Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 vs the Pentax DA 16-50 f/2.8

someguy42 · 12-04-2013, 10:49 PM

What are the pros and cons of each?

Obviously, the Sigma has less range, but it's faster. How are they in terms of overall image quality? How are they in terms of sharpness?

How about in terms of focus performance?

Also, I'm reading that the 16-50 is pretty big. How much bigger is it than the Sigma?

kain · 12-04-2013, 11:06 PM

Well, the 16-50 is out and shipping. Have any reviews been done of the K-mount Sigma 18-35 yet?

elliott · 12-04-2013, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by someguy42

Also, I'm reading that the 16-50 is pretty big. How much bigger is it than the Sigma?

The Sigma is longer, though slightly smaller in diameter and it is 200g heavier than the Pentax.

The Pentax version isn't in users hands yet, so it is hard to compare them side by side.

**kiwi_jono** · 12-05-2013, 02:16 AM

But the lens reviews (other mounts) I have seen of the 18-35 (Lenstip & SLRGear) are very impressive. Apparently very sharp wide open, good bokeh, low distortion, good flare control and of course fast.
That said its not weather proof.

NitroDC · 12-05-2013, 09:32 AM

IQ wise the Sigma seems to be very promising. However it's heavier, longer, has shorter range, and doesn't have WR. And it may have reverse zoom/focus rings

TBH I don't see the point in f/1.8 in such a wide angle lens unless you shoot a lot of dimly lit indoor stuff.

reeftool · 12-05-2013, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by NitroDC

IQ wise the Sigma seems to be very promising. However it's heavier, longer, has shorter range, and doesn't have WR. And it may have reverse zoom/focus rings

TBH I don't see the point in f/1.8 in such a wide angle lens unless you shoot a lot of dimly lit indoor stuff.

Probably not much at 18mm but on the longer end, it certainly will be a benefit. Most zooms are faster at the short end, where it won't be used much, and slower at the long end where f/1.8 would be very useful. Folks spend big bucks on the FA 31/1.8 and Sigma's 35/1.4. This is a zoom which in tests on other cameras, has comparable IQ to high end primes. It will be an interesting comparison when it hits the market in K mount.

normhead · 12-05-2013, 10:07 AM

But I'd have to sell my Sigma 70 macro or 8-16 to get it in my bag. You can only carry so many big heavy lenses. The FA 31 is still my dream lens.

demp10 · 12-05-2013, 10:19 AM

At 18mm and F1.8 it will be very useful for night landscapes with stars in the sky, minimizing the need for long exposures and star trails. All the reviews indicate that it is very sharp even wide open at all focal lengths.

Looking forward to get it once available for K mount.

twitch · 12-05-2013, 03:00 PM

I just noticed that the Sigma 18-35 actually zooms the "Pentax" way, not the backwards way like their 17-70 and other lenses do. That makes it even more tempting.

reeftool · 12-06-2013, 12:02 AM

I have held off on lens purchases (new) until the K mount Sigma 18-35 and the new DA 20-40 Limited are out and some reviews and samples are posted. For the size and weight, the Limited is interesting also if it has excellent IQ throughout the zoom range and at all apertures. I don't like big heavy lenses either but it's also impossible to get a fast zoom such as the Sigma in a small package. The Sigma will likely be the cheapest option. The Canon mount is $800 and I would guess the K mount will be the same. We'll probably have to wait until next November to see good prices.

12-04-2013, 10:49 PM	#1
someguy42 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 124	Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 vs the Pentax DA 16-50 f/2.8 What are the pros and cons of each? Obviously, the Sigma has less range, but it's faster. How are they in terms of overall image quality? How are they in terms of sharpness? How about in terms of focus performance? Also, I'm reading that the 16-50 is pretty big. How much bigger is it than the Sigma?

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12-04-2013, 11:06 PM	#2
kain Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 162	Well, the 16-50 is out and shipping. Have any reviews been done of the K-mount Sigma 18-35 yet?

12-04-2013, 11:07 PM	#3
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by someguy42 Also, I'm reading that the 16-50 is pretty big. How much bigger is it than the Sigma? The Sigma is longer, though slightly smaller in diameter and it is 200g heavier than the Pentax. The Pentax version isn't in users hands yet, so it is hard to compare them side by side.

12-05-2013, 02:16 AM	#4
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	But the lens reviews (other mounts) I have seen of the 18-35 (Lenstip & SLRGear) are very impressive. Apparently very sharp wide open, good bokeh, low distortion, good flare control and of course fast. That said its not weather proof.

12-05-2013, 09:32 AM	#5
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	IQ wise the Sigma seems to be very promising. However it's heavier, longer, has shorter range, and doesn't have WR. And it may have reverse zoom/focus rings TBH I don't see the point in f/1.8 in such a wide angle lens unless you shoot a lot of dimly lit indoor stuff.

12-05-2013, 09:55 AM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	Originally posted by NitroDC IQ wise the Sigma seems to be very promising. However it's heavier, longer, has shorter range, and doesn't have WR. And it may have reverse zoom/focus rings TBH I don't see the point in f/1.8 in such a wide angle lens unless you shoot a lot of dimly lit indoor stuff. Probably not much at 18mm but on the longer end, it certainly will be a benefit. Most zooms are faster at the short end, where it won't be used much, and slower at the long end where f/1.8 would be very useful. Folks spend big bucks on the FA 31/1.8 and Sigma's 35/1.4. This is a zoom which in tests on other cameras, has comparable IQ to high end primes. It will be an interesting comparison when it hits the market in K mount.

12-05-2013, 10:07 AM	#7
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	But I'd have to sell my Sigma 70 macro or 8-16 to get it in my bag. You can only carry so many big heavy lenses. The FA 31 is still my dream lens.

12-05-2013, 10:19 AM	#8
demp10 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta Photos: Albums Posts: 602	At 18mm and F1.8 it will be very useful for night landscapes with stars in the sky, minimizing the need for long exposures and star trails. All the reviews indicate that it is very sharp even wide open at all focal lengths. Looking forward to get it once available for K mount.

12-05-2013, 03:00 PM	#9
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I just noticed that the Sigma 18-35 actually zooms the "Pentax" way, not the backwards way like their 17-70 and other lenses do. That makes it even more tempting.

12-06-2013, 12:02 AM	#10
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I have held off on lens purchases (new) until the K mount Sigma 18-35 and the new DA 20-40 Limited are out and some reviews and samples are posted. For the size and weight, the Limited is interesting also if it has excellent IQ throughout the zoom range and at all apertures. I don't like big heavy lenses either but it's also impossible to get a fast zoom such as the Sigma in a small package. The Sigma will likely be the cheapest option. The Canon mount is $800 and I would guess the K mount will be the same. We'll probably have to wait until next November to see good prices.