Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Coming for Pentax!

Adam · 06-13-2013, 09:14 PM - **3 Likes**

I spoke with B&H today and they said that Sigma has informed them that the new Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 lens will in fact also be coming out for Pentax & Sony. The lens is now listed as being expected on 7/31 at B&H, and it was added to their web site as of midnight today (6/14):

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM LENS f/PENTAX 210-109 B&H Photo Video

Since I didn't hear the news directly from Sigma and no other source has confirmed it, however, I am treating this as a rumor until it's 100% official. Nevertheless, it would surely make sense for Sigma to make this lens for Pentax, as it is a DC lens after all, and a very unique one at that!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this lens, what makes it special is its constant F1.8 aperture. All current pro zooms have a fixed aperture no faster than F2.8 due to size/design limitations, so this is a first!

Edit: the press release officially announcing this lens for Pentax is now out! Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Coming for Pentax - Pentax-Related News - PentaxForums.com

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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tzrenz0 · 06-13-2013, 09:17 PM

That sure is exciting!

Steinback · 06-13-2013, 09:39 PM

If it really shows up at $800 (the pre-order price listed right now) that's quite something. I was anticipating $1500+. Yet another lens making the MSRP for the DA*16-50 look ridiculous.

Tonto · 06-13-2013, 09:46 PM - **1 Like**

If it does and at that price ALOT more people are going to be looking at Pentax professionally. And I may have to grab one with a nice new crop body B)

Big Dave · 06-13-2013, 09:50 PM

The question is will the IQ be useful faster then f2.8?

Steinback · 06-13-2013, 09:58 PM

Check out the pre-production samples posted various places online. Initial impressions look good.

In Pentax Land the inevitable shoot out vs. the FA 31 will be hotly debated, I'm sure. Save $500 and get an extra 16mm thrown in for free.

i83N · 06-13-2013, 10:03 PM

i like the price

leonsroar · 06-13-2013, 10:05 PM - **1 Like**

seems it's official.

Art | SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | SIGMA GLOBAL VISION

scole · 06-13-2013, 10:16 PM

As someone who's been getting more and more into night sky photography, this is fantastic. Awesome news.

liukaitc · 06-13-2013, 10:19 PM

I was expect like around $1000..so it is much better.
It is similar like using 28-50 f2.8 on full frame..not bad for the price.

thibs · 06-13-2013, 10:27 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by liukaitc

I was expect like around $1000..so it is much better.
It is similar like using 28-50 f2.8 on full frame..not bad for the price.

So much for naysayers 'Sigma does nothing for Pentax mount anymore' ...

LOL

Very good news of course.

DSims · 06-13-2013, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by Big Dave

The question is will the IQ be useful faster then f2.8?

True - this is the question. In the past Sigma has made lenses that look great on paper but don't perform well within the widest stop or more. A quality lens will perform well stopped down by only 1/3 or 2/3 stops at the most. Sigma's had no problem selling lenses that require being stopped down by twice that (or more).

There's hope, however. Sigma appears to be taking quality seriously recently, as I've noticed with my recent acquisition of their 8-16mm lens. It's quite possible this new lens will be of similar quality.

alamo5000 · 06-13-2013, 10:29 PM

I wonder what the bokeh and depth of field will be like on this thing through out its focal length range... 18mm @ f1.8... whoa. If its sharp this one is on the list.

bossa · 06-13-2013, 10:52 PM

Gear for Image :: Sigma ART 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM Preview based on CS2 version

Cannikin · 06-13-2013, 10:53 PM - **5 Likes**

I find it funny, and kind of sad, that this is the fastest wide angle AF lens available for Pentax, and it's a zoom. Pentax, where are my fast, wide angle (preferably WR) primes?

06-13-2013, 09:14 PM - 3 Likes	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Coming for Pentax! I spoke with B&H today and they said that Sigma has informed them that the new Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 lens will in fact also be coming out for Pentax & Sony. The lens is now listed as being expected on 7/31 at B&H, and it was added to their web site as of midnight today (6/14): Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM LENS f/PENTAX 210-109 B&H Photo Video Since I didn't hear the news directly from Sigma and no other source has confirmed it, however, I am treating this as a rumor until it's 100% official. Nevertheless, it would surely make sense for Sigma to make this lens for Pentax, as it is a DC lens after all, and a very unique one at that! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this lens, what makes it special is its constant F1.8 aperture. All current pro zooms have a fixed aperture no faster than F2.8 due to size/design limitations, so this is a first! Edit: the press release officially announcing this lens for Pentax is now out! Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Coming for Pentax - Pentax-Related News - PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-13-2013, 10:52 PM	#14
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Some review info Gear for Image :: Sigma ART 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM Preview based on CS2 version

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06-13-2013, 09:17 PM	#2
tzrenz0 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Gold Coast Photos: Albums Posts: 324	That sure is exciting!

06-13-2013, 09:39 PM	#3
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	If it really shows up at $800 (the pre-order price listed right now) that's quite something. I was anticipating $1500+. Yet another lens making the MSRP for the DA*16-50 look ridiculous.

06-13-2013, 09:46 PM - 1 Like	#4
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	If it does and at that price ALOT more people are going to be looking at Pentax professionally. And I may have to grab one with a nice new crop body B)

06-13-2013, 09:50 PM	#5
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	The question is will the IQ be useful faster then f2.8?

06-13-2013, 09:58 PM	#6
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Check out the pre-production samples posted various places online. Initial impressions look good. In Pentax Land the inevitable shoot out vs. the FA 31 will be hotly debated, I'm sure. Save $500 and get an extra 16mm thrown in for free.

06-13-2013, 10:03 PM	#7
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	i like the price

06-13-2013, 10:05 PM - 1 Like	#8
leonsroar Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 102	seems it's official. Art \| SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM \| SIGMA GLOBAL VISION

06-13-2013, 10:16 PM	#9
scole Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 216	As someone who's been getting more and more into night sky photography, this is fantastic. Awesome news.

06-13-2013, 10:19 PM	#10
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	I was expect like around $1000..so it is much better. It is similar like using 28-50 f2.8 on full frame..not bad for the price.

06-13-2013, 10:27 PM - 3 Likes	#11
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by liukaitc I was expect like around $1000..so it is much better. It is similar like using 28-50 f2.8 on full frame..not bad for the price. So much for naysayers 'Sigma does nothing for Pentax mount anymore' ... LOL Very good news of course.

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06-13-2013, 10:27 PM	#12
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Big Dave The question is will the IQ be useful faster then f2.8? True - this is the question. In the past Sigma has made lenses that look great on paper but don't perform well within the widest stop or more. A quality lens will perform well stopped down by only 1/3 or 2/3 stops at the most. Sigma's had no problem selling lenses that require being stopped down by twice that (or more). There's hope, however. Sigma appears to be taking quality seriously recently, as I've noticed with my recent acquisition of their 8-16mm lens. It's quite possible this new lens will be of similar quality.

06-13-2013, 10:29 PM	#13
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	I wonder what the bokeh and depth of field will be like on this thing through out its focal length range... 18mm @ f1.8... whoa. If its sharp this one is on the list.

06-13-2013, 10:53 PM - 5 Likes	#15
Cannikin Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SW Washington Posts: 833	I find it funny, and kind of sad, that this is the fastest wide angle AF lens available for Pentax, and it's a zoom. Pentax, where are my fast, wide angle (preferably WR) primes?