Sigma Lenses for Sigma

hoopsontoast · 03-14-2014, 08:36 AM

Hi chaps,

I realise this is a Pentax forum but thought I would ask anyway.

I did not want to clutter up the Foveon photos thread either.

I currently have a new Sigma SD15.

At this moment in time I have in my possession:

Sigma 24mm f2.8 Super Wide II Macro
Sigma 18-125mm DC OS Kit Lens
Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX HSM
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG

As well as a DP1X and DP3M.

I am in the process of selling the 20-40mm and 18-125mm kit lens as I really have no use for them, the 20-40 is too big compared to the 24 which I prefer, and I have not been impressed with the kit lens so far.
I had the 28-70mm f2.8 EX DG which I bought as a bundle with the 20-40mm but that's already been traded in with a UK dealer (WEX) which will go towards a new lens (below).
I am still unsure on the 30mm, I dont think it gives me much more over the 24mm which I think is actually sharper, and smaller/lighter although the autofocus is not brilliant. I can get similar OOF areas by being able to focus the 24mm closer and its sharper @f2.8 than the 30mm in my shots so far.
Also the 24mm was a bargain for £35 so I wont be selling that.

I plan to get a 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX in the next couple of weeks to cover the super wide, from WEX as I have the trade in balance, and it has £30 cash back at the moment from Sigma.

I plan to keep the DP1X and DP3M as the walk around / lightweight cameras, with the DP3M being my high-res camera and covering the ~75mm/macro range along with an AML-2 close up lens, which also works with the 24mm handily.

The overall plan is for this lineup to go out shooting with (and 35mm equivelent FOV):

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX (~17-35mm)
Sigma 24mm f2.8 Super Wide II Macro (~41mm)
Sigma DP3M - 50mm f2.8 (~75mm)

Now, to the actual question

I will be after a fast lens for portrait/low light/isolation shots. I want something fast but longer than the 30mm. So far, it seems my current choices are the 50mm f1.4 EX HSM and 85mm f1.4 EX HSM.

I went out last night and shot a few in the mist (with the 18-125mm OS), with two of my favorites coming out (conveniently) at 46mm and 85mm.

Obviously the 85mm is close to the classic 135mm FOV, and the 50mm roughly 85mm.

Is there much difference between (performance wise) the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 apart from the obvious change in focal length and size?
The only other options as far as I am aware are the 70mm f2.8 EX Macro and 105mm f2.8 EX Macro OS, but not sure if they will be as useful over the DP3M for low light/shallow DOF.

Cheers, Rob

hoopsontoast · 03-17-2014, 10:00 AM

Any ideas? Cheers, Rob

osv · 03-17-2014, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

I will be after a fast lens for portrait/low light/isolation shots. I want something fast but longer than the 30mm. So far, it seems my current choices are the 50mm f1.4 EX HSM and 85mm f1.4 EX HSM.

...Obviously the 85mm is close to the classic 135mm FOV, and the 50mm roughly 85mm.

Is there much difference between (performance wise) the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 apart from the obvious change in focal length and size?
The only other options as far as I am aware are the 70mm f2.8 EX Macro and 105mm f2.8 EX Macro OS, but not sure if they will be as useful over the DP3M for low light/shallow DOF.

probably not a lot of people out here have used those two lenses?

do either of those have macro capability? do you need macro? a long macro like that 105mm could come in handy... is it a 1:1 macro?

03-14-2014, 08:36 AM	#1
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	Sigma Lenses for Sigma Hi chaps, I realise this is a Pentax forum but thought I would ask anyway. I did not want to clutter up the Foveon photos thread either. I currently have a new Sigma SD15. At this moment in time I have in my possession: Sigma 24mm f2.8 Super Wide II Macro Sigma 18-125mm DC OS Kit Lens Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX HSM Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG As well as a DP1X and DP3M. I am in the process of selling the 20-40mm and 18-125mm kit lens as I really have no use for them, the 20-40 is too big compared to the 24 which I prefer, and I have not been impressed with the kit lens so far. I had the 28-70mm f2.8 EX DG which I bought as a bundle with the 20-40mm but that's already been traded in with a UK dealer (WEX) which will go towards a new lens (below). I am still unsure on the 30mm, I dont think it gives me much more over the 24mm which I think is actually sharper, and smaller/lighter although the autofocus is not brilliant. I can get similar OOF areas by being able to focus the 24mm closer and its sharper @f2.8 than the 30mm in my shots so far. Also the 24mm was a bargain for £35 so I wont be selling that. I plan to get a 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX in the next couple of weeks to cover the super wide, from WEX as I have the trade in balance, and it has £30 cash back at the moment from Sigma. I plan to keep the DP1X and DP3M as the walk around / lightweight cameras, with the DP3M being my high-res camera and covering the ~75mm/macro range along with an AML-2 close up lens, which also works with the 24mm handily. The overall plan is for this lineup to go out shooting with (and 35mm equivelent FOV): Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX (~17-35mm) Sigma 24mm f2.8 Super Wide II Macro (~41mm) Sigma DP3M - 50mm f2.8 (~75mm) Now, to the actual question I will be after a fast lens for portrait/low light/isolation shots. I want something fast but longer than the 30mm. So far, it seems my current choices are the 50mm f1.4 EX HSM and 85mm f1.4 EX HSM. I went out last night and shot a few in the mist (with the 18-125mm OS), with two of my favorites coming out (conveniently) at 46mm and 85mm. Obviously the 85mm is close to the classic 135mm FOV, and the 50mm roughly 85mm. Is there much difference between (performance wise) the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 apart from the obvious change in focal length and size? The only other options as far as I am aware are the 70mm f2.8 EX Macro and 105mm f2.8 EX Macro OS, but not sure if they will be as useful over the DP3M for low light/shallow DOF. Cheers, Rob

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03-17-2014, 10:00 AM	#2
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861 Original Poster	Any ideas? Cheers, Rob

03-17-2014, 10:25 AM	#3
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by hoopsontoast I will be after a fast lens for portrait/low light/isolation shots. I want something fast but longer than the 30mm. So far, it seems my current choices are the 50mm f1.4 EX HSM and 85mm f1.4 EX HSM. ...Obviously the 85mm is close to the classic 135mm FOV, and the 50mm roughly 85mm. Is there much difference between (performance wise) the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 apart from the obvious change in focal length and size? The only other options as far as I am aware are the 70mm f2.8 EX Macro and 105mm f2.8 EX Macro OS, but not sure if they will be as useful over the DP3M for low light/shallow DOF. probably not a lot of people out here have used those two lenses? do either of those have macro capability? do you need macro? a long macro like that 105mm could come in handy... is it a 1:1 macro?