Pentax 50-135mm vs. Sigma 50-150mm

[jms698]

Sigma | 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Lens for Pentax | 691-109

Pentax | SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM Autofocus | 21660

I'm trying to decide which of these two lenses to get.

Dimensions are the same, price is the same.
Pentax has weather sealing, Sigma doesn't.
Sigma weighs 100g more.
Sigma has 15 more mm at the long end.

Does anyone have experience with these lenses? How does the AF speed and image quality compare?

[jsherman999]

Originally Posted by jms698

Sigma | 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Lens for Pentax | 691-109

Pentax | SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM Autofocus | 21660

I'm trying to decide which of these two lenses to get.

Dimensions are the same, price is the same.
Pentax has weather sealing, Sigma doesn't.
Sigma weighs 100g more.
Sigma has 15 more mm at the long end.

Does anyone have experience with these lenses? How does the AF speed and image quality compare?

Here's a ---> thread where I discuss these two lenses.

Summary: both are excellent, but on Pentax, the DA* 50-135 is the better choice due to a slight sharpness advantage throughout the range, especially in close-focus at 135mm+ wide open. The 15mm FL advantage on the long end makes almost no difference.


.

[James S]

If you shop around you can save about $250-500 buying the Sigma. Perhaps that is worth buying at that price, rather than that much more for SDM?

[alehel]

Incidently, the Sigma has HSM, which as far as I've understood is more or less the same as SDM.

[James S]

Oh, sorry, I was thinking about the original 50-150, not the new one with HSM.

In Oz the 50-150 is $1300, the 50-135 is $1599. It's probably up to personal choice then.