I know this lens has been kicked around the block many times but this is sort of a request for advice if you guys will please bear with me.
Like most everyone states; for the price its not bad. However, if you need it for low light situations, you'd better have other glass to shoot thru. At least that is how mine performs. I know not all lens are equal and don't roll off the assembly line performing exactly the same.
I bought this lens on my K10d (which is the camera I still shoot) and all the other lens' I own are older manual lens (manual in every way and with my eyes I probably need to stay away from manual focus). Like I mentioned above, when trying to shoot indoors in low light (I guess any low light situation) its just not satisfactory. I've been contemplating purchasing a new higher end lens such as the Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) which was recommended to me by one of the featured Pentaxians on the Pentaxian website. I've also heard that this lens has shown to be rated better than the primes in that same range.
However, I'm just a little reluctant to invest that kind of money. I'm almost considering switching camps to Niks or the Cans. I know, shame on me, right? I'm under heavy pressure form my son who shoots weddings and he's in the Canon camp after trying Nikon for a while.
I suppose everyone has a loyalty to one brand or the other for whatever reason. I've been with Pentax for years (film cameras). This K10d is my first digital. Some might say that I'm playing with an outdated model but some people still give high regard to even earlier models.
So that is the cross road I'm at. Do I invest in a newer lens and hope that it produces better results or do I look into another brand ( I like to call the others - aftermarket brand, the same way I consider motorcycles that are not Harley Davidsons
) Can I expect much better quality from, for example the 12-24? I'm not talking composition, as I know a lens can't do your thinking for you. I'm talking image quality. Or maybe the sensor is my problem and not the lens.
With the risk of much adversity, I post this hoping that I can get some helpful feed back from you guys. However, I do know that some will likely choose to bash me for even considering the change. But God did give us freedom of choice, good or bad, right?
Thanks in advance for any advice you kind folks might offer.
Best Regards