For decades I swore by the Kern 50mm f1,8 Macro Switar in Alpa Reflex mount. I used them in the field and in the laboratory. Those lenses could give hundreds of lines per millimetre on Kodak high resolution plate. Then I sold the last of those cameras and lenses some five years ago (for a substantial amount) and started using a Pentax ME Super and P30s and bought a Sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro EX from Henry's.
In practice I can't see any difference between pictures I've taken with the Sigma and those from the Kerns. I think it's the sharpest lens I have ... with the possible exception of a Russian Vega 50mm enlarging lens, but I can't swear to this because I haven't done any real careful testing. If you want to see images I can post some; or just look at my website, there are pictures there. Don _______________ Dr E D F Williams http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams Author's Web Site and Photo Gallery See New Pages 'The Cement Company from HELL!' Updated: August 15, 2003 "Oh my God! They've killed Teddy!" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leon Altoff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 9:48 AM Subject: Sigma A 50 f2.8 macro - how good is it? > Hi all, > > Is there anyone out there that can tell me how good the old Sigma > manual focus A 50mm f2.8 lens is? > > does it have a flat field of focus and is it sharp is what I want to > know. For the use I have for it I don't need great bokeh. > > Thanks > > > Leon > > http://www.bluering.org.au > http://www.bluering.org.au/leon > > >
