Sigma 50-150mm 2.8 HSM just arrived - Page 2

Shashinki · 09-03-2008, 05:45 PM

I haven't bought it. Just messing around with the demo stock.

I'm not a zoom guy, but if I were to choose, I would probably go for the Sigma. Longer reach, a little speedier AF and price (US$ 1450 vs US$ 950 in shops here) look like a better deal to me than weatherproofing I guess. (It might be that IQ of the 50-135 is better though. Time will show)

I know that the TC's do not work, because I tried with both Sigma 1.4x EX DG and 2x EX DG APO and neither gave AF with the 50-150mm. They also gave erratic metering and aperture numbers that were constantly jumping all over the plase and flashing like crazy.

Sigma will probably either release a updated version of the TC's for the HSM lenses or send old ones in for an upgrade. If they know what's good for them. Don't you make me go over there, ya hear?

maxwell1295 · 09-09-2008, 02:26 PM

Looks like Adorama has these in stock...

691109 Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Normal-to-Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

I'm still trying to decide between the Sigma and the DA*50-135mm. Given the price (identical), range (favors the Sigma), and weather-sealing (Favors the DA*), it's a tough choice. I'm not sure the extra 15mm on the long end are enough to sway me from the Pentax.

There's also the Sigma and Tamron 70-200mm lenses to consider, although they appear to be bigger and heavier than the shorter lenses.

I hope to have one of these babies in my hands by the end of the month....

Shashinki · 09-09-2008, 03:48 PM

Meh, you USians are spoiled on prices for Pentax glass. Just to take market shares Pentax USA are selling lenses at around 5% or less profit margin. No wonder Sigma can't keep up because they expect at least a 20% margin on their products.

When Pentax USA gives up their useless and futile campaign for market shares, I expect lenses such as the Sigma 50-150mm to be around 10% cheaper than their Pentax counterparts. They really aren't selling enough to justice such low prices. They could sell a little less with more margin and make more money is my opinion.

You should really count yourselves lucky to be in a position where they are equally matched in price.

Arpe · 09-09-2008, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by maxwell1295

Looks like Adorama has these in stock...

691109 Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Normal-to-Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

I'm still trying to decide between the Sigma and the DA*50-135mm. Given the price (identical), range (favors the Sigma), and weather-sealing (Favors the DA*), it's a tough choice. I'm not sure the extra 15mm on the long end are enough to sway me from the Pentax.

There's also the Sigma and Tamron 70-200mm lenses to consider, although they appear to be bigger and heavier than the shorter lenses.

I hope to have one of these babies in my hands by the end of the month....

If I were you, and I'm not by the way, I'd take the Pentax. 15mm is minimal and just a bit of cropping!

I'd love a wether sealed 2.8 zoom to 200mm.

maxwell1295 · 09-09-2008, 07:35 PM

I'm still trying to justify (for my use) why I would need weathersealing in my lenses. I haven't encountered a situation where I've needed it. Dust and SR is a whole different story....I definitely need those. I'm not 100% sold on the need for weathersealing in my shooting. That being said, the IQ of the 50-135 makes that lens a winner. If this 50-150 is anything like my 24-60, I'm going to have to take a long, hard look at it.....

*nulla* · 09-09-2008, 08:06 PM

If I were you, and I'm not by the way, I'd take the Pentax. 15mm is minimal and just a bit of cropping!

I agree with that

Maxwell

I'm still trying to justify (for my use) why I would need weathersealing in my lenses.

But you never know mate, it might come into play and be handy... you would not want to miss it by that much

Neil

Okami · 09-10-2008, 07:34 AM

Weather Sealing is a must if it's an option IMHO. You are paying around a grand for a lens you don't want to be wishing you had the sealing when you see those rain clouds up above. I just went through a fashion week where 99% of the events were indoors but there were a few shots (One of Karl Lagerfeld!) I got only because i was confident in my weather sealing while some other photographers had to rustle out their plastic bags or move under cover.

Arpe · 09-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by maxwell1295

I'm still trying to justify (for my use) why I would need weathersealing in my lenses. I haven't encountered a situation where I've needed it. Dust and SR is a whole different story....I definitely need those. I'm not 100% sold on the need for weathersealing in my shooting.

I want it for this kind of thing-

maxwell1295 · 09-10-2008, 07:12 PM

That makes good sense. I have shot in the rain. I did a football game this past weekend (just posted pics in the photo forum). That game was in the rain right before Hannah hit. I don't think you really need weathersealing unless the weather is really bad.

*mhertel* · 09-10-2008, 07:32 PM

I just got my DA* 50-135mm today and dont find it any slower than any of my other lenses. Love the quiet SDM action.. Will have to take a few more pics with it, but so far, everything looks great and it's nice and sharp.
Weatherproofing is always a plus.. yes, you can shoot in the rain with other lenses, but you'll always have that uneasy feeling..

rfortson · 09-10-2008, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by mhertel

I just got my DA* 50-135mm today and dont find it any slower than any of my other lenses. ..

Agreed, this is the only thread where I've ever read a comment about the 50-135 being slow to AF. It's certainly not slow by my experience.

Sleepy · 09-19-2008, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by rfortson

Agreed, this is the only thread where I've ever read a comment about the 50-135 being slow to AF. It's certainly not slow by my experience.

I wouldn't say my 50-135mm has slow AF.
It's just now as fast as I expected when I heard that Pentax would have SDM lens.

Noisychip · 09-22-2008, 01:36 PM

The Sigma 50-150mm is said to work with Tamron and Kenko TCs which have contacts for Power Zoom. Has anybody tried? How about the IQ with TC?

*Clem Nichols* · 09-22-2008, 03:28 PM

Does anyone actually own this lens yet? Sigma News said 3 weeks ago that the 50-150 would be available within a day or two and the 70-200 available the next week. Turns out the 70-200 is already in the hands of several members of this forum, but as far as I can tell, no one owns the 50-150, and Adorama seems to be the only place that lists them for sale. I am under the impression that Adorama doesn't always have everything they list on their web site in stock.

CN