[Tommot1965]

any one had any experience's with the sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM.

Ive talked myself into needing a good portrait lens..the sigma scores very well in MTF tests at DXO.....

comments please

[blende8]

I think the Sigma is not out yet for Pentax.
But I have seen results on a Canon FF and these are great!
Assuming that the AF works equally well for both lenses I would guess that the Sigma will be better in all respects.
Except size.

[Tommot1965]

arh
didn't realise that it wasn't released for the Pentax..at DXO the resolution on a canon 50D is impressive....so should be even better on a K5.

be nice to see a review there of a FA 77 or DA 70 on a new body...so we could compare apples with apples....


EDIT
Ive just seen the test of the 85 mm on the 5D....WOW...those scores are off the chart

[pop4]

I've been following the Sigma 85/1.4 thread on P.O.T.N for a while now, and many many Canon users are impressed with it. I'm one that's eagerly awaiting it's release in K-mount

[dgaies]

You could consider a used FA*85, albeit for quite a bit more than the 77 and a little more than the Sigma 85.

[pop4]

For me, the Sigma has one very important thing that he FA* and Ltd doesn't have, summed up by 3 letters: HSM.

[dgaies]

For me, the Sigma has one very important thing that he FA* and Ltd doesn't have, summed up by 3 letters: HSM.

Out of curiosity, is that for AF speed or sound? I only ask because the FA* is a very quick focusing (IF) lens and I don't know that it's a given that the HSM Sigma will be faster in terms of focus. As for AF noise, although the FA* isn't silent, I wouldn't call it noisy either. Regardless, the Sigma 85 HSM looks like a fantastic lens and hopefully it will be out in a Pentax mount pretty soon.

[Tommot1965]

Dgaies....you dont need any more lenses...your sig is way too long now!!..any more lenses and you'll need another page just for them!

the canon 85mm 1.4 looks good ..looking at their primes almost makes me wanna switch

id rather try and purchase new if possible...and id also like to try the FA 85 back to back with a sigma if i was going that way

then there's that bloody thing called cost..I can get the 85mm for $850 locally where as a used FA 85 might go for $1200.

your responses have confirmed that I have sniffed out a decent lens to be looking at.

[Tommot1965]

You could consider a used FA*85, albeit for quite a bit more than the 77 and a little more than the Sigma 85.

be good to see a FA 85 go up against the Sig 85.....I wonder which would triumph

[dgaies]

Dgaies....you dont need any more lenses...your sig is way too long now!!..any more lenses and you'll need another page just for them!

You're 100% correct. I need to get rid of some lenses at this point as I have way too much overlap. Like yourself, I'm alwasy curious how lens A compares to lebs B... and the next thing I know I have both

the canon 85mm 1.4 looks good ..looking at their primes almost makes me wanna switch

I don't think Canon has an 85/1.4... as far as I recall, it's an 85/1.2 or 85/1.8 (both nice lenses). Unless you meant the Sigma 85/1.4 for Canon mount.

id rather try and purchase new if possible...and id also like to try the FA 85 back to back with a sigma if i was going that way

then there's that bloody thing called cost..I can get the 85mm for $850 locally where as a used FA 85 might go for $1200.

Those prices sound about right. I thought the sigma might be a couple bucks more and you might be able to get a used FA*85 a little cheaper, but overall that's about the differential. So there's no question that is the Sigma 85 performs well that it would make a good alternative that's both less expensive and available more readily (and as a new lens).

be good to see a FA 85 go up against the Sig 85.....I wonder which would triumph

Well, I have no plans to buy the Sigma 85 so I probably can't help out there By the way, I haven't forgotten about the Tamron 70-200 vs DA*60-250 shots... just been tough during the week as we're at our shortest days of the year now and it's dark before I get home from work.

[Tommot1965]

no worries mate..when you get the time ..that will be good enough

I might get the 85 sig, we can trade IQ samples then

[mikemike]

Except size.

Does anyone know why Sigma lenses are all gigantic?

[truonganh]

...more room for error and yet still good glass?

seriously, i think so.

[Pentaxor]

Does anyone know why Sigma lenses are all gigantic?

to make it look more expensive and professionally looking?



seriously, I think it has to do with eliminating vignetting.

[DogLover]

I had the Sigma 85 on pre-order many moons ago but eventually gave up and canceled. I re-bought the 77 instead and I don't regret it. I still intend to get the 85 at some point as I have every confidence that its going to be a stellar lens. But I still want to keep my 77 as it will always have a special character that makes it unique and desirable.