I am old school, or maybe I am just old!

I use the Micro Focus Adjustment (Canon) set for each lens not set for for all lenses. I have programmed using the dock on the 150-600 and then tweaked it with the camera MFFA with no issues. BUT I can see having an issue if you adjust the MFFA after tweaking the lens with the dock. Good point!!

I just bought this lens and I have to warn you.. The focus ring is not smooth at all (at least on my unit). I did all my photography in manual focus sofar, but this lens makes me want to use autofocus :(

quick update: it gets better over time

I've been using it with a Rebel SL3, and I'm very happy with it. Even at 600mm, images are crisp. The shots I got of the moon are much better than those I got through my telescope.

I also use a T7 and got this lens as my first upgrade. I also mainly shoot birds (and other wildlife) and it has worked really well. I usually shoot manual with auto ISO and auto focus. I use the single center focus point if the subject is rather still but if I suspect birds in flight I might use all the focus points depending on background clutter.

I have had great success both ways. This video goes into the camera micro focus including a free focus chart download.

Here is the video on the camera micro focus. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9SPmtqh1bTMdp8.html

@@firstchoicephoto Great and thanks for your quick response! Answering questions for us is a great service and really appreciate it! I just subscribed!!!

For focus it does not adjust the actual elements but changes the firmware only. I have not used the Blackmagic but if you are using the manual focus then adjusting the firmware for focus would not be required. The only thing that may help is any updates on the lens firmware for a better OS program.

@@firstchoicephoto excellent. i try to keep the firmware updated, but don't check all that often to see if there is an update. I am using the EF version of the 150-600 contemporary, not the sport.

As long as you can shoot something that is at Infinity which means the maximum distance that lens focuses at. So if you have a large enough room you technically should be able to do that inside. On the 150 to 600 I think Infinity is past 100 ft or 20 m (don't quote me as I am doing this without the lens). So you would need quite a large room for that lens, if your lens has the same distance for infinity you are going to need a large room as well. What I do to check my lens focus at infinity is I do the test at my studio. There are some buildings across the road, some more down the street, and some signs across a highway that I use as my Infinity targets. (SUGGESTION - use a target on a slight angle for the same reason the printed target is on an angle so you can see if it is front or rear focusing). They never move so I know if I focus on them then go in and check, adjust and come back they're at the same distance. Or if I've already checked and adjusted the focus and I just want to double check I will come home, open a window, remove the screen and do some test shots out of a window for some birds. That way I know its a subject that I usually shoot anyways so I know if the focus is working for me. Yes going back and forth to a computer is a pain (I consider it exercise to make myself feel better about it) and it can take a lot of time. If the lens is focused on the target and it's sharper behind the target that is - rear or back focusing. If it's focused on the target and what's in front is in focus that is front focusing.

My lens, and all that I have used or adjusted, have never been noisy. I pulled mine out today to try and come up with a word that describes the sound. It is very quiet the only thing I can say is a slight wind noise when it is focusing, a hushed moving sound, a rustling sound. That sound stops as soon as I stop focusing. There is a slight click right after you focus and let your finger off the focus button and this is normal. MYSELF I would take it back ASAP. I would return it and not get it fixed if it is really new. If the store has another lens in stock take one of your cameras to try on a different lens - even if it is a demo one to see.

@@firstchoicephoto Thanks, Mike. That's just what I needed to hear. Mine sounds like a distant train whistle. Not an unpleasant sound, but not very appropriate for a camera lens. Thank you for going to the trouble listening and assessing your own lens. I'll pack mine up today for an exchange.

Sorry not a Nikon person. Cannot comment on any method for Nikon. Myself I just shoot a test chart and make manual adjustments from that till it is sharp.

I mention that in the video with the firmware update after you plug in the dock. Thanks.

You are correct!

@@firstchoicephoto Thanks for the prompt reply. I really appreciate your step-by-step guide. I want the dock to set customization modes, but I'm happy to avoid the focus calibration, which sounds painful :)

That is correct. I have been hearing about focus problems on mirrorless but I have a feeling it is a camera issue and not the same thing as we have with DSLR.

Go to the Sigma website.

Great question!!! If you use the dock to program the lens the programing (Custom functions, focus adjustments, etc) will stay with the lens to the different bodies! For focus adjustment I would suggest zeroing out the lens and using the camera bodies microfocus adjustments to get the lens close. If that works then leave it. You could play with adjusting the lens after to see if it tweaks it anymore on both bodies. Would be a lot of work to do but could be a fun off day project.

@@firstchoicephoto Hi I sort of have the same question, I have just recently purchased the Sigma 150 -600 con lens with no dock, the lens is second hand, I am really struggling to get my Sigma / Canon 90D combination to focus and take sharp images, could it be that the Lens hasn't been reset back to default settings prior to me purchasing it and now I am struggling with someone else's custom settings???🤔

@@paulwells6976 It could well have a setting in it. Call a local camera store and see if they will reset the lens just to be sure. If they won't / cannot try your local camera club to see if anyone there has a Sigma dock.

@@firstchoicephoto Hi Thanks for responding so quickly, you may have just stopped me from going mad , I will purchase my own dock and reset from there.. Thanks again

From what I understand they are the same item. Best to check with a retailer to verify.

Try the adjustments that I recommend using the 70 D microfocus fine adjustment. EVERY camera is different so one setting would not work on another camera. You can download the focus chart in the link up above. That's about all I can suggest to you. I absolutely love this lens now. And honestly if I only had the microfocus fine adjustment that's in the 70D that would probably be enough to get it 99.99% accurate.

@@firstchoicephoto So does that mean I don't have to go through the entire crazy collimation process of taking a bunch of photos? What part of your video is the instructions for the adjustments to the fine focus on the Canon 70D. Sorry if I am not quite understanding what your telling me but I have so many hobbies, plus three jobs, and really don't want to spend the time to do this several hours of lens collimation.

@@pepperonihead Try this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g56qdK9hzqeblYU.htmlsi=5ktwwR7OeyatYS2t

Many people would never use it.

Believe me I have thought of it. The Sigma 150 - 600 just works so well for carrying that I don't want to move up as I would not be able to use it as much because of the extra weight.

What I suggest is that you try the lens on various bodies. Make any adjustments that are universal using the dock. Then use the microfocus adjustment on the individual camera bodies to tweak it for each body. Works great for me and multiple bodies.

I find it does. Have adjusted a number of lenses and the difference is huge at 600.

I am sure that you can sell your Sigma and get a Tamron. The update of the firmware depends which Tamron you have. I think the Tameron 150-600 uses the tap in console. If it does use the Tamron TAP-in Console it is the same as upgrading the Sigma.

@@firstchoicephoto I will not sell of Sigma I have but keep them all for Nikon DSLR bodies and NOT for Nikon Z as the way Sigma USB dock for upgrading too complicated and not available for mine either. I do not have Sigma 150-600 as you had. Those Sigma lenses I have: Sigma DG 50-500mm 4.5-6.3 OS APO HSM Sigma DG 70-200mm 2.8 OS APO HSM Sigma Converter APO 2X EX DG Sigma 24-70 1:2.8 EX DG Sigma 105mm1:2.8 Sigma DG OS MACRO Sigma 70-300 DG OS ( It is one of worst Sigma lenses ). Sigma 28-300mm !:3.5-63( It is one of worst Sigma lenses ). Sigma DC 18-250mm 1:3.5-6.3. All of them in my current possession. I meant to you that I were Sigma fan BUT NO MORE. I hope you understand what I had experiences with Sigma that I am not Sigma newbies. I understood your comment back but I told you the truth that I stop to shop Sigma a longtime ago. I meant I was Sigma garbage collector but no more.

Would love to see that advice, please post a link to it. Thanks.