Canon 500D and Sigma Lens Problem

fox uk · 28-06-2009, 2:37 AM

Hi all

I wonder if you can help me with a problem I have with my new Canon EOS 500D and an older Sigma Lens (28 - 135mm 1:3.8-5.6 Macro - Serial#1003228)

This older lens works fine with my previous film-based Canon EOS SLR, but I am getting a strange message when taking photos when it's attached to my new 500D.

The lens connects fine, auto-focus is good and motors operate correctly. However, upon taking the actual photo, I get a message on the LCD saying "Err 01 - Communications between the camera and lens is faulty. Clean the lens contacts"

I've cleaned all contacts and everything appears fine. I've also checked the lens still works fine on my older EOS, so am now stumped as to why I am getting this issue. If anyone could shed some light on this I would be most appreciative

Even stranger is that I DID manage to snap 1 photo with the lens before this happened but I can no longer!

Cheers, Dave.

DPinBucks · 29-06-2009, 7:14 AM

Dave,

This has been covered in at least one other thread:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digit...ma-lenses.html

Unfortunately, it's a long-standing problem which isn't going to be fixed. The only answer is a new lens.

It's got nothing to do with the make of lens: Canons are just as bad. It seems to be a firmware incompatibility in Canon dSLRs. It's a pity, and afaik no other make has the same problem, but at least it gave me the excuse to get a couple of up-to-date lenses.

fox uk · 06-07-2009, 8:25 PM

Hey DPinBucks, thanks for you reply and info. Sorry for the delay, I've been away for a few weeks.

I've had a read of the thread you suggested and it appears indeed I am not alone. Shame about the lens, but maybe as you said it's a good excuse to buy a new one!

Thanks for your help, Dave.

DPinBucks · 07-07-2009, 7:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox uk

Hey DPinBucks, thanks for you reply and info. Sorry for the delay, I've been away for a few weeks.

I've had a read of the thread you suggested and it appears indeed I am not alone. Shame about the lens, but maybe as you said it's a good excuse to buy a new one!

Thanks for your help, Dave.

Dave,

You're very welcome.

Pirate!! · 07-07-2009, 9:38 AM

I know this may sound obvious, but is manual mode an option? Notwithstanding, has anyone contacted Sigma (UK) about re-chipping (assuming this is the issue)? Maybe another email to Canon about a firmware fix!

fox uk · 05-09-2009, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

I know this may sound obvious, but is manual mode an option? Notwithstanding, has anyone contacted Sigma (UK) about re-chipping (assuming this is the issue)? Maybe another email to Canon about a firmware fix!

Hi, manual mode isn't an option either I'm afraid - the camera won't even respond and just comes up with the original error message. I'll drop another mail to Canon, maybe they will recognise this as a problem eventually!

paulrwselby · 05-09-2009, 11:52 AM

Hi,

This is not a problem with Canon camera bodies, just some older Sigma lenses. The problem is because Sigma reverse engineer their lenses to work with Canon Camera bodies rather than licence it from Canon. No Canon lens has this problem and never will have.

It is worth ringing Sigma who will tell you if they can re-chip it or not. They do not charge for this service and I have found them very helpful. In fact they offered me a newer version of a Sima lens at a very good discount

I hope this helps.

Paul

fox uk · 05-09-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrwselby

Hi,

This is not a problem with Canon camera bodies, just some older Sigma lenses. The problem is because Sigma reverse engineer their lenses to work with Canon Camera bodies rather than licence it from Canon. No Canon lens has this problem and never will have.

It is worth ringing Sigma who will tell you if they can re-chip it or not. They do not charge for this service and I have found them very helpful. In fact they offered me a newer version of a Sima lens at a very good discount

I hope this helps.

Paul

Thanks Paul - I'll give that a go and report back :o) Cheers

**senu** · 05-09-2009, 12:55 PM

It is a well known problem and in the early days Sigma fixed the lenses for free. Im not sure they actually do that now but you may have nothing to lose by asking
In fact it made sone Canon bodies malfuction to te point of needing fixing even with Canon lens bringing up " error 99"
Pragmatically a new lens is on the cards.. I think

. Maybe like the poster above you at a discount

DPinBucks · 07-09-2009, 7:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrwselby

Hi,

...
No Canon lens has this problem and never will have.
Paul

Pauls, I'm sorry, but with respect that's not true. My Canon lens (bought for an EOS 650) gives Error 99 on my 400D.

An old Tamron lens is fine.

I'm pretty sure it's a Canon problem, and it's not going to be fixed. There's no reason for them to do so.

**senu** · 07-09-2009, 8:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

Pauls, I'm sorry, but with respect that's not true. My Canon lens (bought for an EOS 650) gives Error 99 on my 400D.

An old Tamron lens is fine.

I'm pretty sure it's a Canon problem, and it's not going to be fixed. There's no reason for them to do so.

Error 99 is a generic error which can occur with any lens. I got it with a Sigma lens and thereafter with any other lens on my 350D

This particular problem would seem to be a Sigma /Canon Issue though in this instance and can probably be fixed but may not be worth it

Windwagen · 21-09-2009, 2:38 AM

I have the same problem. Thanks everyone for all the info. I just wanted to add one detail. My Sigma Lens/ Canon XS combo works fine indoors or in low to medium light. FOr me, this problem occurs only when it's sunny or really bright.

lrodrigues · 12-10-2009, 10:03 PM

Hi all.
I have the same problem.
I've recently bought a SIGMA 70-300 DG MACRO and there's some sort of communication problem with the lens. The Error 01 appears when the lens aperture is slightly above f5.6 (try it, if it’s above will crash for sure).
One of the things that seems to solve the issue is to work with the Canon using the Aperture Priority Mode Av
1. Try to set the zoom to 70mm
2. Select Av mode, push aperture to f4 (the minimum possible);
3. With the camera point it to a dark region and take a picture;
4. From this point forward the lens will not crash anymore, unless aperture increases more than f5.6
Try this and let me know if it works.
I’ve already contacted SIGMA US by email reporting this problem, let’s see what they say…

Windwagen · 12-10-2009, 11:36 PM

Sigma was very quick responding to me. I sent my lens to them and they are fixing it. The AF gear was broken too and I was using manual focus. So they are fixing that too and it's costing me $70.00 including shipping.

I could have bought a comparable lens on eBay for a little more, but my wife thought it was safer to get a factory repaired lens rather than eBay.

I thought the newer Sigma lenses would be fine.

Windwagen · 10-01-2010, 8:50 PM

I got my lens back and it works fine. After a few months, I've realized that the pictures lack razor sharp clarity. Esp when zooming in. I played around with the Canon lens that came with the camera and realized that the Sigma lens was at fault. Since the camera is new to me, I thought there was something wrong with the way I was using it.

I put the camera on a tripod and compared the same shot with the two lenses. Canon is definitely sharper.

I recently found out that there is a Canadian Sigma office called Gentec. Ironically, within 1km of the post office where I shipped the lens to the US Sigma repair center. I brought it in and I should have a diagnosis shortly. The tech said that they do the upgrades for free here!