Feedback from Sigma users regarding peeling and build issues

[duntellu]

Hi fellow Csers,

i'm eyeing a sigma 30mm prime but am holding the purchase off till i can get some feedback on the build quality of sigma lens.

Other than the apparent peeling on the outer layer, what other things should and can fail in a sigma lens? What is their warranty like and wat can be serviceable? Thus would like to hear from other sigma users on how their lens have fared.

thanks in advance

[tankm]

Like all lens manufacturer there are good and there are bad lens. Have not used the Sigma 30mm before, so can;t comment on it. Generally their EX range are better in terms of optical and built. Have used the following SIGMA lens and the optic and built are very good...Sigma 100mm f2.8 Macro, Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Good Sigma value lens with reasonable optic and built for it's price are the 70-300 f4-5.6 APO Macro II and Sigma 170-500.

Peeling is more cosmetic, not that bad. Warranty is 1 year. I have no problem getting warranty service from them but others have complaint about bad experience.

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by tankm Like all lens manufacturer there are good and there are bad lens. Have not used the Sigma 30mm before, so can;t comment on it. Generally their EX range are better in terms of optical and built. Have used the following SIGMA lens and the optic and built are very good...Sigma 100mm f2.8 Macro, Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Good Sigma value lens with reasonable optic and built for it's price are the 70-300 f4-5.6 APO Macro II and Sigma 170-500. Peeling is more cosmetic, not that bad. Warranty is 1 year. I have no problem getting warranty service from them but others have complaint about bad experience.

thanks for your input.
i guess a very through check would be neccessary to ensure the lens focus properly.
would you have a pic on the peeling sigma?

[TMC]

its will just looking like your skin after being sunburnt as it is still black on black. Had a pretty weathered 70-200 the last time but at least the optics works great.

[duntellu]

thanks for sharing ...managed to find a pic on the net.
looks like its would be mine once my wallet is fat enough

[tankm]

This is from the SIGMA 70-200 f2.8 that I used to own. Not that bad, if you really hate it, just peal off the whole section and you get the bare metal skin look.

Originally Posted by duntellu thanks for your input. i guess a very through check would be neccessary to ensure the lens focus properly. would you have a pic on the peeling sigma?

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by tankm This is from the SIGMA 70-200 f2.8 that I used to own. Not that bad, if you really hate it, just peal off the whole section and you get the bare metal skin look.

thanks for the pic.
with that said, would u buy another sigma again?

[denniskee]

i feel the peeling is an issue (bought 70-200mm f2.8), especially for their top of the line EX series.

its like buying a farreri that has paint problem, but its ok since all else is still top notch? ok, maybe can send the car for a new paint, but sigma lens can? i buy it as a whole package, never would i have predicted that peeling starts in less than a year of use. if i know their paint job is so bad, will never buy it, rather save more and buy the equvilant canon 70-200mm f2.8 non is.

[TMC]

well if you are getting it in the BnS then I would say the peeling is the least of your probs. And I would never consider the sigma to be a ferrari, different class compared to their peers. more of an NSR.

[tankm]

Yes, they still make good lens at a good price. I still own some SIGMA lens.

Originally Posted by duntellu thanks for the pic. with that said, would u buy another sigma again?

[Scaglietti]

I, having been a QA person and now being in testing business, cannot really stand the peeling of paint. If a proper design have taken place in choosing a coating system, this should not happen. Furthermore, having this problem on their EX line of products is simply baffling to me, especially EX suppose to mean that (from Sigma) "the exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance."

In my business, companies have they products tested to ensure that the appearance can withstand the normal use and beyond. The testing includes aging, handling and even simulation of exposure to human perspiration. Even though the appearance do not affects the performance of the product, companies have recognised that appearance plays an important part in portraying how much effort and pride has gone into designing the product.

To me, paint peeling is no-no. And to have paint peeling on a product where appearance is supposed to denote "superior built and optical quality" is a BIG THUMBSDOWN.

[denniskee]

precisely, if cant even produce a good quality paint to stick, where got confident in the build quality.

imagine canon "L" lens, top of the line optical quality, but have peeling problem. is it acceptable? if answer is no, than why the difference in attitude with sigma "EX" lens?

[calebk]

Actually Canon's white Ls do exhibit some peeling SOMETIMES after prolonged (a few years), heavy (outfield rough-n-tough) usage, but it's nowhere near Sigma's notorious peeling problem.

[denniskee]

thats why it is worth the money spent. too bad i cant say that for my perchase of that poorly built sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM lens. wonder why sigma didnt solve one this issue after so long (i believe they should already gotten customer feedback by now).

also another problem is the compatibility with canon camera (commonly known), now its working, but no garantee it will work with future canon camera.

not sure if sigma lens has any compatibility issue with other brand of camera. i suggest TS to check with other nikon users.

[duntellu]

yup, thats wierd to see the premium line suffer from such peeling problem.
well at least, those lens who are all rite are keepers :P
maybe sigma wants us to keep servicing n complaining to make their service department look busy hee hee

[denniskee]

one more thing, the mounting ring of my lens did come loose once, all 4 screw self-loosen. anyone experience this before, regardless of brand.

[TMC]

I did see someone bring a half bent 35-350 L to the service center before. Too much pulling.

[Denosha]

I've owned and used a few Sigma EX lenses. The 70-200 F2.8 i used to have only had abit of peeling, mostly around the tripod collar area. The Bigma (50-500) on the other hand is peeling all over the place. However, that lens is quite old (4+ yrs IIRC). The 20 F1.8 didn't have any peeling at all, even up the point i sold it. Apart from the peeling issues, Sigma EX lenses are pretty much built like tanks. Does the peeling turn me off Sigma lenses? Nope. I still got myself a Sigma 180 macro 'cos optically, they are still very good, especially for the price.

[wind30]

I have used a sigma 20mm lens. And the whole lens barrel CRACKED when it was packed in my Hadley pro bag, and dropped from slightly lower than waist height.......

I thought it was like really fragile... I did not even thought the lens would crack as it was a very short drop (my shoulder sling bag slipped from my shoulder). I only found out the next day.....

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by denniskee precisely, if cant even produce a good quality paint to stick, where got confident in the build quality. imagine canon "L" lens, top of the line optical quality, but have peeling problem. is it acceptable? if answer is no, than why the difference in attitude with sigma "EX" lens?

Actually canon L lenses such as the 24-70L, 17-35L have issues with buttons and parts dropping off under usage. So called "L" lens but plastic barrel with buttons that drop off..how? The 70-200L also has paint peeling issues.

For Sigma the EX finish peeling is just a comestic issue, the newer EX lenses such as the 10-20 seem alot more resistant than the old 70-200 HSM I used to have.