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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2018, 01:36 PM
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I found a Sigma EX DG HSM 1.4/50mm for a decent price, and decided to buy it.
Unfortunately I completely forgot that is one of the lenses that are "incompatible" with the K-1.
I am more concerned about the firmware than the scratch. The positive thing about Sigma repair service is that they always upgrade the firmware to the latest version when they work on a lens.
Does anybody know if the free swap program of the bayonet is still active?
I should check if there is any official Sigma repair centre in Thailand...
cheers
Paolo
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-08-2018, 12:40 PM
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I found a DA* on eBay for a very good price, but I forgot to change my primary address to a US one, and the bid was not accepted (I used a sniping tool, so I found out when it was already too late).
Maybe it's destiny... for a few dollars less I found a Sigma EX DG HSM in spotless conditions, with box, hood, etc. I made an offer, it was accepted, and now it's on its way to a US address, where my wife will pick it up in a few days.
I will get it before Christmas. It will be my self-given gift for the festivities :)
Of the three lenses, I suspect that the Samyang would prove a tiny bit better optically, and it would be cheaper, IF you can find one second hand (which is not very easy, few have been sold in PKA mount). Though this lens has its weaknesses: the build is not on par with the others, and it's not AF. Considering I have plenty of very good vintage fifties, I don't regret I didn't buy the Samyang when I found one second hand at a convenient price. Under a practical point of view I need a fast AF fifty much more than an MF one.
The DA* seems to work fine even after the SDM motor develops the squeaking noise. The build is good (for a modern AF lens) and bokeh and central sharpness are very good, judging from the pictures I have seen online. Though it has its limitations: the AF is slow and it's impossible to convert it to screwdriver AF, and the lens was originally designed to be a portrait objective for APS-C. Vignetting and border sharpness are not outstanding, and unfortunately there is no Lightroom correction profile made for FF.
The Sigma has fast AF, good sharpness stopped down (not outstanding wide open), decent bokeh. A pity I have to use it on APS-C only until I can ship the lens to Sigma to have the bayonet exchanged. I don't want to scratch the body :)
None of the three lenses is perfect.
The one close to perfection - probably the state of the art of current fifties - is the new D FA*.
For my specific needs it is too expensive. Which means that I'm not so sure it's too expensive in general, I would probably see everything under a different perspective if I just bought a K-1 II and had to build my lens arsenal from scratch. Though in my situation, and considering my tastes (I'm not crazy for absolute sharpness), the investment on the D FA* would be excessive. I already have plenty of valuable vintage fifties with different optical signatures, usable in different conditions and for different purposes (including three f/1.2), and I also have two Pentax F/FA fifties with screwdrive AF. I just needed an affordable fast fifty with better performance wide open and across the frame. The silent AF is a nice plus.
For 270 USD shipment included I hope it will prove to be money well spent.
The only real pity is that I didn't remember that the 50mm EX DG HSM was part of the group of lenses that scratch the body of the K-1.
I checked only after committing to the purchase. The problem is not really about the scratch, I sent my other two affected lenses (24-70mm and 120-400mm) to be repaired on warranty because in the process Sigma technicians always update the firmware to the last version. Often it makes a huge difference. So it's always better to have the lens serviced, even if you don't care about the scratch.
While I am writing these lines it came to my mind that I have no idea if the free bayonet upgrade service had a time limit or not. Does anybody know anything about this matter?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-15-2018, 04:36 AM
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I'd like to believe it.
Not sure it's true.
Tamron zooms cost less than their Pentax/Tamron equivalents.
The Tokina version of the D FA* would probably cost less.
The K-1 was a price/performance champion when it was introduced... but the first time you want to buy a top level third-party prime, like some Voigtlander/Cosina, you'll find that the same used lens costs almost double the price of a Nikon mount.
I'll stay with Pentax as long as possible, though the reason is not the availability of cheap optics (new or used, OEM or third-party).
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-12-2018, 11:02 PM
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I guess this is true for ALMOST everyone.
How many people can afford a Sinar, a couple of digital backs, and a few modern apo objectives?
Not talking only about amateurs, very few professionals have the kind of income that could justify such expenses.
Even if money is no concern, chasing the absolute best, the magic bullet, the no-compromise definitive [placeholder for whatever we crave], well... I guess it is just an illusion. There will be a new absolute best soon, but first we have to agree on what the absolute best is. In the end it comes to personal habits, goals and tastes. So the absolute is not really absolute, it's relative :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-11-2018, 05:41 AM
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True. Even better than the 100mm. The MTF chart is impressive. It will outresolve the sensor for some time to come :)
I have the F version. Probably the sharpest lens I own. I'd love to have the clamp that is present on my FA 100mm cause working in manual is kind of a pain.
Service message:
If one of the pentaxians following this thread wants to buy a DA* 55mm, maybe better stay away from the example sold from Israel, with biddings starting at 199 USD.
It has been sold once, reappeared on Ebay, and the vendor says that it has been tested on a K100D. Only in manual!
When I asked if I could send back the lens if the AF was inoperative he backed off.
The fungus could be cleanable (but it could leave the glass etched, you can never be sure), but if the AF motor is kaputt, the expense would be high! :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-09-2018, 10:11 PM
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I have seen... :)
Beautiful lens and great pictures
cheers
Paolo
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-09-2018, 04:44 AM
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I guess I'm giving up to the idea to acquire the DA*.
Tested examples from Japan cost minimum 360/380 UDS, too much IMHO.
One was just sold from Israel, at $199. Good price, a pity it was tested on a K100D, so only with manual focus!
It was too much of a lottery, and given two strokes of bad luck I recently had, I thought to keep in mind an old italian saying: there is no two without three! :) Which means that if it already happened twice, it will likely happen one more time.
If I have to gamble, and I know I will, at least I want to do it for less expensive toys.
I have also considered buying a Samyang. I found almost no tests about this lens.
There are very little info about it. I don't even know if it's still made. Probably not, at least in PKA mount.
The only test/review I found gave a very positive evaluation of the optical qualities, somewhat better than the Sigma EX DG HSM. Which in turn should be a tad better than the Pentax DA* on full frame. From what I've read, both are kind of weak at the borders.
Considering I can't finance the purchase of the new D FA (which would be the easy choice, if money was no concern), I am still undecided about a more affordable alternative.
This is why I'm giving a bump to this thread. Maybe there is somebody who has tried at least a couple of the possible choices, and can express his/her impression.
Don't suggest to buy the FA, I already have one. I want a modern, high quality fifty, that can show very good sharpness wide open, at least in the center.
AF is definitely welcomed. I have read a few not so positive impressions about the Samyang 1.4/50mm, but the only proper test gave a different picture. I would have been inclined to buy it... if it wasn't for the manual focus.
I have plenty of 40mm > 58mm vintage optics. If I buy another one better go for AF... unless I find another Sammy for a very good price, and I am convinced that it has the best price/performance ratio by a large margin. I don't. Too little info.
I tried to do my homework first. I really couldn't find any reliable source that allows for a comparison of the different optics on full frame.
I came up with a conclusion, though. The possible alternatives to the new D FA are just four:
Pentax DA* 1.4/55mm
Sigma EX DG HSM 1.4/50mm
Samyang 1.4/50mm
Pentax Limited 1.9/43mm
The latter is slower, shorter, and not as sharp at the center of the frame.
It is also more expensive (second hand). Prices are coming down, though.
At first I didn't even consider it. Now I do, even if I am oriented towards another kind of lens. I have plenty of pixie dust from other optics...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-17-2018, 09:36 AM
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Yes. I can hear my credit card crying :)
I'm not fearful of acronyms, just cautious (because of the failure rate of some early SDM lenses).
I'd be happier if the lens had a screwdrive system too... you know, as a backup :)
Call me old fashioned, I am still fascinated by the carefully designed mechanics of some old lenses.
Like the one at the bottom here. I could not resist:
Your latest acquisition - Page 924 - PentaxForums.com |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-17-2018, 08:16 AM
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I could say exactly the same.
Though I prefer to register your opinion for what is worth: an opinion.
I respect it, as I respect any opinion.
I am happy enough at this point of my life to bother if others think in a different way.
Actually, I love differences, of any kind. I find them enriching :)
Btw, I do believe HSM motor can fail. in fact, I have only two of them.
The only difference is that in the USA I can buy parts from Sigma, and in Italy my independent repairman can fix the problem at a lower price, if the problem arises.
That makes a difference.
I use Pentax since the time photography was not an hobby, and I never used any other DSLR.
Though I'm not deaf and dumb, and fortunately Pentax is not a religion :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-17-2018, 06:22 AM
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I already have the FA.
I want to find a 50mm at a decent price, second hand, that has good performance wide open, and is at least f/1.4.
I have plenty of lenses in this focal range (50/58mm) but none of them is really sharp wide open.
Only very recent designs can offer this level of performance.
Over time my purchases have almost always addressed my interest for bokeh. I hate the word, but I can't find another way to generalise without going too much in detail.
Maybe I should just say that I value smooth/pleasant rendering over absolute sharpness.
At this point I want to play with a fifty that has other characteristics. I have covered the soap bubble bokeh, swirly bokeh, the strong separation of plains of focus. Now I want to shoot very sharp keeping the aperture as wide as possible, cause I like to blur backgrounds (and sometimes foregrounds).
Last minute I decided to go for the Samyang (I have a few Sammyes, and I love them!), and bid $177.
I knew it was too low, cause the lens was really like new. I expected a price much higher.
In the end it got sold for only $180! :(
I found a raving review of the Samyang (non-AF) only after the auction was over. Maybe it is for the better, maybe I'll find a DA* for a dirty cheap price, who knows... :)
Though I'm just afraid that all SDM lenses will eventually fail one day. It's possible, maybe even very likely.
This thought bugs me a lot. Good lenses have to last!
My A* 1.4/85mm works exactly as the day I bought it, long long ago, and its performance can still be considered almost as terrific as when it was released. Back then I had the funds to buy it second-hand, now it would be out of reach, so I am glad I could afford such a beautiful, durable optic.
I guess you understand why buying a lens that has (or could have) an expiry date makes me feel uneasy, especially if it's not dirty cheap.
I feel it is time to enjoy the pluses of modern AF primes. Fast and super sharp. Though I don't know if I'm ready for the minuses, that I've already found do exist.
The Samyang could have been a sensible choice, being sharp and manual, but I've been too cautious.
I guess I wasn't really fully convinced.
I have no idea when a new opportunity will arise, it seems very very few Pentax users have bought one.
At $299 new (close-out price) it's too close to the current price of a good used DA*.
I've already asked a few vendors about the health of the SDM. All say it's fine... but I'm still doubtful :rolleyes:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-16-2018, 02:49 AM
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The new D FA* 1.4/50mm is finally giving us a prime that can be the envy of users of other brands.
It is very expensive though. Too much for my finances and (I imagine) for other people too.
As an exercise in wishful thinking, I'm considering the alternatives to the new Pentax.
The DA* 1.4/55mm is not considered full frame compatible by Pentax (no embedded profile in K-1/K-1 II), but it covers and has AF.
The Sigma EX DG HSM is expensive, not easy to be found second-hand, and has AF. It is bigger than the DA* though.
The Samyang is MF, bulky, but not expensive if you can find one second-hand (not easy!). Performance on the K-1 is still kind of a mystery. Not many pentaxians have posted first hand impressions or reviews.
The DA* seems to be the most interesting alternative to the new Pentax, cause it has AF and prices are dropping (already available second-hand for around 350 USD). I am afraid that sooner or later all SDM lenses will eventually fail, which would be a bummer :(
The Sigma is great... if it wasn't for the price asked by the few people who sell one!
I don't mind using MF lenses, if the Samyang was good enough to compete in sharpness with the other two I could wait for one at the right price (hugely inferior to the Sigma, and also quite cheaper than the Pentax). Though this lens is an incognito, if I check MTF figures on other cameras it seems disappointing. Which is a surprise, cause the 35mm and the 135mm are stellar lenses.
Any first hand experience about the Samyang? Anybody had the chance to compare it with any of the other two?
cheers
Paolo
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