Sigma lens with sticky rubber and perhaps deterioration: I have a 14mm Sigma manual focus lens that I purchased in the 1990s. The rubber rings for focusing and setting the f-stop are...

knoxworks Loc: Western Mass.

I have a 14mm Sigma manual focus lens that I purchased in the 1990s. The rubber rings for focusing and setting the f-stop are very sticky and will leave a black residue on one's fingers. The lens has been stored in a camera bag at someone else's house for 4 years until a few days ago. It was in a first floor room and the house is air conditioned.
A friend said there must have been too much moisture in the camera bag and there was a chemical reaction with the rubber. He suggested putting the lens in a plastic bag with a desiccant such as rice or better yet with the small packets that usually come with cameras or sometimes medicines.
(At the same time I bought a Sigma 24mm lens that I have used and the rubber is fine.)
Has anyone seen this occur or have a solution?

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I suspect oil rather than moisture. Everytime you handle a lens you leave a little oil behind, natural skin oil, unless you're wearing cotton gloves. Over almost 30 years of use some rubbers will deteriorate faster than others.

Richard Engelmann Loc: Boulder, Colorado

I've seen this with other consumer goods. It seems to me that the more resilient the rubber, the sooner this degradation begins. There are aftermarket replacements for rubber rings to fit many lenses on eBay.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

It is a common issue with Sigma's Zen coating. The best way to deal with it is to remove the coating. Rubbing alcohol and a clean cotton cloth will do it. Be sure to wear gloves to keep it off your hands. I did this on a 500 f4 lens a few years ago and it is fine.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

I have had that issue. In a pinch I have covered the rubber ring with gaffers tape. It's not the prettiest way to go, but it works. The images will look just fine. They are not offended by the tape.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Rubbing Alcohol as stated by Basil O works well.

LestheK

I called Sigma about the problem on my Sigma 75-300 zoom. They pretty much told me "tough shit". Now most of the information on the lens is missing. Zoom and aperture information is almost gone. I will never buy or recommend a Sigma lens.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

LestheK wrote:

I called Sigma about the problem on my Sigma 75-300 zoom. They pretty much told me "tough shit". Now most of the information on the lens is missing. Zoom and aperture information is almost gone. I will never buy or recommend a Sigma lens.

How long was needed for this problem to occur on your Sigma lens?
I ask because I have had a Sigma 10-20mm for ten years now, and I'm still waiting for that problem to occur.

Have you used lenses by other companies for a comparable period of time?

agillot

a spray can of automotive brake cleaner , on a rag , will remove the sticky stuff .some cars have same issue , plastic become gummy . done it on cars and cameras without issues .$ 2.50 a can .

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

LestheK wrote:

I called Sigma about the problem on my Sigma 75-300 zoom. They pretty much told me "tough shit". Now most of the information on the lens is missing. Zoom and aperture information is almost gone. I will never buy or recommend a Sigma lens.

75-300 goes way back, lots of time for lots of wear. I have several older 75-300 lenses, and they are fine.....probably just a matter of how they were handled/stored.

LestheK

I would have to guess about the age of the lens. I bought it just after I bought the Nikon D80 so it's fairly old. On the other hand I didn't use it too often and, guessing again, the problem ocured within a year or two. My primary lens is a Nikon 18-70 zoom.
My big stink is the attitude at Sigma. No answer to fixing the problem. Just, you bought the lens so tough. I have Nikon, and several other lens from other manufacturers. The problem seems to only be with Sigma.

knoxworks Loc: Western Mass.

Four years ago the lens didn't have the problem. It was at my brother's house far away, and I didn't see it for four years. I bought that lens (14mm) and one other Sigma (24mm) about 25 years ago. No problem with the 24mm. I first started buying Minolta film cameras as well as Minolta primes and Vivitar primes in the 1970s. I bought a 75-300 Sigma zoom in 1988. No problems -- other than Vivitar image quality -- with any other lenses. The only Vivitar I have left is a 28-105 zoom which is decent enough but it's only what I call a "beach lens." The 14mm Sigma is a honey! (Never any problems with Canon lenses for digital that are up to 15 years old.) Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Try cleaning the rubber parts with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or better, 90%.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

knoxworks wrote:

I have a 14mm Sigma manual focus lens that I purch... (show quote)

The cause is things that get on your hands like mosquito repellant and sunscreen etc.. There are other things too that will cause this but I have no ideas how to get rid of it.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

jeep_daddy wrote:

The cause is things that get on your hands like mosquito repellant and sunscreen etc.. There are other things too that will cause this but I have no ideas how to get rid of it.

The rubbers on lenses and camera bodies deteriorate with AGE. So do the foam seals inside film camera doors and foam mirror bumpers. They get sticky, or crumble, crack etc.

Removing remains and adhesive residues involves finding the right solvent. Isopropyl alcohol, acetone, Goo-Gone, mineral spirits..... You find what works on your situation.