Procedure for AF fine tuning a Sigma 18-300 with USB dock: Recently got this lens and USB dock. No instructions, but in the software it appears that I can make focus adjustments to...

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Recently got this lens and USB dock. No instructions, but in the software it appears that I can make focus adjustments to four different focal length ranges. Does anybody out there have suggestions for how to do this, whether to use a focusing chart or maybe a ruler at a 45 degree angle, etc. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance, fellow Hoggers!

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Mr PC wrote:

Recently got this lens and USB dock. No instructions, but in the software it appears that I can make focus adjustments to four different focal length ranges. Does anybody out there have suggestions for how to do this, whether to use a focusing chart or maybe a ruler at a 45 degree angle, etc. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance, fellow Hoggers!

I have the Sigma 17-70 with USB dock and I'm going to get the 18-300, soon. I have used the USB dock, but to tell the truth, I really didn't know what I was doing so I'm with you. It would be nice if a fellow Hogger could post something for all of us to relate to.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The person to ask would be MT Shooter.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

LFingar wrote:

The person to ask would be MT Shooter.

And I am sure he will be along shortly.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

Mr PC wrote:

Recently got this lens and USB dock. No instructions, but in the software it appears that I can make focus adjustments to four different focal length ranges. Does anybody out there have suggestions for how to do this, whether to use a focusing chart or maybe a ruler at a 45 degree angle, etc. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance, fellow Hoggers!

hope this works.. this tutorial looks pretty good

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+use+the+sigma+usb+dock&qpvt=how+to+use+the+sigma+usb+dock&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=B2BAD6BFDE858505B3A1B2BAD6BFDE858505B3A1

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

redhogbill wrote:

hope this works.. this tutorial looks pretty good

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+use+the+sigma+usb+dock&qpvt=how+to+use+the+sigma+usb+dock&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=B2BAD6BFDE858505B3A1B2BAD6BFDE858505B3A1

Thanks a million. Guess I could have searched but it's more fun here at the Hog!

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

Mr PC wrote:

Thanks a million. Guess I could have searched but it's more fun here at the Hog!

gives me something to do on a gray rainy day, instead of chasing my dog around with a camera!!!!!
good luck,
I bought the 70-200 couple months back, I need to find out if it takes the usb dock system.. in fact I will do that now

UPDATE>>>> I found only "A"-"S" & "C" lens works with dock..... cr@p!!!!!!!!

mikedent Loc: Florida

It seems the video assumes you have already found which areas on your lens that need to be adjusted and by how much. It does not explain how to determine what those adjustment settings would be. That would have helped answer the original question.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I got halfway there so far and am thankful for that. There are downloadable focus charts and there are other tricks I've seen discussed here before. I'm going to have to figure out the 4 ranges I want to test and an appropriate way to test them. Got a feeling there will be some time involved and trial and error. It'll be worth it if I get tack sharp images when I'm done. I'm finally getting better with BBF and the plugin for Lightroom that shows focus points has helped me get more accurate, especially when it comes to zeroing on the eyes of birds and other wildlife. Keep the suggestions coming!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Suggest looking into the spider lens cal tool. @ $65 and comes with instructions. Ca go to the site to download the instructions and get a feel for the job, or That Photo Guy on Utube, Matt Granger.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

cjc2 wrote:

Suggest looking into the spider lens cal tool. @ $65 and comes with instructions. Ca go to the site to download the instructions and get a feel for the job, or That Photo Guy on Utube, Matt Granger.

Thanks for the heads up. Looks interesting. I thought most of the purpose of the USB dock was for these micro-adjustments and all I would need is some target charts or rulers. My D5200 doesn't have AF micro-adjust, my next body will. Even then, the ability to make adjustments to the lens itself and update firmware on the new line of Sigma lenses is pretty cool.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Mr PC wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. Looks interesting. I thought most of the purpose of the USB dock was for these micro-adjustments and all I would need is some target charts or rulers. My D5200 doesn't have AF micro-adjust, my next body will. Even then, the ability to make adjustments to the lens itself and update firmware on the new line of Sigma lenses is pretty cool.

One of the nicest things about the Sigma USB Dock is that you can make changes and store them in the lens so that they are camera independent. I have yet to discover whether or not my Sigma 150-600 needs a different adjustment for my D3 vs the D4s. When it gets warmer here, I will do some investigating of that issue and report back.