Lens Problems

[Mannananscloak]

Keith thanks for your reply and advice. Much appreciated.

[Sue Allen]

If this is a known problem then surely Sigma [as a respected lens manufacturer who make some very expensive lenses for pro use as well as budget models] should either ensure their lenses are fully able to cope with any camera they are sold to be mounted on - or not offer said lens in that mount.

[KeithT]

Sue, Sigma is a long time manufacturer of lenses and I think on the whole you shouldn't have any problems using their lenses I would say. Sigma EX series lenses are safe to use, not sure of the others, but it still doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t be careful when buying something that’s outside of the box as it were. You should always research a lens before buying it or it can be an expensive mistake if it doesn't live up to your dreams. I like to read as many user reviews as I can get hold of before making up my own mind. Sony is a bit of an unknown quantity in the DSLR field at the moment, so I would not use anything with one of their DSLR's that they didn't approve. I think research also goes for buying OEM lenses as well as third party lenses though.

This note on the Canon site speaks for itself and should be a warning to all of us:

Canon can not be held responsible if damage occurs due to the use of third party products with their digital cameras.

Sony also warns AF micro-adjustment should not be used with third-party lenses or the values for Sony, Minolta or Konica Minolta models may be affected.

From this article: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/So...900/lens.shtml

[Mannananscloak]

Sue, Keith, thank you both so much for your interest and very worthwhile comments on this subject which has opened my eyes I can tell you being new to photography. I never really new that there was so much to consider. All I want to do is take the odd picture or two. Still once bitten twice shy and now armed with your great tips I wont make the same mistake twice....Thank you. It is very much appreciated.

[Mannananscloak]

I have, this afternoon had a very nice phone call from a man at Sony regarding my camera. The verdict...general wear and tear. At first I was in a way surprised to hear this and a tad disappointed seeing as the camera (a Sony Alpha 200) is only 15 months old) but then he went into greater detail. Apparently I'd taken in excess of 13,000 images which I suppose is quite a few in the short space of time and an amount, after having a good chat is quite excessive, well a bit from the norm....My next question to him was well what would be the norm to which he couldn't really give me an answer there and then but would try to find out. the upshot of it all is that I've resigned myself to having bought a lemon with the Sigma 70-300 lens which is being repaired as I type. I've purchased a new standard lens for the Sony which should see me through another year...So.......what's the next camera, bear in mind I won't have a great deal to send do you think I should look to purchasing?

[anglefire]

13000 images in 15months? Frankly that is not many. My 350D has taken over 15,000 shots, my 5D over 20,000 and my MkIII over 40,000 - I don't expect any of them to be worn out anytime soon!

If Sony are suggesting that a camera is worn out after 13000 - then go for a different make - Nikon, Canon, Oly, Pentax!

[flake]

Most manufacturers tend to quote a shutter life, because that's the main moving part, so cameras such as Nikons D3 series and Canons 1D series (pro bodies) have shutter lives of 250, 000 activations or greater. Semi pro models generally last 150,000 the enthusiast models 100,000 and the entry levels also 100,000.

None of the figures are exact, some quote more, some less, but it's a guide. At a rate of 1,000 a month you would expect a minimum of 8.5 years use, quite a long time in todays rapidly changing digital market.

None of Canons range of EF / EF-s lenses require a motor drive in the camera body, all the motors are in the lens itself. the better ones use an ultrasonic motor (HSM in Sigma's case). Some of Nikons older lenses use the motor in the body, but most now use the motor in the lens.

If you have a bit of cash to splash then the Sigma 100 - 300mm f/4 is an excellent lens, but doesn't hold its value well, second hand you can get yourself quite a bargain (£600 new £375 S/h) Or there's Canons own 70 - 300mm f/4 -5.6 is around £400 new and has image stabilisation too. It's a well regarded lens with good image quality at a good price.

If I'm painting a Canon picture I apologise, I just know more about their range than the Nikon ones, although I'm sure they have something to offer too. Just make sure you have a good look before you buy.

[Sue Allen]

Mmm - 13,000 shots in 15 months excessive. As flake says, camera manufacturers generally have an average shutter life expectation for their different cameras - and it can be worthwhile researching this before you buy. For budget cameras I've never seen any Canon or Nikons rated at less than 50,000 and i'm sure Olympus and Pentax are similar. So 13,000 is in no way excessive - unless Sony are saying their cameras are less robust than the opposition!
100-300mm f4 - just bought one second hand for £400 which was a lot less than I've seen others go for. Hope it's more reliable than the one i had in Canon fit which cost £75 to repair. Might not keep it too long just in case.....Not sure if i've done the right thing going all Sigma for the spring/summer!

[Sue Allen]

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/sitemap.php

of very limited interest to Sony users as so little data has been uploaded but some averages for other popular cameras based on user uploads.

[flake]

£75 to repair !!! the 120 - 300mm f/2.8 just cost £155 !! Having said that it's as sharp as a pin now, and well worth the £580 I paid for it. Although it's not a DG model it has the later tripod mount and now all the optical core has been replaced it actually is a DG! It went to Sigma in late October and I only got it back this week, how long did yours take and what was the fault?

If I'd been paying full new prices I think I'd have struggled to justify the £1000 plus for an extra stop.