Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 vs Sigma Art 1.4/35 on Pentax K1

alvaro_garcia · 07-29-2018, 04:15 AM

I purchased a brand new Sigma Art 1.4/35 for my father's Pentax K1 and compared results with same settings to my K1 with Zeiss Distagon lens.

It might be a slight problem with front/back focus with the Sigma (although it doesn't look to be so), but the images from my K1 + Zeiss Distagon look a bit crisper (sharper and with more micro-contrast) than my father's K1 + Sigma Art, which is supposed to be "the best" 35mm, according to many people.

Any comments on this?

MJKoski · 07-29-2018, 04:38 AM

Yes, autofocus does not work with hi-res cameras. Results are more or less random. Use manual focus with liveview when doing the comparison.

Snafu711 · 07-29-2018, 06:03 AM

I use the Sigma Art 1.4/35mm on a K3ii and get sharp and crisp pictures.

Initially I was disappointed with the erratic results regarding auto focus. Finetuning the focus via USB dock has helped to eliminate the distancedependend back-/frontfocus.

There is still one issue left: when refocusing by only a little margin, the focus is occationally not spot-on in the second or third shot. Unfortunately that‘s a frequent use case. Usually triggering the AF again will provide better results.

In my perception this behavior is a property of this specific Sigma lens. I would suspect that this characteristics contributed to the results you get with your K1.

**travelswsage** · 07-29-2018, 07:33 AM

I have the Zeiss which I use for landscapes and it is a wonderful lens. -- Since getting the dfa 28-105 I just find it so much more convenient than individual primes that I find myself not using the Zeiss much anymore even though I prefer its rendering.

lytrytyr · 07-29-2018, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by travelswsage

I have the Zeiss which I use for landscapes and it is a wonderful lens. -- Since getting the dfa 28-105 I just find it so much more convenient than individual primes that I find myself not using the Zeiss much anymore even though I prefer its rendering.

I agree with you about the utility of the kit lens, but somehow there's no joy in it.

tuco · 07-29-2018, 08:47 AM

So sharpness is all that matters, right. If it isn't jagged line sharp, a lens is a POS?

str8talk83 · 08-06-2018, 07:54 AM

They are both very good lenses. I would say that it comes down to your preference for rendering and how much you need AF.

normhead · 08-06-2018, 08:02 AM

Be prepared for the next Pentax WA wide aperture lens coming in 2019 or later to jump the Sigma in IQ as well, just as the Pentax 50 just surpassed the Sigma 50 Art. The Sigma Art series was ground breaking, but it's crazy to think other companies won't raise the bar, and the disadvantage of being first is, everyone coming after is going to make sure they beat your specs. What's also of interest is that many prefer the 31 ltd. to the Sigma 30 art, a Sigma Art series lens against a Pentax film era lens.

The world is returning to normal.

alvaro_garcia · 08-06-2018, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Be prepared for the next Pentax WA wide aperture lens coming in 2019 or later to jump the Sigma in IQ as well, just as the Pentax 50 just surpassed the Sigma 50 Art. The Sigma Art series was ground breaking, but it's crazy to think other companies won't raise the bar, and the disadvantage of being first is, everyone coming after is going to make sure they beat your specs. What's also of interest is that many prefer the 31 ltd. to the Sigma 30 art, a Sigma Art series lens against a Pentax film era lens.

The world is returning to normal.

That sounds very interesting. Looking forward to see those new Pentax lenses (for FF).

normhead · 08-06-2018, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

I agree with you about the utility of the kit lens, but somehow there's no joy in it.

First, the DFA 28-105 at the price it sells for, it's bit of a stretch calling it a kit lens. And the statement that there's no joy in it, you mean at your house. There is often great joy in it around my house. And competition for the right to put it on the camera walking out the door. So with two shooters in my house, joy outnumbers no joy 2:1, at least in this little poll.

Before the 28-105 I was shooing the F 35-80 FAJ 18-35, FA 50 1.7, and DA*60-250 as well as on APS-c, my 18-135 , 55-300 PLM DA 35, Sigma 70 macro and DFA 100 as well as the tarot 17-50 and Tamron 90. Yet, the first images from the 28-105 stood out immediately and continue to do so.

All the comparisons I've done show it to have serious rendering advantages over every other lens we own, and I'm not even discussing the sharpness. I'm discussing control of CA, amazing micro-contrast, a 3D effect in landscape none of our other lenses matches.

SO, I'm curious, what are you using that's better?

lytrytyr · 08-06-2018, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by normhead

First, the DFA 28-105 at the price it sells for, it's bit of a stretch calling it a kit lens.

It's the lens that came in a kit with a K-1 body.
Nowadays, we call those "kit lenses".

Originally posted by normhead

I'm curious, what are you using that's better?

For mid-range utility, nothing beats it.

But, unlike most of my primes,
I seldom find myself taking photographs with it purely because I like the way it will handle the subject.

07-29-2018, 04:15 AM	#1
alvaro_garcia Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 185	*Zeiss Distagon T 2/35 vs Sigma Art 1.4/35 on Pentax K1** I purchased a brand new Sigma Art 1.4/35 for my father's Pentax K1 and compared results with same settings to my K1 with Zeiss Distagon lens. It might be a slight problem with front/back focus with the Sigma (although it doesn't look to be so), but the images from my K1 + Zeiss Distagon look a bit crisper (sharper and with more micro-contrast) than my father's K1 + Sigma Art, which is supposed to be "the best" 35mm, according to many people. Any comments on this?

08-06-2018, 08:55 AM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by lytrytyr I agree with you about the utility of the kit lens, but somehow there's no joy in it. First, the DFA 28-105 at the price it sells for, it's bit of a stretch calling it a kit lens. And the statement that there's no joy in it, you mean at your house. There is often great joy in it around my house. And competition for the right to put it on the camera walking out the door. So with two shooters in my house, joy outnumbers no joy 2:1, at least in this little poll. Before the 28-105 I was shooing the F 35-80 FAJ 18-35, FA 50 1.7, and DA60-250 as well as on APS-c, my 18-135 , 55-300 PLM DA 35, Sigma 70 macro and DFA 100 as well as the tarot 17-50 and Tamron 90. Yet, the first images from the 28-105 stood out immediately and continue to do so. All the comparisons I've done show it to have serious rendering advantages over every other lens we own, and I'm not even discussing the sharpness. I'm discussing control of CA, amazing micro-contrast, a 3D effect in landscape none of our other lenses matches. SO, I'm curious, what are you using that's better? Last edited by normhead; 08-06-2018 at 09:01 AM.*

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07-29-2018, 04:38 AM	#2
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	Yes, autofocus does not work with hi-res cameras. Results are more or less random. Use manual focus with liveview when doing the comparison.

07-29-2018, 06:03 AM	#3
Snafu711 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 307	I use the Sigma Art 1.4/35mm on a K3ii and get sharp and crisp pictures. Initially I was disappointed with the erratic results regarding auto focus. Finetuning the focus via USB dock has helped to eliminate the distancedependend back-/frontfocus. There is still one issue left: when refocusing by only a little margin, the focus is occationally not spot-on in the second or third shot. Unfortunately that‘s a frequent use case. Usually triggering the AF again will provide better results. In my perception this behavior is a property of this specific Sigma lens. I would suspect that this characteristics contributed to the results you get with your K1.

07-29-2018, 07:33 AM	#4
travelswsage Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 385	I have the Zeiss which I use for landscapes and it is a wonderful lens. -- Since getting the dfa 28-105 I just find it so much more convenient than individual primes that I find myself not using the Zeiss much anymore even though I prefer its rendering.

07-29-2018, 08:45 AM	#5
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by travelswsage I have the Zeiss which I use for landscapes and it is a wonderful lens. -- Since getting the dfa 28-105 I just find it so much more convenient than individual primes that I find myself not using the Zeiss much anymore even though I prefer its rendering. I agree with you about the utility of the kit lens, but somehow there's no joy in it.

07-29-2018, 08:47 AM	#6
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	So sharpness is all that matters, right. If it isn't jagged line sharp, a lens is a POS?

08-06-2018, 07:54 AM	#7
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674	They are both very good lenses. I would say that it comes down to your preference for rendering and how much you need AF.

08-06-2018, 08:02 AM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Be prepared for the next Pentax WA wide aperture lens coming in 2019 or later to jump the Sigma in IQ as well, just as the Pentax 50 just surpassed the Sigma 50 Art. The Sigma Art series was ground breaking, but it's crazy to think other companies won't raise the bar, and the disadvantage of being first is, everyone coming after is going to make sure they beat your specs. What's also of interest is that many prefer the 31 ltd. to the Sigma 30 art, a Sigma Art series lens against a Pentax film era lens. The world is returning to normal.

08-06-2018, 08:22 AM	#9
alvaro_garcia Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 185 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Be prepared for the next Pentax WA wide aperture lens coming in 2019 or later to jump the Sigma in IQ as well, just as the Pentax 50 just surpassed the Sigma 50 Art. The Sigma Art series was ground breaking, but it's crazy to think other companies won't raise the bar, and the disadvantage of being first is, everyone coming after is going to make sure they beat your specs. What's also of interest is that many prefer the 31 ltd. to the Sigma 30 art, a Sigma Art series lens against a Pentax film era lens. The world is returning to normal. That sounds very interesting. Looking forward to see those new Pentax lenses (for FF).

08-06-2018, 02:59 PM	#11
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by normhead First, the DFA 28-105 at the price it sells for, it's bit of a stretch calling it a kit lens. It's the lens that came in a kit with a K-1 body. Nowadays, we call those "kit lenses". Originally posted by normhead I'm curious, what are you using that's better? For mid-range utility, nothing beats it. But, unlike most of my primes, I seldom find myself taking photographs with it purely because I like the way it will handle the subject.