D200 & Sigma lens

[birddog114]

OK guys, whoever is lusting the D200 and planning use it with the Sigma lenses, I got some noises over the D200 and Sigma Sigma EX with AF-ON button. Only affected with the D200 (New tech from Nikon) not the D2 series or the D70, perhaps these will be continued with the next release of Nikon DSLR.

On DPR:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=16341200

On Nikonian.org:
http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforu ... e=threaded

[MCWB]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the link Birdy! Fortunately there's an easy workaround, i.e. using the shutter button to lock focus and AE button to lock exposure.

/waits for Gary

[dooda]

I read somewhere on the wide world web that Sigma generally releases a chip or something and remedies it. NOt that I really know what that means, or even what the problem is. Hell I don't even own a Sigma.
I haven't removed my kit lens for atleast 3 months.

[Michael]

I'll worry about the problem when and if the problem occurs with the D200 and my lenses.

[birddog114]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the link Birdy! Fortunately there's an easy workaround, i.e. using the shutter button to lock focus and AE button to lock exposure.

/waits for Gary

Yes, it's the way around, but it's still a pain!
What happens to the next Nikon DSLR body? and Tokina and Tamron?

[birddog114]

I'll worry about the probly when and if the problem occurs with the D200 and my lenses.

If you're going to lust the D200 and currently have the Sigma lenses on the list, then it's time for you to know how to handle in this situation.

I don't know if Adeal will re-chip the grey import Sigma lens or not and how much does it cost with freight/ insurance back & forth.

[birddog114]

I read somewhere on the wide world web that Sigma generally releases a chip

dooda,
Solution is re-chip the lens, make the Sigma understand the language and conversation from AF of the Nikon body when the button pressed.

[Michael]

I'll worry about the probly when and if the problem occurs with the D200 and my lenses.

If you're going to lust the D200 and currently have the Sigma lenses on the list, then it's time for you to know how to handle in this situation.

I don't know if Adeal will re-chip the grey import Sigma lens or not and how much does it cost with freight/ insurance back & forth.

If it happens, and it does need to be rechipped I bought my lens from photocontinental about 4 months ago so hopefully there shouldn't be any troubles doing it being under warranty and what not.

the reason I said what I said was because DP review carrys on like a pack of randy school girls gossiping about a new hot boy that comes to a school. (the new hot boy being the camera)

[birddog114]

I'll worry about the probly when and if the problem occurs with the D200 and my lenses.

If you're going to lust the D200 and currently have the Sigma lenses on the list, then it's time for you to know how to handle in this situation.

I don't know if Adeal will re-chip the grey import Sigma lens or not and how much does it cost with freight/ insurance back & forth.

If it happens, and it does need to be rechipped I bought my lens from photocontinental about 4 months ago so hopefully there shouldn't be any troubles doing it being under warranty and what not.

the reason I said what I said was because DP review carrys on like a pack of randy school girls gossiping about a new hot boy that comes to a school. (the new hot boy being the camera)

Michael,
This issue is not only talking on DPR, it's also with the listed Sigma lenses on Nikonians.org.

[mudder]

Gee, I'm one of those that uses the AE-L/AF-L button all the time for focus with exposure set by shutter (which also activates VR), surprised of the issue but judging by some of the threads it's happened before... Spose I'm glad I don't have any of the lenses mentioned (assuming only HSM lenses affected I think?) as I'm lustfully eyeing off the D200, doh!

[phillipb]

I doubt that this would be covered by warranty, I couldn't see Sigma guaranteeing their lenses for compatibility with future - as yet not released - cameras.

[birddog114]

I doubt that this would be covered by warranty, I couldn't see Sigma guaranteeing their lenses for compatibility with future - as yet not released - cameras.

Well, wait and see what will coming up!
This also will steer lot of Sigma fans out of the play with D200 atm.

[cordy]

Ahh well done Nikon

[gstark]

I fail to see where the problem is?

[Onyx]

 LOL Gary, me too...

But I think it may be Nikon's way of subtly introducing anti-competitiveness technology restricting useable accessories on the D200. Since the body's selling price is well below expectation, they have to make their profit from elsewhere - eg. selling genuine EN-EL3e batteries (as no others will work), now restricting non Nikkor glass, and I wouldn't be surprised if compact flash cards not on the D200's recommended list starts chucking up errors in the machine.

[Nnnnsic]

This is a bad move and a likely mark of anti-competitiveness in my opinion.

If however if it's a fluke then... well... FIX IT!

I say this even though I own no Sigma glass but find it outrageous when companies force you to adopt their way for new products without giving the end-user fair warning.

[birddog114]

Leigh,
Not real!!!!
Some of Sigma lenses work and some don't. It's on Sigma's side.

[mudder]

G'day,

Just found this regarding the "compatability" issue between Sigma HSM lenses and the D200... Just thought this might be helpful, not sure whether it's location specific or not... Just in case it's helpful...

Summary:
AF function of our HSM equipped lenses do not operate when "AF operation button" on the back of the body of Nikon "D200" digital SLR camera (recently introduced to the market by Nikon) is used. This problem is caused due to a firmware "bug" of our HSM equipped lenses.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers who own D200 camera and we are committed to making this situation right. In this respect, we will start updating firmware of these lenses free of charge today.

Please also note that if "shutter button" is used for AF operation of HSM equipped lenses, camera and lens combination works without any problem.

This problem occurs with HSM equipped lenses only. Non-HSM models of Sigma lenses function properly with D200 camera.

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/ne ... 21_hsm.htm

[birddog114]

mudder,
Thanks for the updated, but then the lens has to be shipped back to supplier/ wholesaler or distributor.
Good work Sigma.

[DionM]

This is a bad move and a likely mark of anti-competitiveness in my opinion.

To a degree, it is (certainly for stuff that is an open standard like CF cards).

However I don't think the mounts and protocol between body and lens could be deemed anti-competitive - from what I know, Sigma et al reverse engineer it - Nikon (and Canon for that matter) have never sold the licence for the mount/interface to Sigma etc.

[johnd]

Does anyone know of an easy option to get my Sigma 150 2.8 macro lens re-chipped to work with AF-ON button on D200? Would the lens need to go back to HKS or wherever it was sourced or could someone in Aus do it?

Cheers
John

[birddog114]

John,
Local Sigma will do it but it's chargeable.
You can send it back To HKS (via me) but it will take time.
That the issue I worried when I knew beforehand some Sigma lenses won't work properly on (with AF-ON button) D200 or future of Nikon DSLR.

[johnd]

John,
Local Sigma will do it but it's chargeable.
You can send it back To HKS (via me) but it will take time.
That the issue I worried when I knew beforehand some Sigma lenses won't work properly on (with AF-ON button) D200 or future of Nikon DSLR.

Thanks for that Thanh. I assume it would take 3 or 4 weeks to get to HKS, get rechipped and get back again. It's really not that big a deal as the near to equivalent AE-L/AF-L functionality on my D70 works OK with the Sigma. It was just that I was trying to do some "trap focussing" with the Sigma the other day on the D200. I will make some enquiries with local Sigma as well and then decide if it's worth getting it rechipped. The other option is to see if anyone wants a Sigma 150 macro lens and doesn't want to use AF-ON on D200, then I could buy one of those new Nikkor 105mm VR macro lenses An excuse for more lust.

Cheers
John

[DionM]

This is a bad move and a likely mark of anti-competitiveness in my opinion.

I think what Sigma/Tamron etc should really do is tell end-users that they reverse-engineer the protocols and do not own a licence and therefore there is no guarantee of future compatibility.

Canon has done this many times and left Sigma etc lenses no-worky on newer bodies. It is the only reason I don't own any third-party lenses anymore.

[birddog114]

This is a bad move and a likely mark of anti-competitiveness in my opinion.

I think what Sigma/Tamron etc should really do is tell end-users that they reverse-engineer the protocols and do not own a licence and therefore there is no guarantee of future compatibility.

Canon has done this many times and left Sigma etc lenses no-worky on newer bodies. It is the only reason I don't own any third-party lenses anymore.

I totally agreed with you on this, that why I only bought Nikkor, except 01 x Tamron 28-75 as my eval product.

None of anything will guarantee the Sigma/ Tamron will definitely work with the future of Nikon DSLR, even if it's chipped now.

e.g: Sigma 70-200 is now temp. suspended due to new model will be soon released to replace the old one same as working toward the incompatibility issues with most of new or modern DSLR.

For All,
Looking to buy any third party lenses, pls. consider the above mentioned issues if you're going or thinking of upgrading the camera body in the near future.
I do understand Sigma, Tamron or Tokina will do it free but there's an inconvenience and sometime it's not worth it with all your times and efforts.