their web site that if you take three AF shots you'll see differences between the three.

So, the first thing that I personally would do is eliminate user error and then decide what is acceptable and what isn't. The poof would be to take the same shot, or rather a series of shots, under the same conditions with good and suspect lenses and view the results. That seems a reasonable approach to me and could make clear what the problem is.
 
Nope, deffo a duffo lens, I'm afraid.

Cheers for all the comments and suggestions though.

Just to confirm, yep I can use a 50mm 1.4 fine, with similar dof, and I agree you don't HAVE to shoot wide open, but if trying to figure out if it was a wrong-in seemed sensible to test at that. Took shots on tripod with remote release. Same problem (now have a wide selection of test shots but you'll be relieved to here I won't post them all!)

The sigma was always front focusing. And I mean always. If I could "sway" when taking a pic so consistently that in itself would be a talent! :)

Checked in the shop on return (the good side of bricks and mortar outlets) and confirmed the problem. Again.

It really was the lens and not me. Didn't want it to be, hence first post asking for comments, but it does seem to show a bit of a quality control issue going on, which is a real shame as it would have been a nice lens to have...
 
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