[XMACHINA]

A very irritating person once wrote something in a tread on this site (and no doubt landed himself on dozens [more] ignore lists):*

" Photographic evidence is often considered the ultimate test of veracity--except, apparently, where it concerns discussions of the capabilities of photographic equipment. Ironic, huh?"

It's still true. It's like having a group of race car drivers on a race track, each leaning against his/her car, arguing about which car is fastest. One of them pull out his first-place trophies as evidence that his car is fastest; another produces a spreadsheet with all his lap times; another whips out a graph of his car's torque curve. Each of them is able to show some "proof" to support their claim that he/she has the fastest car. The one thing that this group never does is to just get in their cars and race each other; in fact; that never occurs to them as a way to put the issue to rest.

In four years, I've almost never posted pictures on this site, so I couldn't blame someone else for not doing so. But because I don't post pictures here, and don't intend to [ever again], I've not felt that I've had the right to make claims about what the equipment I own can or can not do. It amazes me how often people on this site make claims over which people argue, but to which no one responds "show me a picture." I don't think that "show me" is supposed to be some sort of ultimate message-board trump card; It's just a reasonable, and obvious response to a claim regarding stuff that's used to take pictures.

But whatever. I don't want to give the impression that I care all that much. Just wanted to go on record.

I can only hope that my over-sharp, overly-contrasty photos won't keep anyone away from the 85mm, cause it's an excellent lens. And during autofocus it doesn't make noise like a little electric drill. Just sayin'.

-XM


*This is not meant to be some sort of emoticon.

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Last edited by XMACHINA; 08-29-2011 at 10:04 PM.

[creampuff]

Xmachina, your images are fine.
Unfortunately there are many so called "experts" on this and other forums who don't even own the lens in question but who choose to talk at length based on unqualified personal opinion, or based on internet lens "tests" or what somebody else said. For the most part they will give their worthless two cent critique because talk is cheap, especially when they can't even shoot for nuts... so don't let them get to you.

[pop4]

Now that the Sigma 85mm F1.4 HSM - Review is up, I might as well update this with a few recent shots from my 85/1.4:

[vrrattko]

Now that the Sigma 85mm F1.4 HSM - Review is up, I might as well update this with a few recent shots from my 85/1.4:

Excellent shots James...

[kyteflyer]

I came into this thread to have a look at what this lens can do in competent hands and I have not yet been disappointed. I've been considering it as an alternative to the FA77 and with the f/1.4 and the potential clarity of shot (taking my own inadequacies into consideration) I'm really impressed. Adding to my B&H wishlist, and thats based solely on the shots I see here...

Thanks guys for some really fabulous shots.

[Opethian]

I currently use a Samyang A 85 1.4 (very happy with it!) and always wondered how an AF 85 1.4 would feel in terms of autofocusing. Thanks to all who have posted photos and given feedback in regards to AF @ 1.4, its as I assumed, there is a learning curve to nailing where it focuses because of the DoF.

At the moment, I can't justify £400 more for AF.

[pop4]

Went for a walkaround with my 85/1.4 yesterday:

[AlphaGAK20D]

Went for a walkaround with my 85/1.4 yesterday:

Great series of images! Crap, my LBA just started twitching... The DA-15mm should arrive next week and now this lens, like a Siren, is beckoning.

[enoeske]

Shot a wedding and used the 85mm for the whole reception. It was (as usual) very dark for the dancing. The lens had a little trouble focusing but it did a commendable job. At f/1.4, you can really throw the background out of focus quickly and the rounded aperture blades make any aperture have nice circular bokeh. It definitely out-performed my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 in the low light and allowed me to get shots exactly when I wanted to get them.


ISO: 5000
Exposure: 1/50 sec
Aperture: 3.2
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 2500
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 2.0
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 5000
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 1.4
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 3200
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: 1.6
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 5000
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: 1.6
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 3200
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: 1.4
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes


ISO: 5000
Exposure: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 1.6
Focal Length: 85mm
Flash Used: Yes

[Carloz]

Looks like a pretty good lens to me - love the "look" of these, nothing wrong that I can see. As to "too sharp", heh heh, well, in the UK it's always foggy, so I can live with such dreadful flaws. Anyone wishing to get rid of one of these because it's too sharp, I'll happily swap it for something blurrier. :-)

[hiep2503]

@f/1.4


@f/1.4


f/2.2 with bounce flash

[pop4]

Been using my Fujifilm X-Pro1 system a lot more than my Pentax gear lately, but it's always a pleasure to go out and use the K-5 + Sigma 85/1.4 again:


20121028 - 001 Melbourne Zombie Shuffle


20121028 - 002 Melbourne Zombie Shuffle


20121028 - 003 Melbourne Zombie Shuffle

[MBT74]

This is my favourite lens at the moment. These are both at f1.6

[Rupert]

It's hard to argue with success! These are some great shots here by you guys!

Regards!

[saladin]

Awesome shots here. I love pops work, probably because I know the locations. I need one of these lenses