Sigma 28-200 zoom AF Dynax 5 no AF.

[frjack]

Hi,

I decided to try the above lens with my dynax 5. I took it from my dynax 7000i, where it works perfectly, but when I put it on the 5, it spends about 15 seconds whirring, then stops and the display shows MF. I press the wee button to set it to AF and it repeats the whirring and does the same, when I press the "P" button, which basically puts the camere in full auto mode. The MF works fine and the camera works fine in all other aspects..

The lens has 5 terminals, and the camera has 8. The lens from the dynax5 also has 5 terminals and works perfectly on the 7000i. The lens has "AF-(Greek eta) written on it. The eta looks like a "wonky n" for those who don't know.

I would have thought it would work on the 5. Any clues, anybody?

I've searched and can't seem to find an answer.

TIA

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Do you know how much older the Sigma is in relation with the 5?
It is known that older 3rd party lenses had AF problems with newer AF systems from Canon and Minolta.

A few years ago I used to see advertised lenses from Sigma, Tokina, etc. that worked only on early Minolta bodies.

The Dynax 7000i is a very nice camera. Pity all those cards, but it turns out to be at times a fun thing.
As your Sigma works well with the 7000i, then just accept the 5 is a tad too modern for it.
There should be no problems between older Minolta AF lenses and newer bodies.

The reason why older 3rd parties don't work with newer bodies is due to the chip not being compatible. Canon and Minolta (at least these 2, there might be others) didn't fully release the specs for their AF mount to 3rd parties. So, a bit of reverse engineering was needed.

In 2002 I bought a shiny new Sigma EX 70-200mm HSM for my then new EOS 3. Even though booth were bought new and made in that same year, the Sigma needed to go back to manufacturer to be re-chipped as it didn't work with the EOS3.

One thing you could try though: with another lens try to activate only the central AF point and swap with the Sigma. See if that works.

 

[frjack]

Do you know how much older the Sigma is in relation with the 5?
It is known that older 3rd party lenses had AF problems with newer AF systems from Canon and Minolta.

A few years ago I used to see advertised lenses from Sigma, Tokina, etc. that worked only on early Minolta bodies.

The Dynax 7000i is a very nice camera. Pity all those cards, but it turns out to be at times a fun thing.
As your Sigma works well with the 7000i, then just accept the 5 is a tad too modern for it.
There should be no problems between older Minolta AF lenses and newer bodies.

The reason why older 3rd parties don't work with newer bodies is due to the chip not being compatible. Canon and Minolta (at least these 2, there might be others) didn't fully release the specs for their AF mount to 3rd parties. So, a bit of reverse engineering was needed.

In 2002 I bought a shiny new Sigma EX 70-200mm HSM for my then new EOS 3. Even though booth were bought new and made in that same year, the Sigma needed to go back to manufacturer to be re-chipped as it didn't work with the EOS3.

One thing you could try though: with another lens try to activate only the central AF point and swap with the Sigma. See if that works.

I was informed the seller's father bought the camera and lens at the same time and has owned both for at least 20 years from new. There seems to be some paperwork; maybe there's a receipt.

I think this one is not compatible with the modern bodies, as you say.

Any clues as to which series of lenses to look out for, to suit the 5, preferably similar to 28-200... bear in mind I'm on a tight budget.

Cheers

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Any 3rd party lens for the ADI system should work with the 5. These were the D lenses as Minolta calls them.
It is always better in these cases to try before buying, if you can.
There's no warranty that a newer lens will be fully compatible.
Look for the later Tamron 28-200mm series.
Normally these lenses will have a D after the aperture as in 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6D

 

[frjack]

Any 3rd party lens for the ADI system should work with the 5. These were the D lenses as Minolta calls them.
It is always better in these cases to try before buying, if you can.
There's no warranty that a newer lens will be fully compatible.
Look for the later Tamron 28-200mm series.
Normally these lenses will have a D after the aperture as in 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6D

Cheers, I'll have a scout about.

 

[landzaat]

Go to Dyxum.com for more information on A-mount lenses.

It seems unlikely to me that this lens is incompatible with the Dynax 5. As it works on the 7000i (second generation AF) it should work on all film bodies. Being ADI or D has nothing to do with AF compatibility (only with flash). You should clean the contacts on both lens and camera before you spend money on another lens.

Unlike on Canon bodies, older Sigma lenses had no problems on Minolta AF bodies.

 

[frjack]

Righto. I'll pop over there and have a read.

I'm going to check the contacts a bit more thoroughly and give them a careful rub.

Cheers!

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