Description
Sigma Sigma USB Dock UD-01 (Nikon)
Item details:
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Sigma Sigma USB Dock UD-01 (Nikon)
£89.00
Out of stock
Additional information
| Product code | CA45758 |
|---|---|
| Barcode | 0085126878559 |
| Weight | 0000000000001 |
| Brand | Sigma |
20 reviews for Sigma Sigma USB Dock UD-01 (Nikon)
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Christopher –
In short this item fixes lens problems and is a great bit of kit.I bought the 18-35 and 50-100 for use with my 80d. I nearly sent it all back as I couldn’t take a sharp photo anywhere near wide open. I researched into it and found there was a problem with sigma lenses and new canon dslr crop bodies with the dual pixel AF. So i bought this to make micro adjustments to the focal point.You plug this item in to the computer and lens and the software loads. You then have the option to calibrate the focus point on four different distances per focal length. My zoom lenses had four focal lengths each, so all in all i had to complete 32 calibrations (its tedious hence the four stars).I got a cardboard DSLRKIT Lens Focus Calibration Tool for a few pound from ClickElectronics. I stuck it down to a table mat to keep it fixed down. I put the camera on a tripod and raised it to line up with the centre of the calibration tool. I placed the camera away from the tool, the distance dictated by the software, having measured with a tape measure from the 0 on the tool to the sensor on the camera body (which should be marked out). I then auto focussed and took a picture (nb it needs to be well lit in order for the autofocus to work correctly). I dismounted the lens, uploaded the picture and checked the focus point. All were well out, so I’d then move the slider in the software in the corresponding direction depending on if it was front or back focussing. This is trail and error, but you save the new settings, disaassemble and retake the shot, then repeat until all distances and focal lenghts are shap at the 0. (I took at least 3 pictures for each of the 32 to attain shaprness, sometimes several more). It takes ages!An important tip. When focussed lenses will have some distance in front of the focal point sharp and some distance behind sharp. The distance in focus will be effected by the depth of field BUT the ratio will remain 1/3rd in front to 2/3rds behind. So when using this the 0 will be sharp as will a few lines either side. Aim for 2/3rds behind and 1/3rd infront. trying to get the front and back eqidistant will result in losing sharpness on the 0. – If that made sense!
Chris Hartigan –
This arrived yesterday, and although Im only half way through setting up the lens (a Sigma 18-300), its already well worth reviewing. I also bought one of the cheap calibration charts a while ago, and having tried to adjust focus via the in-camera settings on my EOS 70D, I wasnt at all impressed with the results. This is a different story.One thing to bear in mind with this tool is that it takes a LOOOOOOOONG time to do the adjustments, as to do it properly there are 16 different zoom/distance calibrations to do, and unless you shoot tethered (I dont) you will be removing the lens and card after every shot, and probably taking a minimum of five shots per calibration unless you get lucky. Ive spent 3 hours this afternoon and Im only half way through the settings. You also need good light, so either a very well-lit house (with a decent length room), or a windless bright day outdoors so that your tripod is stable.All of the above is worth it though. The lens is. now so much sharper across the range, and if I left it as it is, I would be more than happy, but Im going to complete the job tomorrow as every length/distance so far has needed a minimum of three clicks of adjustment.Quite what Ill do with the dock after Ive finished is anyones guess (my other lenses arent Sigma), but even if I never use it again, it was well worth the money.
Mims –
A great bit of kit – but mega tedious to use
tous –
OK, so you will probably only use this a couple of times and then it will sit in a cupboard somewhere plus calibrating your lens is really tedious… but I’ve spent an hour and a half calibrating my 150-600 Contemporary and it’s gone from a pretty good lens for the money to a real amazing lens for the money!If you are planning on buying a Sigma lens, especially a super telephoto where the Depth of Field is so shallow that focusing is absolutely critical, I would say you should definitely budget for the cost of the USB dock as well.Don’t forget that you will also need a Lens Focus Calibration Tool – I bought the Maxsimafoto one as I couldn’t see the point paying more than the price of the dock for the DataSpyder – it did the job. You also need two tripods (one for the camera and one for the calibration tool).There are lots of YouTube videos on how to do this but all you really need to know, and which doesn’t seem very well documented, is that, for a given focal length at a given distance, if the lens is focusing behind where it should, you give it a negative number and if it is focusing in front of where it should, you give it a positive number. 4 focal lengths, 4 distances so 16 test shots. Adjust and repeat until you get it spot on – took me about 4 repetitions until it was right.My one tip is to do the calibration on a cloudy day (assuming you are doing it outside) as glare makes it harder to read the calibration scale in your shots and under-expose by a stop because that scale is very bright.Buy one (or borrow one).
Janet Blount –
It works, but I’m not sure there is much point
Mickey Ridge –
Simple to use with the free online Sigma software…
Sharon Symonds –
First day using it I immediately attached the dock to my Sigma 150-600 as I’ve been a little skeptical about the focus speed and accuracy. I say accuracy, but it depends on the situation and a lot of camera settings can have affect on the final image. So as soon as I attached the dock and loaded up the software it said there was new firmware for the lens, brilliant, exactly why I purchased the dock, bearing in mind I only purchased the lens July 2018.I also set up my C1 and C2 settings. C1 – Priority AF focus for quick wildlife shooting (which is really quick now!) and Moderate view mode for Smooth Optical stabilizer. Then C2 I have set up for filming so, slower auto focus and moderate view again for OS if filming hand held. I haven’t used the full focus adjustments yet, but will leave the Easy to use as 4 star as I have heard trying to get the correct focus settings if it’s front/back focusing too much can be very tedious as you have to set up a tripod and fine tune each focal length. But for now I do not have Micro AF adjustments in camera so if it takes few hours and it works, then money well spent.
Kelli Hopkinson –
A Must buy
Tanja M. –
First Impressions, Great bit of kit and must have for Sigma 150-600!
Allan B. –
Sigma USB Dock Mount for Nikon Lens