Lens Communication Error - Sigma 100-400 on SL2

[kobra]

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Hi all, 

I've had the Sigma 100-400 for a few weeks now, and decided to get the TC1.4 also. I made sure that camera and lens firmware was up to date then tried it out. The first time I used the Lens+TC, a couple weeks ago, the display started up, the lens racked back and forth a bit noisily, then returned "lens communication error".

I removed the TC, and then the lens on it's own also has the same error; and it also noisily racks back and forth first. I took the lens off, checked and gently cleaned the contacts and tried again. It seemed to work ok then. 

But, since then, the lens still won't work and has the lens communication error. It seems to me that the TC has "bricked" my Sigma 100-400 lens now! Note that I have not had a single issue with any other lens before or since. Also, the lens won't stay communicating long enough to try to redo the firmware, otherwise I might have tried to update the firmware from a card; even though the lens has firmware 1.2 and that seems to be the latest. 

Any suggestions? Would getting the Sigma dock be useful? 

Before I contact support, I thought I would ask the group; I'd rather not send away the lens for repair if there is something I can do. 

Thanks in advance for suggestions!

Brad

 

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[drjonb]

I just bought the 1.4x converter for my 100-200 Sigma and SL2-S.  I did not have any of the issues you have described.  Make sure that the camera is off when attaching the lens.  Perhaps clean the contacts between converter and lens and between converter and camera, with a Zeiss lens cleaner or similar. Good luck.  

[kobra]

Yes, I do make sure the camera is off. 

I will try cleaning the contacts with fluid; thanks! 

I guess the confusing and frustrating thing is that the lens worked perfectly one minute, then 2 minutes later it didn't; and the only thing that changed was the trying out of the TC. It leads me to wonder if there isn't something in software that got messed up inside the lens. 

Brad

Edited March 23, 2023 by kobra

[drjonb]

It is always possible that there is a software glitch, but maybe cleaning and ensuring a nice tight connection between tele and lens and lens and camera will cure it.  If there was dirt or a tiny lack of contact at some point, it would exhibit as you’ve described.

[jaapv]

I always use a squirt of contact spray on a cloth or tissue. 

[kobra]

Well, cleaning contacts on lens and camera but it did nothing. 

Also, I changed all of the switches on the lens; changed from AF to MF, changed focus throw from full to <6m, and turned OIS off. Still comes up with the error. 

And, again of note - when the camera turns on, there is a brief pause, then the lens seems to quickly rack back and forth, and is noisier than other lenses. This is new; I do not recall the lens being this noisy at startup before. 

Any other suggestions to try? 

Thanks,

Brad

[Stef63]

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I have no suggestion to TRY.  Just one thing you should DO and that is take the lens and convertor back to the dealer and ask for an exchange.  There is no point that a 2 or 3 week old lens needs a cleaning of the contacts unless you used it in a very contaminated (dust, sand etc) environment. 

[kobra]

Yes, the convertor is going back. But, the lens is a couple months old, so past the return window. 

Kind of frustrating that it seems a TC could cause an issue with a lens. That's what it looks like right now, but I will keep going with Sigma support; I'm pushing them to see if there is something else to try besides sending it back for repairs. 

Thanks again,

Brad

[LocalHero1953]

FWIW……

Last year I updated the firmware of my Summicron-SL 75 on my SL2S when new camera and lens firmware were updated together. The lens died on the spot - no response, unrecognised and an error message on the screen.  It was diagnosed as a hardware fault and was repaired under warranty (the lens was newish) but it took 6 months while they waited for a part. 

[kobra]

Ouch. Ya, that's the black hole I don't want to fall into. 

Brad

[frame-it]

4 hours ago, kobra said:

Any other suggestions to try? 

 

switch off lens detection and then see what happens

[hoppyman]

I have occasionally used that lens on my SL2 in the past with no issues. I haven't seen the TC myself.
When you mount another Leica lens on the body then power on, does it now boot normally? This would be the best case of course. Much better to have to deal with lens/TC fault.
I think when the camera has new firmware and would do any lens FW update on mounting, it has to have a working connection with the lens.
So an error there might result in a FW fail in the lens. As you would know we are warned against removing the lens or powering off during a camera FW update.

Best of good luck to you in resolving all of this.

[Virob]

Do you have the Sigma L mount UD11 USB dock or are you updating the lens firmware via the camera? You could try reinstalling the firmware for the 100-400 using the dock. I updated the firmware on one of my Sigma lenses using the dock (or at least I though I did) and then got the same error when I mounted it on the camera. I redid the install using the dock and all was fine.

[kobra]

42 minutes ago, hoppyman said:

I have occasionally used that lens on my SL2 in the past with no issues. I haven't seen the TC myself.
When you mount another Leica lens on the body then power on, does it now boot normally? This would be the best case of course. Much better to have to deal with lens/TC fault.
I think when the camera has new firmware and would do any lens FW update on mounting, it has to have a working connection with the lens.
So an error there might result in a FW fail in the lens. As you would know we are warned against removing the lens or powering off during a camera FW update.

Best of good luck to you in resolving all of this.

Yes, the camera boots normally with every other lens I have... including the Sigma 20 ART, the Leica 16-35, 24-70 and the APO50. 

The lens and camera were both up to date with firmware and working fine before the TC use... so definitely the instigator was putting the TC on. 

Thanks!

Brad

[kobra]

6 minutes ago, Virob said:

Do you have the Sigma L mount UD11 USB dock or are you updating the lens firmware via the camera? You could try reinstalling the firmware for the 100-400 using the dock. I updated the firmware on one of my Sigma lenses using the dock (or at least I though I did) and then got the same error when I mounted it on the camera. I redid the install using the dock and all was fine.

Thanks, I do not have the doc, but I think I can order one. 

I had updated the firmware on the camera and on the lens a number of weeks ago. As noted, the camera works perfectly with every other lens, and it had worked fine with this Sigma 100-400 for a number of weeks after the firmware update, until the TC caused the issue. 

Thanks for the suggestion on trying to reapply the firmware using the doc; I will give that a try. 

Brad

[kobra]

BTW, the response from Sigma support was basically - "pay to send us the lens, we will have our repair team look at it and decide if it can be fixed and if it a warranty issue or some other non-covered issue, then we will give you a quote and you can decide if you want us to fix it" (paraphrased). One of the reasons for a non covered incident would be if there was any moisture or dust in the lens. Given that this lens is not considered weather resistant and I do use this lens outdoors (you know where there is moisture and dust), I sure do hope it is not something due to a bit of moisture or dust that caused this. Considering where it has been used, and for how long I would give it very poor marks if it is actually that fragile. 

Brad

[LeicaR10]

Brad,  If you have a Leica Store or boutique close by, it might be worth the effort to drop by the store and try your lens on their camera.  Or a store with a L mount camera body.  If the lens doesn't work in the store either Leica SL or L mount camera, then it might well be the lens and TC.  Just a suggestion.  r/ Mark

Edited March 24, 2023 by LeicaR10

[jaapv]

12 hours ago, kobra said:

BTW, the response from Sigma support was basically - "pay to send us the lens, we will have our repair team look at it and decide if it can be fixed and if it a warranty issue or some other non-covered issue, then we will give you a quote and you can decide if you want us to fix it" (paraphrased). One of the reasons for a non covered incident would be if there was any moisture or dust in the lens. Given that this lens is not considered weather resistant and I do use this lens outdoors (you know where there is moisture and dust), I sure do hope it is not something due to a bit of moisture or dust that caused this. Considering where it has been used, and for how long I would give it very poor marks if it is actually that fragile. 

Brad

Taking a Sigma lens in at my camera store was free and I was quite happy with Sigma’s CS. 

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[kobra]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

Taking a Sigma lens in at my camera store was free and I was quite happy with Sigma’s CS. 

Thanks @LeicaR10 and @jaapv ! 

I am not near my camera store for the next few weeks... perhaps I will try to find one near me to see if they can help. 

Brad

Edited March 24, 2023 by kobra

[hoppyman]

It's excellent news that the camera seems fine with other lenses still. Whatever the actual fail in the Sigma lens is now, I think one possibility is that the current camera FW does not upgrade the lens FW via the TC or the issue was only with your specific lens/combination. Alternatively, the lens failure is unrelated to that.
Hoping for you that Sigma resolves the lens issue to your satisfaction. 

In case it is helpful my SL2 with FW 5.1 reports my Sigma 100-400 FW to be 1.0
For the lens repair process I would not hesitate to take it to the dealer from whom I purchased it.
Additionally you might like to consider asking Leica CS if there are any known issues with the lens or TC. Just in case they can provide any insight there.
I notice that Sigma now offers a TC2.0 as well. I believe that Sigma has published comment about the TC's compatibility with their own lenses.
When you have a functional Sigma lens again I am sure that you will update the community here.
Personally I would not be confident to fit it with the TC1.4 to my SL2 then right away. Perhaps more will become known on what has happened.
Best of good luck to you Brad.