The Modern 50s (Sigma, DA*)

Asahiflex · 10-24-2010, 12:04 AM

The DA*55 is the last lens the guy in my avatar designed for Pentax

In the end it all comes down to one's preferences (brand, resale value, the story behind it; yes I also bought it because of the story connected to the lens).

hcc · 10-24-2010, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Rory

Sigma is rated 9.67 with 6 reviews here.

I appreciate your opinions. Anyone else that's used both?

Rory,
The Pentaxforums.com user reviews are for the Sigma 50mm F1,4 EX DG, not for the HSM newer version.
Cheers

Rory · 10-24-2010, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by hcc

Rory,
The Pentaxforums.com user reviews are for the Sigma 50mm F1,4 EX DG, not for the HSM newer version.
Cheers

They didn't make one w/o HSM. There is only one version. In fact, in many of the reviews, the HSM is mentioned as superior to SDM.

IIRC, the only lenses re-done by Sigma previously without HSM were zooms.

**Digitalis** · 10-25-2010, 04:47 AM

Originally posted by hcc

Nokton 58mm f/1.4

...which has been discontinued...

Rory · 10-25-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

...which has been discontinued...

Yeah, I already own it. I'd rather not dump it since they won't throw anymore Pentax mounts on them; however, it doesn't get used much. It's great for perfect focus, since it has a fairly long throw; however, it's tough to catch musicians in focus with it. A fast AF lens would be great.

**Digitalis** · 10-25-2010, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by Rory

Yeah, I already own it. I'd rather not dump it since they won't throw anymore Pentax mounts on them; however, it doesn't get used much. It's great for perfect focus, since it has a fairly long throw; however, it's tough to catch musicians in focus with it. A fast AF lens would be great.

I wish pentax would release a 50mm f/1.2 limited - it would probably be hideously expensive and it would be a toss up whether our cameras could focus it accurately. My 1DsMKIII has issues focusing the canon 50mm f/1.2L . I'm just using a 50mm f/1.4 for the bulk of my work and sparing the 50L for special stuff, because the focus shift and the purple fringing from the canon 50L lens were atrocious. Strangely the pentax SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 has much less PF than the canon L lens, especially at f/1.2 which was a pleasant surprise.

Rory · 10-25-2010, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I wish pentax would release a 50mm f/1.2 limited - it would probably be hideously expensive and it would be a toss up whether our cameras could focus it accurately. My 1DsMKIII has issues focusing the canon 50mm f/1.2L . I'm just using a 50mm f/1.4 for the bulk of my work and sparing the 50L for special stuff, because the focus shift and the purple fringing from the canon 50L lens were atrocious. Strangely the pentax SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 has much less PF than the canon L lens, especially at f/1.2 which was a pleasant surprise.

Your collection of gear disgusts me. And by "disgust", I mean "makes me envious". I need to start playing the lottery here.

A 1.2 Limited 50 would be amazing. Unfortunately I think Pentax feels they've filled the "portrait on crop" gap with the DA*55.

**Digitalis** · 10-25-2010, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by Rory

Your collection of gear disgusts me

just wait until my Leica-M Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH arrives.

Rory · 10-26-2010, 11:12 AM

That's ok. I'll just continue to rummage in the swap meet bargin bin for Sigmas and Pentax 50s.

mikemike · 10-26-2010, 11:23 AM

I have the sigma and it is great, sharp, quick to focus, and quiet. My only gripe is that it is really heavy for a prime and a bit long indoors.

Rory · 10-26-2010, 05:37 PM

Long as in focal length? Any sample photos?

Winder · 10-27-2010, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by Rory

Long as in focal length? Any sample photos?

I have the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and use it on my K-7 most of the time. I tried the DA* 55mm and was going to buy it until I used the Sigma. AF on the Sigma is faster and quieter. From f/1.4-f/2.8 the Sigma is sharper and at f/4 I could not tell any difference between the two. At f/5.6 the Pentax DA* 55mm wins. Most of my work is done at f/2 through f/4 and the Sigma was a better lens for what I need.

Now I am waiting for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

**Digitalis** · 10-27-2010, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by Winder

Most of my work is done at f/2 through f/4

you should try the Pentax SMCP-A 50mm f/1.2 it would certainly give the sigma a run for it's money.

Rory · 10-27-2010, 07:39 AM

Perhaps I should just buy the Sigma, and do some controlled tri-pod shots in different conditions. I think the hardest part would be trying to figure out how to compare the Voigtlander with it's slightly longer focal length.

Rory · 10-28-2010, 09:41 PM

I think I'm siding towards the Sigma, the last questions I have are with lens flare. Anyone have any experiences with either? Pentax seems to usually be better, but I've read Sigma went to lengths to minimize flare and ghosting on this one.

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10-24-2010, 12:04 AM	#16
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	The DA*55 is the last lens the guy in my avatar designed for Pentax In the end it all comes down to one's preferences (brand, resale value, the story behind it; yes I also bought it because of the story connected to the lens).

10-24-2010, 03:36 PM	#17
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Originally posted by Rory Sigma is rated 9.67 with 6 reviews here. I appreciate your opinions. Anyone else that's used both? Rory, The Pentaxforums.com user reviews are for the Sigma 50mm F1,4 EX DG, not for the HSM newer version. Cheers

10-24-2010, 04:14 PM	#18
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by hcc Rory, The Pentaxforums.com user reviews are for the Sigma 50mm F1,4 EX DG, not for the HSM newer version. Cheers They didn't make one w/o HSM. There is only one version. In fact, in many of the reviews, the HSM is mentioned as superior to SDM. IIRC, the only lenses re-done by Sigma previously without HSM were zooms.

10-25-2010, 04:47 AM	#19
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by hcc Nokton 58mm f/1.4 ...which has been discontinued...

10-25-2010, 08:12 AM	#20
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis ...which has been discontinued... Yeah, I already own it. I'd rather not dump it since they won't throw anymore Pentax mounts on them; however, it doesn't get used much. It's great for perfect focus, since it has a fairly long throw; however, it's tough to catch musicians in focus with it. A fast AF lens would be great.

10-25-2010, 04:54 PM	#21
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Rory Yeah, I already own it. I'd rather not dump it since they won't throw anymore Pentax mounts on them; however, it doesn't get used much. It's great for perfect focus, since it has a fairly long throw; however, it's tough to catch musicians in focus with it. A fast AF lens would be great. I wish pentax would release a 50mm f/1.2 limited - it would probably be hideously expensive and it would be a toss up whether our cameras could focus it accurately. My 1DsMKIII has issues focusing the canon 50mm f/1.2L . I'm just using a 50mm f/1.4 for the bulk of my work and sparing the 50L for special stuff, because the focus shift and the purple fringing from the canon 50L lens were atrocious. Strangely the pentax SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 has much less PF than the canon L lens, especially at f/1.2 which was a pleasant surprise.

10-25-2010, 05:18 PM	#22
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis I wish pentax would release a 50mm f/1.2 limited - it would probably be hideously expensive and it would be a toss up whether our cameras could focus it accurately. My 1DsMKIII has issues focusing the canon 50mm f/1.2L . I'm just using a 50mm f/1.4 for the bulk of my work and sparing the 50L for special stuff, because the focus shift and the purple fringing from the canon 50L lens were atrocious. Strangely the pentax SMCP-K 50mm f/1.2 has much less PF than the canon L lens, especially at f/1.2 which was a pleasant surprise. Your collection of gear disgusts me. And by "disgust", I mean "makes me envious". I need to start playing the lottery here. A 1.2 Limited 50 would be amazing. Unfortunately I think Pentax feels they've filled the "portrait on crop" gap with the DA*55.

10-25-2010, 09:15 PM	#23
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Rory Your collection of gear disgusts me just wait until my Leica-M Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH arrives.

10-26-2010, 11:12 AM	#24
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	That's ok. I'll just continue to rummage in the swap meet bargin bin for Sigmas and Pentax 50s.

10-26-2010, 11:23 AM	#25
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	I have the sigma and it is great, sharp, quick to focus, and quiet. My only gripe is that it is really heavy for a prime and a bit long indoors.

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10-26-2010, 05:37 PM	#26
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	Long as in focal length? Any sample photos?

10-27-2010, 06:56 AM	#27
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Rory Long as in focal length? Any sample photos? I have the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and use it on my K-7 most of the time. I tried the DA* 55mm and was going to buy it until I used the Sigma. AF on the Sigma is faster and quieter. From f/1.4-f/2.8 the Sigma is sharper and at f/4 I could not tell any difference between the two. At f/5.6 the Pentax DA* 55mm wins. Most of my work is done at f/2 through f/4 and the Sigma was a better lens for what I need. Now I am waiting for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

10-27-2010, 07:20 AM	#28
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Winder Most of my work is done at f/2 through f/4 you should try the Pentax SMCP-A 50mm f/1.2 it would certainly give the sigma a run for it's money.

10-27-2010, 07:39 AM	#29
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	Perhaps I should just buy the Sigma, and do some controlled tri-pod shots in different conditions. I think the hardest part would be trying to figure out how to compare the Voigtlander with it's slightly longer focal length.

10-28-2010, 09:41 PM	#30
Rory Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 672 Original Poster	I think I'm siding towards the Sigma, the last questions I have are with lens flare. Anyone have any experiences with either? Pentax seems to usually be better, but I've read Sigma went to lengths to minimize flare and ghosting on this one.