Rienzphotoz said:For several years now, Metz, (a German consumer electronic company) has been routinely providing firmware updates on their flashes (for customers to update on their own), to address compatibility issues with newer cameras. I still have the Metz 58 AF 1 flash (which I bought in 2008) and have updated the firmware at least twice, until the plastic hot shoe broke ... now it just sits in my cupboard to be used as a wireless flash once in a while. Also, Sigma has the USB dock for their newer lenses. I think in future we will see more and more manufacturers coming up with USB firmware updates for their lenses and flashes etc.Rudeofus said:tron said:+1 Having flash memory (if they indeed have flash memory) is NOT ENOUGH. It's their willingness to backup their lenses with GOOD SUPPORT. So, they have to MAKE the firmware to upgrade the one residing in ... flash memory... So, as I said feel free to spend your money and test good support later. And by later I mean many years actually as many as with Canon lenses. Because if someone gets an expensive lens with very good IQ they want to keep using it or ... sell it. Certainly not ditch it...
You just brought up a great new idea: third party makers could add a USB connector to their flash devices or make a special USB dock for their lenses. This would make firmware upgrades really easy ....
tron said:Sigma has a USB dock already. Has anyone used it? Any opinions on that ?
The question was whether anyone used it. Not a simple reference to its existence!!! :Rudeofus said:Rienzphotoz said:For several years now, Metz, (a German consumer electronic company) has been routinely providing firmware updates on their flashes (for customers to update on their own), to address compatibility issues with newer cameras. I still have the Metz 58 AF 1 flash (which I bought in 2008) and have updated the firmware at least twice, until the plastic hot shoe broke ... now it just sits in my cupboard to be used as a wireless flash once in a while. Also, Sigma has the USB dock for their newer lenses. I think in future we will see more and more manufacturers coming up with USB firmware updates for their lenses and flashes etc.Rudeofus said:tron said:+1 Having flash memory (if they indeed have flash memory) is NOT ENOUGH. It's their willingness to backup their lenses with GOOD SUPPORT. So, they have to MAKE the firmware to upgrade the one residing in ... flash memory... So, as I said feel free to spend your money and test good support later. And by later I mean many years actually as many as with Canon lenses. Because if someone gets an expensive lens with very good IQ they want to keep using it or ... sell it. Certainly not ditch it...
You just brought up a great new idea: third party makers could add a USB connector to their flash devices or make a special USB dock for their lenses. This would make firmware upgrades really easy ....tron said:Sigma has a USB dock already. Has anyone used it? Any opinions on that ?
WTF. Did anybody bother looking at the links I provided in my posting ?????
Relax, we are not stealing your thunder, I did read and understand that you were already aware of their existence, I was merely stating my experience of having used Metaz flash and also having tried the Sigma USB dock ... so the credit for mentioning them first goes only to youRudeofus said:Rienzphotoz said:For several years now, Metz, (a German consumer electronic company) has been routinely providing firmware updates on their flashes (for customers to update on their own), to address compatibility issues with newer cameras. I still have the Metz 58 AF 1 flash (which I bought in 2008) and have updated the firmware at least twice, until the plastic hot shoe broke ... now it just sits in my cupboard to be used as a wireless flash once in a while. Also, Sigma has the USB dock for their newer lenses. I think in future we will see more and more manufacturers coming up with USB firmware updates for their lenses and flashes etc.Rudeofus said:tron said:+1 Having flash memory (if they indeed have flash memory) is NOT ENOUGH. It's their willingness to backup their lenses with GOOD SUPPORT. So, they have to MAKE the firmware to upgrade the one residing in ... flash memory... So, as I said feel free to spend your money and test good support later. And by later I mean many years actually as many as with Canon lenses. Because if someone gets an expensive lens with very good IQ they want to keep using it or ... sell it. Certainly not ditch it...
You just brought up a great new idea: third party makers could add a USB connector to their flash devices or make a special USB dock for their lenses. This would make firmware upgrades really easy ....tron said:Sigma has a USB dock already. Has anyone used it? Any opinions on that ?
WTF. Did anybody bother looking at the links I provided in my posting ?????
One of my colleagues bought the Sigma USB dock (along with the Sigma 35 f/1.4 lens), so I got a chance to hold it, but from what he tells me, he never updated anything with it yet (this was about 45 days ago) ... as pointed out by Kai (the crazy Digitalrev guy), the light to indicate, that it is working, is bloody under the USB dock, i.e. in a place where you cannot see while using it .. kind of a strange place to keep it ... and that's about what I know of the USB dock. If you haven't already seen it, here is the youtube video Kai had posted last Octobertron said:Sigma has a USB dock already. Has anyone used it? Any opinions on that ?
Their existence is an old and well known fact, especially on a rumor site where new products are discussed in depth many weeks/months before their official announcement. My posting was deliberately sarcastic and aimed at people who perpetuate the "then Canon changes the protocol and my expensive third party accessory will be worthless" meme. These times are over, they have been over for over a decade AFAIK, and we should put that meme to rest already.Rienzphotoz said:Relax, we are not stealing your thunder, I did read and understand that you were already aware of their existence, I was merely stating my experience of having used Metaz flash and also having tried the Sigma USB dock ... so the credit for mentioning them first goes only to you![]()
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Rudeofus said:Their existence is an old and well known fact, especially on a rumor site where new products are discussed in depth many weeks/months before their official announcement. My posting was deliberately sarcastic and aimed at people who perpetuate the "then Canon changes the protocol and my expensive third party accessory will be worthless" meme. These times are over, they have been over for over a decade AFAIK, and we should put that meme to rest already.Rienzphotoz said:Relax, we are not stealing your thunder, I did read and understand that you were already aware of their existence, I was merely stating my experience of having used Metaz flash and also having tried the Sigma USB dock ... so the credit for mentioning them first goes only to you![]()
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Even though you know "their existence is an old and well known fact" you felt the need to post it, but when others also mention it you feel the need to be sarcastic ... how logical :Rudeofus said:Their existence is an old and well known fact, especially on a rumor site where new products are discussed in depth many weeks/months before their official announcement.Rienzphotoz said:Relax, we are not stealing your thunder, I did read and understand that you were already aware of their existence, I was merely stating my experience of having used Metaz flash and also having tried the Sigma USB dock ... so the credit for mentioning them first goes only to you![]()
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My posting was deliberately sarcastic and aimed at people who perpetuate the "then Canon changes the protocol and my expensive third party accessory will be worthless" meme. These times are over, they have been over for over a decade AFAIK, and we should put that meme to rest already.
I posted these old news in reply to a posting which perpetuated the old "I won't get upgrades if Canon plays silly again" meme, and the sarcastic tone (stemming from the obvious contradiction between my praise for the other guy's invention paired with the links to already existing products implementing that very feature) was another futile attempt to put that meme to rest for good. Read tron's posting immediately before my first one in this thread and then mine to get the context.Rienzphotoz said:Even though you know "their existence is an old and well known fact" you felt the need to post it, but when others also mention it you feel the need to be sarcastic ... how logical :![]()
Rienzphotoz said:Every single one of those lenses developed some issueor another with AF or OS/VC after upgrading to a new camera or firmware, they would suddenly start hunting for auto focusing on a subject or the image stabilization would take longer to be activated and/or drain the battery with the OS/VC on even when they were not being used ... were they useless? absolutely not, coz I could still get great images with every one of them (except the Rokinon T/S, which was just a sh!tty lens from the beginning) but the issues they developed were annoying. I am sure a visit to the the third party manufacturers service center will fix those issues, but (as mentioned earlier) where I live there is no service center for third party lens manufacturers
Funny thing is all the pros I see rarely have brand new gear with them. It's usually wannabe amateurs who need the latest and greatest the minute it hits the market, when it is sold at a premium and hasn't received thorough testing yet.tron said:1. Put it to rest and spend your money. Then if something breaks wait for the 3rd party companies to really change the firmware...
[list type=decimal]tron said:3. I do not recall reading about other 3rd party manufacturers doing the same as Sigma...
Then I cannot see how we disagree. I agree with this 100%. And judging by the companies behavior in the past we have the right to act accordingly in the future...Rudeofus said:I admire your patience, but personally I would not invest big money in gear that is unsupported in my country. If Sigma/Tamron/whoever are unable or unwilling to provide adequate service for their equipment in your place, they don't deserve your money. Software upgrades aren't the only reason you need a service center.
tron said:Then I cannot see how we disagree. I agree with this 100%. And judging by the companies behavior in the past we have the right to act accordingly in the future...Rudeofus said:I admire your patience, but personally I would not invest big money in gear that is unsupported in my country. If Sigma/Tamron/whoever are unable or unwilling to provide adequate service for their equipment in your place, they don't deserve your money. Software upgrades aren't the only reason you need a service center.
1. I did read what you posted and that's why I replied with a how logical :Rudeofus said:I posted these old news in reply to a posting which perpetuated the old "I won't get upgrades if Canon plays silly again" meme, and the sarcastic tone (stemming from the obvious contradiction between my praise for the other guy's invention paired with the links to already existing products implementing that very feature) was another futile attempt to put that meme to rest for good. Read tron's posting immediately before my first one in this thread and then mine to get the context.Rienzphotoz said:Even though you know "their existence is an old and well known fact" you felt the need to post it, but when others also mention it you feel the need to be sarcastic ... how logical :![]()
Rienzphotoz said:Every single one of those lenses developed some issueor another with AF or OS/VC after upgrading to a new camera or firmware, they would suddenly start hunting for auto focusing on a subject or the image stabilization would take longer to be activated and/or drain the battery with the OS/VC on even when they were not being used ... were they useless? absolutely not, coz I could still get great images with every one of them (except the Rokinon T/S, which was just a sh!tty lens from the beginning) but the issues they developed were annoying. I am sure a visit to the the third party manufacturers service center will fix those issues, but (as mentioned earlier) where I live there is no service center for third party lens manufacturers
I admire your patience, but personally I would not invest big money in gear that is unsupported in my country. If Sigma/Tamron/whoever are unable or unwilling to provide adequate service for their equipment in your place, they don't deserve your money. Software upgrades aren't the only reason you need a service center.
Funny thing is all the pros I see rarely have brand new gear with them. It's usually wannabe amateurs who need the latest and greatest the minute it hits the market, when it is sold at a premium and hasn't received thorough testing yet.tron said:1. Put it to rest and spend your money. Then if something breaks wait for the 3rd party companies to really change the firmware...
With a few months of patience you can save 20+% on camera bodies AND can use cheaper third party accessories.
[list type=decimal]tron said:3. I do not recall reading about other 3rd party manufacturers doing the same as Sigma...
[*]Metz flashes come with a USB connector for firmware upgrades. My first post in this thread links to the relevant page
[*]Sigma received the most heat during the last decade, because in 2003 (release of the 10D) a long list of lenses in their lineup could no longer be used on Canon's latest and greatest, and Sigma decided to throw their customers under the bus. They seemed to have learned their lesson lately and want to be seen not as cheap alternative but as viable and well reputed alternative. Since that Err99 debacle is still in people's minds, Sigma had to come up with a viable option for simple upgrades.
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When it comes to third party lenses, "cautious" is what people have been referring to, but somehow you came to the conclusion that it is "hysterical" ... hence this debate.Rudeofus said:tron said:Then I cannot see how we disagree. I agree with this 100%. And judging by the companies behavior in the past we have the right to act accordingly in the future...Rudeofus said:I admire your patience, but personally I would not invest big money in gear that is unsupported in my country. If Sigma/Tamron/whoever are unable or unwilling to provide adequate service for their equipment in your place, they don't deserve your money. Software upgrades aren't the only reason you need a service center.
Sigma's behavior 10 years ago should make everybody cautious, but not hysterical.
That argument is flawed, because:Rudeofus said:We might as well ditch Canon for their less than smooth FD-->EF mount transition. Forfeiting a whole range of purchasing options because of some misgivings a decade ago is certainly within your rights, but it doesn't sound smart or cost effective.
Rudeofus said:I admire your patience, but personally I would not invest big money in gear that is unsupported in my country. If Sigma/Tamron/whoever are unable or unwilling to provide adequate service for their equipment in your place, they don't deserve your money. Software upgrades aren't the only reason you need a service center.
Good idea ... it would be awesome if they can do that ... and it will provide great credibility to the third party manufacturers ... but I don't think third party manufacturers will be willing to pay international shipping costs.flowers said:Personally I don't think it's a big deal as long as the manufacturer pays for the expedited shipping. It's a lot cheaper for a company to pay for international shipping than it is to open up new service centers.
Rienzphotoz said:Anyway, FYI my first DSLR was bought about 8 years ago and it was a Nikon D70 (and later on my first Canon was a 400D), at that time, other than the 18-55 kits lens that came with the camera, I had bought only Sigma & Tamron lenses, because I was not willing to spend more for OEM lenses ... and all of the third party lenses I had bought did a great job, until I upgraded to a new camera or updated the firmware. Since the past 8 years I have owned the following third party lenses:
Sigma 10-20 (Canon mount)
Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 (Nikon mount)
Sigma 17-50 f2.8 (non OS - Canon mount)
Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS (Nikon mount)
Sigma 18-200 OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 18-250 OS (Nikon mount)
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro (Non-OS - Nikon mount)
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 50-500 (non OS - Canon mount)
Sigma 150-500 OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 150-500 OS (Nikon mount)
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 OS (Nikon mount)
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 OS (Canon mount)
Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC (Canon mount)
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro (Canon mount)
Tokina 11-16 (Canon mount)
Rokinon 24mm f3.5 T/S (Canon mount)
(I'm pretty sure I had a few more third party lenses, but cannot recollect all of them)
Every single one of those lenses developed some issueor another with AF or OS/VC after upgrading to a new camera or firmware, they would suddenly start hunting for auto focusing on a subject or the image stabilization would take longer to be activated and/or drain the battery with the OS/VC on even when they were not being used ... were they useless? absolutely not, coz I could still get great images with every one of them (except the Rokinon T/S, which was just a sh!tty lens from the beginning) but the issues they developed were annoying. I am sure a visit to the the third party manufacturers service center will fix those issues, but (as mentioned earlier) where I live there is no service center for third party lens manufacturers ... so I basically sell my third party gear whenever I upgrade to a new camera or new firmware ... luckily I have several friends and colleagues who are always willing to buy my camera gear ... the last 2 third party lenses I sold were the Sigma 150-500 OS & Tamron 24-70 VC about a few weeks ago. But I will still buy the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens for my Canon 70D (knowing full well that many people are reporting AF hunting issues) but I don't think third party lenses are "worthless".
Read what I wrote before posting knee jerk reactions :Steve said:Rienzphotoz said:Anyway, FYI my first DSLR was bought about 8 years ago and it was a Nikon D70 (and later on my first Canon was a 400D), at that time, other than the 18-55 kits lens that came with the camera, I had bought only Sigma & Tamron lenses, because I was not willing to spend more for OEM lenses ... and all of the third party lenses I had bought did a great job, until I upgraded to a new camera or updated the firmware. Since the past 8 years I have owned the following third party lenses:
Sigma 10-20 (Canon mount)
Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 (Nikon mount)
Sigma 17-50 f2.8 (non OS - Canon mount)
Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS (Nikon mount)
Sigma 18-200 OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 18-250 OS (Nikon mount)
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro (Non-OS - Nikon mount)
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 50-500 (non OS - Canon mount)
Sigma 150-500 OS (Canon mount)
Sigma 150-500 OS (Nikon mount)
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 OS (Nikon mount)
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 OS (Canon mount)
Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC (Canon mount)
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro (Canon mount)
Tokina 11-16 (Canon mount)
Rokinon 24mm f3.5 T/S (Canon mount)
(I'm pretty sure I had a few more third party lenses, but cannot recollect all of them)
Every single one of those lenses developed some issueor another with AF or OS/VC after upgrading to a new camera or firmware, they would suddenly start hunting for auto focusing on a subject or the image stabilization would take longer to be activated and/or drain the battery with the OS/VC on even when they were not being used ... were they useless? absolutely not, coz I could still get great images with every one of them (except the Rokinon T/S, which was just a sh!tty lens from the beginning) but the issues they developed were annoying. I am sure a visit to the the third party manufacturers service center will fix those issues, but (as mentioned earlier) where I live there is no service center for third party lens manufacturers ... so I basically sell my third party gear whenever I upgrade to a new camera or new firmware ... luckily I have several friends and colleagues who are always willing to buy my camera gear ... the last 2 third party lenses I sold were the Sigma 150-500 OS & Tamron 24-70 VC about a few weeks ago. But I will still buy the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens for my Canon 70D (knowing full well that many people are reporting AF hunting issues) but I don't think third party lenses are "worthless".
Hahaha this is some grade A tinfoil-bonnet, conspiracy theory nonsense right here. Yeah, Canon and Nikon are spending time and money tweaking firmware just to mildly annoy you, that certainly sounds plausible! Also, this was such a problem that you bought 17(!) third party lenses, including a fully manual tilt shift containing no electronics that somehow also developed problems after a firmware upgrade. I suspect user error.
If Canon was really interested in stopping people from using 3rd party lenses, they would bury the other mfgr's in an avalanche of lawsuits while engineering the mount to lock them out completely. Believe it or not, third parties add value to both Canon's and Nikon's system and make it so people feel comfortable buying into the mount knowing there are alternatives. Most people end up buying 1st party lenses, flashes, etc at some point no matter what because they are almost always better, if more expensive. Sigma and Tamron are not threats to Canon and Nikon.
Depends on the manufacturer and what language you use with them. But you're right, usually they don't pay for expedited shipping. But they should!Rienzphotoz said:Good idea ... it would be awesome if they can do that ... and it will provide great credibility to the third party manufacturers ... but I don't think third party manufacturers will be willing to pay international shipping costs.flowers said:Personally I don't think it's a big deal as long as the manufacturer pays for the expedited shipping. It's a lot cheaper for a company to pay for international shipping than it is to open up new service centers.
It is in Canon/Nikon's best interest to tinker with firmware that messes up AF in third party lenses ... every year you will notice that batteries that used to work earlier in the camera suddenly stop communicating properly with in the same camera that used to work earlier, same goes for AF issues.flowers said:Depends on the manufacturer and what language you use with them. But you're right, usually they don't pay for expedited shipping. But they should!Rienzphotoz said:Good idea ... it would be awesome if they can do that ... and it will provide great credibility to the third party manufacturers ... but I don't think third party manufacturers will be willing to pay international shipping costs.flowers said:Personally I don't think it's a big deal as long as the manufacturer pays for the expedited shipping. It's a lot cheaper for a company to pay for international shipping than it is to open up new service centers.
I think the best compromise would be if the manufacturer, after they've grown big enough, could open one service center per continent (so 4 service centers: America, Europe, Asia, Australia) and then the shipping would probably be faster and cheaper within one continent. But I don't know what's really cheaperMaybe that's what you meant but since many manufacturers don't do that it must be too expensive. I think they should then offer expedited shipping. I think: 5000 lenses sent in and $100 for expedited shipping = $500 thousand. Probably costs a lot more than that to open a new service center on another continent and hire all those new people and train them.
I don't think there's any truth to upgrading firmware or body screwing up the AF. Nikon and Canon also have nothing against third party manufacturers, either way they make a lot of money, especially since there will always be people like you who complain when they find out there's no service center at their doorstep. Some of those people probably run out and buy the equivalent Nikon and Canon lenses hoping that they will be magically better, so Canon and Nikon get their money and so do the third party manufactureres. Forums like this get the emotional fallout.