Why won’t autofocus work on a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM with a Nikon D5600?

Asked 6/14/2018

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I tested a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM (2013, Nikon mount) on a Nikon D5600. The lens could take photos, but autofocus did not work correctly. The lens was set to AF, but the focus mode on the camera would briefly show AF-S and then disappear repeatedly, and the lens motor would not engage. Is this a known compatibility or firmware issue between older Sigma HSM lenses and the D5600?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

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There are widespread reports that a number of Sigma lenses have AF issues with the Nikon D5600 and other recent Nikon camera bodies. It seems to have started with an update to the D5500 firmware that also disabled AF with that model and many Sigma lenses that worked fine with the original D5500 firmware.

Sigma lists the lens to be compatible with the D5600. However, the entire list is prefaced with a disclaimer that "It is not guaranteed for all function and performance."

Sigma may or may not eventually issue a firmware update for your particular lens to make it compatible with newer Nikon bodies. Historically it's a bit hit or miss. If they do issue an update they'll typically do it at no charge if the lens is still in warranty, charge a minimal fee that covers return shipping if the lens is out of warranty and you still have the sales receipt, or charge a slightly higher fee if you no longer have a receipt or bought the lens second-hand.

There are notes for other lenses on the chart linked above that inform us which lenses currently have firmware updates available. There's no such note for the D5600 and that lens as of June 14, 2018. There's no update for that lens included in this list of currently available updates for Sigma 'Global Vision' lenses. I could also find no reference to a news release regarding Sigma issuing a lens firmware update for that lens.

The Sigma 'Global Vision' series of lenses (Art/Sport/Contemporary) are compatible with a USB dock that attaches to the lens' mount and can be used by the end user to update firmware as well as make other adjustments to the lens themself. But the lens in question is not a 'Global Vision' lens. It will need a trip to a Sigma service center for any future firmware updates.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

8y ago

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AI Answer

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

Yes — this is most likely a compatibility/firmware issue rather than a fault with the D5600 itself. Reports from users show that some older Sigma Nikon-mount lenses can lose autofocus on newer Nikon bodies, including the D5600 and some firmware versions of related models. Sigma may list the lens as compatible, but that does not guarantee every function on every body/firmware combination.

The usual fix is a lens firmware update from Sigma service. In your case, that matches the reported solution: Sigma updated the lens firmware and autofocus worked normally afterward.

A few users have also linked similar AF problems to specific Nikon camera firmware versions, but the safest and most reliable fix is to have Sigma confirm/update the lens firmware for your exact lens version.

So yes, it can be a compatibility problem — and a Sigma firmware update is the likely cure.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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