lenses do i need them all

TGoode · 09-01-2013, 08:07 AM

hi ive just brought a sigma 50mm macro on ebay, i currently own a smc 50mm M 2.8 which i brought for portraits should i sell it? as im sure the macro will be just as good

JinDesu · 09-01-2013, 08:13 AM - **1 Like**

The sigma should be pretty good for portraits too. It won't be as good as a 50 F1.7 or 50 F1.4, but it'll be as good as your M50 F2.8.

Action Jackson · 09-01-2013, 09:21 AM - **1 Like**

Well it would be nice for you to compare the Sigma with the Pentax. I'd be curious to know. I find the Sigma a little cool for color but a wonderful handling lens. Being an 'A' makes it nicer to own.

kswier · 09-01-2013, 12:22 PM - **1 Like**

A macro lens sounds fun

Why not keep both for a month or two and see if you still end up using the Pentax smc 50mm M 2.8? It probably will not go down in value.

TGoode · 09-01-2013, 01:15 PM

just realised i said it was a 2.8, must have been thinking about the macro, its a 1.7 still im not sure if i will ever use it

:

ToyTank · 09-01-2013, 01:54 PM - **1 Like**

I agree, you should test them both out for awhile.

The 50/2.8 macro won't give you as shallow DOF at portrait distances vs 50/1.7 if that is an effect you like. This only applies if shoot at f1.7 or f2 of coarse.

Macro photography is a lot of fun. If you go bug hunting post them in the https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/15650...r-insects.html thread

**Kerrowdown** · 09-01-2013, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

Around here, you need to keep them all, just to keep your personal LBA satisfied.

Kozlok · 09-01-2013, 08:14 PM - **1 Like**

Just send them all to me

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-01-2013, 09:05 PM - **1 Like**

I have a nice portrait of my wife taken with a Sigma 50/2.8 macro, the manual focus version with KA mount. So it's fine for portraits. It was bright enough to use f5.6 and ISO 100. But I also have a nice portrait of my mom taken with an A50/1.4 at f1.7, ISO 800 and 1/15 sec., not light enough for the Sigma with my K-7. There's definitely reason to have both, unless you particularly need money or a minimum number of lenses.

BrianR · 09-02-2013, 05:36 AM - **1 Like**

I'd keep it. It's not worth that much to sell, fast enough to make a difference in low light when you need it, and fast enough to give a noticeable difference in DoF. It's also small and doesn't take up much space in your bag or on your shelf so not inconvenient to have around.The macro is likely sharper but that's not always the most desirable thing for a portrait of a person.

09-01-2013, 08:07 AM	#1
TGoode Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 19	lenses do i need them all hi ive just brought a sigma 50mm macro on ebay, i currently own a smc 50mm M 2.8 which i brought for portraits should i sell it? as im sure the macro will be just as good

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09-01-2013, 08:13 AM - 1 Like	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	The sigma should be pretty good for portraits too. It won't be as good as a 50 F1.7 or 50 F1.4, but it'll be as good as your M50 F2.8.

09-01-2013, 09:21 AM - 1 Like	#3
Action Jackson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Markham, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 243	Well it would be nice for you to compare the Sigma with the Pentax. I'd be curious to know. I find the Sigma a little cool for color but a wonderful handling lens. Being an 'A' makes it nicer to own.

09-01-2013, 12:22 PM - 1 Like	#4
kswier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 426	A macro lens sounds fun Why not keep both for a month or two and see if you still end up using the Pentax smc 50mm M 2.8? It probably will not go down in value.

09-01-2013, 01:15 PM	#5
TGoode Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 19 Original Poster	just realised i said it was a 2.8, must have been thinking about the macro, its a 1.7 still im not sure if i will ever use it :

09-01-2013, 01:54 PM - 1 Like	#6
ToyTank Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 675	I agree, you should test them both out for awhile. The 50/2.8 macro won't give you as shallow DOF at portrait distances vs 50/1.7 if that is an effect you like. This only applies if shoot at f1.7 or f2 of coarse. Macro photography is a lot of fun. If you go bug hunting post them in the https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/15650...r-insects.html thread

09-01-2013, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Around here, you need to keep them all, just to keep your personal LBA satisfied.

09-01-2013, 08:14 PM - 1 Like	#8
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Just send them all to me

09-01-2013, 09:05 PM - 1 Like	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I have a nice portrait of my wife taken with a Sigma 50/2.8 macro, the manual focus version with KA mount. So it's fine for portraits. It was bright enough to use f5.6 and ISO 100. But I also have a nice portrait of my mom taken with an A50/1.4 at f1.7, ISO 800 and 1/15 sec., not light enough for the Sigma with my K-7. There's definitely reason to have both, unless you particularly need money or a minimum number of lenses.

09-02-2013, 05:36 AM - 1 Like	#10
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	I'd keep it. It's not worth that much to sell, fast enough to make a difference in low light when you need it, and fast enough to give a noticeable difference in DoF. It's also small and doesn't take up much space in your bag or on your shelf so not inconvenient to have around.The macro is likely sharper but that's not always the most desirable thing for a portrait of a person.