Help with sigma lens

[kmclark]

I have a D5300 and just received the sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. It seems to be fine in doors but it doesn't seem to focus when I am outside at night. I am worried about this due to the fact that I got it for Disney and the MNSSHP. Any advice?. I was playing outside trying to get a feel for it and it seems to just focus and re focus without being able to take this picture

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

It sounds like it is hunting for a focus point. I think we need more information. What are your AF camera settings? AFS or C? Center or auto focus point? Do you have the focus assist light turned on? Are you experiencing this on any other lenses?

 

[mom2rtk]

I had a copy of this lens for Canon and was not impressed at all with its focus. It missed a lot more than it hit. I sent it back and decided to upgrade to full frame instead.

Be sure to run it through the paces before deciding to keep it. I know others in this forum have used it and loved it. I certainly loved what it would do when it did hit focus.

I will say that I had issues with front and back focusing on a couple other Sigma lenses in the past. I sent the camera and lenses in to Sigma for calibration and they did a great job with them.

 

[kmclark]

It sounds like it is hunting for a focus point. I think we need more information. What are your AF camera settings? AFS or C? Center or auto focus point? Do you have the focus assist light turned on? Are you experiencing this on any other lenses?

Currently set at AF-A with 39 point focus. Right Now the assist light is off.
Sorry I only have this lens with me so I can't say if it is doing it with any other lens

 

[Pixel Dust]

Currently set at AF-A with 39 point focus. Right Now the assist light is off.
Sorry I only have this lens with me so I can't say if it is doing it with any other lens

You need to use AF-S and use a single point, preferably the center. That center focus point is the most sensitive. Also, because it is dark the camera doesn't know which point to select. When you focus, put that center point on an area of the subject with the most contrast. You will see a green dot at the bottom of the viewfinder to confirm your focus. Keep holding the shutter button... Because you are in AF-S mode, this will lock your focus and you can recompose your shot.

 

[kmclark]

You need to use AF-S and use a single point, preferably the center. That center focus point is the most sensitive. Also, because it is dark the camera doesn't know which point to select. When you focus, put that center point on an area of the subject with the most contrast. You will see a green dot at the bottom of the viewfinder to confirm your focus. Keep holding the shutter button... Because you are in AF-S mode, this will lock your focus and you can recompose your shot.

I will give that a shot tonight

 

[PrincessInOz]

I just took that lens through it's paces at DLR for close on 2 days. I deliberately set out to keep this lens on my camera for the two days; rather than reverting to my normal walkaround lens.

My take on the lens after these two days is as follows:

I don't like the way it hunts for focus and the lens was constantly trying to focus and re-focus.
I think it's a great lens for taking pictures of static displays or when you have time to work through the focus point i.e., if you're standing still and the object is stationary.

I found the focus/refocus to be a source of frustration for me when I was on dark rides. And yes, I do shoot with single focus point. I also normally have my canon camera set to AI Focus. I did move it to AI Servo to see if that made a difference in the dark rides. This function made a little bit of a difference and the lens was a little quicker at getting into focus but I still found the lens had a tendency to focus/refocus.
In the end, I moved to manual focus rather than automatic to try to stop the focus/refocus. As a consequence, most of my pictures are blurry as I am myopic and have astigmatism (it definitely has nothing to do with the fact that I am @%$%# at manual focussing a lens ). Still, I did come home with enough pictures to sufficiently record the trip.


I acknowledge that I'm just an enthusiast hobby photographer. I expect better photographers than me will have much better success with the lens.


I also have a Canon 17 - 55mm, f/2.8 in my bag and I know what that lens is capable of. I don't think the Sigma measures up to that lens at all. It took all my willpower to keep the Canon in the bag and persist with the goal of giving the Sigma a real go for the 2 days I was at DLR.

 

[firemanchip]

I just took that lens through it's paces at DLR for close on 2 days. I deliberately set out to keep this lens on my camera for the two days; rather than reverting to my normal walkaround lens.

My take on the lens after these two days is as follows:

I don't like the way it hunts for focus and the lens was constantly trying to focus and re-focus.
I think it's a great lens for taking pictures of static displays or when you have time to work through the focus point i.e., if you're standing still and the object is stationary.

I found the focus/refocus to be a source of frustration for me when I was on dark rides. And yes, I do shoot with single focus point. I also normally have my canon camera set to AI Focus. I did move it to AI Servo to see if that made a difference in the dark rides. This function made a little bit of a difference and the lens was a little quicker at getting into focus but I still found the lens had a tendency to focus/refocus.
In the end, I moved to manual focus rather than automatic to try to stop the focus/refocus. As a consequence, most of my pictures are blurry as I am myopic and have astigmatism (it definitely has nothing to do with the fact that I am @%$%# at manual focussing a lens ). Still, I did come home with enough pictures to sufficiently record the trip.


I acknowledge that I'm just an enthusiast hobby photographer. I expect better photographers than me will have much better success with the lens.


I also have a Canon 17 - 55mm, f/2.8 in my bag and I know what that lens is capable of. I don't think the Sigma measures up to that lens at all. It took all my willpower to keep the Canon in the bag and persist with the goal of giving the Sigma a real go for the 2 days I was at DLR.

I find this interesting because I intend on doing the same thing. In the past I used a T3i with a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 (walk-around) and the 50 1.8 (dark-rides) and had very good results. On my upcoming trip I plan on using a 70D with the 18-35 1.8 as my walk-around and for dark-rides. The 50 did have a little to much reach and I had to manually focus. I`m hoping with better ISO capabilities and a much better AF system I can actually not have to manually focus. Your post has me a little concerned now. I have actually had very good results from this combo so far. I guess we`ll just have to wait and see.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I find this interesting because I intend on doing the same thing. In the past I used a T3i with a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 (walk-around) and the 50 1.8 (dark-rides) and had very good results. On my upcoming trip I plan on using a 70D with the 18-35 1.8 as my walk-around and for dark-rides. The 50 did have a little to much reach and I had to manually focus. I`m hoping with better ISO capabilities and a much better AF system I can actually not have to manually focus. Your post has me a little concerned now. I have actually had very good results from this combo so far. I guess we`ll just have to wait and see.

I'll be interested to see how you go with it as well. I'm always happy to acknowledge that I might lack the skill to get the best out of my equipment and am always interested to learn how to be better.

I did take the lens out for a drive in Melbourne before I left. It was in the daytime and I was shooting flowers. In the daytime and with the subject matter, the lens rocked! So, I was anticipating a good result at Disney.

I think that the night time shots I got from World of Colour were pretty good. The f/1.8 came in very handy.

I just don't think the combination of lens focus, my skill and movement on a ride vehicle was a good mix.

 

[firemanchip]

I'll be interested to see how you go with it as well. I'm always happy to acknowledge that I might lack the skill to get the best out of my equipment and am always interested to learn how to be better.

I did take the lens out for a drive in Melbourne before I left. It was in the daytime and I was shooting flowers. In the daytime and with the subject matter, the lens rocked! So, I was anticipating a good result at Disney.

I think that the night time shots I got from World of Colour were pretty good. The f/1.8 came in very handy.

I just don't think the combination of lens focus, my skill and movement on a ride vehicle was a good mix.

I was wondering what body you were using with the lens?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I was wondering what body you were using with the lens?

It's the 7D (Mark I).

 

[mom2rtk]

I just took that lens through it's paces at DLR for close on 2 days. I deliberately set out to keep this lens on my camera for the two days; rather than reverting to my normal walkaround lens.

My take on the lens after these two days is as follows:

I don't like the way it hunts for focus and the lens was constantly trying to focus and re-focus.
I think it's a great lens for taking pictures of static displays or when you have time to work through the focus point i.e., if you're standing still and the object is stationary.

I found the focus/refocus to be a source of frustration for me when I was on dark rides. And yes, I do shoot with single focus point. I also normally have my canon camera set to AI Focus. I did move it to AI Servo to see if that made a difference in the dark rides. This function made a little bit of a difference and the lens was a little quicker at getting into focus but I still found the lens had a tendency to focus/refocus.
In the end, I moved to manual focus rather than automatic to try to stop the focus/refocus. As a consequence, most of my pictures are blurry as I am myopic and have astigmatism (it definitely has nothing to do with the fact that I am @%$%# at manual focussing a lens ). Still, I did come home with enough pictures to sufficiently record the trip.


I acknowledge that I'm just an enthusiast hobby photographer. I expect better photographers than me will have much better success with the lens.


I also have a Canon 17 - 55mm, f/2.8 in my bag and I know what that lens is capable of. I don't think the Sigma measures up to that lens at all. It took all my willpower to keep the Canon in the bag and persist with the goal of giving the Sigma a real go for the 2 days I was at DLR.

Thanks for the report on your experience with this lens PiO. I'm sorry you were not thrilled with it. I really wanted to be thrilled with mine. I had anticipated it filling an important role in my lens lineup. Kudos to you for sticking with it to give it a thorough try. Like you, I would have been sorely tempted to swap out for the 17-55.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for the report on your experience with this lens PiO. I'm sorry you were not thrilled with it. I really wanted to be thrilled with mine. I had anticipated it filling an important role in my lens lineup. Kudos to you for sticking with it to give it a thorough try. Like you, I would have been sorely tempted to swap out for the 17-55.

DH and I had a brief chat about the lens the other day. I am thinking of selling it but he thinks I should reflect on it for a bit longer.

I'm going to sort out the pictures and get through the TR. It will take me a couple of weeks to get to the Disney days. I think that once I get round to posting these pictures, I might be in a frame of mind to look at the pictures more objectively.

I was thinking of creating one of those "What I'm Focussed On" threads and posting a more detailed view of this lens. I just need to make sure that I write it from my POV so that it doesn't have the potential to push too many buttons for anyone else.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This is disappointing to hear because on the surface it would appear to be the near perfect dark ride lens. However, if it has difficulty focusing in low light, then what good is the f1.8! I was thinking about selling my 30 f1.4 and buying this one. Now, I may just rent it for my next WDW dark ride adventures.

 

[PrincessInOz]

This is disappointing to hear because on the surface it would appear to be the near perfect dark ride lens. However, if it has difficulty focusing in low light, then what good is the f1.8! I was thinking about selling my 30 f1.4 and buying this one. Now, I may just rent it for my next WDW dark ride adventures.

Terry, I'd recommend that you try it out for yourself. It might be me!
I know there are a couple of the other Dis-photographers here that love it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Terry, I'd recommend that you try it out for yourself. It might be me!
I know there are a couple of the other Dis-photographers here that love it.

I absolutely agree. And I think I had a bad copy as mine had far more trouble that was reasonable to assume was typical.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Its funny that this thread is here now, because Pentax Forums just completed a comprehensive review of this lens. They mirror what has been discussed here. While it didn't search a lot, it did not focus accurately. The only way it focused was in live view (or suggest a mirrorless application). They tried it on five different Pentax cameras with no change in the lack of focus. They contacted Sigma and were sent a second lens along with two docks and no improvement even though Sigma stated the new lens would be calibrated. So, it does seem this lens has a problem with AF. Below is the link to the AF review and the entire review can be accessed.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/sigma-18-35mm-f18-dc-hsm-art/autofocus.html

Obviously, its not you guys!!

 

[Pixel Dust]

Its funny that this thread is here now, because Pentax Forums just completed a comprehensive review of this lens. They mirror what has been discussed here. While it didn't search a lot, it did not focus accurately. The only way it focused was in live view (or suggest a mirrorless application). They tried it on five different Pentax cameras with no change in the lack of focus. They contacted Sigma and were sent a second lens along with two docks and no improvement even though Sigma stated the new lens would be calibrated. So, it does seem this lens has a problem with AF. Below is the link to the AF review and the entire review can be accessed.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/sigma-18-35mm-f18-dc-hsm-art/autofocus.html

Obviously, its not you guys!!

Interesting read.

I have the Sigma 35 mm f/1.4 Art on a D600 and found the auto focus to be somewhat lacking in the dark. Focus is spot-on in daylight and indoors. The lens is at f/1.4 most of the time (I mean, that's what the lens is for ). Where focus becomes and issue for me is extreme dark situations. I'm talking Main Street Electrical Parade, Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion. In the past I've used the old Nikon 35 mm f/2.0 D, and that lens would lock focus in all the mentions situations, no problem.

For those that don't know me, I live for dark ride photos. It's all in our trip reports. Lots of trial-and-error on my end. So, it's definitely the lens in my case.

With all that said, the 35 mm f/1.4 Art is still and outstanding lens. Extremely sharp at f/1.4 edge-to-edge. I use it a lot just for walking around Disney.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Its funny that this thread is here now, because Pentax Forums just completed a comprehensive review of this lens. They mirror what has been discussed here. While it didn't search a lot, it did not focus accurately. The only way it focused was in live view (or suggest a mirrorless application). They tried it on five different Pentax cameras with no change in the lack of focus. They contacted Sigma and were sent a second lens along with two docks and no improvement even though Sigma stated the new lens would be calibrated. So, it does seem this lens has a problem with AF. Below is the link to the AF review and the entire review can be accessed.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/sigma-18-35mm-f18-dc-hsm-art/autofocus.html

Obviously, its not you guys!!

Thanks for sharing! It was a very interesting read.

I might have to try it in Live View and see if it makes a difference. I predominantly look through the view finder.

 

[kmclark]

I just got back from the World yesterday. Overall I would have to give the lens 2 thumbs up. It was a hard focus on Haunted Mansion though. But the images are like someone stated in the daylight and indoors, the picture are dead on. Love the colors. This was my first experience with a lens other than the kit lens. I just got back from FedEx sending it back to LensRental. The below pics are straight from the camera, no Lightroom used, yet.

http://flic.kr/p/pVRQyf by kevin.clark2227, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/pDi82z by kevin.clark2227, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/pVRS8C by kevin.clark2227, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/oYWjFS by kevin.clark2227, on Flickr