Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC

[whitedogone]

I'm looking for a replacement for my current kit lens. It seems that the Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 is well received. My question is that there seems to be 2 models of this lens. One has semi macro and the other does not. Other that the macro is the IQ the same between the two? There is quite a price difference between the two.
Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

The macro would be nice. But I will probably add a Tamron 90 macro to my collection in the future. WDO

[Russell-Evans]

The two versions differ in IQ. The macro version is the updated version. I've read the update to the original version was in response to the Sigma 17-70mm being a much better lens optically. The 17-70mm cannibalized the 18-50mm's market, so the second version (macro) came out with IQ equivalent to the 17-70mm.

The macro is 1.3, so the Sigma 18-50mm macro is not a lens for bugs, but works well with flowers. The macro was not the reason for my buying it, I wanted a short fast zoom. At the time, the Pentax 16-50mm was out of my price range, and the Tamron 17-50mm wasn't out.

The Tamron is supposed to be the better lens and is the least expensive except for the Cameta deal on the original Sigma 18-50mm. I've read some people have issues with the Tamron front focusing, and read some posts by people that don't. I think if I were buying the Tamron, I would only buy after trying the lens I was buying at a store, no mail order.

Thank you
Russell

[k100d]

according to most people and photozone, the Tamron > Sigma Macro
however PopPhoto RAVED about the Sigma Macro. so take your pic, try it out in the store, see that you get a good sample and leave home a happy camper.

[alfdog]

It's not a 17-70.
It's not a DA 16-50.

It's got great image quality and constant 2.8 for a price less than the DA

I usually find myself shooting indoors, that's why I bought the Sigma.
That, and price =)

edit: I have the macro version

[Zebooka]

The Macro version is slightly better optically, it can focus closer (0,2m vs. 0,3m as I remember)
I've one and it's great. It costed me just 2/5 of DA*16-50 price.

Now, with my girlfriend we plan to buy 17-70/2.8-4.5 for her camera.

[wavecurrent]

I bought the macro version with my K10d, and I'm very pleased with the IQ of it.
I have had the opportunity to test the 17-70 version as a replacement, I can only say one thing.
The 18-50 macro version IQ wise is so much better, the one negative thing about it
is the internal reflections. I guess the Pentax-SMC coating is so much better

Mike