Pentax FA 50/1.4 vs. Sigma 50/1.4

switters · 10-30-2009, 09:16 AM

Has there been a thread here comparing these two lenses? I tried several searches but couldn't find one.

I've heard that the Sigma 50/1.4 is the sharpest 50mm available wide open. Is that true? How does it compare to the Pentax FA 50 in other respects?

ll_coffee_lP · 10-30-2009, 12:54 PM

I'd like to know as well. FA50 is a great lens, but my Sigma 30 and Sigma 70 are excellent lenses. DA*55 is supposed to be great, but slower AF is no good for me, nor the price difference for IQ upgrade. Sigma 50 looks to be a great option, but I don't think many Pentaxian's on this site have it.

c[_]

switters · 10-30-2009, 01:00 PM

From what I've seen on the Canon Fred Miranda forums the Sigma is sharper wide open than any other 50/1.4 than anyone over there had tried. I just wonder whether HOW much sharper it is, i.e. is it worth an extra $150? It's also *quite* a bit larger and heavier, which is a downside IMO.

Voe · 10-30-2009, 04:11 PM

I had the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for two days. The IQ and sharpness wide open is outstanding in comparison to FA 50mm f/1.4. Bokeh is the best I've seen from any 50mm f/1.4 lens, it walks all over the Pentax FA 50mm bokeh and sharpness wise (the Bokeh of Pentax 50mm f/1.2 is better).
The only drawback for me was that it was too heavy for a 50mm f/1.4 lens. I guess I'm too spoiled by the small and light Pentax Limiteds.

Based on my experience, my advice to you to get the Sigma if the size and weight are no issue for you. The lens is worth the money.

roentarre · 10-30-2009, 06:13 PM

And you are going to keep sigma 50mm f1.4 forever, then buy it. Or expect huge loss on re sale.

switters · 10-30-2009, 06:30 PM

Hmmm. Maybe I can take advantage of that low resale value and find one used?

joele · 10-30-2009, 07:34 PM

yeah that is my biggest problem with sigma, I always lose a LOT of money on resale..

hll · 10-31-2009, 01:57 AM

guys there is a great test on dpreview... you can even compare the resolution of sigma and pentax...
dpreview.com - Lens Review - Fullscreen
btw, did you hear any problems with sigma' s autofocus. dpreview talks about some ff and bf....

10-30-2009, 09:16 AM	#1
switters Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 346	Pentax FA 50/1.4 vs. Sigma 50/1.4 Has there been a thread here comparing these two lenses? I tried several searches but couldn't find one. I've heard that the Sigma 50/1.4 is the sharpest 50mm available wide open. Is that true? How does it compare to the Pentax FA 50 in other respects?

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10-30-2009, 12:54 PM	#2
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	I'd like to know as well. FA50 is a great lens, but my Sigma 30 and Sigma 70 are excellent lenses. DA*55 is supposed to be great, but slower AF is no good for me, nor the price difference for IQ upgrade. Sigma 50 looks to be a great option, but I don't think many Pentaxian's on this site have it. c[_]

10-30-2009, 01:00 PM	#3
switters Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 346 Original Poster	From what I've seen on the Canon Fred Miranda forums the Sigma is sharper wide open than any other 50/1.4 than anyone over there had tried. I just wonder whether HOW much sharper it is, i.e. is it worth an extra $150? It's also quite a bit larger and heavier, which is a downside IMO.

10-30-2009, 04:11 PM	#4
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	I had the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for two days. The IQ and sharpness wide open is outstanding in comparison to FA 50mm f/1.4. Bokeh is the best I've seen from any 50mm f/1.4 lens, it walks all over the Pentax FA 50mm bokeh and sharpness wise (the Bokeh of Pentax 50mm f/1.2 is better). The only drawback for me was that it was too heavy for a 50mm f/1.4 lens. I guess I'm too spoiled by the small and light Pentax Limiteds. Based on my experience, my advice to you to get the Sigma if the size and weight are no issue for you. The lens is worth the money.

10-30-2009, 06:13 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	And you are going to keep sigma 50mm f1.4 forever, then buy it. Or expect huge loss on re sale.

10-30-2009, 06:30 PM	#6
switters Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 346 Original Poster	Hmmm. Maybe I can take advantage of that low resale value and find one used?

10-30-2009, 07:34 PM	#7
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	yeah that is my biggest problem with sigma, I always lose a LOT of money on resale..

10-31-2009, 01:57 AM	#8
hll Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: new york Photos: Gallery Posts: 297	guys there is a great test on dpreview... you can even compare the resolution of sigma and pentax... dpreview.com - Lens Review - Fullscreen btw, did you hear any problems with sigma' s autofocus. dpreview talks about some ff and bf....