A good lens can last a lifetime. Many photographers cherish their favorite pieces of glass for years, undeterred by newer, flashier models. The quality and durability of certain materials can add a cultish appeal to (often manual focus) lenses of the past. In recent years, lens technology has become increasingly complicated by electronic components, potentially putting long-term usability into jeopardy. Sigma, aware of this concern, has created a means of keeping its Global Vision lenses up to date with a USB Dock for Sigma lenses with Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, and Sony A mounts.
The dock attaches like a rear lens cap on one end and plugs into your computer on the other. To make changes to your lens, you will need to download Optimization Pro software, available for download on Sigma’s website free of charge. The quickest adjustment that can be made is simply updating the firmware of the lens, ensuring that it is operating in its most advanced form.
The USB Dock allows you to tweak autofocus settings if your lens tends to attain focus a bit in front of or behind your target. To do so, you will need a focusing target, tripod with a level, measuring tape, and a healthy dose of patience. Working in a controlled environment will achieve the best results. The process is straightforward but tedious; tethered shooting is not necessary but speeds up the process when checking the effects of your adjustments.
Finally, if you are using one of Sigma’s Sports line lenses, you can also use the USB Dock to customize autofocus speed, focus distance ranges, and optical stabilization settings, depending upon what you are shooting.
Have you used Sigma’s USB Dock? Tell us in the Comments section, below, how it worked.
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