Why is Sigma still treating Pentax differently?

CWyatt · 08-02-2010, 03:05 PM

Does anyone know why Sigma continue to make some of their Pentax-mount lenses without HSM, while the other mounts of the same lens have HSM?

Mostly I'm referring to the 30mm f/1.4, which costs the same in Pentax-mount, without HSM. As far as I know, Pentax has been compatible with HSM since firmware 1.03 on the K10D. I realise Pentax-mount must be a very small part of Sigmas business, and there has been some progress, for example the latest 10-20mm is HSM for Pentax.

I've asking Sigma why they're still producing non-HSM for Pentax - will let you know what they reply.

bdery · 08-02-2010, 03:50 PM

they usually switch to SDM when they update a lens. If the lens has not been updated recently then it's not likely to be SDM. But the same is true with Sony and to some extend Oly.

MrCynical · 08-02-2010, 04:33 PM

When these lenses were released, there were still a substantial number of Pentax bodies which did not support SDM/HSM in circulation. So it didn't make good business sense for Sigma to release them as HSM.

Marc Sabatella · 08-02-2010, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

I'm kind of bummed that Sigma is adding HSM and OS to all their lenses these days. Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive.

Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 08-03-2010 at 04:26 PM.

future_retro · 08-02-2010, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

I"m kind of bummed that Sigma is adding HSM and OS to all their lenses these days. Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive.

Well they have 2 lenses, I believe a 18-50mm f/2.8-5.6 and a 50-200mm f/4-5.6 both with OS and HSM for Pentax, for around $200 and $160 in that order, so I don't necessarily think that means it adds cost to the lenses, but I'm sure it's a good excuse to with the higher end models

**Ash** · 08-02-2010, 11:47 PM

The reason I'm not impressed with HSM/SDM is the added likelihood of AF failure... not to mention the longer focus hunting compared with screwdrive lenses.

Once SDM is faster than screwdrive counterparts and more reliable than what the track record has been for previous lenses, then I'll be more interested.

yeatzee · 08-02-2010, 11:58 PM

Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount.

CWyatt · 08-04-2010, 02:29 PM

Thank you for choosing Sigma products.

At this time there are no plans to put HSM for the Pentax mount on this lens.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Desiree Gaige
Customer Service/Technical Support
Sigma Corporation of America
15 Fleetwood Court
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
(631)585-1144
dgaige@sigmaphoto.com
www.sigmaphoto.com

**Rondec** · 08-05-2010, 04:28 AM

As Sigma adds HSM/OS to their lenses, they bump the prices up. Look at the difference in price between the old version of the 17-70 and the new version. As far as I can tell, even Sigmas high end HSM motors don't really add any speed to auto focus -- most is dependent on the camera algorithims. The only thing it adds is quietness.

fractal · 08-05-2010, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive

How do you figure?

The Sigma 30mm in EF mount has HSM and is cheaper than the Pentax mount version.

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-05-2010, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by CWyatt

Does anyone know why Sigma continue to make some of their Pentax-mount lenses without HSM, while the other mounts of the same lens have HSM?

Mostly I'm referring to the 30mm f/1.4, which costs the same in Pentax-mount, without HSM. As far as I know, Pentax has been compatible with HSM since firmware 1.03 on the K10D. I realise Pentax-mount must be a very small part of Sigmas business, and there has been some progress, for example the latest 10-20mm is HSM for Pentax.

I've asking Sigma why they're still producing non-HSM for Pentax - will let you know what they reply.

As far as I know, since the split between sigma and pentax over lens mount design at the introduction of SIGMA AF in the 1990's, sigma has not paid any lisencing fees to pentax for the use of the pentax mount.

They reverse engineer things. As a result they are perhaps not the most favorable towards selling to pentax users.

GLXLR · 08-05-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by fractal

How do you figure?

The Sigma 30mm in EF mount has HSM and is cheaper than the Pentax mount version.

Well not by much, mainly b/c the production volume is much higher that they can offer it cheaper. Also, I think marc referred mainly to OS, which defintely does put on more weight than a lens without it.

Blue · 08-05-2010, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by yeatzee

Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount.

I agree with you on that!

fractal · 08-06-2010, 01:16 AM

Originally posted by GLXLR

Well not by much, mainly b/c the production volume is much higher that they can offer it cheaper. Also, I think marc referred mainly to OS, which defintely does put on more weight than a lens without it.

Yeah, that makes sense.

As far as OS is concerned, I don't believe it is available for the 30/1.4. Would you need really it?

Mike.P® · 08-06-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount.

I gave up waiting a few weeks ago when a180mm f3.5 came up on Ebay very cheap.

08-02-2010, 03:05 PM	#1
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	Why is Sigma still treating Pentax differently? Does anyone know why Sigma continue to make some of their Pentax-mount lenses without HSM, while the other mounts of the same lens have HSM? Mostly I'm referring to the 30mm f/1.4, which costs the same in Pentax-mount, without HSM. As far as I know, Pentax has been compatible with HSM since firmware 1.03 on the K10D. I realise Pentax-mount must be a very small part of Sigmas business, and there has been some progress, for example the latest 10-20mm is HSM for Pentax. I've asking Sigma why they're still producing non-HSM for Pentax - will let you know what they reply.

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08-02-2010, 03:50 PM	#2
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	they usually switch to SDM when they update a lens. If the lens has not been updated recently then it's not likely to be SDM. But the same is true with Sony and to some extend Oly.

08-02-2010, 04:33 PM	#3
MrCynical Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 132	When these lenses were released, there were still a substantial number of Pentax bodies which did not support SDM/HSM in circulation. So it didn't make good business sense for Sigma to release them as HSM.

08-02-2010, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#4
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I'm kind of bummed that Sigma is adding HSM and OS to all their lenses these days. Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 08-03-2010 at 04:26 PM.

08-02-2010, 10:15 PM	#5
future_retro Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 572	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella I"m kind of bummed that Sigma is adding HSM and OS to all their lenses these days. Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive. Well they have 2 lenses, I believe a 18-50mm f/2.8-5.6 and a 50-200mm f/4-5.6 both with OS and HSM for Pentax, for around $200 and $160 in that order, so I don't necessarily think that means it adds cost to the lenses, but I'm sure it's a good excuse to with the higher end models

08-02-2010, 11:47 PM	#6
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The reason I'm not impressed with HSM/SDM is the added likelihood of AF failure... not to mention the longer focus hunting compared with screwdrive lenses. Once SDM is faster than screwdrive counterparts and more reliable than what the track record has been for previous lenses, then I'll be more interested.

08-02-2010, 11:58 PM	#7
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount.

08-04-2010, 02:29 PM	#8
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291 Original Poster	Thank you for choosing Sigma products. At this time there are no plans to put HSM for the Pentax mount on this lens. We apologize for the inconvenience. Desiree Gaige Customer Service/Technical Support Sigma Corporation of America 15 Fleetwood Court Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (631)585-1144 dgaige@sigmaphoto.com www.sigmaphoto.com

08-05-2010, 04:28 AM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	As Sigma adds HSM/OS to their lenses, they bump the prices up. Look at the difference in price between the old version of the 17-70 and the new version. As far as I can tell, even Sigmas high end HSM motors don't really add any speed to auto focus -- most is dependent on the camera algorithims. The only thing it adds is quietness.

08-05-2010, 05:54 AM	#10
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Means they'll be unnecessary big, heavy, and expensive How do you figure? The Sigma 30mm in EF mount has HSM and is cheaper than the Pentax mount version.

08-05-2010, 07:38 AM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by CWyatt Does anyone know why Sigma continue to make some of their Pentax-mount lenses without HSM, while the other mounts of the same lens have HSM? Mostly I'm referring to the 30mm f/1.4, which costs the same in Pentax-mount, without HSM. As far as I know, Pentax has been compatible with HSM since firmware 1.03 on the K10D. I realise Pentax-mount must be a very small part of Sigmas business, and there has been some progress, for example the latest 10-20mm is HSM for Pentax. I've asking Sigma why they're still producing non-HSM for Pentax - will let you know what they reply. As far as I know, since the split between sigma and pentax over lens mount design at the introduction of SIGMA AF in the 1990's, sigma has not paid any lisencing fees to pentax for the use of the pentax mount. They reverse engineer things. As a result they are perhaps not the most favorable towards selling to pentax users.

08-05-2010, 09:04 AM	#12
GLXLR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sugar Land, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 684	Originally posted by fractal How do you figure? The Sigma 30mm in EF mount has HSM and is cheaper than the Pentax mount version. Well not by much, mainly b/c the production volume is much higher that they can offer it cheaper. Also, I think marc referred mainly to OS, which defintely does put on more weight than a lens without it.

08-05-2010, 10:13 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by yeatzee Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount. I agree with you on that!

08-06-2010, 01:16 AM	#14
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	Originally posted by GLXLR Well not by much, mainly b/c the production volume is much higher that they can offer it cheaper. Also, I think marc referred mainly to OS, which defintely does put on more weight than a lens without it. Yeah, that makes sense. As far as OS is concerned, I don't believe it is available for the 30/1.4. Would you need really it?

08-06-2010, 01:05 PM	#15
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by yeatzee Im still pissed that sigma has no plans on releasing the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro in Pentax mount. I gave up waiting a few weeks ago when a180mm f3.5 came up on Ebay very cheap.