[rawr]

As such I'm not surprised Sigma isn't announcing a Pentax version.

I am not surprised either, since the lens hasn't been officially announced.

PS: Sigma usually also don't immediately announce support for Sony mounts either. Just look at the [APS-C] 18-35 1.8 - Canon, Nikon, Sigma only on initial release. Yet Sony has FF bodies, and lots of users too. Sometimes there may be other reasons for not immediately releasing new lenses in all mounts.

[ElJamoquio]

I am not surprised either, since the lens hasn't been officially announced.

True.

PS: Sigma usually also don't immediately announce support for Sony mounts either. Just look at the [APS-C] 18-35 1.8 - Canon, Nikon, Sigma only on initial release. Yet Sony has FF bodies, and lots of users too. Sometimes there may be other reasons for not immediately releasing new lenses in all mounts.

...but of course a FF camera market won't directly help the sales potential of a APS-C-only lens.

[Smeggypants]

I normally take two bodies ( currently two K-5s ) out as the type of shoots I do there isn't time to keep changing lenses frequently. Therefore I keep a a wide to medium on one body and medium to long on the other.

I'm now starting to think it might be worth swapping one of the pentax bodies for a Nikon body, but I'm really reluctant to do that as even taking a K20D and K-5 out was problematic when shooting on autopilot and I forgot which body I was using.

[jogiba]

How much do you figure the average-potential Pentax buyer would be willing to pay for the lens?

Portrait photographers will want it enough to pay through the nose, but I don't know that everyone else will want to pay... what $1k?* for it.


*I would've guessed $1500 but the Canon 135 f/2 is $1k. The sigma is spec'd as letting in 23% more light and adds stabilization.

Here in the SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8 lens review section the average paid was $1,194.17 for a manual focus lens that was in production from 1984 to 1989.

[Na Horuk]

Well keep in mind that Pentax doesn't really want Sigma to make K mount lenses. They rather see us buy Pentax lenses.

Also, I'm really wondering where Sigma is getting the cash. Sigma used to be known for poor quality lenses, but for the past couple years they have improved a lot. The latest few announcements are pretty great. Its also interesting they are moving into high-quality primes, since I remember them as focusing on zoom lenses. This is where they are becoming real competition to Pentax, since a big draw to Pentax was good prime lenses.

[eliallan]

I wonder if Sigma might be somewhat inspired by the success that Samyang has had in digging themselves from an even deeper hole of mediocrity to make some high quality and probably high profit lenses.

[rawr]

I wonder if Sigma might be somewhat inspired by the success that Samyang

Possible. Nothing like South Koreans having some success to spur Japanese competitive instincts.

[bossa]

I'd heard about the 24 1.4, but man, this 135 1.8 is going to be a powerful piece of glass on FF. I wonder how big, how much and what MFD/magnification will be though.

I hope it's a super apochromat like the new Zeiss.. If it's as good as the 180 F2.8 macro it will be just great.

[wanderography]

sigma seems to be coming hard into the market this year, I have yet to see one of there new "modern" lenses not seem tempting. Going to make my life a lot easier, sooner or later I'm going to have to buy some pro gear, looking like a canon strapped with some sigmas.

[Shanti]

Ditto Smeggy. Sigma is selling less and less of their lenses in K mount. Tamron has stopped making any new lenses in K mount. It's not a good sign if their sales are too low to justify supporting K mount... :-(

where is this info from? so no new 70-200 2.8 then

[rawr]

so no new 70-200 2.8 then

Maybe wait for the Pentax 70-200 2.8.

[DeadJohn]

... Also, I'm really wondering where Sigma is getting the cash. ...

Maybe by selling a lot of lenses. Sigma only has to design the optics once, then plug different mounts and electronics onto the back. It's probably a pretty efficient way to do business.

[bossa]

Maybe wait for the Pentax 70-200 2.8.

Your very funny..

[Clavius]

Any benefits to using a Sigma camera with Sigma lenses? Better communication between lens and camera perhaps?

Mind you, that foveon sensor is remarkable. Very sharp results. Are they, as a camera company, now bigger or more interesting then Pentax?

[gazonk]

Maybe wait for the Pentax 70-200 2.8.

Hehe! But seriously, I would prefer Pentax to release great compact WRed f/4 standard and tele zoom lenses for FF before they provide f/2.8 monsters. The best camera is the one you always carry, and I bring my K-5 on my way to work every day, and often leave even the 55-300 at home - 440 grams is a lot of extra weight in a bag you carry every day, and shorter end is well covered by the DA70.