Hi all,

I've got the Sony a350 and have been using a Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for the lens 18 months for my sports photography (largest part of my photography!). The lens recently started making grinding noises on camera startup and being slow autofocussing. So I sent it for a repair quote and they said that the focussing mechanism in the lens needs replacing at a cost of £115 - the lens only cost £127!!

I have read reports that the torque of the autofocus on cheaper Sony alphas like mine is too powerful for lenses like the Sigma, and the lens gears get stripped.

I will be taking this up with Sigma and Sony, but not holding out much hope!!

So, what would you do... buy a new lens in the knowledge that this could very well happen again or trade in the Sony for a Nikon/Canon where this problem I don't believe exists?

I think you need to go to Shark Performance for a remap

I think you need to go to Shark Performance for a remap

Remap??? why???

Hi all,

I've got the Sony a350 and have been using a Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for the lens 18 months for my sports photography (largest part of my photography!). The lens recently started making grinding noises on camera startup and being slow autofocussing. So I sent it for a repair quote and they said that the focussing mechanism in the lens needs replacing at a cost of £115 - the lens only cost £127!!

I have read reports that the torque of the autofocus on cheaper Sony alphas like mine is too powerful for lenses like the Sigma, and the lens gears get stripped.

I will be taking this up with Sigma and Sony, but not holding out much hope!!

So, what would you do... buy a new lens in the knowledge that this could very well happen again or trade in the Sony for a Nikon/Canon where this problem I don't believe exists?

I am guessing you have read this post. I didn't realise the lens was body driven.

Remap??? why???

Sorry - it was meant to be humourous :S

Personally, I've just recently got a Nikon D5000 with a Sigma 18-250 lens, and would highly recommend it

Nikon all the way! (now runs off to hide from all the Canon lovers! )

Had a D40 and now have a D90 and love it. Have got a 18-200mm Sigma lens, 35mm 1.8 Nikon lens and a 18-105mm Nikon lens. Its a slippery slope!

Nikon and Canon will always divide opinion. Just go with what feels right. I went for the latter

Sorry to hear about the lens issue mate. Know the Sonys do work slightly differently; they must do after all, to have the IS gubbins inside the camera, rather than it be a lens feature.

Steve

I know nothing about cameras but...

A lens that eats it own mechanism when used with a "approved" camera? And the repair is the same cost as the lens? On an 18 month old piece of kit?

I'd be making noise about the sale of goods act and whether it was fit for purpose in the first place as a first point of call. I certianly wouldn't settle for paying for the repair at this stage.

I know nothing about cameras but...

A lens that eats it own mechanism when used with a "approved" camera? And the repair is the same cost as the lens? On an 18 month old piece of kit?

I'd be making noise about the sale of goods act and whether it was fit for purpose in the first place as a first point of call. I certianly wouldn't settle for paying for the repair at this stage.

I have had the repair quote and asked for the lens back. I will take this up with Sigma as there are reports that they have designed their lenses based on the oold Minolta cameras and not the new Sony's with the focussing mechanism in body. In which case, why sell it is suitable for Sony, which it clearly isn't! Daiking, as you said, Sale of Goods Act! Off for a couple of weeks, so I will be letting Sigma know just how I feel!

have seen a second hand Sony 70-300mm lens for sale locally at £99, hopefully a Sony lens won't have the same problem!

I have had the repair quote and asked for the lens back. I will take this up with Sigma as there are reports that they have designed their lenses based on the oold Minolta cameras and not the new Sony's with the focussing mechanism in body. In which case, why sell it is suitable for Sony, which it clearly isn't! Daiking, as you said, Sale of Goods Act! Off for a couple of weeks, so I will be letting Sigma know just how I feel!

have seen a second hand Sony 70-300mm lens for sale locally at £99, hopefully a Sony lens won't have the same problem!

It's a bad design by Sigma which is to blame, lots of people have had issue with this lens. I avoid Sigma lenses which use plastic auto focus gearing, other makes have no such issue with Sony cameras.

Edited 29 October, 201015 yr by sneeks

See on this forum plenty of info.

http://www.dynaxdigital.com/

I have a sigma 50-150 but it is HSM so not a problem.

Note if you buy a new lens pay the extra (beg, borrow, steal) and get the 70-300G lens. It is well worth it.

Edited 31 October, 201015 yr by goonybird

Hi all,

I've got the Sony a350 and have been using a Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for the lens 18 months - the lens only cost £127!!

Like everything else, lenses deteriorate with use, and generally you get what you pay for, I would say the lens you are talking about is aimed more at a tourist 1 lens fits all, as opposed to serious sports photography (which is catered for 120 - 300 2.8 at a smidge over £2k )

Edited 31 October, 201015 yr by postmanpat

Sigma are now offering 3 year warranty on their lenses

Wooohoo, have just had a very helpful chat with Sigma and they will either knock quite a few quid off the repair with a 6 month warranty (their repairs are considerably cheaper than a repair shop, something I will bear in mind in future!), or give me a good wedge off a new lens direct from them with a 3 year warranty. The new lens isn't by any means prohibitively more than the repair, so I think I will go down the new lens route! Took very little negotiation too, so I am a very happy man! :-D

Just need to get my lens packed up and sent to them. Any suggestions on who to use and prices for safe postage?

Sigma are now offering 3 year warranty on their lenses

Wooohoo, have just had a very helpful chat with Sigma and they will either knock quite a few quid off the repair with a 6 month warranty (their repairs are considerably cheaper than a repair shop, something I will bear in mind in future!), or give me a good wedge off a new lens direct from them with a 3 year warranty. The new lens isn't by any means prohibitively more than the repair, so I think I will go down the new lens route! Took very little negotiation too, so I am a very happy man! :-D

Just need to get my lens packed up and sent to them. Any suggestions on who to use and prices for safe postage?

Sounds like a decent result Good luck with the new lens. I hope it will be the 120-300mm one

Good result

Yes, that 120-300 sounds OK!

I'd just use Special Delivery for sending it back.

Steve

Took very little negotiation too, so I am a very happy man! :-D

doh, more negotiation next time

sounds like good result

Lens arrived Friday woohoo!! Will be giving it it's first proper outing tomorrow...

I have the Siggy 120-300 f/2.8 I'm not using much at all. But it's for Nikon mount, not KM/Alpha :(

The remap comment was kind of humorous and only the wrong way round for it to be true! (too much torque stripped the cogs of the box).

PP, lenses don't deteriorate over time unless they are poorly maintained, not looked after and left in the wet, etc.

Plastic gearing is never going to last a lifetime though...

Do you fancy selling your 2.8 then Xavier?

Hmm dunno, I suppose I ought to - would free up a chunk for some other toys. I'm just terrible at never wanting to let go of something once I've bought it

Are you interested or know someone who would?

Hmm dunno, I suppose I ought to - would free up a chunk for some other toys. I'm just terrible at never wanting to let go of something once I've bought it

Are you interested or know someone who would?

I am but I don't think that I could afford it!