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12-05-2013, 12:53 PM   #3016
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QuoteOriginally posted by g026r Quote
Hopefully this is the right place to ask, and hopefully it hasn't been answered before, but a question for anyone who's used both the 10-20mm f4-5.6 and the 10-20mm f3.5 HSM:

How would you rate the two lenses? Which would you prefer in terms of image quality?

I'm thinking of buying one but haven't decided on which, and figured I'd ask for opinions.
Plenty of samples from both lenses here. Primary difference seems to be the extra aperture blades in the 3.5 make prettier stars out of light sources. Also i think the 3.5 has an hsm motor so it's quieter and probably heavier, and doesnt spin the focus ring (which still annoys the heck out of me).

The 1/3 stop difference on the wide end (I assume you don't want this primarily for shooting at 20mm) shouldn't be that big an impact.

People have gotten great photos with both. I'd use the extra $200 on something else, or go for the 8-16.

12-05-2013, 06:15 PM   #3017
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QuoteOriginally posted by g026r Quote
Hopefully this is the right place to ask, and hopefully it hasn't been answered before, but a question for anyone who's used both the 10-20mm f4-5.6 and the 10-20mm f3.5 HSM:

How would you rate the two lenses? Which would you prefer in terms of image quality?

I'm thinking of buying one but haven't decided on which, and figured I'd ask for opinions.
Go here and compare for yourself: Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Current Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
12-05-2013, 07:46 PM   #3018
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QuoteOriginally posted by g026r Quote
Hopefully this is the right place to ask, and hopefully it hasn't been answered before, but a question for anyone who's used both the 10-20mm f4-5.6 and the 10-20mm f3.5 HSM:

How would you rate the two lenses? Which would you prefer in terms of image quality?

I'm thinking of buying one but haven't decided on which, and figured I'd ask for opinions.
From personal experience (I own the 3.5):

The 3.5 is stupid quiet. You can't hear the thing focus. When I first bought it I was used to non-HSM lenses and I actually had to double-check that the lens was actually working because of the silence.

If you primarily plan to stick to the 10mm end, I'd go for the cheaper option. I personally picked the 3.5 due to the extra aperture blade and the extra stop(s) at the 20mm end. 3.5 vs 5.6 is a pretty hefty leap when you get down to brass tacks.

Another use for the lens I wasn't anticipating when I bought it is for shooting the kidlings when they're running around the house. 20mm @3.5 is far more useful in those situations than 20mm @ 5.6.

Oh, and the lens doesn't 'spin', so gradiated filters would work far better with the 3.5 as well.

Really, it comes down to if you feel like dropping the extra $150 (I think that was the difference in price) or so is worth it for the blades/silence/extra stops.
12-06-2013, 10:55 AM   #3019
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I just bought the f3.5 version of this lens last week and I went through the same sort of decision making process. Ultimately I went for the f3.5 version because I dislike the shape of the stars that the older version makes.

I am extremely pleased with this lens. Even considering the higher price.

12-06-2013, 12:57 PM - 2 Likes   #3020
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sagitta Quote
Oh, and the lens doesn't 'spin', so gradiated filters would work far better with the 3.5 as well.
The 4-5.6 lens doesn't "spin" either, in the way you're implying. The focusing ring spins when autofocus is on, which is annoying, but nothing that stops you from using a polarizer or whatever.
12-06-2013, 01:53 PM   #3021
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QuoteOriginally posted by calicojack Quote
I browsed through the reviews before I posted, but I mainly got the impression that they're both decent lenses, without any real feeling as to how they actually compared to each other.

(And thanks to everyone for the comments/suggestions.)
12-06-2013, 03:01 PM   #3022
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If you're really stuck, between lensrentals.com and cameralensrentals.com you can try all 3 sigma ultra wide zooms out, plus the pentax one

12-07-2013, 09:07 AM - 1 Like   #3023
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Guardian II Statue at our of main universities

Playing around more with my K-01.


12-07-2013, 01:13 PM - 2 Likes   #3024
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f4-5.6

12-07-2013, 02:18 PM   #3025
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Sorry double post.

Last edited by Falke; 12-07-2013 at 08:30 PM. Reason: already posted
12-07-2013, 11:37 PM   #3026
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First time using the K-3 and Sigma combo. Must say this camera has definitely improved the shots from the lens. I am thinking it is the absence of AA filter that is present on my K-30. Or maybe it's too early to judge and this shot just turned out nice?




Although poorly attended this was a fantastic free concert by one of my favourite acts, Busby Marou.
12-08-2013, 05:03 AM   #3027
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QuoteOriginally posted by dcBear78 Quote
First time using the K-3 and Sigma combo. Must say this camera has definitely improved the shots from the lens. I am thinking it is the absence of AA filter that is present on my K-30. Or maybe it's too early to judge and this shot just turned out nice?




Although poorly attended this was a fantastic free concert by one of my favourite acts, Busby Marou.
I am certain my K-5 and the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 EX DC does a much better job both in sky and ground color + is brutally sharp, so much so that you can see each stubble on a man's face when blown up 100 %.
Regards.
12-08-2013, 07:15 AM   #3028
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I really was starting to get disappointed with this lens and had courted selling it and picking up a DA15 Ltd. But then I see images like Ken god's and wondered what was going wrong with mine.

This now gives me hope.
12-08-2013, 07:47 AM   #3029
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QuoteOriginally posted by dcBear78 Quote
I really was starting to get disappointed with this lens and had courted selling it and picking up a DA15 Ltd. But then I see images like Ken god's and wondered what was going wrong with mine.

This now gives me hope.
It is tricky lens to use, like in proximity and tightness of area. I think it is a great lens but you need to work with it a bit, ie get the perspective and distance, but I found it great for details even and loved the ability to squeeze in whole buildings with ease. Out in open space, that can be tricky....
12-08-2013, 08:13 AM - 3 Likes   #3030
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FWIW, I'm pleased as punch with my F/4-5.6. Since I've purchased it, I think about 80% of my frames have been shot with either the Sigma 10-20mm or the Tamron 90mm (for macro). The only weakness of the Sigma, AFAICT, is that it tends to produce flare. I'm still tempted by the DA15 for that reason (and size), but would really miss the width - I wish there were a DA12!

A few shots (two of which were previously posted to the K-01 forum):








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