Sigma USB dock
Sigma USB dock
(59 USD, compatible with Art Sport Contemporary newer lenses)
Introduction
I read about Sigma USB dock many times. But now I was interesting to see some information about it, how is it selling, do the customers like it an such. First I thought it is an expensive product, and why to have these if your lenses are well calibrated ?
First I don’t have any Sigma lenses, but this doesn’t mean I don’t like to have one. The most interesting newer products from Sigma are the new Art series lenses like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art Sigma 50mm f/1.4 or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lenses, or I can mention then new Sigma 150-600mm Sports lens as well.
Sigma USB dock compatibility
The Sigma USB dock is compatible with the newest Sports Art and Contemporary lenses, but not compatible with the huge number older Sigma lenses.
Sigma USB dock compatible lenses according to official documentation
Currently (2016 March) these are the compatible lenses:
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
Sigma 24-35mm F2 D HSM
Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM / DC MACRO HSM
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM / DC MACRO HSM
Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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What the dock does and how to operate
The dock allows to install software upgrade on the lens, microadjust autofocus, even adjust af speed. The dock is connected with the computer and Sigma’s Optimization Pro software allows to adjust the changes or install the upgrade.
Any compatible lenses there are 4 modes for prime lenses and 16 modes for zoom lenses (focal length, shooting distance, etc) available. For example for a zoom lens you can choose 4 focal length and can adjust 4 distances in each focal length on a 20+ -20 scale compare to the original factory setting. Obviously for bright lenses the closer focusing distances are the more interesting.
For prime lenses we have 1 focal length to deal with and we can choose 4 different distances for this focal length.
With Sport line of lenses there are more options even can adjust stabilizer modes, different af speeds, accuracy for distances etc.
There are some software and hardware requirement as well, regarding hardware Intel core Duo or faster processor needed and min 1 GB RAM, 24 bit Graphics card, min 1024 pixel resolution, 1.1 USB as a standard and min. 1 GB disk space. Regarding sofware Win 7,8 or Mac OS X 10.7 or 10.8 are suggested as compatible.
For calibration the test shots must be made with measured distances, after update modified settings on a lens.
Sigma USB dock price and availability
The Sigma USB dock is currently available for 59 USD, and for the similar price in EUR.