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02-27-2016, 05:40 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
None of that is WR. That wouldn't work for a lot of us.
I am sure, however I found that the DA* lenses didn't work for me. Didn't like the color on the 50-135mm and the 300 mm focused too slow on my K5IIs body. So I trade image quality aND speed for usability in rainy conditions.

02-27-2016, 07:55 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
Now I'm hoping for an in-depth review, from Digitalis, on that 24mm f2.8 he used for a size comparison in that comparison thread.
you mean this?



The Pentax K 24mm f/2.8 is Nothing to write home about. It's a rather average lens, it performs poorly in the corners. Performs best at f/8.
02-28-2016, 10:13 AM   #18
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As I mentioned, I bought the 18- 137 (used from a member here, BTW) specifically as a bad weather lens, because the others aren't WR. If you've glanced at my other posts, its mostly worked, except for one exception at Niagara Falls. Fortunately, camera issues were still covered by the warranty. But more importantly, you've all provided great perspective. I find it interesting that Kraig007 usually takes the Sigma 18-35mm and leaves the Pentax 31mm Limited at home.
02-28-2016, 10:27 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by tcwilson Quote
As I mentioned, I bought the 18- 137 (used from a member here, BTW) specifically as a bad weather lens, because the others aren't WR. If you've glanced at my other posts, its mostly worked, except for one exception at Niagara Falls. Fortunately, camera issues were still covered by the warranty. But more importantly, you've all provided great perspective. I find it interesting that Kraig007 usually takes the Sigma 18-35mm and leaves the Pentax 31mm Limited at home.
About the same as me taking my 18-135 and leaving my 21, 35, 40XS, 50,70 and 90 macros home. Especially at 70 and 90mm, those two primes are much better, but, convenience is convenience, and shots you don't miss because you didn't have to change lenses , you either get them or you don't. If I changed lenses every time I changed FLs on a zoom, I'd never get anywhere on many walks. But there are many times I pull a prime out of the bag, just because it's worth it. But walking around with a prime, that's extremely limiting.

IN the studio you can set up for almost what ever print FL you want to use and never change.

02-28-2016, 10:44 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead:
But walking around with a prime, that's extremely limiting
You're right, it is, but it's also oddly liberating.
I have one zoom (Sigma 18-250) and several primes. I have several shots that I wouldn't have without the zoom, but the majority of my best shots, the ones I like the most, the ones I'm most proud of, were taken with primes. Primes force me to be more creative.
I feel strongly that every bag needs both.
02-28-2016, 11:52 AM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by Parallax Quote
You're right, it is, but it's also oddly liberating.
I have one zoom (Sigma 18-250) and several primes. I have several shots that I wouldn't have without the zoom, but the majority of my best shots, the ones I like the most, the ones I'm most proud of, were taken with primes. Primes force me to be more creative.
I feel strongly that every bag needs both.
That's cause if you're like me, as soon as you see that great scene, you'd look and see what prime you might have for that shot. Most of the time, I don't know if the prime will be a better shot, but just on the odd chance there might be a difference, I take it out. So many of my best images are taken with primes, but what about when I have a mix?....

Can you tell the difference, which is the zoom? The sky was so brilliant it was going to be great image anyway, but did the change between zoom and prime get me a better image?



02-28-2016, 11:59 AM   #22
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I owned both. I recently divested myself of the Sigma because I just came to prefer the FA31 in all ways (autofocus was a big one). The images just look different. The contrast and colors are better, bolder. The textures are rendered in a smoother, more natural way. The images just feel less artificial for whatever reason. And it's a lot smaller.

The FA31 is not quite as sharp at f/1.8 but at f/2.2 it's ridiculously if you can nail the focus. And have good light. That's really the thing. If you shoot in low light, the images won't be all that sharp no matter what. That's true of the Sigma or any lens.

02-28-2016, 12:50 PM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by MadMathMind Quote
I owned both. I recently divested myself of the Sigma because I just came to prefer the FA31 in all ways (autofocus was a big one). The images just look different. The contrast and colors are better, bolder. The textures are rendered in a smoother, more natural way. The images just feel less artificial for whatever reason. And it's a lot smaller.
Yeah I definitely think the Sigma has a more clinical look to it.

I own the FA 31mm and from the very outset, it was the lens I coveted... I was in Pentax land 4 years I think before I finally got hold of it
02-28-2016, 01:14 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead :
Can you tell the difference, which is the zoom?
No, I wouldn't even try to guess.
02-28-2016, 04:59 PM   #25
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Photos samples of

Okay, wanted to just post some unedited photos at f4.0 and f1.8 on a tripod so you guys can judge for yourselves. No corrections or edits were made except converting it to a Jpeg.
Attached Images
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PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 

Last edited by kraigg007; 02-28-2016 at 05:06 PM. Reason: Added Photos
02-28-2016, 05:09 PM - 1 Like   #26
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Here are the 1.8 photos

Sigma 1.8 on top. So to me I still find the Sigma to be sharper and the colors are spot on.
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PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
02-28-2016, 05:24 PM   #27
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My $300 Sigma 18-250 looks as good as my DA*60-250 if you don't look at the out of focus areas. Put a DA 18-135 and compare the of rat same shot and I bet it does as good as both of them. In the advertising world, that smooth bokeh that doesn't interfere with print is what people pay for. That's why people pay for the 31, For shots like that, I wouldn't expect much difference.

Last edited by normhead; 02-28-2016 at 05:55 PM.
02-28-2016, 05:27 PM   #28
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Out of curiosity, where was the precise point of focus set?

Yes the sigma may be slightly sharper, but its Bokeh - especially when highlights from point light sources are involved can be rather poor:

02-28-2016, 05:30 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
Out of curiosity, where was the precise point of focus set?

The focal point was the top of the porch window. To the right of the 7240 and about the height of the 4.
02-28-2016, 05:44 PM   #30
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Okay here are some Bokeh photos at 1.8 both lenses. Focus point is the N in Rowenta on the Iron. Subject in the back is a bookcase approximately 4 feet behind iron. The Pentax limited photo is on the top. What do you guys think. I actually changed the Sigma photo because I made an error on the focus point causing a blur.
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PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 

Last edited by kraigg007; 02-28-2016 at 06:21 PM.
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