[Big G]

Hi All,

I bought a 50mm f/1.7 Pentax M lens for a wedding and also for a test lens to see if I would actually use/like a 50mm prime. Turns out, I absolutely love it for portraits but I would really like one that autofocuses and is silent. I missed a few shots at that wedding because I couldn't manually focus fast enough and I also noticed people were reluctant to stand still for too long, so I would really benefit from an autofocus prime.

I've got my eye on the Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4, but the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 seems to have had brilliant reviews and not a bad word said about it.

My only problem is that everywhere seems to be out of stock of it, or has it listed as "on backorder" for a Pentax fit. Is it not available yet? Has anyone managed to get hold of one?

Here's a review of a Canon fit - Sigma AF 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM (Canon) - Review / Test Report - excellent sharpness wide open and CA is controlled very well.

[axl]

They seem to have it in stock here:
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens - Pentax Fit - Only £379.00 - SRS Microsystems

they are excellent, I have ordered few times from them. It's next day, signed for deliver. Just like Swiss clockwork (unles Royal mail doesn't mess it up)

Good luck

[Big G]

Excellent cheers!

What a Dilemma, Pentax DA* 55 or the Sigma....

[axl]

tough choice indeed

[tenpointnine]

I've got the Sigma on the front of my K20D just now. The review is pretty much spot on. I hope to get some spare time this weekend to put it through it's paces.

[Big G]

Excellent, any chance of some test samples when you've got some?

[tenpointnine]

Sure thing Hopefully this weather will last 'till then

[axl]

I'd love to see samples from that lens too...
though if it's only £20 cheaper then 55/1.4 I'd probably rather stay with Pentax, and that one has great reviews IQ wise so far...

[asdf]

I like M f1.7 for its sharpness and very smooth bokeh.

Check this out:

Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh - FM Forums

Sigma's bokeh looks exceptionally smooth in that comparison--although DA* 55 isn't compared.

[soccerjoe5]

Tough choice really.

I'd go for the Sigma however if AF speed were more important than weathersealing.

[axl]

Tough choice really.

I'd go for the Sigma however if AF speed were more important than weathersealing.

true, but my wife is used to me taking forever to frame, focus, refocus reframe etc so I think the AF speed of 55 would be fine

[soccerjoe5]

true, but my wife is used to me taking forever to frame, focus, refocus reframe etc so I think the AF speed of 55 would be fine

Good for you then

I'd personally opt for that extra bit of speed. Helps in catching those spontaneous and fleeting moments. I'll just have to compare them both hands-on before deciding or judging anything. Til then, I'll be happy with my FA50.

On a side note, I wonder if the K-7 will make a big improvement on SDM lenses AF speed

[asdf]

Good for you then

I'd personally opt for that extra bit of speed. Helps in catching those spontaneous and fleeting moments. I'll just have to compare them both hands-on before deciding or judging anything. Til then, I'll be happy with my FA50.

On a side note, I wonder if the K-7 will make a big improvement on SDM lenses AF speed

DA 17-70 f/4 is as fast as DA 16-45 f/4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhN8oXKYqUM). From my experience, DA* 300 f/4 is very quick. Here's a comparison of DA* 300 f/4 on a DS driven by the screw motor and on a K20D using SDM, while it hunts:

YouTube - DA* 300mm f/4 AF Speed

My humble guess is that K-7 won't improve DA* 55 f/1.4's AF speed much, if at all. But I'd like to be pleasantly surprised.

[soccerjoe5]

Pretty big difference from screw-driven to SDM

[asdf]

Pretty big difference from screw-driven to SDM

Here's my new cinematographic masterpiece (available in HD):
YouTube - Sigma 50 1.4 HSM Hunting