Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Hi,

I just received a new-ish lens, bought from eBay. It's a Sigma 70-300 Macro. Unfortunately, it won't talk to my camera... Either of them, in fact. I get an error 01, saying that communication is faulty, and I should clean the lens contacts. I tried rubbing them with a pencil eraser, but it makes no difference.

I'm confident that it is the lens at fault, since it gives the error in both cameras, and both cameras are fine with my other lenses.

Can anyone suggest something else I can try before I contact the seller?

Thanks in advance...

tsilva Loc: Arizona

You don't state how old the lens is. Some sigma lens require an update to work with newer cameras. Suggest you contact sigma regarding this problem.

It's also best to do some research (on real sites) before purchasing anything older.

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

Bummer !

Maybe rubbing alcohol.

Good luck !

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

set lens to f22

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

It's sold as 'used' but it isn't some ancient piece. It's Canon EF mount, and does not appear to be worn or marked in any way.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Tried that, but it didn't make a difference...

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Contact buyer and try to return. Contact Sigma. Try on someone else's camera.

Why a 70-300 Macro? This is a cheap lens and I suspect it would have difficulty getting sharp shots at 70 and 300. You'd be better off with a prime macro lens.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I've sent the seller a message. Maybe he will have some ideas. I don't have access to anyone else's camera, but since both of mine give exactly the same symptoms...

I was just scanning ebay for macro lenses longer than 50mm is all. This seemed like a bargain, although of course if it doesn't work... Usual reason, limited funds.

The ad says that he doesn't accept returns, but since he is selling it as "Canon EF EOS", and it doesn't work with either of mine, he may not have a choice. We'll see.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

This one has an EF-S mount, but should still work for you. The 60mm is a great lens....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EF-S-60mm-F-2-8-USM-Lens-Great-Condition-/141854554757?hash=item210730ba85:g:OzkAAOSwSHZWcaFU

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Yeah, but my disposable income was disposed of on the Sigma... For now, at least! I did just get some extension tubes to try out, but I have a busy weekend with church concerts, so playing with them will have to wait for a few days.

EF-S would certainly work too, though. At least until the day I am rich enough to think about FF. Of course, they will be up to 5D mark XIX by then!

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Bloke, if I recall correctly, you have recently inquired about shooting macro so, I assume you are pursuing that.

This is "not" a "macro" lens. It is not going to do what I think you want it to do. Just because a lens has the word "Macro" printed on it, does not make it so.

If this is in fact the case here. I would suggest trying to send it back and start over. Perhaps spend more time in the "True Macro" section. There are budget friendly options too.

Besides, if you can not get it to work........

blackest Loc: Ireland

The problem with the sigma may be that it was designed for a film EOS Camera. Sigma essentially reverse engineered the canon signals and didn't license the protocol from canon.

The interesting thing is that early digital canon camera's can use film era Sigma's. It wasn't till sometime later that canon changed things and locked out the Sigma lenses. Sigma at one point offered a rechipping service for owners affected by the issue but after a number of years they ran out of chips and now Canon owners purchasing these old Sigma lenses are left high and dry.

The lens might be faulty and more modern but you will need to figure out which lens you actually have. Hope that helps.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

You are right in that I am following down the long, dark path to macro... I am a bit puzzled, though. If a lens called 'macro' is not a macro, then how are we neophytes supposed to figure out what is...?

I have indeed been hanging out in the true macro section. Every morning I check out what is there, and the close-up too. I moved my posts to close-up, since I do not believe that they are 'true' macro.

I just received a set of extension tubes this morning too, but I don't have time to play with them right now. I am also not certain which of my lenses I can use with them, either. I seem to grasp that longer focal lengths allow a greater lens-subject distance, but all of my prime lenses are 50mm or less. I have the usual 'kit' zooms, but the longer primes are beyond my finances at the moment, and I am not sure whether a zoom would work with tubes... I asked in a couple of threads, but nobody picked up on the question.

I have been practicing focus stacking on items from my mineral/fossil collection, but a lot of them are too small to image properly with the 50mm macro. I'll get there eventually. This sigma was an attempt to jump further in, but it does not appear that it is going to work. So, I guess I will be playing with the extension tubes over the Christmas break. See where that gets me...

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

I see... Even if there was a rechipping service available, I don't this lens is really good enough to spend any more money on it. It looks like if I can't get eBay to force a return, I am just out of luck. It's not like it cost enough to have me sobbing in a heap behind the sofa, but it is disappointing, none-the-less. Thanks for the info, though. I assumed that "EF EOS" meant it would work with my gear...

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

E-bay is very much on the buyer's side rather than the sellers side. The lens clearly doesn't function on either of your EOS cameras. Even if it does work on older film-based cameras, if the seller did not clarify any limitations then you have a good chance of getting a refund. You may need to pay for some shipping even if a refund goes in your favor.

Good luck.