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

**Pål Jensen** · 07-21-2013, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Pentax could really shake things up and make it a constant f/2 - add a built in lens hood with a polarizing window, and 67mm filter thread. Because the main criticisms I hold against sigma lenses is their AF accuracy and sub-standard flare tolerance.

I suspect the Limited zoom to be an F:4 lens. Optimized for optical quality and small size. Flare resistance is very important and I expect such a zoom lens to excel in this area. I would like to replace the DA* 16-50/2.8 with the Limited zoom + the 15 Limited.
Flare supression is very important for outdoor use particularly since the dynamic range of current sensors makes it possible to make effective images where the sun is in the frame. The 15 Limited seems to be possibly unsurpassed when it comes to flare resistance for a wide angle lens. The Sigma is not for me...

Last edited by Pål Jensen; 07-21-2013 at 05:10 AM.

LeRolls · 07-21-2013, 06:12 AM

These new Sigma lenses are very interesting and are certainly getting a lot of attention/hype but when placed up against what Pentax has to offer with their DA/FA Limited they just don't appeal to me. I just straight up prefer the smaller size, build, bokeh, and distinct rendering qualities (especially from the FAs with their pixie dust) that I only get with the Limited line of Pentax glass. This is also the reason why I switched from Canon to Pentax. At the very least though I do think that the Sigma lenses may push other manufacturers to step up their game a bit. I am glad that Sigma is offering their new lenses in K Mount and that they are coming in at reasonable prices.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-21-2013, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by LeRolls

These new Sigma lenses are very interesting and are certainly getting a lot of attention/hype but when placed up against what Pentax has to offer with their DA/FA Limited they just don't appeal to me. I just straight up prefer the smaller size, build, bokeh, and distinct rendering qualities (especially from the FAs with their pixie dust) that I only get with the Limited line of Pentax glass. This is also the reason why I switched from Canon to Pentax. At the very least though I do think that the Sigma lenses may push other manufacturers to step up their game a bit. I am glad that Sigma is offering their new lenses in K Mount and that they are coming in at reasonable prices.

True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd.

Oh and a DA*45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens.

jsherman999 · 07-21-2013, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

I'll be testing out my own Sigma 100-300mm f4 for soccer duty on my K-30 soon. My wife and her family is from Brazil, so for Father's Day this year we bought her father tickets to the "Guinness International Champions Cup" match here in Indianapolis on August 1st between Chelsea and Inter Milan. Hopefully they allow big lenses into the stands. Now I just need to start doing my homework to learn who the big name players are that I should be focusing on...

IQ should be great with that combo. Used to shoot the 100-300 on the D90 with very good results, the K30 is a small step up from that.

Originally posted by Class A

Whoa, that lens shines on FF!

Yes, it's another example of Sigma's success. Great lens.

Originally posted by zapp

Nice lens. What I do not like about it: It is useless on FF cameras - the thing many of us are waiting for. It weighs 810g which is heavy. I would be much happier with a f/2.8 version for the same price. It would be smaller and lighter and may be corrected better in bright light conditions as well as distortion/vignetting.

Are you talking about the 18-35 1.8 again? Try to stay on-topic, which has shifted off-topic to the 100-300!

.

IchabodCrane · 07-21-2013, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by zapp

Nice lens. What I do not like about it: It is useless on FF cameras - the thing many of us are waiting for. It weighs 810g which is heavy. I would be much happier with a f/2.8 version for the same price. It would be smaller and lighter and may be corrected better in bright light conditions as well as distortion/vignetting.

Soccerwise I would like to mention that I made even better images with Nikon F-801 and 2.8/180 15 years ago. Don't blame your equipment if thing are not in focus, practice, practice, practice....

It's not like Sigma doesn't have that effective focal range covered in a FF lens:

24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Standard Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

Winder · 07-21-2013, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd.

Oh and a DA*45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens.

Yes.... I'm hoping Pentax is working hard on a D-FA* 50mm F/1.2, D-FA* 85mm F/1.4, & a D-FA* 135mm F/1.8.

A new FF Pentax with a new high performance Sony sensor and new glass would be a great start.

konraDarnok · 07-21-2013, 02:56 PM

strikes me as kinda huge

Eagle_Friends · 07-21-2013, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by konraDarnok

strikes me as kinda huge

Yup, that would be one of the few downside for this lens, along with non-weather sealing. But the performance and price definitely makes this a sought after lens.

normhead · 07-21-2013, 04:34 PM

My last three lens purchases have been Sigma Lenses. The 18-250, the 70 macro 2.8 and the 8-16, all very good lenses. It doesn't bother me at all that they aren't Pentax branded. In a way it;s better, I don't have to argue about if they're better than what's available from Canikon, and they are all stand out lenses that stand up to any lenses made anywhere. The 8-16 outperforms many primes in both resolution, distortion, and CA control. Sigma is on a roll. I hope they keep rolling them out. The big question is what has happened to the Pentax lens designers. Ricoh said it planned to rehire them. I see no evidence of that, does anyone else? Maybe they are all working on the new DF series of lenses.

rawr · 07-21-2013, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd.
Oh and a DA*45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens.

I hope they don't forget about my 24-105 f2.8 zoom request.

**dadipentak** · 07-22-2013, 04:31 AM

Really interesting discussion of market dynamics here.

In any case, I, for one, have pulled the trigger.

Class A · 07-22-2013, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

In any case, I, for one, have pulled the trigger.

Good on ya!

Would be great if you could share result in the future.

Clavius · 07-22-2013, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by normhead

My last three lens purchases have been Sigma Lenses. The 18-250, the 70 macro 2.8 and the 8-16, all very good lenses. It doesn't bother me at all that they aren't Pentax branded. In a way it;s better, I don't have to argue about if they're better than what's available from Canikon, and they are all stand out lenses that stand up to any lenses made anywhere. The 8-16 outperforms many primes in both resolution, distortion, and CA control. Sigma is on a roll. I hope they keep rolling them out. The big question is what has happened to the Pentax lens designers. Ricoh said it planned to rehire them. I see no evidence of that, does anyone else? Maybe they are all working on the new DF series of lenses.

The famous designer of several FA* and FA ltd lenses, Jun Hirakawa, is now filing patents for Tamron. Guess re-hiring those lens designers back failed.

LOL! Maybe those designers refused to have their jobs back, once they discovered what their first task would be: "re-designing" the FA ltds to be produced in a wide variaty of stylish colours? (AKA re-painting old stock.)

Maybe one of the other lens designers went to Sigma, and took the DA WA ltd zoom (18-35) -designs with him?

**dadipentak** · 07-22-2013, 05:24 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Class A

Would be great if you could share result in the future.

Try & stop me

Edgar_in_Indy · 07-22-2013, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Try & stop me

ha ha!

07-22-2013, 04:59 AM	#313
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by normhead My last three lens purchases have been Sigma Lenses. The 18-250, the 70 macro 2.8 and the 8-16, all very good lenses. It doesn't bother me at all that they aren't Pentax branded. In a way it;s better, I don't have to argue about if they're better than what's available from Canikon, and they are all stand out lenses that stand up to any lenses made anywhere. The 8-16 outperforms many primes in both resolution, distortion, and CA control. Sigma is on a roll. I hope they keep rolling them out. The big question is what has happened to the Pentax lens designers. Ricoh said it planned to rehire them. I see no evidence of that, does anyone else? Maybe they are all working on the new DF series of lenses. The famous designer of several FA* and FA ltd lenses, Jun Hirakawa, is now filing patents for Tamron. Guess re-hiring those lens designers back failed. LOL! Maybe those designers refused to have their jobs back, once they discovered what their first task would be: "re-designing" the FA ltds to be produced in a wide variaty of stylish colours? (AKA re-painting old stock.) Maybe one of the other lens designers went to Sigma, and took the DA WA ltd zoom (18-35) -designs with him? Last edited by Clavius; 07-22-2013 at 05:24 AM.

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07-21-2013, 05:03 AM	#301
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by Digitalis Pentax could really shake things up and make it a constant f/2 - add a built in lens hood with a polarizing window, and 67mm filter thread. Because the main criticisms I hold against sigma lenses is their AF accuracy and sub-standard flare tolerance. I suspect the Limited zoom to be an F:4 lens. Optimized for optical quality and small size. Flare resistance is very important and I expect such a zoom lens to excel in this area. I would like to replace the DA* 16-50/2.8 with the Limited zoom + the 15 Limited. Flare supression is very important for outdoor use particularly since the dynamic range of current sensors makes it possible to make effective images where the sun is in the frame. The 15 Limited seems to be possibly unsurpassed when it comes to flare resistance for a wide angle lens. The Sigma is not for me... Last edited by Pål Jensen; 07-21-2013 at 05:10 AM.

07-21-2013, 06:12 AM	#302
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	These new Sigma lenses are very interesting and are certainly getting a lot of attention/hype but when placed up against what Pentax has to offer with their DA/FA Limited they just don't appeal to me. I just straight up prefer the smaller size, build, bokeh, and distinct rendering qualities (especially from the FAs with their pixie dust) that I only get with the Limited line of Pentax glass. This is also the reason why I switched from Canon to Pentax. At the very least though I do think that the Sigma lenses may push other manufacturers to step up their game a bit. I am glad that Sigma is offering their new lenses in K Mount and that they are coming in at reasonable prices.

07-21-2013, 06:27 AM	#303
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by LeRolls These new Sigma lenses are very interesting and are certainly getting a lot of attention/hype but when placed up against what Pentax has to offer with their DA/FA Limited they just don't appeal to me. I just straight up prefer the smaller size, build, bokeh, and distinct rendering qualities (especially from the FAs with their pixie dust) that I only get with the Limited line of Pentax glass. This is also the reason why I switched from Canon to Pentax. At the very least though I do think that the Sigma lenses may push other manufacturers to step up their game a bit. I am glad that Sigma is offering their new lenses in K Mount and that they are coming in at reasonable prices. True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd. Oh and a DA*45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens.

07-21-2013, 10:04 AM	#304
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy I'll be testing out my own Sigma 100-300mm f4 for soccer duty on my K-30 soon. My wife and her family is from Brazil, so for Father's Day this year we bought her father tickets to the "Guinness International Champions Cup" match here in Indianapolis on August 1st between Chelsea and Inter Milan. Hopefully they allow big lenses into the stands. Now I just need to start doing my homework to learn who the big name players are that I should be focusing on... IQ should be great with that combo. Used to shoot the 100-300 on the D90 with very good results, the K30 is a small step up from that. Originally posted by Class A Whoa, that lens shines on FF! Yes, it's another example of Sigma's success. Great lens. Originally posted by zapp Nice lens. What I do not like about it: It is useless on FF cameras - the thing many of us are waiting for. It weighs 810g which is heavy. I would be much happier with a f/2.8 version for the same price. It would be smaller and lighter and may be corrected better in bright light conditions as well as distortion/vignetting. Are you talking about the 18-35 1.8 again? Try to stay on-topic, which has shifted off-topic to the 100-300! .

07-21-2013, 10:37 AM	#305
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by zapp Nice lens. What I do not like about it: It is useless on FF cameras - the thing many of us are waiting for. It weighs 810g which is heavy. I would be much happier with a f/2.8 version for the same price. It would be smaller and lighter and may be corrected better in bright light conditions as well as distortion/vignetting. Soccerwise I would like to mention that I made even better images with Nikon F-801 and 2.8/180 15 years ago. Don't blame your equipment if thing are not in focus, practice, practice, practice.... It's not like Sigma doesn't have that effective focal range covered in a FF lens: 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Standard Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

07-21-2013, 01:30 PM	#306
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd. Oh and a DA45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens. Yes.... I'm hoping Pentax is working hard on a D-FA 50mm F/1.2, D-FA* 85mm F/1.4, & a D-FA* 135mm F/1.8. A new FF Pentax with a new high performance Sony sensor and new glass would be a great start.

07-21-2013, 02:56 PM	#307
konraDarnok Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 969	strikes me as kinda huge

07-21-2013, 03:37 PM	#308
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	Originally posted by konraDarnok strikes me as kinda huge Yup, that would be one of the few downside for this lens, along with non-weather sealing. But the performance and price definitely makes this a sought after lens.

07-21-2013, 04:34 PM	#309
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	My last three lens purchases have been Sigma Lenses. The 18-250, the 70 macro 2.8 and the 8-16, all very good lenses. It doesn't bother me at all that they aren't Pentax branded. In a way it;s better, I don't have to argue about if they're better than what's available from Canikon, and they are all stand out lenses that stand up to any lenses made anywhere. The 8-16 outperforms many primes in both resolution, distortion, and CA control. Sigma is on a roll. I hope they keep rolling them out. The big question is what has happened to the Pentax lens designers. Ricoh said it planned to rehire them. I see no evidence of that, does anyone else? Maybe they are all working on the new DF series of lenses.

07-21-2013, 04:48 PM	#310
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 True, but Pentax should make a new FA 20mm/f1.9 Ltd. to complete the series. And a new DA 26mm/f2.8 Ltd. Oh and a DA*45-90mm/f2.0 as a general portrait zoomlens. I hope they don't forget about my 24-105 f2.8 zoom request.

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07-22-2013, 04:31 AM	#311
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Really interesting discussion of market dynamics here. In any case, I, for one, have pulled the trigger.

07-22-2013, 04:43 AM	#312
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by dadipentak In any case, I, for one, have pulled the trigger. Good on ya! Would be great if you could share result in the future.

07-22-2013, 05:24 AM - 1 Like	#314
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Class A Would be great if you could share result in the future. Try & stop me

07-22-2013, 06:19 AM	#315
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by dadipentak Try & stop me ha ha!