Why does Lightroom show incomplete lens names for some Sigma lenses?

Asked 11/28/2013

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When I import photos into Lightroom, Canon lenses show their full model names, but Sigma lenses often display only the focal length range. However, Lightroom still seems able to identify the correct Sigma lens when I enable lens corrections.

Is Lightroom able to write or fix the full lens information in EXIF, or is it only showing whatever the camera recorded? Why would Sigma lenses appear less specific than Canon lenses?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

2 Answers

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Sigma has a history of reusing the lens ID across different lenses and so correct identification of them is actually quite tricky in some cases. I would not assume that the lens correction feature is actually working properly, though it may be using some additional information to figure it out and so generally works. However, that doesn't help when it's just displaying the EXIF data to you which is what it is doing on import.

Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user472

12y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Lightroom is generally only displaying the lens information already written into the file by the camera. It does not normally rewrite the EXIF lens model data for you.

With some Sigma lenses, the camera-recorded lens ID can be less specific than with Canon lenses. Sigma has reused lens IDs across different models, so the metadata may only identify a lens in a general way, such as its focal-length range.

That’s why Lightroom may show incomplete lens information on import, yet still pick the correct profile for lens corrections. Lens correction can use additional clues beyond the basic lens ID, such as focal length and aperture, to infer which Sigma lens was used.

So in short: no, Lightroom won’t usually “fix” or expand that EXIF lens designation. If the file only contains a generic Sigma lens ID from the camera, Lightroom can display only that, even if it can still make a good guess for lens corrections.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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