Incompatibilities between Sigma Lenses and Lumix Cameras?

[xaviergut]

The other day I tried to configure the two buttons located on the top and left side of the barrel of the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 lens with my Lumix S1RII... and it was impossible. None of the options that normally appear on the configurable buttons of Lumix cameras were available.

Then I realized that my Sigma lens didn't have the latest firmware update (1.1), so I downloaded the .plf file to an SD card and tried to update the lens using my Lumix S1RII. But to my surprise, the camera would start the installation process (the screen with the horizontal red bar) and then, after a second, the process would stop.

So I decided to research online and was advised to use the Sigma UD-11 USB Dock, which I don't own and costs around €50 on Amazon. But once I had it in my shopping cart, I thought I'd try updating the lens with another camera. So I put the SD card in the Lumix S5II and the update went smoothly.

I was also able to configure the Sigma lens buttons, since the Lumix S5II allows you to do that. Then, out of curiosity, I put the Sigma lens back on the S1RII and tried it again, and... it worked! So I decided to assign the left button on the lens to "aspect ratio." That setting was assigned automatically to both buttons, the one on the left and the one on top.

My question is: can different functions be assigned to those buttons, or are they only meant to work the same way whether the camera is in portrait or landscape orientation?

And another question: Is it possible to assign different functions to those two buttons using the Sigma USB dock?

Thank you!

 

[xaviergut]

It seems that in order to use the Sigma USB dock UD-11 you have to install the software: SIGMA Optimization Pro to configure your lens; it seems to be a desktop application.

Download Link: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/software/sigma-optimization-pro/

The program automatically detects your lens (in this case the 28-45mm). If a firmware update is available, a prompt will appear immediately. If you go to "Customization" button you can access these settings:

Focus Ring Drive Priority: Switch between Linear and Non-linear.

AF Speed: Adjust how fast or smooth the autofocus reacts.

Focus Limiter: Set specific distance ranges for faster hunting.

For video is very interesting "Linear Focus" For cinematography, and if you look for the "Focus Ring Drive Priority" setting, you can set it to Linear and choose a rotation angle (e.g., 300° or 360°). This ensures the focus pull is consistent and predictable, regardless of how fast you turn the ring.

What I find strange is that it was not possible to do the firmware update with the Lumix S1RII camera... with two batteries fully charged, one in the body and another one in the grip... and it worked perfectly well using the S5II...

 

[pdk42]

That is very weird that it works on the S5ii but not the S1Rii. Might be worth raising a bug report to Panasonic.

 

[Quentinquirelino]

...
What I find strange is that it was not possible to do the firmware update with the Lumix S1RII camera... with two batteries fully charged, one in the body and another one in the grip... and it worked perfectly well using the S5II...

How often did you try it on the S1RII. If you had only try it once, the update could fail just randomly. I wouldn't take any conclusions out of it.

If you have tried it several times, there could be more about it.

 

[Vale46]

How often did you try it on the S1RII. If you had only try it once, the update could fail just randomly. I wouldn't take any conclusions out of it.

If you have tried it several times, there could be more about it.

That‘s what I think as well.
Plus, the 2 fn buttons on the lens can‘t be configured differently. When you hold the camera in landscape or portrait orientation one of the 2 buttons is more comfortable to reach, but they will always be configured equally.
One of my OM Systems tele lens even has 4 such buttons around its body.

 

[xaviergut]

How often did you try it on the S1RII. If you had only try it once, the update could fail just randomly. I wouldn't take any conclusions out of it.

If you have tried it several times, there could be more about it.

Yes, I tried several times. I even tried with other sd card and downloaded the .plf archive from the Sigma web again.