SIGMA Releases L-Mount Firmware Updates to Boost Stability and Exposure Control

Seven L-Mount lenses received new firmware from SIGMA, with version numbers ranging from Ver 1.1 to Ver 1.5 depending on the model, and the updates address both operational stability and, in one specific case, exposure behavior that had been causing problems in the field.

The full list of updated L-Mount lenses covers the 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary (Ver 1.3), the 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary (Ver 1.1), the 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary (Ver 1.3), the 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary (Ver 1.2), the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary (Ver 1.3), and the 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art (Ver 1.5). For all six of those, SIGMA's press materials state plainly: "The operational stability has been improved."

The seventh lens, the 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary, ships with a separate and more targeted fix at Ver 1.1. SIGMA calls this one out on its own: "The exposure stability has been improved." That distinction is meaningful for shooters relying on consistent metering with the compact wide-angle zoom.

The firmware reach extends well beyond L-Mount, however. Naturettl reported that SIGMA mount users shooting the 24-70mm F2.8 and 150-600mm F5-6.3 are getting improvements to viewfinder image stability alongside a correction for a specific overexposure phenomenon triggered when stopping down past f/8. Nikon F mount owners with the 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM are receiving an update that, according to Naturettl, "improves the stability of the image in the viewfinder" through an "updated control algorithm" built into the Optical Stabilizer, which should make locking composition significantly easier when working at long focal lengths.

Canon shooters using EF glass on an EOS R via a mount adapter will also want to check their firmware. Naturettl reported that a bug causing the EOS R to fail to restart after removing a lens, such as the 24-70mm F2.8, while its Optical Stabilizer was still active has been corrected. A separate video-specific issue, where focus driving would stop when pulling from infinity to closer distances mid-clip, is also addressed in the update.

The SIGMA Mount Converter MC-11 is getting its own firmware pass as well. The update makes the MC-11 compatible with the latest lens firmware across SIGMA's lineup while improving the compensation effect specifically when paired with the Sony a9 and Sony a7III. The MC-11 changes also include an optimization of peripheral illumination correction data for the 18-300mm Macro and improved flash exposure accuracy when using dedicated Sony flash systems.

Installing the updates requires either the in-camera route or, for those with the hardware, the SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 paired with SIGMA Optimization Pro. For in-camera updates, navigate to the applicable product's download page, click "L-Mount," read the "Before updating" section, and follow the procedure. For dock users, connect the lens via the UD-11, open SIGMA Optimization Pro, and look for the prompt: "The latest lens firmware is available." Clicking "Yes" initiates the update. SIGMA specifically flags that Optimization Pro itself must be updated to its latest version before attempting any UD-11 firmware installations. The UD-11 is sold separately.

Sigma America Media Relations can be reached at 631-585-1144 for additional details.