sigma 30 something options

grispie · 08-29-2014, 02:33 PM

luxury problem...

Is the sigma art 35 1.4 worth twice the price of the 30 1.4 art version?
should i consider the 18-35 instead? this one seems very big & heavy though..

Suppose nobody will have all three of them ;-), but looking for some practical experience..

btw: i have a K3, DA15, DA70, DA18-55 / 55-300 and a bunch of m lenses.
used to have a 16-45, but one of my cats thought it looked better on the floor than on the table..

And i would use it for video as well.

All thoughts welcome...

**THoog** · 08-29-2014, 02:48 PM

Are you the sort of photographer that keeps an eye out for good brick walls to measure the distortion on your lenses, and worries that your corners aren't as sharp as they could be? If so, then yes, the Art 35 is worth twice the price. It also has much less chromatic aberration. However, if size, weight, and cost are more important, then the Art 30 may be for you, although it has been known to have issues with slow/inaccurate focusing on the K3/5/30/50.

DennisH · 08-29-2014, 06:40 PM

FYI, there's a Sigma 35 refurb available from Sigma's online store for $679.

35mm F1.4 DG HSM | A Refurbished | Sigma Corporation of America

Edgar_in_Indy · 08-29-2014, 09:44 PM

What are you going to be taking pictures of, and how are you going to be using the lens?

If you're like me, and will mostly use it to photograph people, and will usually be using larger apertures, then the 30mm makes more sense for the money. It's terrifically sharp in the center, even at f1.4. And from what I've heard, the new 30mm doesn't really offer any significant image quality advantage over the old EX version, so you may be able to save a little coin there (assuming you can live without HSM, as the old 30mm did not have it for K-mount). I haven't noticed my own 30mm to be particularly noisy though. Perhaps because it's a small/light lens?

If, on the other hand, you will be using the lens frequently for street photography, architecture, landscape and other pursuits where edge-to-edge sharpness is important, and will be stopping down for increased depth of field, then you will probably be better off with the 35mm, since the 30mm isn't great at the edges/corners.

If I find some time later, I might post some samples from my own 30mm EX used in various circumstances.

Adam · 08-29-2014, 10:46 PM

The Sigma 35mm is pretty massive, but it's the way to go if you want optical perfection. I personally think that its bokeh is to die for.

Conqueror · 08-30-2014, 02:10 AM

definitely ruled out these?

Pentax FA 35mm f2
Pentax FA 31mm f1.8
Samyang 35mm f1.4

grispie · 08-30-2014, 02:50 AM

Originally posted by Conqueror

definitely ruled out these?

Pentax FA 35mm f2
Pentax FA 31mm f1.8
Samyang 35mm f1.4

let's say i do want AF and a big manual focus ring for when i do video. that is why I like the art series & ruling out the ones you mention.
31 1.8 might still be an option though.

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

What are you going to be taking pictures of, and how are you going to be using the lens?

It will need to play a very versatile role. It's supposed to be my only lens in between 15 and 70mm... I don't use the 18 55 anymore. I have been spoiled by the quality of my ltd's and my former 16-45. And to answer on other things put forward: bokeh e.g. is more important than edge sharpness.
cost? it's just money i guess... & somewhere i do have the feeling the 35 might be a better investment.
the refurb? live in europe, so no go.

is the 35 really that massive? I tend to leave my grip on.. Don't know how it balances with that.

A friend of mine left me a message yesterday that she bought the 30mm art for her canon. So i will be able to give that one a thorough test!
I have read that it does outperform the prior 30 ex version. not sure whether this is just a vague statement from happy buyers.

robjmitchell · 08-30-2014, 04:21 AM

I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too!

**THoog** · 08-30-2014, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

the new 30mm doesn't really offer any significant image quality advantage over the old EX version

I have both, and I'd have to disagree with that. While the EX 30 has famously soft corners all the way to f/16, the Art 30 corners are quite usable, at least when stopped down a little. Not in the same league with the Art 35 or FA 31 Ltd, of course. (Wide open, I'm still not sure if the corners are soft, or just overwhelmed by CA.)

Edgar_in_Indy · 08-30-2014, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by THoog

I have both, and I'd have to disagree with that. While the EX 30 has famously soft corners all the way to f/16, the Art 30 corners are quite usable, at least when stopped down a little. Not in the same league with the Art 35 or FA 31 Ltd, of course. (Wide open, I'm still not sure if the corners are soft, or just overwhelmed by CA.)

It seems like when the new 30mm first came out, I read a review that concluded that the optical performance was not greatly changed...strong in the center and weak at the edges. If that's not the case, then I may have to give the new one a harder look. I've been very pleased with my old 30mm, but better is always better!

grispie · 08-30-2014, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too!

you guessed right.
I'm really looking at the focal 30 to 35mm.
I know i love using my M28mm on apsc.

but apart from that: the 21ltd will be on my list at some point :-)

**i_trax** · 08-31-2014, 12:08 AM

I have been using both Art 35DG and and 18-35DC with K-30 as well as with K-3 and did not find them unpleasantly huge to handle, as DA*60-250 ( for example, in my opinion ) is.
It probably would be a different story if I would try to use them with grip-less K-S1

grispie · 09-05-2014, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too!

You should'nt have said that. :-)
the FA43 & FA31 combined with my da15 and da70 would be a great package...

the thing the FA's have going for it, is that is has a manual aperture ring if i ever wanted to use it on a different system.

In real world, is there a lot of difference between 1.4 and 1.8 on apsc when it comes to bokeh (talking about street shots e.g. thus not focusing closely like with flowers or so)?

Late_July · 09-05-2014, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by grispie

You should'nt have said that. :-)
the FA43 & FA31 combined with my da15 and da70 would be a great package...

the thing the FA's have going for it, is that is has a manual aperture ring if i ever wanted to use it on a different system.

In real world, is there a lot of difference between 1.4 and 1.8 on apsc when it comes to bokeh (talking about street shots e.g. thus not focusing closely like with flowers or so)?

Size is also a big factor I would say.

grispie · 09-07-2014, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by Late_July

Size is also a big factor I would say.

well, I checked out some review videos on the net & thought i heard quite some noise when focusing (even manually) the FA31.
Any mic would pick that up for video I guess. Can someone confirm?
Otherwise it is certainly a lens to consider because of the size and aperture ring.

I am a bit leaning towards the sigma 35 1.4 though because of the 1.4 and the very good reviews on it.
(+ might be easier to use filters on it..).

08-29-2014, 02:33 PM	#1
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	sigma 30 something options luxury problem... Is the sigma art 35 1.4 worth twice the price of the 30 1.4 art version? should i consider the 18-35 instead? this one seems very big & heavy though.. Suppose nobody will have all three of them ;-), but looking for some practical experience.. btw: i have a K3, DA15, DA70, DA18-55 / 55-300 and a bunch of m lenses. used to have a 16-45, but one of my cats thought it looked better on the floor than on the table.. And i would use it for video as well. All thoughts welcome...

08-29-2014, 10:46 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The Sigma 35mm is pretty massive, but it's the way to go if you want optical perfection. I personally think that its bokeh is to die for. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-30-2014, 12:02 PM	#10
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by THoog I have both, and I'd have to disagree with that. While the EX 30 has famously soft corners all the way to f/16, the Art 30 corners are quite usable, at least when stopped down a little. Not in the same league with the Art 35 or FA 31 Ltd, of course. (Wide open, I'm still not sure if the corners are soft, or just overwhelmed by CA.) It seems like when the new 30mm first came out, I read a review that concluded that the optical performance was not greatly changed...strong in the center and weak at the edges. If that's not the case, then I may have to give the new one a harder look. I've been very pleased with my old 30mm, but better is always better! Last edited by Edgar_in_Indy; 08-30-2014 at 04:49 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Preset options like in Pentax K-30 has ceased to be K-3	Ztrejfer	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	13	12-08-2013 03:46 AM
Pentax K-30- preview fine on camera but on export something odd happens	chibikitsune	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	07-31-2013 02:22 PM
Sigma's USB dock customization options preview	JinDesu	Photographic Industry and Professionals	7	04-26-2013 08:44 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K-30 with Sigma 50-150 f2.8, Sigma 30 f1.4	metalmania	Sold Items	7	12-14-2012 12:59 AM
Wanted - Acquired: Something in the 28-30 mm range	bpv_UW	Sold Items	2	09-02-2012 08:03 PM

08-29-2014, 02:48 PM	#2
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Are you the sort of photographer that keeps an eye out for good brick walls to measure the distortion on your lenses, and worries that your corners aren't as sharp as they could be? If so, then yes, the Art 35 is worth twice the price. It also has much less chromatic aberration. However, if size, weight, and cost are more important, then the Art 30 may be for you, although it has been known to have issues with slow/inaccurate focusing on the K3/5/30/50.

08-29-2014, 06:40 PM	#3
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730	FYI, there's a Sigma 35 refurb available from Sigma's online store for $679. 35mm F1.4 DG HSM \| A Refurbished \| Sigma Corporation of America

08-29-2014, 09:44 PM	#4
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	What are you going to be taking pictures of, and how are you going to be using the lens? If you're like me, and will mostly use it to photograph people, and will usually be using larger apertures, then the 30mm makes more sense for the money. It's terrifically sharp in the center, even at f1.4. And from what I've heard, the new 30mm doesn't really offer any significant image quality advantage over the old EX version, so you may be able to save a little coin there (assuming you can live without HSM, as the old 30mm did not have it for K-mount). I haven't noticed my own 30mm to be particularly noisy though. Perhaps because it's a small/light lens? If, on the other hand, you will be using the lens frequently for street photography, architecture, landscape and other pursuits where edge-to-edge sharpness is important, and will be stopping down for increased depth of field, then you will probably be better off with the 35mm, since the 30mm isn't great at the edges/corners. If I find some time later, I might post some samples from my own 30mm EX used in various circumstances.

08-30-2014, 02:10 AM	#6
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	definitely ruled out these? Pentax FA 35mm f2 Pentax FA 31mm f1.8 Samyang 35mm f1.4

08-30-2014, 02:50 AM	#7
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199 Original Poster	Originally posted by Conqueror definitely ruled out these? Pentax FA 35mm f2 Pentax FA 31mm f1.8 Samyang 35mm f1.4 let's say i do want AF and a big manual focus ring for when i do video. that is why I like the art series & ruling out the ones you mention. 31 1.8 might still be an option though. Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy What are you going to be taking pictures of, and how are you going to be using the lens? It will need to play a very versatile role. It's supposed to be my only lens in between 15 and 70mm... I don't use the 18 55 anymore. I have been spoiled by the quality of my ltd's and my former 16-45. And to answer on other things put forward: bokeh e.g. is more important than edge sharpness. cost? it's just money i guess... & somewhere i do have the feeling the 35 might be a better investment. the refurb? live in europe, so no go. is the 35 really that massive? I tend to leave my grip on.. Don't know how it balances with that. A friend of mine left me a message yesterday that she bought the 30mm art for her canon. So i will be able to give that one a thorough test! I have read that it does outperform the prior 30 ex version. not sure whether this is just a vague statement from happy buyers.

08-30-2014, 04:21 AM	#8
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too!

08-30-2014, 06:53 AM	#9
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy the new 30mm doesn't really offer any significant image quality advantage over the old EX version I have both, and I'd have to disagree with that. While the EX 30 has famously soft corners all the way to f/16, the Art 30 corners are quite usable, at least when stopped down a little. Not in the same league with the Art 35 or FA 31 Ltd, of course. (Wide open, I'm still not sure if the corners are soft, or just overwhelmed by CA.)

08-30-2014, 02:11 PM	#11
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199 Original Poster	Originally posted by robjmitchell I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too! you guessed right. I'm really looking at the focal 30 to 35mm. I know i love using my M28mm on apsc. but apart from that: the 21ltd will be on my list at some point :-)

08-31-2014, 12:08 AM	#12
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	I have been using both Art 35DG and and 18-35DC with K-30 as well as with K-3 and did not find them unpleasantly huge to handle, as DA*60-250 ( for example, in my opinion ) is. It probably would be a different story if I would try to use them with grip-less K-S1

09-05-2014, 12:29 AM	#13
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199 Original Poster	Originally posted by robjmitchell I'm guessing the 43ltd is a bit long for you. Its a nice pairing with the 70mm although you will probably wan't a 21ltd too! You should'nt have said that. :-) the FA43 & FA31 combined with my da15 and da70 would be a great package... the thing the FA's have going for it, is that is has a manual aperture ring if i ever wanted to use it on a different system. In real world, is there a lot of difference between 1.4 and 1.8 on apsc when it comes to bokeh (talking about street shots e.g. thus not focusing closely like with flowers or so)?

09-05-2014, 01:56 PM	#14
Late_July Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4	Originally posted by grispie You should'nt have said that. :-) the FA43 & FA31 combined with my da15 and da70 would be a great package... the thing the FA's have going for it, is that is has a manual aperture ring if i ever wanted to use it on a different system. In real world, is there a lot of difference between 1.4 and 1.8 on apsc when it comes to bokeh (talking about street shots e.g. thus not focusing closely like with flowers or so)? Size is also a big factor I would say.

09-07-2014, 11:44 PM	#15
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199 Original Poster	Originally posted by Late_July Size is also a big factor I would say. well, I checked out some review videos on the net & thought i heard quite some noise when focusing (even manually) the FA31. Any mic would pick that up for video I guess. Can someone confirm? Otherwise it is certainly a lens to consider because of the size and aperture ring. I am a bit leaning towards the sigma 35 1.4 though because of the 1.4 and the very good reviews on it. (+ might be easier to use filters on it..).