Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 Flicker Issue

[Rayhall85]

Hi all,

I'm just putting this out there for anyone who has purchased the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 lens.

It has a factory issue where it has an uncontrollable flicker. However, there is an update that fixes this.

Unfortunately, I didn't know this was the case so it ruined my footage from a couple of weddings I shot recently. The flicker is insane and I don't know what to do to fix it. I asked once before on here and I got a temporary/minor solution where I downloaded a plug-in called "flicker-free" and it vaguely removed the flicker.

I'm really worried I can't save this footage and if anyone has any suggestions on how to fix this it would be greatly appreciated and you'd be a lifesaver at this point. I've tried everything 😞

I've contacted Sigma about the issue and they wouldn't take responsibility for their faulty product.

I honestly hope no one else has this issue because Sigma will do absolutely nothing to help the situation.

Thank you in advance!

(Example video attached below) Also, I have footage that is flickering way worse than that one..

[Phillip Harvey]

Strange. We actually just got one of those lenses at work but I haven't used it yet. I will keep an eye out and thank you for sharing. Was the fix a firmware update through their website?

[Rayhall85]

I actually had to take it to the store where I purchased it. They had to update it through an external dock. They even charged me for the update. I wasn't able to update it through my Sony a7iii.

[Steve Griffiths · Accepted solution]

I tested your shot with Boris Continuum Flicker Fixer and got some pretty good results (see linked clip below). This might be what you need. Certainly worked better than I thought it would. I did find slightly better results by grading the shot first with Lumetri to fix the overexposure slightly (particularly in the clouds) before adding Flicker Fixer.

https://vimeo.com/user14840024/review/462134214/ef44b9e6bd 

[Rayhall85]

Steve! That is incredible!

It looks as though the flicker is completely gone!

I am going to try it on my end and get back to you with an update.

Thank you so much!

[Steve Griffiths · Accepted solution]

I was as surprised as you. As you saw (with the red x over the footage) my Boris BCC subscription has expired ... so I tried Digital Anarchys 'Flicker-Free' and RevisionFX's DEFlicker first - both I thought would be the better options. But no. Have to hand it Boris on this occasion - the end result was pretty amazing.

Hope it works well for you too.

[Rayhall85]

Steve... thank you again for referring me to this incredible plug-in. I've used it on all my flickering footage and I can confirm that it 100% WORKS!!!

After a very long battle with Gentec a.k.a Sigma, they finally agreed to reimburse me for the purchase of this plugin. On top of all that I got some pretty sweet additional plugins that came in the BorisFX Continuum suite. Flicker-Free is only one of the 12 plugins included and I can't even begin to explain to you how incredible the other 11 are. This has probably been the worst and best thing that has ever happened to me. 😂

Once again thank you so much Steve. Hats off to you good sir!🎩

[Steve Griffiths]

Thanks for letting me know, great to hear everything worked out so well.