Old Sigma lenses on Canon digital bodies

iolair · 12-10-2009, 05:35 PM

I recently got a Canon 20D from eBay, and bought new a lovely 50mm 1.8.

I also acquired/borrowed two EF fitting Sigma lenses which date back to film EOS cameras:Sigma Zoom - 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 DL Hyperzoom Macro and Sigma DL Zoom 75-300mm 1:4-5.6.

Unfortunately, these virtually never work on my camera, giving "Err: 99". After a lot of googling and reading, I've read this is typical for Sigma lenses of this age on newer Canon bodies. The reason is that Canon update their protocols with full access to technical material (so their older lenses would be fine), Sigma reverse engineer to fit. This means Sigma lenses may not always work on future Canon bodies.

It was, apparently, possible to get a lens rechipped to work with the newer Canons. I need to contact Sigma to see if this is still possible, but some posts I've seen online indicated that they've run out of the replacement chips.

Another alternative might be to put a component (such as a cheap extension tube) in between the camera and the lens which prevents communication completely between the camera and lens. Obviously, this would stop the lens from operating at infinity and disable the autofocus, so it's far from ideal.

Anyone else dealt with this issue?

icassell · 12-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Not all lenses could be re-chipped. Contacting Sigma is your best approach. Unless the old Sigma lenses have an aperture ring, you will find yourself shooting wide-open if you shoot manually.

**Big Mike** · 12-11-2009, 08:11 AM

My opinion is that unless you have a really good lens, don't bother. A new 70-300mm lens from Canon, Sigma or Tamron will work just fine and isn't very expensive.

iolair · 12-28-2009, 08:14 AM

After a certain amount of experimenting, I've persuaded both the lenses to behave consistently. The caveat is that I can ONLY shoot with the aperture wide open in aperture-priority or manual modes, and I have to adjust the aperture or shutter speed setting before I shoot. It then avoids the error 100% of the time. (If I try to use a smaller aperture, or don't adjust the setting in some way before I take the first shot at a focal length, the error returns, and stays until I power cycle the camera).

For shooting in natural light, it's not too bad, but with a flash it's hard to stop it being too bright at 1/250s and ISO-100 (my flashes are older ones without any power adjustment). The autofocus works fine, though.

It's not possible to get it rechipped - so until I can afford new glass it'll have to do.

iolair · 12-28-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Big Mike

My opinion is that unless you have a really good lens, don't bother. A new 70-300mm lens from Canon, Sigma or Tamron will work just fine and isn't very expensive.

The 28-200 is very sharp, actually - better than the reviews suggest. I guess I'm just lucky with the copy I have.

The image quality of the 75-300 is, well, meh ... but the reach will occasionally be useful. On the other hand, I don't need long telephoto often enough to justify replacing it.

icassell · 12-28-2009, 08:40 AM

You might see if you can get hold of some ND filters to use with it to cut the light when you're shooting wide open.

12-10-2009, 05:35 PM	#1
iolair Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nr. Oviedo, Spain Posts: 229 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Old Sigma lenses on Canon digital bodies I recently got a Canon 20D from eBay, and bought new a lovely 50mm 1.8. I also acquired/borrowed two EF fitting Sigma lenses which date back to film EOS cameras:Sigma Zoom - 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 DL Hyperzoom Macro and Sigma DL Zoom 75-300mm 1:4-5.6. Unfortunately, these virtually never work on my camera, giving "Err: 99". After a lot of googling and reading, I've read this is typical for Sigma lenses of this age on newer Canon bodies. The reason is that Canon update their protocols with full access to technical material (so their older lenses would be fine), Sigma reverse engineer to fit. This means Sigma lenses may not always work on future Canon bodies. It was, apparently, possible to get a lens rechipped to work with the newer Canons. I need to contact Sigma to see if this is still possible, but some posts I've seen online indicated that they've run out of the replacement chips. Another alternative might be to put a component (such as a cheap extension tube) in between the camera and the lens which prevents communication completely between the camera and lens. Obviously, this would stop the lens from operating at infinity and disable the autofocus, so it's far from ideal. Anyone else dealt with this issue? __________________ DSLR: Canon 20D Lenses: Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, Sigma 75-300mm f/4-5.6, Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6

12-10-2009, 05:48 PM	#2
icassell TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,195 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 68 Times in 65 Posts My Gallery: (3)	Not all lenses could be re-chipped. Contacting Sigma is your best approach. Unless the old Sigma lenses have an aperture ring, you will find yourself shooting wide-open if you shoot manually. __________________ Ian Canon 7D, Canon 30D, Sigma 10-20 f/4.5-5.6, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 50 f/1.8 Mark I, Sigma 50-150 f/2.8, Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 100-300 f/4, Canon 400 f/5.6L, Sigma 1.4X & 2X EX TC, Canon 430EX, Bogen 3021 Tripod/Gitzo 1377M 35mm: Minolta XD-11 + Misc. Glass MY PHOTOGRAPHS "If I have seen further , it is by standing on ye shoulders of giants." -- Sir Isaac Newton in a letter to Robert Hooke 15 February 1676 (... and a long telephoto doesn't hurt either ...)

12-11-2009, 08:11 AM	#3
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 22,984 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 298 Times in 276 Posts My Gallery: (93)	My opinion is that unless you have a really good lens, don't bother. A new 70-300mm lens from Canon, Sigma or Tamron will work just fine and isn't very expensive. __________________ "The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous" Edmonton Wedding Photographer ==>Blog

12-28-2009, 08:14 AM	#4
iolair Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nr. Oviedo, Spain Posts: 229 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	After a certain amount of experimenting, I've persuaded both the lenses to behave consistently. The caveat is that I can ONLY shoot with the aperture wide open in aperture-priority or manual modes, and I have to adjust the aperture or shutter speed setting before I shoot. It then avoids the error 100% of the time. (If I try to use a smaller aperture, or don't adjust the setting in some way before I take the first shot at a focal length, the error returns, and stays until I power cycle the camera). For shooting in natural light, it's not too bad, but with a flash it's hard to stop it being too bright at 1/250s and ISO-100 (my flashes are older ones without any power adjustment). The autofocus works fine, though. It's not possible to get it rechipped - so until I can afford new glass it'll have to do. __________________ DSLR: Canon 20D Lenses: Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, Sigma 75-300mm f/4-5.6, Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6

12-28-2009, 08:19 AM	#5
iolair Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nr. Oviedo, Spain Posts: 229 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Big Mike My opinion is that unless you have a really good lens, don't bother. A new 70-300mm lens from Canon, Sigma or Tamron will work just fine and isn't very expensive. The 28-200 is very sharp, actually - better than the reviews suggest. I guess I'm just lucky with the copy I have. The image quality of the 75-300 is, well, meh ... but the reach will occasionally be useful. On the other hand, I don't need long telephoto often enough to justify replacing it. __________________ DSLR: Canon 20D Lenses: Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, Sigma 75-300mm f/4-5.6, Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6

Old Sigma lenses on Canon digital bodies

old sigma lenses

old sigma lens

sigma 75-300mm lens

canon sigma err 01

old glass on new canons

replace chip sigma 75-300

SIGMA COMPACT HYPERZOOM 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 MACRO

Sigma 28-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 DL HYPERZOOM MACRO canon EOS -compact

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-equipment-products-news-reviews/186314-old-sigma-lenses-canon-digital-bodies.html

sigma lens canon err 01

Error 01 with Sigma lens

sigma dl zoom 75-300 review

sigma dl zoom 75-300mm manual

sigma lenses old

error 1 sigma lens with 7d

rechip sigma 400mm 5.6 err01

canon sigma err01

Sigma Zoom 28-200mm digital 20D?

old sigma zoom lenses 75-300 -70-300

canon error 70 with a sigma lens

Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 DL

rechip old sigma lenses for canon

how to make sigma DL lenses work with eos digital

will sigma 70-300mm dl lens fit an dslr

WILL OLD SIGMA LENSES FIT DIGITAL BODY

12-28-2009, 08:40 AM	#6
icassell TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,195 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 68 Times in 65 Posts My Gallery: (3)	You might see if you can get hold of some ND filters to use with it to cut the light when you're shooting wide open. __________________ Ian Canon 7D, Canon 30D, Sigma 10-20 f/4.5-5.6, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 50 f/1.8 Mark I, Sigma 50-150 f/2.8, Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 100-300 f/4, Canon 400 f/5.6L, Sigma 1.4X & 2X EX TC, Canon 430EX, Bogen 3021 Tripod/Gitzo 1377M 35mm: Minolta XD-11 + Misc. Glass MY PHOTOGRAPHS "If I have seen further , it is by standing on ye shoulders of giants." -- Sir Isaac Newton in a letter to Robert Hooke 15 February 1676 (... and a long telephoto doesn't hurt either ...)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode