Sigma Receives TIPA Awards

That certainly makes the point

The Pentax 31mm is a traditionally made, metal and glass lens of the highest manufacturing standards, with exceptional performance. I doubt that a Sigma lens will be better, but it will of course also depend on how we define "better"!

I know which I would prefer to have on my camera. Compact size is not the only Pentax advantage - construction quality, flare resistance, optical performance, consistent colour balance with other SMC lenses....

John. You don't always have to leap to the defence of Pentax, the 31mm especially hardly needs it. However you intimate but saying 'not the only advantage' that the 31mm is better than the Sigma in all those areas you list. The Sigma 35mm already has stellar reviews and proven performance and is considered better than anything produced by Canon/Nikon and every other 35mm out there. It's not a lens you want to pick a fight with - especially regarding optical performance where the Sigma has blown everything else away !

Some people will want a superb, small and light lens - others will want the very best lens they can get for their money. This is a heavy-weight contest that I doubt the 31mm can win in pure technical terms, and why should it when you think about the when the 31mm was designed and how much has gone into the Sigma design in 2012/13.

I'm not leaping to the defence of Pentax, I'm stating my opinion, so it's also not necessary to assume anything else....

I was actually replying to the notion that the only thing the 31mm had as an advantage was its compact size, which I don't believe to be true.

I have tested and used the 31mm and it performs better technically than much more recent lenses. Ironically, I prefer some of the lenses that perform technically less well, so I'm not actually championing the 31mm at all. Give me the 43mm f/1.9 and the 70mm f/2.4 any day in preference.

Stop telling Porkies!....

Available from BH on the 20th May 2013 link
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