Testing out my recently purchased Elan 7E, I found that the depth of field preview doesn't work with my Sigma EX 100mm 2.8 macro. It works however with all my Canon EF lenses. I put my Sigma lens on my EOS 3, and it stops down fine with the DOF preview on that camera. Anybody know what gives? Could this be something peculiar to the 7E?

-- Paul Swenson (paulphoto@humboldt1.com), February 05, 2001

Answers

Shoot some film (esp, slide film) and make sure that the lens is stopping down when taking the picture. I just took a couple of older sigma lenses into the camera store (28- 802.8 and 70-210 2.8) to see if they would AF properly with the newer Canon bodies. The all focused fine but they would not stop down using the DOF button on either the Elan 7 or the Rebel 2000. The DOF preview does work with both of these lenses with my Elan IIe. So now I'm wondering if the lenses will stop down just before the shutter trips with both the Rebel 2000 and the 7. If they don't... oh well, I think I was going to get an EOS-5 anyways. If your lenses don't stop down for the pictures... you either have to cexchange bodies, or buy different lenses. Sigma *might* be able to fix the problem. Run some slide film and shoot some bright stuff at f16, or 22 and if your exposures are massively ovwerexposed... then you are out of luck... if not, you just have the annoyance of not be able to use the DOF preview. Good luck

David Bindle

-- David Bindle (david.bindle@usask.ca), February 05, 2001.

Yet another annoying reason to stick with Canon brand lenses. All third party lens manufacturers seem to have some problem making their lenses compatible with future camera bodies. The combination of Sigma lenses and Canon bodies seems to be the worst.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), February 05, 2001.

I copied this from the sigma site. Are you sure your lens is a 100mm Macro? I did not see that on the list. Anyway, this should be some help:

"Important Notice For Canon Elan 7 Users

November 7th,2000

Dear Sigma lens user,

Recently, Canon has introduced a new model 35mm AF SLR camera, the Elan 7. This new camera incorporates some significant upgrading in technology (electronics, software, etc.). In order to be fully compatible with this new camera, lenses must have comparable new electronics and software. Some Sigma lenses made before December 2000 will require upgrading, in order to function properly with the Elan 7 camera. This modification is not necessary for Sigma HSM type lenses and most Sigma non-zoom type lenses. There may be no outward indication that the lens is not performing properly with the Elan 7 camera. Owners who believe their lens may require modification, should contact Sigma's Service department for instructions on how to have their lens upgraded. The lens should then be sent to Sigma’s Service Department, with a note describing that the lens will be used with the new camera. Sigma technicians will then perform the necessary upgrade. This service will be provided as a courtesy and will not affect the lens’ performance with other Canon AF SLR cameras. In addition, a cleaning and check of all lens functions will also be provided at no cost to the lens’ owner.

Sincerely,

SIGMA Corporation of America Service Department 15 Fleetwood Court Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Tel: 631 585-1144 Fax: 631 585-1895 e-mail: info@sigmaphoto.com

Lenses requiring upgrading for Canon Elan 7 camera

Item Description 24-70mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical UC 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Mini Zoom Macro Aspherical 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Mini Zoom Macro Aspherical HF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Mini Zoom Macro II Aspherical 28-105mm F2.8-4 Aspherical 28-105mm F3.8-5.6 UC-III Aspherical IF 28-135mm F3.8-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 DL Aspherical IF Hyperzoom Macro 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DL Aspherical IF Hyperzoom 70-210mm F4-5.6 UC-II 70-300mm F4-5.6 Apo Macro Super 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super 100-300mm F4.5-6.7 DL 135-400mm F4.5-5.6 Apo Aspherical RF 170-500mm F5-6.3 Apo Aspherical RF 8mm F4 EX Circular Fisheye 15mm F2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye 24mm F2.8 28mm F1.8 II Aspherical 50mm F2.8 EX Macro 105mm F2.8 EX Macro

Item Description 14ｍｍF3.5 18ｍｍF3.5 50ｍｍF2.8 Macro 90mm F2.8 Macro 180mm F2.8 Apo Macro 180mm F5.6 UC Apo Macro 300mm F2.8 Apo 300mm F4 Apo Tele Macro 400mm F5.6 Apo Tele Macro 500mmF4.5 Apo 500mmF7.2 Apo 800mmF5.6 Apo 1000mmF8 Apo 18-35mmF3.5-4.5 Aspherical UC 28-70mmF2.8 28-70mm F2.8-4 UC 28-105mm F4-5.6 UC 28-105mm F4-5.6 UC-II 28-200ｍｍF3.8-5.6 70-210ｍｍF3.5-4.5 APO MACRO 70-210ｍｍF2.8 APO 70-300mmF4-5.6 APO MACRO 70-300mmF4-5.6 DL 70-300mmF4-5.6 DL MACRO 28-200ｍｍF3.8-5.6 Aspherical UC

Fully Functional Lenses with Canon Elan 7 camera Item Description 17-35mm F2.8-4 EX Aspherical HSM 28-70mm F2.8 EX Aspherical 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX Apo RF HSM 70-200mm F2.8 EX Apo HSM 14mm F2.8 EX Aspherical HSM 180mm F3.5 EX Apo Macro IF HSM 300mm F2.8 EX Apo HSM 300mm F4 Apo Tele Macro HSM 400mm F5.6 Apo Tele Macro HSM 500mm F4.5 EX Apo HSM 600mm F8 Mirror 800mm F5.6 EX Apo HSM APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX

Item Description 20mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical RF 24mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical MACRO 28mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical MACRO 28-70mm F2.8 EX Aspherical DF APO 100-300mm F4 EX IF HSM"

It sounds like Sigma is willing to fix your lens.

-- roger (rashrader@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.

Thanks all. Yah, it is a 105, not a 100. I discovered the problem just yesterday with slide film in the camera. Thanks Roger for the eye opening info. I just emailed Sigma concerning this problem and if anyone is interested I will post back with there response.

-Paul

-- Paul Swenson (paulphoto@humboldt1.com), February 05, 2001.

For anyone checking back, here is the email response I recieved from Sigma regarding this problem.

Dear Sirs,

Thank you very much for your E-mail.

First of all, we regret very much that our customer had such a trouble with the Sigma product.

Your lens is required for free upgrade to be compatible with Canon Elan7 camera, therefore,

we kindly ask you to return the product to Sigma Corporation of America.

It will take 3-4 days for returning.

You cannot control exposure, therefore, please do not take a picture with

the lens and Elan 7 camera. You will get over exposed picture.

Kind Regards,

SIGMA Corporation of America Service Department 15 Fleetwood Court Ronkonkoma,NY 11779 U.S.A.

Tel: 631 585-1144

Fax: 631 585-1895

http://www.sigma-photo.com

-- Paul Swenson (paulphoto@humboldt1.com), February 06, 2001.

I've always been concerned about compatibility issues between Sigma and Canon EOS cameras, but it is nice to know that they admit to the problem, and will fix it free. I'd still have to recommend Canon lenses over any aftermarket brand, but I have even been tempted by some of Sigma's offerings.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), February 07, 2001.

I wonder if Sigma has had a change in management.

First they come out with the EX series of lenses that have much better build quality. Now they are posting information on their web page to answer the compatibility problems with new EOS cameras.

They seem to be much more responsive to problems posted on the internet by users.

-- Marc Bergman (mbergma2@ix.netcom.com), February 07, 2001.

They may be under new management...they may just be responsible business people...or it may be that this is the internet age...and a few bad posts can ruin sales in days...and postings last for years. If you don't respond quickly to issues with your products, you'll get beat up in the marketplace. I guess we'll have to change to old saying from "Buyer Beware" to "Merchant, Beware!" Not all bad, is it? A little honesty can go a long ways...8-}

-- Rich Gosselin (gossel1@mediaone.net), February 08, 2001.