Sigma Normal 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF USA

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

A must-have lens if you want to get more into macro photography!

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

Excellent product for close-up in macro photography.

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

I use this lens mainly for macro work. I could have bought a super macro lens but for the price this lens works brilliantly.

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

This lens is useful in applications where a slightly longer than normal focal length is required. This lens makes a nice portrait lens for those on a budget. I was pleasantly surprised how sharp this lens is. The macro function is another nice touch. Size is also nice, not very heavy but no lightweight either. I would definitely recommend this lens. The one annoying thing about it is once you put the lens hood on you can't put the lens cap back on while the hood is on.

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

I use this lens constantly and have nothing but praise for the quality and uses for this lens. I can capture the macro shot I want and also the group of 15 kids posing at drama school.It is a little heavier than the 18-50mm Sigma I was using but I got used to the feel of it very quickly.I cannot recommend this lens too highly. Go for it![...]

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

This lens is a great start for anyone interested in trying out some marcro work. Auto focus can be a little awkward and slow, so use manual when you can. This is a good macro lens for the price... I'm hooked!

Comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

GENERAL USE:This being my most valuable lens, I love it. I use it forportraiture and macro, so it's kind of a dual-purpose lens. Its decently open aperture capabilities are very usefulthough. At f/2.8, it is very sharp. Right when I put it onmy *ist DL, I got excellent-quality pictures. At 1:1, it isvery beneficial to have a tripod if your subject is still. If the subject is moving (such as an ant) I usually just setit to 1:1 with manual focus and move back and forth to getphotos that are in focus. Sometimes this can be tricky,which requires patience and experience. This usually worksbest with more light, because then you can use a higheraperture with a greater DOF. I recommend a filter of somesort because if you're within 2 inches of something, youdon't want to bump the lens on a piece of metal and have itruined.FEATURES:The AF limiter is pretty handy but sometimes it gets in theway. Usually I don't use it, but the few times I do use it,I am happy that it is there. F/2.8 makes it a decent indoorlens (with or without flash), too.DESIGN:I have had no problems with the design. It is not agigantic macro lens like some of the 100mm-and-above lensesare. (When you're at 1:1, it will stick out another 3inches.) I'm not sure if it's made out of plastic or metalor another substance. It's kind of fuzzy, which makes itall the more fancy pancy. The only thing I don't like isthat the lens hood screws and takes a while to take on andoff. I usually don't use the hood, anyway.VALUE:Get it. It's an amazing value. It produces amazing-qualitypictures. I knew my kit lens (18-55mm) was somewhat sharp. Then I got this lens, put it at f/9, with my Vivitar 285hvand got EXTREMELY sharp shots, even indoors.MEETS EXPECTATIONS:Of course!

Expertise: Advanced Amateur

Problems Encountered: None so far (I've had it for about a month).A slight problem with the design is that the lens hoodscrews on, which is kind of weird.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Hmm. 18-55mm, and pentax smc 20mm

Items I Recommend: Protective filter