Is Sigma 85 f/1.4 EX DG OK on K-1

**matroxication** · 08-12-2018, 05:30 PM - **1 Like**

I don't have both but was on similar confusion to chose between sigma 85 or Pentax 77 limited and ended up going with 77 limited due to its size and the pixie dust/ out of focus rendering everyone calls it. Have not been disappointed so far. In terms of Sigma, I had bad experience with 35 1.4 art and hence am staying away from sigma.

70-200 is a great lens to what i have heard and its in my bucket list. For me , its in a different category to 77 or 85mm focal length.

**clackers** · 08-12-2018, 09:14 PM

Just trying out the Sigma 85mm f1.4 I got from eBay, Chima.

It's nice, but after a couple of weeks I think the FA77 pretty much does all this in a smaller package, to be honest.

chima chinda · 08-21-2018, 02:28 PM

If you had both and needed to keep just one which would it be?

I heard the Sigma is not only sharper but it also renders images better than the 77. Plus better Bokeh since it has a wider aperture.

rawr · 08-21-2018, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by clackers

I think the FA77 pretty much does all this in a smaller package, to be honest.

That's the same feedback I recall reading from a music gig shooter on this forum several years ago who swapped their Sigma for a FA 77. Sigma was a bit big and ungainly for lugging around in the pit for hours. Steered me away from the Sigma at the time.

**clackers** · 08-21-2018, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by chima chinda

If you had both and needed to keep just one which would it be?

I heard the Sigma is not only sharper but it also renders images better than the 77. Plus better Bokeh since it has a wider aperture.

I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above.

The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process.

chima chinda · 08-22-2018, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by clackers

I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above.

The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process.

Hmm, I wasn't expecting that Clackers. .

Perhaps I need to get my hands on the 77 and try it out for myself.

lesmore49 · 08-22-2018, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Adam

It's the same mark

I'm off topic, but Adam, do you know if my Sigma 150-500 will leave a similar...minor (?) mark on my K-1 ? I haven't had the 150-500 lens serviced by Sigma as of yet.

Adam · 08-22-2018, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

I'm off topic, but Adam, do you know if my Sigma 150-500 will leave a similar...minor (?) mark on my K-1 ? I haven't had the 150-500 lens serviced by Sigma as of yet.

According to Sigma's press release, it does:

Sigma Offers K-1-Related Lens Repair Service - Photo Industry News | PentaxForums.com

pblogic · 04-24-2023, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by clackers

I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above.

The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process.

Old thread, I know, sorry, but do you remember how it compared in auto focus to the 77 limited? I tried the 77 limited, but found the autofocus to be loud and hunt. All in all I'd prefer the DFA 85mm.... but I'm not sure I want to spend so much of my budget on that. The sigma 85mm can often be had for around 600.

Sandy Hancock · 04-24-2023, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by pblogic

Old thread, I know, sorry, but do you remember how it compared in auto focus to the 77 limited?

I haven't used the Sigma 85/1.4, but the HSM autofocus on my long-gone Sigma 70-200/2.8 was very quick. Earlier posts in this thread, from users of the 85, suggest it is also quick, and acceptably accurate.

I still love my FA 77/1.8 though (and my DFA* 85/1.4)!

pblogic · 04-24-2023, 09:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I haven't used the Sigma 85/1.4, but the HSM autofocus on my long-gone Sigma 70-200/2.8 was very quick. Earlier posts in this thread, from users of the 85, suggest it is also quick, and acceptably accurate.

I still love my FA 77/1.8 though (and my DFA* 85/1.4)!

Thanks! I've kept myself locked in decision mode for too long now. I decided to go ahead and just order a used copy of the DFA* 85! I know it's auto focus will be great, and it gives me the benefit of being fully weather sealed. I've agonized over it long enough! Time to stop researching and get back to shooting.

Sandy Hancock · 04-24-2023, 09:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pblogic

I decided to go ahead and just order a used copy of the DFA* 85!

You won't regret it!

08-22-2018, 12:28 PM	#23
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by lesmore49 I'm off topic, but Adam, do you know if my Sigma 150-500 will leave a similar...minor (?) mark on my K-1 ? I haven't had the 150-500 lens serviced by Sigma as of yet. According to Sigma's press release, it does: Sigma Offers K-1-Related Lens Repair Service - Photo Industry 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:

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08-12-2018, 05:30 PM - 1 Like	#16
matroxication Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 169	I don't have both but was on similar confusion to chose between sigma 85 or Pentax 77 limited and ended up going with 77 limited due to its size and the pixie dust/ out of focus rendering everyone calls it. Have not been disappointed so far. In terms of Sigma, I had bad experience with 35 1.4 art and hence am staying away from sigma. 70-200 is a great lens to what i have heard and its in my bucket list. For me , its in a different category to 77 or 85mm focal length.

08-12-2018, 09:14 PM	#17
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Just trying out the Sigma 85mm f1.4 I got from eBay, Chima. It's nice, but after a couple of weeks I think the FA77 pretty much does all this in a smaller package, to be honest.

08-21-2018, 02:28 PM	#18
chima chinda Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Lagos Photos: Albums Posts: 60	If you had both and needed to keep just one which would it be? I heard the Sigma is not only sharper but it also renders images better than the 77. Plus better Bokeh since it has a wider aperture.

08-21-2018, 02:37 PM	#19
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by clackers I think the FA77 pretty much does all this in a smaller package, to be honest. That's the same feedback I recall reading from a music gig shooter on this forum several years ago who swapped their Sigma for a FA 77. Sigma was a bit big and ungainly for lugging around in the pit for hours. Steered me away from the Sigma at the time.

08-21-2018, 08:01 PM	#20
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by chima chinda If you had both and needed to keep just one which would it be? I heard the Sigma is not only sharper but it also renders images better than the 77. Plus better Bokeh since it has a wider aperture. I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above. The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process.

08-22-2018, 07:51 AM	#21
chima chinda Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Lagos Photos: Albums Posts: 60	Originally posted by clackers I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above. The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process. Hmm, I wasn't expecting that Clackers. . Perhaps I need to get my hands on the 77 and try it out for myself.

08-22-2018, 09:54 AM	#22
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	Originally posted by Adam It's the same mark I'm off topic, but Adam, do you know if my Sigma 150-500 will leave a similar...minor (?) mark on my K-1 ? I haven't had the 150-500 lens serviced by Sigma as of yet.

04-24-2023, 08:35 PM	#24
pblogic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 141	Originally posted by clackers I think it would be the FA77, to be honest, Chima. I think in rendering and bokeh it doesn't take a backward step to the bigger lens. You can see my Sigma pictures above. The FA77 probably has nicer colours, too, but that's not important because I always post process. Old thread, I know, sorry, but do you remember how it compared in auto focus to the 77 limited? I tried the 77 limited, but found the autofocus to be loud and hunt. All in all I'd prefer the DFA 85mm.... but I'm not sure I want to spend so much of my budget on that. The sigma 85mm can often be had for around 600.

04-24-2023, 09:12 PM	#25
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by pblogic Old thread, I know, sorry, but do you remember how it compared in auto focus to the 77 limited? I haven't used the Sigma 85/1.4, but the HSM autofocus on my long-gone Sigma 70-200/2.8 was very quick. Earlier posts in this thread, from users of the 85, suggest it is also quick, and acceptably accurate. I still love my FA 77/1.8 though (and my DFA* 85/1.4)!

04-24-2023, 09:25 PM - 1 Like	#26
pblogic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 141	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I haven't used the Sigma 85/1.4, but the HSM autofocus on my long-gone Sigma 70-200/2.8 was very quick. Earlier posts in this thread, from users of the 85, suggest it is also quick, and acceptably accurate. I still love my FA 77/1.8 though (and my DFA* 85/1.4)! Thanks! I've kept myself locked in decision mode for too long now. I decided to go ahead and just order a used copy of the DFA* 85! I know it's auto focus will be great, and it gives me the benefit of being fully weather sealed. I've agonized over it long enough! Time to stop researching and get back to shooting.

04-24-2023, 09:34 PM - 1 Like	#27
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by pblogic I decided to go ahead and just order a used copy of the DFA* 85! You won't regret it!