Bokeh Blind Comparison: FA 31 vs Sigma 35

audiobomber · 06-17-2013, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by Cannikin

Which bokeh do you like better, A or B

A for me.

PS I would love see this test repeated with an FA 35mm f2.0, vs. either the FA 31 or Sigma 35. Anyone?

VisualDarkness · 06-17-2013, 05:35 AM

I still can't believe how smooth the FA is! Still it's both wide open and a wider lens.

Anvh · 06-17-2013, 05:41 AM

Don't own any of these lenses so went out of experience i've with the two brands.
I'm pleased to say i got this one wrong.

Now Compare the FA31 with the Sigma 30mm

mdodrill · 06-17-2013, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by drypenn

Try looking at the building's windows and columns. The first one will make your eyes linger around. The second one makes one a little dizzy.

you got that right....I am still dizzy 2 minutes after viewing B

**Digitalis** · 06-17-2013, 06:59 AM

It took me only a matter of seconds to realise which lens is which - I am intimately familiar with how the FA31 renders, Image A is clearly the FA31 - I am not overly familiar with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 so it was simple deduction*. Even giving the sigma lens the advantage of being stopped down, does not really improve much on what the FA31 is capable of. Even taking the slight difference in focus point into account, It is interesting to note that the pentax lens handles the OOF transitions in a smoother fashion than the Sigma lens does.

Originally posted by Anvh

Compare the FA31 with the Sigma 30mm

The contrast between those two lenses would be blindingly obvious, the sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a disaster of a lens.

*Compared to the FA31 the sigma lens looks strange to my eyes.

Anvh · 06-17-2013, 07:21 AM

I like my sigma though

Yeah contrast and sharpness indeed not the best but i don't use it for landscapes but the bokeh is very smooth though.

Overall Pentax lenses have harsher bokeh then sigma now a days. Not that it's better but it's different.

Paul the Sunman · 06-18-2013, 12:06 AM

I certainly prefer the bokeh of lens A in these images. However, I won't be reading too much into a comparison of just one scene. Looking forward to seeing more. Foreground bokeh would be worth seeing too.

View Poll Results: Which lens is which?
Lens A: FA 31mm Limited, Lens B: Sigma 35mm f/1.4	81	72.97%
Lens A: Sigma 35mm f/1.4, Lens B: FA 31mm Limited	30	27.03%
Voters: 111. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2013, 06:59 AM	#20
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	It took me only a matter of seconds to realise which lens is which - I am intimately familiar with how the FA31 renders, Image A is clearly the FA31 - I am not overly familiar with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 so it was simple deduction. Even giving the sigma lens the advantage of being stopped down, does not really improve much on what the FA31 is capable of. Even taking the slight difference in focus point into account, It is interesting to note that the pentax lens handles the OOF transitions in a smoother fashion than the Sigma lens does. Originally posted by Anvh Compare the FA31 with the Sigma 30mm The contrast between those two lenses would be blindingly obvious, the sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a disaster of a lens. Compared to the FA31 the sigma lens looks strange to my eyes. Last edited by Digitalis; 06-17-2013 at 07:06 AM.

06-18-2013, 12:06 AM	#22
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	A bokeh preferred I certainly prefer the bokeh of lens A in these images. However, I won't be reading too much into a comparison of just one scene. Looking forward to seeing more. Foreground bokeh would be worth seeing too.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Quick bokeh and sharpness comparison between Sigma 35 f/1.4 "Art" and FA 31 Limited	Cannikin	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	43	06-23-2014 08:08 AM
FA 31 vs. DA 35	cpk	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	02-22-2011 03:58 PM
Ned tests FA 31 vs. DA 35 Macro vs. DA 35 AL	DAKS	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	30	01-07-2011 11:05 AM
FA 35, DA 40 and FA 50 for FA 31?	GSk	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	11-23-2009 02:17 AM

06-17-2013, 05:10 AM	#16
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Cannikin Which bokeh do you like better, A or B A for me. PS I would love see this test repeated with an FA 35mm f2.0, vs. either the FA 31 or Sigma 35. Anyone?

06-17-2013, 05:35 AM	#17
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I still can't believe how smooth the FA is! Still it's both wide open and a wider lens.

06-17-2013, 05:41 AM	#18
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Don't own any of these lenses so went out of experience i've with the two brands. I'm pleased to say i got this one wrong. Now Compare the FA31 with the Sigma 30mm

06-17-2013, 06:09 AM	#19
mdodrill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 231	Originally posted by drypenn Try looking at the building's windows and columns. The first one will make your eyes linger around. The second one makes one a little dizzy. you got that right....I am still dizzy 2 minutes after viewing B

06-17-2013, 07:21 AM	#21
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	I like my sigma though Yeah contrast and sharpness indeed not the best but i don't use it for landscapes but the bokeh is very smooth though. Overall Pentax lenses have harsher bokeh then sigma now a days. Not that it's better but it's different.