What to pair with DA12-24: Tamron 28-75 or 17-50

alib99 · 01-18-2008, 03:50 AM

Hi,
I have been waiting for Tamron 17-50 since I got my K100D and later K10D. It has been like 1 year. (In the mean time I used sigma 17-70 but I needed faster lens especially for indoors.)

Finally last month I gave up and decided on the DA12-24, Tamron 28-75 combo.
I already got the 12-24.
So, now assuming that 17-50 will be available in a few months time, do you think I should stick to my initial decision (12-24 + 28-75) or change it to (12-24 + 17-50).
I have no problem waiting for a few months since I already have a FA35 and DA70. (I sold sigma 17-70) But if I decide on 28-75, in a few weeks time I am planning to get it.

It was easy decision when 17-50 was not available

Now it got more difficult to decide. My concern is if I get the 17-50, 12-24 will be in an idle position since I am relatively lazy in changing lenses.
Thanks.

lol101 · 01-18-2008, 05:50 AM

Did you check the Sigma 24-70 f2.8? It looks like a nice complement to the DA12-24.

alib99 · 01-18-2008, 06:04 AM

Thanks but it is too big and heavy. Otherwise they would be a perfect pair. Maybe 24-60 is smaller but then it does not have a considerable advantage over 17-50 in the long end.

Pentax means small and light right

egordon99 · 01-18-2008, 06:25 AM

Stick with the 12-24, 28-75 combo. I have the Sigma 10-20mm and Tamron 28-75mm combo for my ultra-wide->short telephoto range. I don't miss the 21-27mm gap, and you'll have even less of a gap with the 12-24mm.

Lowell Goudge · 01-18-2008, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by egordon99

Stick with the 12-24, 28-75 combo. I have the Sigma 10-20mm and Tamron 28-75mm combo for my ultra-wide->short telephoto range. I don't miss the 21-27mm gap, and you'll have even less of a gap with the 12-24mm.

I thought about this for about 6 months and wound up with the same combo. 10-20 and 28-75

My advantage though, is I have a gap filler. the pentax 18-35 that came with my *istD. It also uses the same filters as my 28-75, 67 mm,

the other thing, and maybe this does not apply, I still use my PZ-1 occasionally, hence I took the decision to go only with Full Frame lenses (except for the 10-20)

alib99 · 01-18-2008, 07:52 AM

So far nobody recommended 17-50

I think I do not need to wait for 17-50 to become available.

SpecialK · 01-18-2008, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by egordon99

Stick with the 12-24, 28-75 combo. I have the Sigma 10-20mm and Tamron 28-75mm combo for my ultra-wide->short telephoto range. I don't miss the 21-27mm gap, and you'll have even less of a gap with the 12-24mm.

That's my recommendation, too, though I never had the 10-20 or 28-75 :-)

*m8o* · 01-18-2008, 08:50 PM

alib99, sounds like you're building my kit.

28-75 f/2.8 was 1st, then 12-24mm f/4 (then 50mm f/1.4, then the Biggerma, then the Voigtlander... that road leads to the poor house...

)

My only desire on the wide end is a fast wide angle prime for some wider angle milkyway shots then w/the 50mm f/1.4, should I get away from civilization any time soon again. My kit's pretty much done now. Will probably get a 70-20mm f/2.8 when one ships, or DA* 200m f/2.8 and then finally done. (ya, right) sorry, I digress... That Tamron rules for the money. It's a good choice. I'll echo not thinking I need to fill every focal length.

alib99 · 01-18-2008, 11:06 PM

mo8, its really interesting

I had the chance for a VL but I chose DFA100. Sometimes I regret but I am not good at MF

Unfortunately I am still not set with the Biggerma. You know, we all have a boss at home

As an easy solution I may endup with "just" bigma

I can say, I am surprised that I am using 12-24 as a travel lens (Other lenses I have are FA35 and DA70 and most of the time they stay in the bag in a travel to a new place. ).

Well, you say your kit is pretty much done but apparently you have at least two new lenses in your wishlist

axl · 01-19-2008, 12:48 AM

Maybe consider Sigma 24 - 70 f2.8.
It's a massive lens, but haven't reat bad review yet and you wouldn't double cover, or loose any range...

*NaClH2O* · 01-19-2008, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by m8o

alib99, sounds like you're building my kit. 28-75 f/2.8 was 1st, then 12-24mm f/4 (then 50mm f/1.4, then the Biggerma, then the Voigtlander... that road leads to the poor house... )

My only desire on the wide end is a fast wide angle prime for some wider angle milkyway shots then w/the 50mm f/1.4, should I get away from civilization any time soon again. My kit's pretty much done now. Will probably get a 70-20mm f/2.8 when one ships, or DA* 200m f/2.8 and then finally done. (ya, right) sorry, I digress... That Tamron rules for the money. It's a good choice. I'll echo not thinking I need to fill every focal length.

Have you thought about the Sigma 24mm F1.8? It's one of my fav lenses. Am at work so I don't have access to my images, but it's a pretty darn good performer. Many think it is the best of the "sigma wide and fast crew".

NaCl(a wide and fast fan myself)H2O

*m8o* · 01-19-2008, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by NaClH2O

Have you thought about the Sigma 24mm F1.8? It's one of my fav lenses. Am at work so I don't have access to my images, but it's a pretty darn good performer. Many think it is the best of the "sigma wide and fast crew".
NaCl(a wide and fast fan myself)H2O

definitely. Thinking of the 24mm more then the their 20mm and 28mm (as the 20mm doesn't 'test as well'). Though their 28mm, and even the Pentax 31mm ltd is a possibility (just so I could have more Pentax glass!). I actually need to experiment with test shots using these two zoom lenses being discussed in the OP at the different focal lengths so I can better understand the resulting FOV produced, and decide on which to get after that. That btw, is a great 'feature' of zooms.

kjao · 01-20-2008, 04:55 PM

I will also recommend Pentax DA12-24/4 and Tamron 28-75/2.8 pairing. This is similar to the kit I am building. I have the Tamron 28-75/2.8 but instead of DA12-24, I have got FA20-35/4 and will be getting the Sigma 10-20 towards the end of the year since I have just bought two new lenses recently!

cheers
Kenny

tux08902 · 01-20-2008, 05:18 PM

If you can consider something expensive, how about the FA* 28-70mm?

*hinman* · 01-22-2008, 03:06 PM

My configuration in zoom lens raises similar question for pairing. I am going to receive Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 either today or tomorrow. And I have the Tokina 19-35 f/3.5-4.5, which I paid below $100 used and I find it a great performer for me. What is ideal to me is to have both lens working for digitial as well as film boides. So my zoom lens are as follows:

1. Tokina 19-35 f/3.5-4.5 with 77 filter size. I bought it used recently and I have been loving this lens. The manual focus is not that great in this lens due to short focusing path.
2. Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 with 67mm filter size. I should get it today
3. Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro. (planned for the long end)

And I am thinking of how to fill in the zoom in the wider end, and DA 12-24 is a wonderful choice but it seems to be on the expensive end to me and I am thinking along the line of Pentax 10-17. I don't know how well the Sigma 12-24 or Sigma 10-20 goes and I assume it is not as good as the DA 12-24. So far I am down to few choices in order of interest for my wider end zoom

1. Pentax DA 10-17 f/3.5-4.5
2. Sigma 10-20 f/4.0-5.6
3. Pentax DA 12-24 f/4.0
4. Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6

Comments, thoughts are welcome as I may not know Pentax DA 10-17 well enough as a lot of people talk about it having focal range not likely used commonly. But I like it because of my unique other lens with Tokina 19-35 f/3.5-4.5.

Thanks,
Hin