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NecroticSoldier · 05-10-2010, 05:55 PM

Is HSM anything like SDM? and is it worth the extra $$$ to get it?

Also... does it even work with Pentax?

Last edited by NecroticSoldier; 05-10-2010 at 05:57 PM. Reason: Extra

Nachodog · 05-10-2010, 06:14 PM

Yes, depends and yes.

I think it's really only worth it if you need silent focusing. Weddings for example. I also find that the AF is a bit quicker and a bit more accurate.

I only have one HSM lens, the 50-150mm and I find that the extra $$$ is worth it.

devs66 · 05-10-2010, 06:18 PM

Picked up the Sigma 70-200 HSM II a few weeks ago - Fast Accurate focusing!

Well worth the $$

Dave

AdamJ · 05-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Yes, HSM operates on the same principal as SDM - it uses a 'ring-type ultrasonic' motor.

I have the new 17-70 F2.8-4 with HSM and like others have said it is nearly silent and fast... Personally I think where HSM really shines is continuous AF, its just able to change much faster, although that is partially dependent on the body.

SpecialK · 05-10-2010, 07:22 PM

A $600 difference on the Bigma...:-(

Egg Salad · 05-11-2010, 10:25 AM

I only have to lenses to compare: Pentax' 16-50 and Sigma's 70-200 (HSM Macro bla bla II). But out of these two the Sigma totally destroys the Pentax - focusing is not only faster and more reliable, it also feels much better. Where the Pentax has ~45° of turning action, the Sigma has 140° - but only for MF - actual rotation is around 70°, it has some kind of gears that doubles the range.
One several occasions the Pentax pissed me off royally because it so often doesn't find anything to lock on or if it does it's totally off my desired focus spot.
The Sigma didn't disappoint till now.

pop4 · 05-12-2010, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by AdamJ

Yes, HSM operates on the same principal as SDM - it uses a 'ring-type ultrasonic' motor.

I believe HSM uses an ultrasonic ring motor whereas SDM actually uses a ultrasonic micro motor.

I have one experience with HSM, my 70-200mm F2.8 HSM II, and I have not been disappointed yet, not with the speed, the quietness nor the accuracy.

Parallax · 05-12-2010, 08:17 AM

I have the Sigma 18-250 OS HSM. Fast, accurate, and quiet focus. Great IQ, too.

Entropy · 05-12-2010, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Parallax

I have the Sigma 18-250 OS HSM. Fast, accurate, and quiet focus. Great IQ, too.

Yup. It's almost at the point where I might be ditching my Sigma 17-70 except for situations where I need the fast aperture...

AdamJ · 05-12-2010, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by pop4

I believe HSM uses an ultrasonic ring motor whereas SDM actually uses a ultrasonic micro motor.

The only 'non-ring type' ultrasonic motor drive I'm aware of is Canon's "Micro Ultrasonic Motor" which is essentially a normal winding motor just built smaller. While it is quieter then normal gear driven motor AF, it is still nowhere near the nearly silent ultrasonic ring-type motors.

From my limited experience with the 16-50 and 50-135, they sounded and behaved precisely like an ultrasonic ring-type of motor, including the ability for instant manual focus over-ride.

I admit that I may be wrong - but until I can see an exploded view or breakdown of an SDM lens, I will tend to believe otherwise...

AdamJ · 05-12-2010, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by AdamJ

The only 'non-ring type' ultrasonic motor drive I'm aware of is Canon's "Micro Ultrasonic Motor" which is essentially a normal winding motor just built smaller. While it is quieter then normal gear driven motor AF, it is still nowhere near the nearly silent ultrasonic ring-type motors.

From my limited experience with the 16-50 and 50-135, they sounded and behaved precisely like an ultrasonic ring-type of motor, including the ability for instant manual focus over-ride.

I admit that I may be wrong - but until I can see an exploded view or breakdown of an SDM lens, I will tend to believe otherwise...

Well I was wrong, I did find comments online by someone who took apart and SDM lens and confirmed its based on a micro motor, which was surprising.

05-10-2010, 05:55 PM	#1
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488	Sigma HSM? Is HSM anything like SDM? and is it worth the extra $$$ to get it? Also... does it even work with Pentax? Last edited by NecroticSoldier; 05-10-2010 at 05:57 PM. Reason: Extra

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05-10-2010, 06:14 PM	#2
Nachodog Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc Posts: 464	Yes, depends and yes. I think it's really only worth it if you need silent focusing. Weddings for example. I also find that the AF is a bit quicker and a bit more accurate. I only have one HSM lens, the 50-150mm and I find that the extra $$$ is worth it.

05-10-2010, 06:18 PM	#3
devs66 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 103	Picked up the Sigma 70-200 HSM II a few weeks ago - Fast Accurate focusing! Well worth the $$ Dave

05-10-2010, 07:15 PM	#4
AdamJ New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area, IL, USA Posts: 20	Yes, HSM operates on the same principal as SDM - it uses a 'ring-type ultrasonic' motor. I have the new 17-70 F2.8-4 with HSM and like others have said it is nearly silent and fast... Personally I think where HSM really shines is continuous AF, its just able to change much faster, although that is partially dependent on the body.

05-10-2010, 07:22 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,114	A $600 difference on the Bigma...:-(

05-11-2010, 10:25 AM	#6
Egg Salad Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 344	I only have to lenses to compare: Pentax' 16-50 and Sigma's 70-200 (HSM Macro bla bla II). But out of these two the Sigma totally destroys the Pentax - focusing is not only faster and more reliable, it also feels much better. Where the Pentax has ~45° of turning action, the Sigma has 140° - but only for MF - actual rotation is around 70°, it has some kind of gears that doubles the range. One several occasions the Pentax pissed me off royally because it so often doesn't find anything to lock on or if it does it's totally off my desired focus spot. The Sigma didn't disappoint till now.

05-12-2010, 08:03 AM	#7
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by AdamJ Yes, HSM operates on the same principal as SDM - it uses a 'ring-type ultrasonic' motor. I believe HSM uses an ultrasonic ring motor whereas SDM actually uses a ultrasonic micro motor. I have one experience with HSM, my 70-200mm F2.8 HSM II, and I have not been disappointed yet, not with the speed, the quietness nor the accuracy.

05-12-2010, 08:17 AM	#8
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,525	I have the Sigma 18-250 OS HSM. Fast, accurate, and quiet focus. Great IQ, too.

05-12-2010, 09:08 AM	#9
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Originally posted by Parallax I have the Sigma 18-250 OS HSM. Fast, accurate, and quiet focus. Great IQ, too. Yup. It's almost at the point where I might be ditching my Sigma 17-70 except for situations where I need the fast aperture...

05-12-2010, 10:30 AM	#10
AdamJ New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area, IL, USA Posts: 20	Originally posted by pop4 I believe HSM uses an ultrasonic ring motor whereas SDM actually uses a ultrasonic micro motor. The only 'non-ring type' ultrasonic motor drive I'm aware of is Canon's "Micro Ultrasonic Motor" which is essentially a normal winding motor just built smaller. While it is quieter then normal gear driven motor AF, it is still nowhere near the nearly silent ultrasonic ring-type motors. From my limited experience with the 16-50 and 50-135, they sounded and behaved precisely like an ultrasonic ring-type of motor, including the ability for instant manual focus over-ride. I admit that I may be wrong - but until I can see an exploded view or breakdown of an SDM lens, I will tend to believe otherwise...

05-12-2010, 10:37 AM	#11
AdamJ New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Area, IL, USA Posts: 20	Originally posted by AdamJ The only 'non-ring type' ultrasonic motor drive I'm aware of is Canon's "Micro Ultrasonic Motor" which is essentially a normal winding motor just built smaller. While it is quieter then normal gear driven motor AF, it is still nowhere near the nearly silent ultrasonic ring-type motors. From my limited experience with the 16-50 and 50-135, they sounded and behaved precisely like an ultrasonic ring-type of motor, including the ability for instant manual focus over-ride. I admit that I may be wrong - but until I can see an exploded view or breakdown of an SDM lens, I will tend to believe otherwise... Well I was wrong, I did find comments online by someone who took apart and SDM lens and confirmed its based on a micro motor, which was surprising.

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