| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2018 Posts: 583
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 13, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $56.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small size, Sharp, Strong and perfect manufacturing, Smooth, Cheap, MC, Macro, Automatic aperture, rendering | | Cons: | No true negative aspect but sometimes a little flare (with no hood), and sometimes over exposition (it's not due to the lens itself) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K70 and K5
New Or Used: Used
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Efficient lens corrections available in "Darktable"
Very sharp lens, even at F2.8, the best for landscapes is F8-F9 (sharp from corner to corner). Needs a hood for aps-c format to avoid flare.
Excellent lens for proxy-macro with beautiful bokeh.
Cheap lens almost as good as DA lenses and a good choice to complete DA 35 F2.4 and DA 50 F1.8 as a prime lenses quiver.
Delightfully surprising little lens ...
Very few aberrations, not a problem after post processing.
A must have !
Maybe one of the best of the 80-90's, as far as a 24 mm german test Color Foto is concerned
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2018 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: February 5, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | great value | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony 7R
New Or Used: Used
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I had already experienced a good quality with the autofocus version but sold it for some stupid reason. Now with the Sony 7R I needed a cheap wide angle solution and got this version without autofocus for just 35 bugs. Again I am pleased with the results - wide open it might be soft but still useable - with f8 to f11 this lens puts many modern lenses to shame - it is just really good! Because of this and the price I paid I gave it an overall rating of 10 - yes, there are better lenses but if you get it under 50 bugs - go for it!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: September, 2013 Location: Brwinow, Mazovia, Poland Posts: 46
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 4, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $140.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp from full aperture, lightweight, nice colour rendition | | Cons: | Came with no hood | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
New Or Used: 9
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Another little marvel. I bought the lens used from ebay.de to complement my choice of full-frame lenses ready for the coming Pentax K-1. I was somewhat afraid of "cold colours" as reportedly rendered by the Sigma 24/2.8. Not correct. As the photo below shows, the lens is perfect, although only tested on K-5 body. Similar IQ as given by a new Sigma A 35/1.4. With f/2.8 (and ISO 1600, mind you) I found almost no CA's to correct (little green fringing), no visible distortions, a sharp picture and nice colour. In addition, this lens is easy to manually focus. I just set 0.5 m distance, waited for sharpness confirmation sound from the camera and took this selfie. A little marvel.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2016 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: September 16, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp at 2.8, nice colours, good handleing, macro | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7R
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Nice wide lens, good for landscapes, sharp, macro capablity is very good.
| | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2011 Posts: 6 | | Review Date: October 24, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $195.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, contrast, wide | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I was very astounished when I first shot with this lens. I knew it is to be a very sharp lens corner-to-corner, I was equally impressed by the contrast it delivers. This is know by some Pentax circles to be one of the sharpest lenses Sigma ever produced.
In my opinion this Sigma is visibly sharper than Pentax-A 24mm 2.8, which I also own. When I need a wide angle lens for street shots or landscape photography, I bring this lens with me. It is great for in-doors on my K-5 when I need shallow DoF to isolate subject from background.
For the most part, I use it on my K-5, until Pentax delivers FF digital.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Posts: 118 | | Review Date: May 28, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, wide-open IQ, relative cheap price | | Cons: | build | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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After hearing praises from a friend who also shoot Pentax, I paid about $150 USD for a copy in excellent condition at a local shop. Since then, it has been one of my favorite lenses on both film and digital. I've sold off all my other 24mm lenses to keep this one because it's been my go-to 24mm lens.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Hampshire Posts: 892 | | Review Date: September 20, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $36.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Can be very likeable | | Cons: | can be disliked. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-5
New Or Used: Used
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I have had this lens since yesterday and have given it some stick to find out whether or not previous reviews would apply to my copy.
My copy is in reasonable condition but the finish is poor regarding the painted numbers on the barrel. It clicks over to "A" and back with no trouble and has very little dust and no sign of any internal problems (to my eye anyway) and included the hood.
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Good points. Near subjects;
Focusses nice and close and the bokeh is not terrible. Acceptably sharp from around F3.5 to F11, super sharp from F5.6 to F8-F10. I am not worried about any distortion and am happy with the exposures and contrast.
Bad points. Far subjects;
Mine does not seem very sharp at any aperture, certainly acceptable at around F5.6-F11 but not especially pleasing. I do not like the fact that the focussing ring goes from 5 feet to infinity in about 1/4 of an inch. Focussing by eye is problematic for me on wider MF lenses and focus confirmation seems a bit less trustworthy than I would like. My Sigma mini-wide 11 28mm F2.8 gives a lot less trouble.
Exposures are not always spot on, today being overcast and the ambient light being steady I found that I sometimes needed to under expose by anything from -1/3 to -1 at some apertures. I could not discern any linear compensation that could be applied. If I were adept at post processing in anything other than Picasa I imagine I would under expose a little all the time for far subjects.
Mid distance subjects and using flash;
Good and can be sharp or sharp enough at all but the widest apertures.
The AWB set to flash rather than auto gives a slightly warmer image. Seems quite good.
I have recommended this lens based purely on the close and mid distance subject performance as I feel to far distance IQ may not be as good as the results of my 18-55mm kit lens which has a lot more versatility. Hopefully it is my copy and others have better ones judging by other reviews
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2016 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: March 12, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp wide open, macro abilities | | Cons: | Aperture ring is plastic, and it is very rough to handle | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Eos 450
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Nice saturated colors and quite sharp even wide open. Similar character to ensinor 24 2.8, but sharper at all apertures and especially wide open. My copy is simply outstanding. I can't praise it enough.
On the downside, the aperture ring is the worst manual ring I've tried, but I can live with it. Try a well kept copy and enjoy.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: August, 2007 Location: Helsinki Posts: 2 | | Review Date: October 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Lens Size, good sharpness, bokeh, close focus | | Cons: | Flare control isn't so good without hood | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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I really like that these Sigmas are so small size lenses (I have also Sigma mini-wideII 28/2.8 MC) - almost like some Pentax made primes - but perform very well.
I use it with my Pentax K-5, but also with my NEX (with Pentax adapter).
Here are some my experiences with it (and lot of sample images!):
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50061890
Overall this Sigma is great small prime, which can produce very nice close-ups with nice bokeh.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2010 Posts: 210 | | Review Date: August 8, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | all-metal (solid), sharp | | Cons: | flare, some CA | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
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This is for the M42 version.
Other than not having the A position (which I didn't list as a con because one obviously knows that when buying an M42 lens) the lens is a solid performer.
IQ is quite good: already sharp wide open, even better stopped down.
Some CA is present but there's much worse out there. Flare can also occur in tricky situations, though I don't have a hood to prevent it.
I thought the colours were a little cold and lacked some contrast (and that's true against Pentax lenses), but compared to the Cosina-made Vivitar of the same focal length that I own, I'd say it's plenty warm...
Not sure if it's a general thing or just my copy, but the focus ring feels as if it needs some tightening (i.e. it turns quite easily), it's not as dampened as Pentax M or A lenses.
I'm pointing out the flaws but in fact I'm really quite happy with this lens. It's much better than the Vivitar and sharper than the kit lens.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2011 Location: West Sumatra, Indonesia Posts: 22
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $96.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build to quality, handling, result | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 8
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This is my first M42 lens, find it from my local online seller comes with leather case. I'm very impressed with the sharp and color, i might say it started being wild on F4. Perfect companion for my (ex) Olympus EP-L1, will find the flower hood for daylightshoot. This lens had value and very great bargain if you could be patience.
Yes, you couldnt go wrong with this razor sharp
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 91 | | Review Date: August 31, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, affordability | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 8
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Feels a little plasticy compared to its Pentax-brand rivals in the A and M series, and the aperture ring is a little tricky to click into position, occasionally I will go two stops accidentally.
Overall though this is a very sharp lens, excellent for the landscapes and crowd shots I use it for.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2011 Location: Budapest Posts: 42 | | Review Date: July 29, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good quality pix, nice size & weight, cute hood, macro | | Cons: | Extremely prone to flare | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 8
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This really is a very cute lens. I mainly use it indoors, where the light is not enough; here the 2.8 aperture is a must, for keeping the ISO low. For portraiture wide open it is very good, while outdoors when the light enables it, closed down to a few stops it gives excellent pictures.
What I don’t like is the extreme sensitivity to stark light. It shouldn’t be the sun, if there is strong light the contrast drops significantly. With the passing hood the lens look svery cute, but it was engineered for FF, so it is a little short when you use it on a cropped sensor camera. The hood has a smaller diameter inside, so you cannot use the original cap when the hood is on the lens, a 49 mm cap is needed:
What is also a nice plus is the macro capability of the lens. You can go extreme close to a subject, which is demonstrated on the wasp picture. This was taken at 2.8, 100% crop, no post processing other than adding a small black level:
You can see the shallow DOF, the short focal length with 2.8 and the macro produces this beautifully OOF picture. The bokeh on this photo is very nice, though at longer distances it is not that creamy.
All in all, this is a very good lens, I recommend for everybody.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,757 | | Review Date: March 19, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Super-sharp, cheap, well built, A setting | | Cons: | not very contrasty, softish extreme corners at all apertures | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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A fantastic lens... Extremely sharp. At f5.6 and beyond sharpness is pretty uniform across the frame, although not ideal for landscapes. Very sharp wide open, too, with the corners being quite a bit softer than the rest.
As other reviewers pointed out, it can flare quite a bit depending on the angle relative to the Sun (like its sister, the Sigma Mini-Wide 28mm). Contrast tends to be low without a hood, but since I shoot raw, this isn't a problem.
Also, my copy seriously overexposes in Av (except wide open)--something to do with the aperture lever of this lens... I use -1.5 EV compensation, which solves the problem.
For the price, a 9/10 lens. I doubt there can be a better deal for a 24mm, which, btw, is a very useful focal length on APS-C cameras.
Best uses: events, streets. Goes very well with the DA 40mm.
Note: I had the MF version of this lens; now I own an AF copy--which is visibly better than the MF version.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,066 | | Review Date: March 21, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp as a razor | | Cons: | Build quality a mixed bag | |
This lens has a growing reputation for tremendous sharpness, and it delivers. Wide open, images are amazingly sharp, and close ups have a lovely 3d look. At the minimum focusing distance, the dof is really minimal, which allows creative photography. But the in-focus parts are still sharp. Tack-sharp doesn't really describe it - this lens is a razor. I haven't noticed softer corners, but there is a very minimal amount of red ca on high contrast edges, but its truly negligible. I haven't seen any purple ca. I haven't had any significant glare problems, perhaps i've been lucky.
My copy has worn lettering on the lens barrel, and there is some play in the barrel. And occasionally there are communication issues with the camera, where the camera in av mode lets me open the lens up (apparently) to f1.0! If only it was possible....
An excellent lens with a deservedly growing popularity.
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