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11-26-2011, 08:40 AM   #1
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Is the Sigma 24mm F/1.8 worth buying?

Hi All,
I was wondering is the Sigma 24mm f 1.8 lens a worthy substitute for a Pentax FA 24 f2 to buy new, since I don't see that many people here owning it or should I wait for the Samytang 24mm F 1.4 lens to be released for Pentax?

11-26-2011, 08:43 AM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by V'cuz Quote
I was wondering is the Sigma 24mm f 1.8 lens a worthy substitute for a Pentax FA 24 f2 to buy new, since I don't see that many people here owning it or should I wait for the Samytang 24mm F 1.4 lens to be released for Pentax?
I was actually going to buy the Sigma a little over a month ago until I heard about the Samyang 24 coming out - I am waiting it out for that...
11-26-2011, 10:54 AM   #3
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Generally it seems like a lens that people liked, see here for some reviews:
Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Here's the samyang, it's manual focus, though:
Samyang 24mm F1.4 for Pentax Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

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11-26-2011, 11:30 AM   #4
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I think it is worth buying. I tried one when buying my FA*24 and generally it compared well IMO. Touch sharper wide open but with slightly more distortion and not as nice colours (colours and contrast are strong points for FA*). The OOF seemed nice (maybe even bit smoother than FA*). But the lens was bigger/heavier than FA*. AF was just as fast as FA*.
All in all-
Pentax- smaller, nicer colours, stronger contrast, less distortion
Sigma- bigger & heavier, sharper, smoother OOF, green-ish colour cast.

Oh, and of course, the Sigma is going new for the price of 10-15 years old FA* (in UK at least), you get warranty and all..or half price I'd used..

11-27-2011, 11:41 PM   #5
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I was in the same situation as you about a year ago.
Wanted a 24mm as a general AF walkabout lens over my K24/2.8
Was settled on the Sigma 24/1.8 until I chanced on a FA*24/2
I don't think there is any wrong on either choice.
Sigma 24 being larger and more plastic in build of course.
FA*24 is very contrasty. Helps add to apparent sharpness when wide open.
11-30-2011, 04:01 PM   #6
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i have one. it is very nice lens, bigger but not much heavier than 30/1.4 sigma. sharp even wide open. very good close focus ability, the only drawback is that it flares very easy in direct light. i only had problems with bf/ff in different light temperatures, but i have similar problem with other lenses too.
12-16-2011, 08:17 AM   #7
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I'd love to see a comparison of the sigma and the samyang when the latter comes out. I like the Sigma's close-focus possibilities, but I just happened upon an extension tube set with all the electrical contacts...so I may be able to use that with the Samyang. I hope we hear something about the Samyang soon, it's been quiet since August.

12-16-2011, 01:42 PM   #8
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I've had the Sigma for a couple years now, and like it quite a bit. The colors lean a bit on the cool side in comparison to most of my Pentax lenses, but nothing objectionable. I also think it's a bit big and heavy so in most cases, I opt to bring the Pentax 35 2.8 instead. But if I need wide and fast, the Sigma 24 does well.

Here's some photos I've taken w/ the lens, most show some bokeh (which I think is pretty decent):

IMGP4523p3 -2-2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP4531p3 -2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0266-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP4530p3 -2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0236-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0257-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0285-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
12-16-2011, 06:30 PM   #9
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my beef with these 20-28mm f/1.8 Sigma lenses is that their filter diameters are absolutely massive when you compare them to pentax equivalents.

Sigma 24mm f/1.8 - 77mm filter thread
Pentax A 24mm f/2.8 - 52mm filter thread
Pentax FA* 24mm f/2 - 67mm filter thread

Last edited by Digitalis; 12-16-2011 at 06:35 PM.
12-17-2011, 12:31 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
my beef with these 20-28mm f/1.8 Sigma lenses is that their filter diameters are absolutely massive when you compare them to pentax equivalents.

Sigma 24mm f/1.8 - 77mm filter thread
Pentax A 24mm f/2.8 - 52mm filter thread
Pentax FA* 24mm f/2 - 67mm filter thread
Indeed they are beefy. I got a Sigma 24mm "super-wide II" f/2.8 with 1:4 close focus because it was cheap, good/very good optics, and a skinny 52mm thread. It's my smallest lens. Unfortunately I don't use it much because the build quality is mediocre and it's a bit touch-and-go on the color.

24mm gives an excellent focal length on APS-C, and I'd love to upgrade eventually to something faster and sturdier.
12-17-2011, 12:32 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by vagrant10 Quote
I've had the Sigma for a couple years now, and like it quite a bit. The colors lean a bit on the cool side in comparison to most of my Pentax lenses, but nothing objectionable. I also think it's a bit big and heavy so in most cases, I opt to bring the Pentax 35 2.8 instead. But if I need wide and fast, the Sigma 24 does well.

Here's some photos I've taken w/ the lens, most show some bokeh (which I think is pretty decent):

IMGP4523p3 -2-2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP4531p3 -2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0266-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP4530p3 -2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0236-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0257-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0285-1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Nice series, thanks for sharing. The bokeh indeed looks creamy.
12-17-2011, 07:08 AM   #12
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[deleted]

Last edited by beholder3; 08-12-2013 at 01:47 AM.
12-17-2011, 10:30 AM   #13
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I own the Sigma and like it quite a bit. Like others have said, it's big and heavy. But it has nice close focus capabilities. I was using a wide angle hood on mine and was getting a lot of flare problems, I switched to a "normal" style hood and most of the flare problems went away. As others have noted it has nice creamy bokeh, especially wide open. Unlike the poster above, I've never had any focus problems at infinity, wide open or stopped down.

NaCl(pretty good lens, but biggish)H2O
09-14-2015, 10:46 AM   #14
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I use it exclusively for food and love it. Macro is great, color & contrast as well. The 9 blade at 1.8 Bokeh is really good! I couldn't be happier!
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