One of the most interesting things that any third party lens developer has ever done was just announced. I didn’t think this was possible, but Sigma has decided to create a program that allows you to send in your lens, and have them change which lens mount it is using. If you are switching from Canon to Nikon, you can send in your Sigma lenses and have them change it so that your Canon EF mount Sigma lenses will work on your new Nikon body.

The Mount Conversion Service is limited to all of Sigma’s Global Vision lenses. Current, applicable full-frame lenses include the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS Sport and 35mm F1.4 DG Art; APS-C crop sensor lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art, 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS Macro Contemporary and 18-35mm F1.8 DC Art; and MILC lenses include the 19mm F2.8 DN Art, 30mm F2.8 DN Art and 60mm F2.8 DN Art. Lenses can be converted to any mount of a photographer’s choosing, as long as Sigma has released that product in the requested mount.

Cost of the conversion will range between $80 to $250, plus shipping costs, depending on the focal length of the lens. All lenses will be shipped to Sigma’s US subsidiary in New York, and updated, calibrated and optimized for the new camera system at Sigma’s factory in Aizu, Japan. All lenses that undergo the Mount Conversion Service will be covered under warranty for six months following the update. Teleconverters, USB Docks and other accessories are not eligible for the service.

Source: CanonRumours

My big question is, will other third party manufacturers end up doing something similar? I am in no rush to change lens systems, but I think it is a great option and will promote third party lens systems for people that might want the option to change down the road. I currently own a Sigma and a Tamron lens as well as a few Canon lenses. I know I’ll never be able to change my Canon lenses to work on Nikon by default, but Sigma and Tamron both might end up being able to be swapped over someday, making it easy to switch to Nikon if I so chose.