Sigma Lens for Canon Camera

DMS General
1

I have a Sigma camera lens (70-300mm 4:5.6 DL MACRO) that I am trying to use on a relatively new Rebel EOS T3i. Apparently the Canon communication protocol has changed since I bought the lens for my film camera, and when taking pictures with smaller apertures, the camera freezes with this error:

Err 01
Communications between the camera and lens is faulty.
Clean the lens contacts.

I followed a few solutions on-line, but I have to use a fixed aperture when I’m taking pictures. If the camera selects a small aperture, the error comes back. I did find this page (http://butterflybikers.cz/index.php/cz/elektronika/item/1-canon-eos-protocol-convertor-for-old-sigma-lens) that goes into detail on soldering a new chip into the lens.

Not being a hardware person, I can’t tell how much skill this requires, or how risky it is. I’d appreciate feedback from anyone who has seen similar issues or who can read the page and give me an idea of the type of work involved.

Thanks!

2

How old is the lens? Have you tried talking to Sigma yet? If the lens isn’t that old they’ll likely update the firmware on the lens for free. If it’s a very old lens it might not be designed to have the firmware upgraded.

3

It’s been years since I was in my EOS buying days, but i’m pretty sure that Sigma abandoned these lenses and won’t support firmware updates on them.

I’ve never opened up one of these lenses, and from your link it looks pretty delicate, but if the lens is useless otherwise, then you’re not actually risking much. The equivalent Canon glass seems to go for about $100 on Craigslist.

4

Thanks for the responses! I emailed Sigma, and I’ll see what they come back with. As you say, I have nothing to lose. If I screw it up, I lose a lens that I can’t use.

5

But you’ll have some cool lenses the play with.

6

In the last year or so both Sigma and Tamron have released updated versions
of their zooms that have really good ratings even against OEM branded
lenses. Tamron has a 70-200 f/2.8 that ranks higher than the equiv Nikon at
half the price even. Sucks to have to buy a new lens but if that’s the case
you could end up with a really nice piece of glass as a consolation prize…

Lens comparisons: Lenses Database - DXOMARK

-Steve

7

I have a similar issue with my sigma. It’s not that things have changed with mine. The aperture blade motor is old and weak. It is cheaper for me to buy a new lens then get this one repaired. I just shoot it wide open if I have to use it. Mostly my kid uses it on an old Xti body.