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Archive 2010 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

cogitech
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p.1 #1 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

So, I love my Rokkor 58/1.2. You all know how much I love it.

The thing is, my wife doesn't use it all that much. She has had great success with it in the past, but when it comes to using flash/umbrellas/triggers with it, she's just not quite willing to deal with FEC and such and she opts for something more "automatic" (although she most often uses manual focus anyway). I understand the appeal of this, of course. When I am around, I can set things up for her and let her roll, but when she's out on an assignment, she can't be trying to remember "all that stuff" when she's trying to shoot a magazine cover.

So, it seems to me that a Sigmalux might make a lot of sense. It seems to draw very much like the Rokinon 85/1.4 and we both love that lens. We could still use manual focus, but we'd have the benefits of auto aperture and "easier" metering.

We've decided to keep the EF 85/1.8 for situation like this when she wants an easier option over the Rokinon. We already have the EF 50/1.8, which is not really sufficient as an auto-alternative to the Rokkor. My wife basically refuses to use "the plastic piece of crap."

So, anyone can vote, of course, but I am interested in hearing from those of you who know both of these lenses well, and who know me (for better or worse). When I think of some of my favourite Rokkor 58/1.2 shots, I have to wonder if I would like them just as much with the Sigma 50/1.4...

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:38 PM

ISO1600
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p.1 #2 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

man, the 50/1.8 happy meal is a great lens!

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:42 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #3 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Too bad the bokeh is a dog's breakfast. Although this is somewhat less important in studio setups.

We both much prefer manual focus, and this lens' manual focus ring is painfully funny.

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:45 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #4 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

So many other great choices. Think of the Rokkor 58 as an investment. Put it away and forget you have it for now.

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:48 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #5 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

gasrocks wrote:
So many other great choices. Think of the Rokkor 58 as an investment. Put it away and forget you have it for now.

Other choices?...

If I end up keeping the Rokkor (leaning that way already) there's no way I'll neglect it

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:51 PM

tootalew
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p.1 #6 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

I say try and swing both. I sold my 58mm during tough times, sure wish I had not done that. I can understand your wifes situation though, with lighting it sure helps if the camera and flash knows what the lens is going to be doing.

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:53 PM

ricardovaste
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p.1 #7 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

You have the 85/1.8? And a 50/1.8 and a 58/1.2? Well, if it were me I know that a cheap 50mm (even if it is very plastically) is still very good optically and will ultimately last a very long time even if it isn't cast in gold... so i'd just stick with that. If your wife isn't comfortable with it I'd just moan at her a bit and try and convince her :P.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:03 PM

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p.1 #8 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

hi,
i sold mine 58er long time ago and bought the sigma.
the AF is very nice to have, MF is also available.
and i like the smaller MFD a lot.

and the difference between 1,2 and 1,4 .... so little, who cares.

r

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:06 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #9 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

tootalew wrote:
I say try and swing both. I sold my 58mm during tough times, sure wish I had not done that. I can understand your wifes situation though, with lighting it sure helps if the camera and flash knows what the lens is going to be doing.

Yes. I suspect I would miss the Rokkor. But, then again, Reinhard (rsrsrs) seems happy...

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:10 PM

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p.1 #10 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

i really dont see any option but to keep the 1.8.

The Rokkor, as much as i hate it, is a great lens. Don't ditch it.
The Sigma.... well it's a Sigma- so you can count on unreliability, the finish peeling off, and it having yellow glass :P
The Canon 1.4 is a horrible lens, not even an option.
The Canon 1.2 is expensive and a lot of people hate it, although my experiences with it were very nice.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:11 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #11 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

ricardovaste wrote:
You have the 85/1.8? And a 50/1.8 and a 58/1.2?

Yes, and a Rokinon 85/1.4, and an EF 50/2.5 CM, and Macro-Takumar 50/4 1:1....

I'm thinking, for 50mm, get the Sigma and keep only it and the Macro-Tak. Trim things down a bit.

Well, if it were me I know that a cheap 50mm (even if it is very plastically) is still very good optically and will ultimately last a very long time even if it isn't cast in gold... so i'd just stick with that. If your wife isn't comfortable with it I'd just moan at her a bit and try and convince her :P.

It's just that the focus rings on the EF 50/1.8 and EF 50/2.5CM are really, really bad. Especially the 1.8.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:13 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #12 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

ISO1600 wrote:
i really dont see any option but to keep the 1.8.

The Rokkor, as much as i hate it, is a great lens. Don't ditch it.
True.

The Sigma.... well it's a Sigma- so you can count on unreliability, the finish peeling off, and it having yellow glass :P

I sense some bias here

Anyway, I'd be buying it brand new, so warranty would cover any issues. Yellow glass? My Rokkor has that (partially cured, but still there) and emits radiation as well

The Canon 1.4 is a horrible lens, not even an option.
The Canon 1.2 is expensive and a lot of people hate it, although my experiences with it were very nice.

I wouldn't consider either one an option.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:18 PM

burningheart
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p.1 #13 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

First your Voigt 125 now the Rokkor.

Paul are you off your rokkor?

Then again you know whats best in your household, if you do decide to sell you should put it on auction and make sure you are the seller, you'd probably get a premium for it.

Best of luck with your decision. I didn't vote only you can decide what's best.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:27 PM

Paul Yi
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p.1 #14 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Paul....you can't sell your Rokkor 58/1.2.......

You're the one who is RESPONSIBLE for many of us having that lens, and now you're trying to get rid of it.....

NO, NO,NO..........

.....

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:27 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #15 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Burningheart, yes, I think I must be off my Rokkor

(The truth is, I would keep them all if I could afford it. This begs the question: "If she's shooting magazine covers, can't you just buy whatever you want?" No. Unfortunately it is a small, local magazine and she is terribly underpaid).

Paul, not trying to get rid of it. Just considering it. Wondering if it makes more sense in the long run, considering not just my needs but my wife's as well.

If I can figure out a way to keep it and get the Sigma, I'll likely do that... but that means I have to give up something else. My monthly debt load is astronomical, so there will be no more spending on gear. Not for a long, long time.

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:31 PM

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p.1 #16 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Paul,

"The Rokkor" - sign it - sell the signature copy for a premium - and buy the Sigma and another Rokkor.

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:04 PM

U.C.
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p.1 #17 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

I've both and love them for different reasons. If I want to shoot moving persons, I use the Sigma because its AF is fast and precise. If I can take my time to manual focus and need even more shallow DoF, I use the Rokkor.

Sigma:
+ AF
+ smoothest bokeh
- f/1.4 (most of the time it doesn't really matter)

Rokkor
+ better colours (less time needed in PP)
+ better aperture and focus control while filming (5D-II)
+ f/1.2
- needs live-view from 5m -> infinity (the mirror is still intact)
- MF only

Another + for the Rokkor (and all MF-lenses in common): I take more time to compose, so more keepers (I could also use MF on my Sigma....).

So for me, they have both their goods and bads, but ymmv.

Edited on Feb 09, 2010 at 08:13 PM · View previous versions

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:04 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #18 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

ZE 50/2?

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:12 PM

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p.1 #19 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Yes, it draws like the Rokinon/Samyang. But you should be aware that the drawing doesn't "fit" the 50 mm view in the same way. Try it before you buy it. We seem to share the same taste...

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:18 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #20 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

mMontag wrote:
Paul,

"The Rokkor" - sign it - sell the signature copy for a premium - and buy the Sigma and another Rokkor.

Funny, but unrealistic, of course. I'd just let it go at whatever the market price is. (Whatever that is

)

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:22 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #21 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

U.C. wrote:
I've both and love them for different reasons. If I want to shoot moving persons, I use the Sigma because its AF is fast and precise. If I can take my time to manual focus and need even more shallow DoF, I use the Rokkor.

Sigma:
+ AF
+ smoothest bokeh
- f/1.4 (most of the time it doesn't really matter)

Rokkor
+ better colours (less time needed in PP)
+ better aperture and focus control while filming (5D-II)
+ f/1.2
- needs live-view from 5m -> infinity (the mirror is still intact)
- MF only

Another + for the Rokkor (and all MF-lenses in common): I take more time to compose, so more keepers (I could also use MF on my Sigma....).

So for me, they have both their goods and bads, but ymmv.

Nice breakdown of the pros and cons. Thanks.

I'm concerned about the colour comment the most.

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:23 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #22 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

gasrocks wrote:
ZE 50/2?

Way too expensive (and I'm generally not a big Zeiss fan).

Edited on Feb 09, 2010 at 08:30 PM · View previous versions

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:25 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #23 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Makten wrote:
Yes, it draws like the Rokinon/Samyang. But you should be aware that the drawing doesn't "fit" the 50 mm view in the same way. Try it before you buy it. We seem to share the same taste...

Thanks Makten. Yes, I think we do share the same/similar taste. Please elaborate on "you should be aware that the drawing doesn't "fit" the 50 mm view in the same way." Do you mean the difference between 58mm and 50mm, or that this smooth drawing style doesn't quite work the same way at 50mm as it does at 85mm?

I do plan on trying the Sigma first. I might even buy it, try it, and then decide what to sell later. Maybe the Sigma, maybe the Rokkor, maybe something else I have sitting around.

Edited on Feb 09, 2010 at 08:28 PM · View previous versions

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:27 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #24 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

Paul, you hate AF. Don't buy the Sigmalux!

Seriously now, try to avoid to sell this one by all means. If you can't, well, buy the sigmalux. But i'd buy a 50/1.8 Mark I instead, based on the specific needs...

Edit: I voted last option on poll... ROFL

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:27 PM

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p.1 #25 · Sell Rokkor and buy Sigmalux?

cogitech wrote
Nice breakdown of the pros and cons. Thanks.

I'm concerned about the colour comment the most.
Well, maybe I exaggerated a bit, but the Sigma colours sometimes need a bit of a push in comparison to the Rokkor. But the Rokkor isn't flawless either. Last Sunday I was shooting with the Rokkor and a red flower turned into pink-red-ish while looking trough the lens...

Feb 09, 2010 at 08:28 PM


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