Sigma Lens Compatibility Issues

hark

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I posted this as a response to someone's question but thought it should have its own thread. When searching for info on Sigma's lens compatibility problem, I came across info that explains why the issue exists. It says Tamron and Tokina pay licensing fees to Nikon while Sigma doesn't. Supposedly that's why Sigma owners keep running into problems with their lenses not being compatible with Nikon. And that's why Sigma can't freely allow the firmware to be obtained online. It has to come through their dock.

I always preferred Sigma over the other 3rd party lenses, but if this is the case, it's making me rethink my opinion on Sigma.

https://photo.stackexchange.com/ques...ibility-issues
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
If I think about it long enough it would make me switch bodies, not lenses. Sigma will swap out my mounts for free. It's also why I will never again be in a hurry to buy a new Nikon model - I'll wait until Sigma has the firmware fixed to work with it. It's utterly myopic on Nikon's part. One thing I learned from my time with my brother's bag of Canons, and from using my Sony a6000, there really isn't that big of a difference between brands, it's far more a matter of what you're used to. And I can get used to a new system. Good glass, on the other hand, is something you'll always have a hard time parting with.
 

hark

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If I think about it long enough it would make me switch bodies, not lenses. Sigma will swap out my mounts for free. It's also why I will never again be in a hurry to buy a new Nikon model - I'll wait until Sigma has the firmware fixed to work with it. It's utterly myopic on Nikon's part.

But if Sigma isn't paying a licensing fee to use Nikon's mount, isn't that similar to copyright infringement? Or am I misunderstanding something? :confused:
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
But if Sigma isn't paying a licensing fee to use Nikon's mount, isn't that similar to copyright infringement? Or am I misunderstanding something? :confused:

You mean patent infringement? I can't find anything that details that a mounting system can't be replicated. The only stuff I can find are infringements on tech within the camera and lenses (Nikon is suing Sigma over their VR patent). Licensing likely buys companies the guarantee that new bodies will be tested against existing 3d party lenses to insure that they function. I fully expect that not paying the license means that your lenses may purposefully be compromised in the firmware of new models leaving the vendor to have to figure it out an update their lenses.
 

hark

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You mean patent infringement? I can't find anything that details that a mounting system can't be replicated. The only stuff I can find are infringements on tech within the camera and lenses (Nikon is suing Sigma over their VR patent). Licensing likely buys companies the guarantee that new bodies will be tested against existing 3d party lenses to insure that they function. I fully expect that not paying the license means that your lenses may purposefully be compromised in the firmware of new models leaving the vendor to have to figure it out an update their lenses.

Yes, I guess patent infringement would be what I meant. After all, Nikon designed its own mount that is different than anyone else's so my guess is the mounts would be patented. But I understand exactly what you're saying about testing firmware to be compatible. Thanks. :)
 

Texas

Senior Member
20 years go by and they expire, I think it used to be less than that. The Nikon F mount is a bit older than 20 years.

As an aside, I had 4 patents that expired in the early 90's and dozens of very slightly different patents were issued almost immediately by folks/companies that do this sort of thing.
 

hark

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20 years go by and they expire, I think it used to be less than that. The Nikon F mount is a bit older than 20 years.

As an aside, I had 4 patents that expired in the early 90's and dozens of very slightly different patents were issued almost immediately by folks/companies that do this sort of thing.

I don't know about the patent. What I can say is I have 3 Sigma lenses that were made in the late 1990's...so they are around 19-20 years old. And they are the Nikon AF-D mounts--according to what I read about the AF-D mount, they were initially released in 1996. So if there was a patent on the mount, then maybe Sigma didn't pay to use it back then and might not be paying to use the current mount now? I don't know....
 

geoffwood

New member
Hi folks,

I have a Sigma DG 150-500 lens, which used to work fine on my D800. Now it doesn't autofocus. So has Nikon done something to actively stuff up the Sigma (maybe in firmware 1.11) ?

I think I've covered all other avenues:
- Other lenses do autofocus fine - old AF Nikkors, new AF Nikkors, etc. The Sigma used to.
- Here is what is really weird - the Sigma DOES auto-focus fine on my F4 !
- Yes, I have cleaned the CPU contacts on both lens and body with reputably (Caig) products.

Any ideas or suggestions ?

geoff
 

hark

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Hi folks,

I have a Sigma DG 150-500 lens, which used to work fine on my D800. Now it doesn't autofocus. So has Nikon done something to actively stuff up the Sigma (maybe in firmware 1.11) ?

I think I've covered all other avenues:
- Other lenses do autofocus fine - old AF Nikkors, new AF Nikkors, etc. The Sigma used to.
- Here is what is really weird - the Sigma DOES auto-focus fine on my F4 !
- Yes, I have cleaned the CPU contacts on both lens and body with reputably (Caig) products.

Any ideas or suggestions ?

geoff

Did you update the firmware on your D800? If so, that's probably the culprit especially if it worked up until that time. Sigma does firmware updates on their lenses when that type of issue happens. You might have to pay shipping to/from Sigma unless it is a lens that can connect to their dock.
 

geoffwood

New member
Have just found out from local Sigma distributor that lens firmware needs upgrading to cope with the D800 firmware upgrade. I ship the lens to them and they do the firmware upgrade for no charge. Phew !

geoff
 

hark

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Have just found out from local Sigma distributor that lens firmware needs upgrading to cope with the D800 firmware upgrade. I ship the lens to them and they do the firmware upgrade for no charge. Phew !

geoff

If your lens is a Sport or Contemporary model, you might want to consider getting the Sigma dock and do future firmware updates yourself. I don't have one and have never done firmware updates to any lenses, but some people here have done it. That way if you upgrade to a newer body, you might not have to send in the lens again. Just a thought.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...16WD3gIVStbACh2FtQhoEAQYASABEgLShPD_BwE&smp=y
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
..., it's far more a matter of what you're used to. And I can get used to a new system. Good glass, on the other hand, is something you'll always have a hard time parting with.

That is it in a nutshell. The brand you start with tends to be the one you stay with (for amateurs.) The longer you have it, and the more of it that you accumulate, the harder it is to change.

WM
 
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