Nikon D3300 Sigma 150-500 Auto focus issue

Dave T

New member
Hi

I have a NIkon D3300 and just purchased a Sigma 150-500 lens and the auto focus is not working. I have looked on the internet and it suggests that it could be a firmware issue. Has anyone had the same issue, if so, how did you solve it?

Thanks
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Hi

I have a NIkon D3300 and just purchased a Sigma 150-500 lens and the auto focus is not working. I have looked on the internet and it suggests that it could be a firmware issue. Has anyone had the same issue, if so, how did you solve it?

Thanks

The 150-500 is an older model so i would go with Fred's advice,you need to speak to Sigma
 

BeegRhob

Senior Member
I have an older Sigma 50-500 and autofocus doesn't work with the D3xxx and the D5xxx, and I tried it on my D3000 and D5300. It does work on my D70, D90, and D100 that I remember, the bodies with built in autofocus. Probably won't work on the D40 and D60 as well. I looked into getting the dock for Sigma lenses, but I couldn't find any firmware on Sigma's site. I took it to a local camera place to see if they could upgrade the firmware on the lens and they couldn't find anything. I tried it on my D610 with (I think) 1.01 and 1.04 firmware and it didn't work with the 1.04 and I can't remember for sure, but I think it worked with the 1.01. I never have tried to contact Sigma though, maybe I should.

Rob
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Sounds like this lens will only work with Nikon models with an in body focus motor. Your lens probably had a mechanical coupling to the body, and no focusing motor housed within the body. This is common of older lenses.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

Yes, this lens requires an body focus motor to autofocus. You D3300 does not have this.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
If it's this one, it has a motor.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549256-REG/Sigma_737306_150_500mm_f_5_6_3_DG_OS.html/overview

A Hyper Sonic Motor enables fast, smooth and quiet auto focus and its rear focus system prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration, provides quick, convenient manual focus and a non-rotating, non-extending front barrel during focus.

Contact Sigma and ask. Usually when there is a firmware update required, I *think* you pay shipping to get it to them. Not sure about return shipping. I don't think they charge to update the firmware though.
 

dachshund

Senior Member
If it’s got a “screw” type autofocus, it won’t work on a Nikon D3xxx or a D5xxx series body. I’ve got a Sigma 28-200, it works fine on my 2 N80s or my N75, my N55, my N 60, but it won’t work on my two DX SLRs a D3300 or my D5600, you’ve also got the crop factor to keep in mind, an FX lens on DX body.
 

BeegRhob

Senior Member
If it’s got a “screw” type autofocus, it won’t work on a Nikon D3xxx or a D5xxx series body. I’ve got a Sigma 28-200, it works fine on my 2 N80s or my N75, my N55, my N 60, but it won’t work on my two DX SLRs a D3300 or my D5600, you’ve also got the crop factor to keep in mind, an FX lens on DX body.


Here is an opportunity for me and hopefully others, what do you mean by screw type auto focus, and what other types are there? Thank you!

Rob
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Here is an opportunity for me and hopefully others, what do you mean by screw type auto focus, and what other types are there? Thank you!

Rob

A screw type auto focus lens does not have a focus motor built into the lens and it depends on a focus motor built-in the camera body to autofocus. If a lens has a built-in focus motor, then it does NOT depend on the body having a built-in focus motor. If your camera body(i.e. D3300 and D5600) does not have a built-in focus motor, and you have a lens without the built-in focus motor, then the lens will only work in manual focus mode. Hope this help you out.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
According to an old Ken Rockwell review it should work on that body. The firmware on that lens cannot be updated via the USB Dock, it needs to be shipped to Sigma who will update it for free and ship it back (you just pay outbound shipping). That said, I would try and determine if the "just bought" lens' focus motor is working or not before shipping it off to Sigma and have them tell you it's broken. If it is then I'd try and get it returned if that's possible.
 

dachshund

Senior Member
A screw type auto focus lens does not have a focus motor built into the lens and it depends on a focus motor built-in the camera body to autofocus. If a lens has a built-in focus motor, then it does NOT depend on the body having a built-in focus motor. If your camera body(i.e. D3300 and D5600) does not have a built-in focus motor, and you have a lens without the built-in focus motor, then the lens will only work in manual focus mode. Hope this help you out.
Very good explanation, thanx Brent.
 
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