Skip to main content

Sigma confirms bizarre glitch when pairing lenses with Canon 1D-X Mark II

canon 1dx2 sigma 35mmart 1dx mark ii
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Some Sigma lenses aren’t compatible with Canon’s latest flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark II. The concern was originally reported by SLR Lounge and corroborated by Resource Magazine, which found that when pairing the EOS-1D X Mark II with the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens, the preview image displays an odd visual effect or overlay.

The issue also affects the 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM and 20mm F1.4 DG HST Art lenses, according to Sigma.

“When the lenses listed below are used and either ‘Evaluative Metering’ or ‘Center-weighted Average Metering’ is selected in Metering Mode of the camera, the image could show some underexposure,” the company said in an official response to customers.

The good news is that there is an easy workaround to resolve the issue. If you disable the camera’s Peripheral Illumination Correction, the issue goes away. Sigma told Digital Trends that this workaround is effective, but it is working on an official fix, via a firmware update to be announced later.

This image demonstrates the weird issue displayed when pairing the 1D X Mark II with Sigma's 35mm ART.
This image demonstrates the weird issue displayed when pairing the 1D X Mark II with Sigma’s 35mm ART. Pye Jirsa/ SLR Lounge

This is always a risk you take when you decide to invest in third-party hardware, even the best lenses, and it’s not the first time that issues have come up between a new camera body and what should be compatible third-party lenses. The nice thing about modern equipment is that the camera and affected lenses are firmware upgradeable.

Canon’s Peripheral Illumination Correction has a history of not playing nice with third-party lenses, however. Some users have reported an issue similar to this when pairing the Sigma 35mm on Canon’s EOS 5D Mark III (although that doesn’t appear to be a widespread issue). This problem is thought to have something to do with the camera not having a profile for the third-party lens.

We’ve reached out to Canon for comment on this issue, but the company hasn’t made a statement.

Editors' Recommendations

Anthony Thurston
Anthony is an internationally published photographer based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Specializing primarily in…
How to photograph April’s solar eclipse, according to NASA
A total solar eclipse.

How to Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse

Nikon recently shared some tips on photographing April’s total solar eclipse, and NASA is also offering its own ideas.

Read more
The best free photo-editing software for 2024
Side view of a laptop on a desk.

Professional photo-editing applications aren't cheap, nor are they easy to master without formal training. That's why we're taking a look at the best free photo-editing software on the market.
Our top pick is GIMP, an open-source photo editing software available for the big three operating systems. It offers a huge workspace and a wide variety of professional editing tools.
We provide thousands of how-to articles, news articles, and best-of lists to help you build your photography skills, choose the best gear for your photography needs, and make the most out of your photo equipment. And if our top pick isn’t for you, check out the other options on this list. There are great choices for conventional desktop software, mobile apps, and even web-based solutions that don't require installing software.

GIMP

Read more
The best photo printers you can buy in 2024
Alan compares draft, standard, and high-quality photos from Epson's EcoTank ET-8500.

A comparison of draft, standard, and high-quality photos from Epson's EcoTank ET-8500. Tracey Truly / Digital Trends

If you love sharing photo prints or building physical photo albums, you might want to upgrade to a photo printer. When manufacturers optimize printers for pictures, the results can match or exceed that of the best printers available.

Read more