Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

[dlee13]

I am going to loose my mind pretty soon. Took my 50 Art for a walk outside today, been sick so almost haven't tried it outside. And the focus is WAAAY off, completely gone... Couldn't get anything sharp, front focused by a few car lengths. So got back home and tried AGAIN, and my earlier calibration was completely out the window and had to re do everything with totally different values, seems mine is one of those "drifters" that can't hold on to a afma value. It's 3 seconds before I just sell this crappy lens and call it quits with Sigma forever, this is just too much hassle to be bothered with anymore.

One day perfect and best lens ever, the next it won't even lock on any distance and any subject, completely random where it places focus.

AHRRRGHG§!!"

Not that it's funny, but you sound exactly like I did when I got my first copy of the previous Sigma 50 so I can personally relate to you.

Have you tried using the dot tune method for AFMA? One thing to note is, if you have Back button focus enabled on your body then it's best to test it using back button focus. For the previous Sigma 50, I had a AFMA reading of +15 for the shutter button yet a reading of only +8 using BBF. I find my lens can be very temperamental too, one of the main reasons I now rely on my Canon 35mm f2 IS.

The thing is that I use real life testing, manual with Reikan Target, and the full automatic calibration in FoCal. At all 4 distances I can tune in with the docking. And it's perfect every time in any light absolutely flawless. Consistency in FoCal shows 99,4% with a 30 shot test, better than my 200 f2 and 24-70 mk2.
And I actually tried both BBF and on the shutter because my remote for tripod doesn't focus with BBF. And there was no difference.

The problem is that three days later it will not hit ANYTHING. Today I added +12 to my settings before it started to look okay again. And it's like that every other day, so I doesn't matter how perfect it's calibrated, it only works a short time.

I tested it against the my 85 L today for the same shots, and my god what a difference, the 85 is spot on at f1.2 no matter how bad I try to make it fail. Stunning precision ..

That's so strange how it can change like that without any reason. Considering how new the lens is, are you able to take it to Sigma to get it checked out? I've read about inconsistencies in reviews but nothing like that. I know how frustrating it can be to have AF issues since the IQ of Sigma lenses is really amazing.

This actually makes me glad I didn't sell my old copy and preorder the art version...

 

[Viggo]

I am going to loose my mind pretty soon. Took my 50 Art for a walk outside today, been sick so almost haven't tried it outside. And the focus is WAAAY off, completely gone... Couldn't get anything sharp, front focused by a few car lengths. So got back home and tried AGAIN, and my earlier calibration was completely out the window and had to re do everything with totally different values, seems mine is one of those "drifters" that can't hold on to a afma value. It's 3 seconds before I just sell this crappy lens and call it quits with Sigma forever, this is just too much hassle to be bothered with anymore.

One day perfect and best lens ever, the next it won't even lock on any distance and any subject, completely random where it places focus.

AHRRRGHG§!!"

Not that it's funny, but you sound exactly like I did when I got my first copy of the previous Sigma 50 so I can personally relate to you.

Have you tried using the dot tune method for AFMA? One thing to note is, if you have Back button focus enabled on your body then it's best to test it using back button focus. For the previous Sigma 50, I had a AFMA reading of +15 for the shutter button yet a reading of only +8 using BBF. I find my lens can be very temperamental too, one of the main reasons I now rely on my Canon 35mm f2 IS.

The thing is that I use real life testing, manual with Reikan Target, and the full automatic calibration in FoCal. At all 4 distances I can tune in with the docking. And it's perfect every time in any light absolutely flawless. Consistency in FoCal shows 99,4% with a 30 shot test, better than my 200 f2 and 24-70 mk2.
And I actually tried both BBF and on the shutter because my remote for tripod doesn't focus with BBF. And there was no difference.

The problem is that three days later it will not hit ANYTHING. Today I added +12 to my settings before it started to look okay again. And it's like that every other day, so I doesn't matter how perfect it's calibrated, it only works a short time.

I tested it against the my 85 L today for the same shots, and my god what a difference, the 85 is spot on at f1.2 no matter how bad I try to make it fail. Stunning precision ..

That's so strange how it can change like that without any reason. Considering how new the lens is, are you able to take it to Sigma to get it checked out? I've read about inconsistencies in reviews but nothing like that. I know how frustrating it can be to have AF issues since the IQ of Sigma lenses is really amazing.

This actually makes me glad I didn't sell my old copy and preorder the art version...

I shipped it away for service an hour ago. I can't use a lens that's off by 15 meters front and then back every other day. If it's the same way when I get it back I'll get my money back and just stay with the 85, although I already miss the 50 focal length. I tried with my 2470, but 2.8 just isn't the same fun.. But the AF is incredible though.

 

[Eldar]

How long was Adam in paradise?

I wanted to do a better job with the dock and the option of adjusting AFMA at 4 different distances. It turned out FoCal had significant issues determining what AFMA I should use. After a high number of attempts, the graph looked like it had been hit by a shotgun. So I decided to use my manual LensAlign in stead, believing there was something wrong with my FoCal setup.

So I did and the result is depressing. The AF is very unstable. Why I have been able to shoot so many shots in focus is a puzzle to me now. In very good light at 0,7 meter, the LensAlign is a very easy and contrasty target. But focus would still be all over the place. Front focus, back focus, on target and the deviation is huge. There is no way that I will trust this lens in any critical shoot.

I´ll send it back and unless Sigma can fix this (and the 35 Art, which is just as unstable) or send me another with stable AF, I have had my last Sigma ...

Just ordered the Ec-S focusing screen for the 1DX, so hopefully that will make manual focus with the Otus a bit easier.

 

[mackguyver]

How long was Adam in paradise?

I wanted to do a better job with the dock and the option of adjusting AFMA at 4 different distances. It turned out FoCal had significant issues determining what AFMA I should use. After a high number of attempts, the graph looked like it had been hit by a shotgun. So I decided to use my manual LensAlign in stead, believing there was something wrong with my FoCal setup.

So I did and the result is depressing. The AF is very unstable. Why I have been able to shoot so many shots in focus is a puzzle to me now. In very good light at 0,7 meter, the LensAlign is a very easy and contrasty target. But focus would still be all over the place. Front focus, back focus, on target and the deviation is huge. There is no way that I will trust this lens in any critical shoot.

I´ll send it back and unless Sigma can fix this (and the 35 Art, which is just as unstable) or send me another with stable AF, I have had my last Sigma ...

Just ordered the Ec-S focusing screen for the 1DX, so hopefully that will make manual focus with the Otus a bit easier.

I'm sorry to hear that, but at least you have your Otus

 

[Sporgon]

My ardour for the possibility of my first ever Sigma purchase just went cold.

 

[Viggo]

How long was Adam in paradise?

I wanted to do a better job with the dock and the option of adjusting AFMA at 4 different distances. It turned out FoCal had significant issues determining what AFMA I should use. After a high number of attempts, the graph looked like it had been hit by a shotgun. So I decided to use my manual LensAlign in stead, believing there was something wrong with my FoCal setup.

So I did and the result is depressing. The AF is very unstable. Why I have been able to shoot so many shots in focus is a puzzle to me now. In very good light at 0,7 meter, the LensAlign is a very easy and contrasty target. But focus would still be all over the place. Front focus, back focus, on target and the deviation is huge. There is no way that I will trust this lens in any critical shoot.

I´ll send it back and unless Sigma can fix this (and the 35 Art, which is just as unstable) or send me another with stable AF, I have had my last Sigma ...

Just ordered the Ec-S focusing screen for the 1DX, so hopefully that will make manual focus with the Otus a bit easier.

Cr@p, I was so hoping your Norwegian copy would be awesome Eldar, and it was, and so was mine. But as you say, it suddenly changes and starts to be all over... At least I know I'm not completely insane..

I will post the results from the service shop when it gets back. It seems like it will go back the third time and I'll get my money back and buy a forth 50 L, at least it works in the center... *sigh*

 

[mackguyver]

buy a forth 50 L, at least it works in the center... *sigh*

There are worse lenses , but hopefully things work out for your & Eldar once the lenses are serviced.

 

[Viggo]

buy a forth 50 L, at least it works in the center... *sigh*

There are worse lenses , but hopefully things work out for your & Eldar once the lenses are serviced.

There are worse lenses for sure (that's why I have always bought it back when sold), it's just so hard going back from the IQ of the Sigma. But I'll take softer center composed shots with a weather sealed lens ANY day over random AF .

 

[dlee13]

This is purely my opinion but I feel Sigma had the wrong focus with this lens. The previous version already had great IQ but the AF 8: what let it down so that should have been their focus for the art version.

 

[drjlo]

I am going to loose my mind pretty soon.

Yup, that brings back memories of my own past Sigma troubles. Sending the lens to Sigma service was the right step, but going by my experience with Sigma service, I wouldn't hold my breath for a miracle cure :-[

 

[docsmith]

Shane...great shots.

But am I hearing this right, both Eldar and Viggo are sending their lenses to Sigma to fix the AF? Anyone else having issues? I know TDP and lenstip identified some issues.

Anyone not having AF issues?

 

[Viggo]

Shane...great shots.

But am I hearing this right, both Eldar and Viggo are sending their lenses to Sigma to fix the AF? Anyone else having issues? I know TDP and lenstip identified some issues.

Anyone not having AF issues?

I didn't really have them at first, at least I thought it wasn't properly calibrated as I wasn't home when I got it. But after running my usual tests and buying the docking I know it was perfect, but then started to act up and drift, and final straw was after the forth time of making it perfect, and after a trip out I needed to add +12 to get it back to being even close to what I aimed at. So people might find it superb now, but I'll bet we are not the only two this will happen too.

 

[Shane1.4]

Mine is focusing perfectly. Zero issues.

 

[Viggo]

Mine is focusing perfectly. Zero issues.

Which camera body, and have you tried calibrating and using the docking?

 

[wickidwombat]

Shane...great shots.

But am I hearing this right, both Eldar and Viggo are sending their lenses to Sigma to fix the AF? Anyone else having issues? I know TDP and lenstip identified some issues.

Anyone not having AF issues?

I didn't really have them at first, at least I thought it wasn't properly calibrated as I wasn't home when I got it. But after running my usual tests and buying the docking I know it was perfect, but then started to act up and drift, and final straw was after the forth time of making it perfect, and after a trip out I needed to add +12 to get it back to being even close to what I aimed at. So people might find it superb now, but I'll bet we are not the only two this will happen too.

viggo have you tried to calibrate it with just the dock only and forget about setting any in camera AFMA value?

 

[YuengLinger]

Maybe the docking is the issue? Too many tweaks confusing the body - lens communication?

 

[wickidwombat]

just went and tested it out again in bright sun 1/8000 sec and iso 100 down to a dimly lit welding workshop at 1/100 sec and iso 800 AF is fast and accurate using single shot or servo I would say Its 100% accurate from this little walk and any errors i got are only the fault of the 12 inches behind the camera not the lens

 

[RiceCake]

This is a very interesting discussion to watch... I have this lens on pre-order but expected delivery is not until mid June what really worries me is that a lens could start off with solid AF (like when I'm testing it in the store) but start to 'drift' and deteriorate over time when I take it home.

I would really appreciate it if current owners keep updating this post with focusing performance comments (good and bad). Please continue to let us know the updates on your lenses that were sent to Sigma. I sent my 85mm to Sigma twice and I didn't get any better AF as a result. I still have the lens because I love the images I get with it, but I know that it is ineffective at ranges over 50 feet. However, everyone I've talked to with the 85mm lens has the same issue, but most with the new 50mm Art are having good AF, so I'm hoping people like Viggo just have a bad copy. Good luck with your gear!

 

[Viggo]

Shane...great shots.

But am I hearing this right, both Eldar and Viggo are sending their lenses to Sigma to fix the AF? Anyone else having issues? I know TDP and lenstip identified some issues.

Anyone not having AF issues?

I didn't really have them at first, at least I thought it wasn't properly calibrated as I wasn't home when I got it. But after running my usual tests and buying the docking I know it was perfect, but then started to act up and drift, and final straw was after the forth time of making it perfect, and after a trip out I needed to add +12 to get it back to being even close to what I aimed at. So people might find it superb now, but I'll bet we are not the only two this will happen too.

viggo have you tried to calibrate it with just the dock only and forget about setting any in camera AFMA value?

That's how I done it, 0 in camera, but I was thinkIng to try it the other way, only a slight adjustment with dock and pull a +10 in camera instead. I so wish for a firmware NOW, for the Art to adress this and make it go away, lol.

 

[Eldar]

I have signed up at Nikon rumors (felt almost like a criminal ) and posted a question there, to check if they have similar experiences. Apparently very few Nikon versions have been delivered, so the only answer I have so far is that there is none. I will follow up though.