If you own a SIGMA Global Vision lens (Art, Sports or Contemporary) for digital SLR cameras and you want to update your firmware, customize settings or calibrate focus, follow along with Tech Rep Aaron Norberg as he walks through the steps needed to keep your lens up-to-date with the SIGMA USB Dock and SIGMA Optimization Pro software.
Note that DN lenses (made for mirrorless cameras) can be updated through the camera body without a USB dock, although the same software is required.
I connect my cannon lens efs 18-55 and did nor work.
You say “Note that DN lenses (made for mirrorless cameras) can be updated through the camera body without a USB dock, although the same software is required.”
I have a 24-70mm DG DN lens with a Sony Alpha a7iii body, and when I go to “AF Micro Adj” on the menu, even though the “AF Adjustment Set.” is “On”, the option “amount” is greyed out and if I select it is shows “Invalid with this lens”.
So, I just returned the USB Dock because it works for DG HSM lenses only (not DG DN lenses), I cannot adjust the AF through the body. And you say “the same software is required” — what software do you mean? I’m confused now… please help!
Thanks!
Hey there Mariano! Sony’s in-camera autofocus adjustment feature is primarily intended to allow users to affect the focus of older A-mount lenses when used in conjunction with one of their A to E mount converters, I suspect you’ll find that this feature will report it is “Invalid with this lens” if you try to select it with any native E-mount lens attached. DSLR cameras like Sony’s A-mount offerings of the past use a sensor for autofocus operations that is separate from the imaging sensor, if there’s any variation between these two sensors it can lead to front or back focusing issues which is where lens calibrations come into play. Mirrorless cameras like your a7 III on the other hand have their autofocus sensors integrated directly on the imaging sensor, which effectively eliminates the potential for misaligned autofocus and likewise eliminates the need for focus calibrations on mirrorless platforms. If you find your lens is consistently placing focus outside of where the camera is directing it to there may be a physical issue with either the camera or lens that would need to be addressed by a repair technician.
When trying to diagnose potential equipment performance issues it’s always a good idea to start by confirming that both the lens and the camera have the most recent firmware, you can find this information in your camera by navigating to the “Version” line item in the Setup menu. The a7 III is currently on version 4.01 and the 24-70mm DG DN Art is currently on version 03; you can find our firmware update drivers for this lens here. If you find that both pieces of equipment are current with firmware and you’re still experiencing focusing issues you can send the lens in to us for evaluation, you’ll find all of our repair team’s contact information and an online repair order form on our site at https://www.sigmaphoto.com/service-support/.
Hope this helps to clear things up, but do let us know if there’s anything else we can do to get you back out making new photos!
Thanks for the helpful video. I own the Sigma 150-600 C. When adjusting auto-focus, it seems like one should start with the shorter focal distance and make the adjustments on the dock. Then, one should go to the next focal distance and so on until finishing at infinity. But, on the internet I’ve seen recommendations to start at infinity and work backward. Which is the better approach?
Hey Kevin! When we perform focus calibrations we first want to identify where precisely the calibration is needed, as with the 16 potential calibration points available for the 150-600mm Contemporary you could inadvertently end up altering the lens’ overall focus performance if you make adjustments to the entire operating range. To establish where in the lens’ focal length and focus range a calibration may be needed I recommend shooting a calibration target first through the optical viewfinder and then again using live view, if there’s a difference in where focus lands on the target between these two focusing methods that could indicate that a calibration may be needed for that focal length and focusing distance. The direction you begin from shouldn’t make any impact on the accuracy of the calibration.
If you find that broad focus adjustments are required or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the trial and error nature of this process I’d suggest sending the lens in to our repair team for inspection, these focus calibrations are covered under our four year manufacturer’s warranty. You can find all of our repair team’s contact information and an online repair order form on our site at http://www.sigmaphoto.com/service-support.
Hope this helps to get you pointed the right direction, but if you do run into any issues with getting your lens dialed in just let us know how we can help.