Sigma 170-500/Nikon D80 focus problem

I've got a friend who's been using a Sigma 170-500 with no issues until he upgraded his body to a Nikon D80. Now the lens/camera focus is erratic.

I remember hearing that with some of the second-party lenses, older designs like the 170-500 have trouble talking to the newest camera bodies, and upgrading the lens electronics is necessary.

Does anyone have experience with the issue, or can you point me to a link that discusses it? I couldn't find anything online after a lot of searching.

Neither the lens nor the body is still under warranty, so he'll be out some bucks. He's calling Siggie next week, but it would be nice to hear if others have had this problem. I know it could also be a camera body calibration issue, and I've also suggested he check his firmware for a newer version in case that might take care of things.

Update: My buddy was using an older firmware version on his D80. He updated it and said the problem didn't show itself at all during today's shooting. He's going to give it a bigger workout this week. Sure would be nice (free) if that took care of it.

When I switched from film to digital about 5 years ago my Sigma 105 macro would only function at f2.8 on my Canon 10D. Sigma rechipped the lens, which was way beyond warranty, for free and now it is fine. I would not hesitate to call them on these types of issues.

Larry Reitz
Salem, CT

I am using sigma 170-500mm APO DG with nikon D80 and I did not have any problem with its focusing. I think your sigma lens is non DG or old lens which is not fully compiteble with nikon's new DSLRs.

For a while, I used an old (I mean it - older than the 170-500 AF for sure) 500 mm telephoto prime from Sigma, and it focused properly on my Nikon DSLR. Most compatibility problems of older Sigma lenses I've heard of affected Canon DSLRs (the dreaded err99 thing upon stopping down...). There also was some trouble with the Nikon D200, but that was fixed with a firmware upgrade, AFAIK. So a firmware upgrade in the body might do the trick.

I assume your friend knows how to use a long lens, right? Holding the combo on the lens, and using the collar for tripod mounting? Otherwise, there might be some "bending" or "play" inside the lens mount, and loss of electrical contact, leading, most probably, to an F-- error.

Basil

Thanks, everybody. Basil, he's been using the lens for several years on a different Nikon DSLR body with good results, only experiencing the problem after switching to the D80. He's still reporting no problems this week now that he's installed the newest firmware, so likely that took care of it.