Which Prime Lens???

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

I have been a Pentax shooter since the early 80's.

Thats awesome! A few years ago my grandfather was going through some old bins at my great grandmothers house and through away about 5 amazing older cameras without knowing anything about them! Needless to say I was a little disappointed...

but I guess that makes sense that the Sigma probably doesn't work for that then lol considering the camera is a decade older than me hahaha

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thats awesome! A few years ago my grandfather was going through some old bins at my great grandmothers house and through away about 5 amazing older cameras without knowing anything about them! Needless to say I was a little disappointed...

but I guess that makes sense that the Sigma probably doesn't work for that then lol considering the camera is a decade older than me hahaha

I still have my Pentax film camera (model Lx). At the time, it was the top of the line Pentax film camera. It still is highly regarded. Currently, I have two K-10D's, two K-5's and a K-30. I would love to find a cache of old Pentax gear. Some of the legacy lenses were outstanding and due to Pentax' rear compatibility they will still function on today's modern digital cameras (although most likely in a manual mode).

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Gianni, it is available in K Mount! ......... as a pre-order!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/983904-REG/sigma_210_109_18_35mm_f1_8_dc_hsm.html

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Gianni, it is available in K Mount! ......... as a pre-order!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/983904-REG/sigma_210_109_18_35mm_f1_8_dc_hsm.html

I'm pretending not to have read this!!

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

On Amazon the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens says it only has 3 left and is sold out of almost every other store is this lens like going away??? Or is it just because of Christmas?

I think I want it but I'm scared its going to be gone???

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

There is two versions. One replaced the other. Of course the newer version is more expensive. The new version is part of the new designations called the Art line of lenses. Since I own the first version, I never bothered to find the difference between the two.

 

[SplashMo]

I would be OK with you getting the ART version of the lens. The non-art version was amazing when you got a good version of it. The 18-35 is the very best way to go. Of course more money. However that is primo.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

I would be OK with you getting the ART version of the lens. The non-art version was amazing when you got a good version of it. The 18-35 is the very best way to go. Of course more money. However that is primo.

Thank you I will look at the non art version too...

I really want the 18-35 the more I read about it...

Part of me wants to get the 35 or the 50 because they are cheaper and wait a little bit save up and buy the 18-35 a lot of reviews are saying how good it is...

Hmm decisions decisions...

 

[SplashMo]

For me the ideal combination is:

18-35 and the 50mm (Absolute best quality) Wonderful combo. and use the 18-55 kit lens with the 50mm until you get the 18-35. the 50mm is too long for Disney (for the most part)

I would not look at the non-art version as there is too much variance in sample quality. (you might get a bad copy).

 

[millys]

I had both the Nikon 35 f1.8 and the Sigma 30 f1.4.

I actually spent a lot of time comparing to two lenses and for me - I really couldn't justify the extra cost of the Sigma. The are both excellent lenses and you will probably be happy with either - but the difference between them is very very small in my opinion and the extra 5mm (or 7.5 in 35 mm terms) is too close to be a deal breaker. I decided that the Nikon 35 plus an ultra wide zoom was the best way to go for me.
The Sigma does have a very shallow DOF at 1.4 but the bokeh isn't particularly great in my opinion. At 1.8 both lenses performed well and there was virtually no difference between them.
Cameras these days are able to take images at high ISO marks that can more than compensate for a one stop advantage.
As I say - they are both great lenses and - had I not already owned the Nikon - then I would have happily kept and used the Sigma.
I have a lot of faith in Tom's reviews - he uses and tests his lenses in a 'real world' way and not through the usual laboratory type tests.
Some would go with the opinions of another well known reviewer who has a completely opposite view of the Sigma to Tom.
At the end of the day you can't really go wrong with many of the recent lenses and unless you are a pro who needs to be able to blow up photos to use on six sheet billboards then you will not notice much difference.
The other consideration is the 'luck of the draw' in terms of the copy you get. I have seen some very good and some very poor images from lenses because they were poor quality copies.
Read the reviews, gather opinion, look at images produced by the lens with the camera you have, and finally go to a store and handle them to see how they feel.
I would personally wait and go for the 18-35 zoom but that's just me!

Good luck and I hope you are happy with your new lens.

Milly

 

[photo_chick]

Reading this thread.. with people saying they'd be OK with the OP buying a particular version or telling the OP to get a two for one by buying this other lens....


OP... never buy a lens solely based on someone else's recommendation. I'm not saying that there are not some great recommendations here in this thread. The Sigma 30mm is a great lens. Both versions. But knowing if it's the right lens or not for the OP is impossible at this point since they've just had their camera since Christmas.

OP... I'm one of those people who loves a 50mm on my crop body. Many people feel that lens is too long on a crop. And in some situations it is a little tight. The opposite can be said of the 30mm, sometimes it's not tight enough. It's all in what you need. And since you just got your camera for Christmas it's difficult to know what you need just yet.

Like has been said, the most expensive lens is the one you have to buy twice. And in my experience when you buy a lens based mainly on recommendations, without knowing it's the right lens to fit your particular needs, it ends up being the most expensive lens in your bag because you just don't use it. I totally get the urge to run out and buy when you get a new camera. But it's not always the best thing to do because you just don't have the experience yet to know what you need. My advice is to slow down and breathe. The lenses will all still be there later. Your kit lens is a solid lens. Learn to use it, learn where your shots fall focal length wise. That will tell you what prime is right for you.

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

For me the ideal combination is:

18-35 and the 50mm (Absolute best quality) Wonderful combo. and use the 18-55 kit lens with the 50mm until you get the 18-35. the 50mm is too long for Disney (for the most part)

I would not look at the non-art version as there is too much variance in sample quality. (you might get a bad copy).

Thank you for all of your help!
I was thinking that combo would be excellent especially if I practice with the kit lens when I work up to the 18-15mm it will be a nicer transition then just starting out without a frame of reference...

Read the reviews, gather opinion, look at images produced by the lens with the camera you have, and finally go to a store and handle them to see how they feel.

Thank you for your response I think this is exactly what I am going to do... Rumor has it my local camera store is even renting lenses starting in 2014 if its not crazy expensive I'm thinking renting for a day or two before buying may also be a good option

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

Reading this thread.. with people saying they'd be OK with the OP buying a particular version or telling the OP to get a two for one by buying this other lens....


OP... never buy a lens solely based on someone else's recommendation. I'm not saying that there are not some great recommendations here in this thread. The Sigma 30mm is a great lens. Both versions. But knowing if it's the right lens or not for the OP is impossible at this point since they've just had their camera since Christmas.

OP... I'm one of those people who loves a 50mm on my crop body. Many people feel that lens is too long on a crop. And in some situations it is a little tight. The opposite can be said of the 30mm, sometimes it's not tight enough. It's all in what you need. And since you just got your camera for Christmas it's difficult to know what you need just yet.

Like has been said, the most expensive lens is the one you have to buy twice. And in my experience when you buy a lens based mainly on recommendations, without knowing it's the right lens to fit your particular needs, it ends up being the most expensive lens in your bag because you just don't use it. I totally get the urge to run out and buy when you get a new camera. But it's not always the best thing to do because you just don't have the experience yet to know what you need. My advice is to slow down and breathe. The lenses will all still be there later. Your kit lens is a solid lens. Learn to use it, learn where your shots fall focal length wise. That will tell you what prime is right for you.

Thank you so much for everything you said! My father is telling me the EXACT same thing... don't they always say its easier to listen to someone else then your parents???

I think everything that you said is extremely helpful and very much appreciate it!

 

[SevenSeas]

I actually just went through this debate last month and ended up with the Sigma 30mm lens. Unfortunately, I can't compare it directly to the Nikon, but I can say I've been extraordinarily pleased with my purchase.

I'm sure you've already seen this, but just in case you'd like to see the Sigma in action at Disney, there's a very in-depth review post here:

************************************sigma-30mm-f1-4-lens-review/

Or if you just want to see a lot of equipment and how it works at Disney, you can browse through this master post:

************************************photography-camera-reviews-disney/

Edit: Hmm, that didn't work as planned. Sorry! New to the boards. Might should read some FAQs first.

 

[mom2rtk]

I actually just went through this debate last month and ended up with the Sigma 30mm lens. Unfortunately, I can't compare it directly to the Nikon, but I can say I've been extraordinarily pleased with my purchase.

I'm sure you've already seen this, but just in case you'd like to see the Sigma in action at Disney, there's a very in-depth review post here:

************************************sigma-30mm-f1-4-lens-review/

Or if you just want to see a lot of equipment and how it works at Disney, you can browse through this master post:

************************************photography-camera-reviews-disney/

Edit: Hmm, that didn't work as planned. Sorry! New to the boards. Might should read some FAQs first.

You need to have 10 posts to post a link. But even then some links are blocked by the DIS.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Listen to PC....

 

[klitteral2009]

There's also a great online rental company borrowlenses.com. I find their prices to be affordable and they have EVERYTHING!