Sigma 30mm/f1,4

Edgar_in_Indy · 01-14-2013, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by EarlVonTapia

I've seen pictures of that old sparkly coating. Awful.

That sparkly coating is very difficult to photograph, especially with flash. I think it looks much better in person than it does in most photographs.

The good thing about the crinkle finish was that it gave you a very good grip on the lens without much chance of slipping. The bad thing was that it could be harder to clean, and after years of heavy use it could start to peel off in some areas. I've never had that problem, but I've seen pictures. It probably was a good move to go to the new finish since some people always complained about the old finish.

JayX2A · 01-15-2013, 03:27 PM

Only used HSM version of this lens years back on a Nikon. What's its like on the pentax without HSM?

Pheo · 01-15-2013, 04:17 PM

Not much difference between my 50mm with HSM and my 30mm sans it with the exception of the noise. And the lack thereof sometimes makes me think the 30mm is actually faster.

Regardless, with a modern pentax body I don't think you are missing much.

JayX2A · 01-16-2013, 04:13 AM

Well sounds like this lens is the one! Don't think I can get better for £250.

Edgar_in_Indy · 01-16-2013, 06:29 AM

Yes, it is very hard to beat for the price. I can't think of a better alternative.

MSM · 01-16-2013, 02:17 PM

I just bought the 30/1.4. At first I had some buyers remorse. But tbh I love the lens now that I've got to know it better. It is amazing the pop you can get at this FL. I thought that quality was just reserved for tele such as the 43 or 55,77 etc. Wide open I have been impressed in use indoors at my children's school and museums. I love my DA 35 limited but I don't know if I can justify keeping it.

clarkbai · 01-16-2013, 02:21 PM

Why not hold on a bit longer? HSM version is on the way.

Edgar_in_Indy · 01-16-2013, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by clarkbai

Why not hold on a bit longer? HSM version is on the way.

Where did you hear that?

MSM · 01-16-2013, 09:08 PM

Maybe he is referring to the 35 mm/1.4 with HSM. Though it is said to be $900 USD

clarkbai · 01-17-2013, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by MSM

Maybe he is referring to the 35 mm/1.4 with HSM. Though it is said to be $900 USD

That is correct!

Pheo · 01-17-2013, 04:41 AM

I went with the 30mm as its fire sale price in the UK (£250) and the new one is available to pre-order for £800(!)... Plus I don't see much difference HSM vs Non HSM between my 30mm and 50mm

Imcalfin · 01-17-2013, 11:21 AM

If only Pentax (or Sigma) made a sealed 30mm, or thereabouts, prime. I'd buy one. The lack of a fast normal prime from Pentax is something of a puzzle to be honest.

Edgar_in_Indy · 01-17-2013, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by Imcalfin

The lack of a fast normal prime from Pentax is something of a puzzle to be honest.

Well, they do currently offer the 31mm f1.8 as well as the FA 35mm f2, although neither lens is exactly mainstream...

MegaPower · 01-17-2013, 11:57 PM

I have the FA35/2 for a while, I like it a lot, very compact lens, very nice walk around lens.
After I go my Sigma30/1.4 not long ago, I fall in love with it.

I like the wider angle and the bigger aperture.
The only draw back is sigma has 0.4m MFD vs 0.3m MFD of FA35.

Imcalfin · 01-21-2013, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

Well, they do currently offer the 31mm f1.8 as well as the FA 35mm f2, although neither lens is exactly mainstream...

I was a bit unclear. A sealed normal (28-35mm) prime was what I meant. I understand that making one isn't very high on the list of priorities for Pentax but one can hope. It just seems a bit strange that there is DA* 55 but no DA* "normal".

Updating the FA31 or FA35 with weather sealing would definately do the trick.

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01-14-2013, 06:14 AM	#31
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by EarlVonTapia I've seen pictures of that old sparkly coating. Awful. That sparkly coating is very difficult to photograph, especially with flash. I think it looks much better in person than it does in most photographs. The good thing about the crinkle finish was that it gave you a very good grip on the lens without much chance of slipping. The bad thing was that it could be harder to clean, and after years of heavy use it could start to peel off in some areas. I've never had that problem, but I've seen pictures. It probably was a good move to go to the new finish since some people always complained about the old finish.

01-15-2013, 03:27 PM	#32
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120	Only used HSM version of this lens years back on a Nikon. What's its like on the pentax without HSM?

01-15-2013, 04:17 PM	#33
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	Not much difference between my 50mm with HSM and my 30mm sans it with the exception of the noise. And the lack thereof sometimes makes me think the 30mm is actually faster. Regardless, with a modern pentax body I don't think you are missing much.

01-16-2013, 04:13 AM	#34
JayX2A Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 120	Well sounds like this lens is the one! Don't think I can get better for £250.

01-16-2013, 06:29 AM	#35
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Yes, it is very hard to beat for the price. I can't think of a better alternative.

01-16-2013, 02:17 PM	#36
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994	I just bought the 30/1.4. At first I had some buyers remorse. But tbh I love the lens now that I've got to know it better. It is amazing the pop you can get at this FL. I thought that quality was just reserved for tele such as the 43 or 55,77 etc. Wide open I have been impressed in use indoors at my children's school and museums. I love my DA 35 limited but I don't know if I can justify keeping it.

01-16-2013, 02:21 PM	#37
clarkbai Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70	Why not hold on a bit longer? HSM version is on the way.

01-16-2013, 04:27 PM	#38
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by clarkbai Why not hold on a bit longer? HSM version is on the way. Where did you hear that?

01-16-2013, 09:08 PM	#39
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994	Maybe he is referring to the 35 mm/1.4 with HSM. Though it is said to be $900 USD

01-17-2013, 01:45 AM	#40
clarkbai Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70	Originally posted by MSM Maybe he is referring to the 35 mm/1.4 with HSM. Though it is said to be $900 USD That is correct!

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01-17-2013, 04:41 AM	#41
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	I went with the 30mm as its fire sale price in the UK (£250) and the new one is available to pre-order for £800(!)... Plus I don't see much difference HSM vs Non HSM between my 30mm and 50mm

01-17-2013, 11:21 AM	#42
Imcalfin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Turku, Finland Posts: 42	If only Pentax (or Sigma) made a sealed 30mm, or thereabouts, prime. I'd buy one. The lack of a fast normal prime from Pentax is something of a puzzle to be honest.

01-17-2013, 12:24 PM	#43
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by Imcalfin The lack of a fast normal prime from Pentax is something of a puzzle to be honest. Well, they do currently offer the 31mm f1.8 as well as the FA 35mm f2, although neither lens is exactly mainstream...

01-17-2013, 11:57 PM	#44
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	I have the FA35/2 for a while, I like it a lot, very compact lens, very nice walk around lens. After I go my Sigma30/1.4 not long ago, I fall in love with it. I like the wider angle and the bigger aperture. The only draw back is sigma has 0.4m MFD vs 0.3m MFD of FA35.

01-21-2013, 03:02 PM	#45
Imcalfin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Turku, Finland Posts: 42	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy Well, they do currently offer the 31mm f1.8 as well as the FA 35mm f2, although neither lens is exactly mainstream... I was a bit unclear. A sealed normal (28-35mm) prime was what I meant. I understand that making one isn't very high on the list of priorities for Pentax but one can hope. It just seems a bit strange that there is DA* 55 but no DA* "normal". Updating the FA31 or FA35 with weather sealing would definately do the trick.