[lmd91343]

I have become quite enamored with good digital cameras. I don't use my collection of Canon film bodies and lenses or my Pentax film bodies anymore. The size, quality, ease, cost, and immediacy of feedback has won me over!

I like the K10 (ir conversion) and K20 I have. I have much of what I need except fast AF lenses. I would prefer zooms but I also want primes. I would assume the better currently made zooms are better than the top of the line ones I have from the '70s and '80s.

I am quite unhappy with my kit 18-55 and my 50-200. They are OK for 4x6 prints. I am very happy the the results of my '70s Taks. These M42 Tak lenses include: 17/4; 28/3.5; 35/2.0 (67); 50/4 macro; 85/1.8; 100/4 macro; 105/2.8; 135/2.5; 150/4.0; 200/4; 300/4. I am also surprisingly happy with my Vivitar S1 35-85/2.8 (except at 2.8). I just bought and not tried a vivitar 21/3.8. I am happy with my 10-17 zoom, 50/1.4 AF, and 85/1.4 MF Samyang. The problem is they are not good for traveling or walking around.

I would like a set of good, fast AF zooms (2.8) 17/18-50/70/80 and 50/80-150/200. I would also like a fast AF wide lens and a fast AF long focus (tele).

Please give some suggestions based on your experience and research, so I can buy these two, three, or four lenses.

[Urkeldaedalus]

I have become quite enamored with good digital cameras. I don't use my collection of Canon film bodies and lenses or my Pentax film bodies anymore. The size, quality, ease, cost, and immediacy of feedback has won me over!

I like the K10 (ir conversion) and K20 I have. I have much of what I need except fast AF lenses. I would prefer zooms but I also want primes. I would assume the better currently made zooms are better than the top of the line ones I have from the '70s and '80s.

I am quite unhappy with my kit 18-55 and my 50-200. They are OK for 4x6 prints. I am very happy the the results of my '70s Taks. These M42 Tak lenses include: 17/4; 28/3.5; 35/2.0 (67); 50/4 macro; 85/1.8; 100/4 macro; 105/2.8; 135/2.5; 150/4.0; 200/4; 300/4. I am also surprisingly happy with my Vivitar S1 35-85/2.8 (except at 2.8). I just bought and not tried a vivitar 21/3.8. I am happy with my 10-17 zoom, 50/1.4 AF, and 85/1.4 MF Samyang. The problem is they are not good for traveling or walking around.

I would like a set of good, fast AF zooms (2.8) 17/18-50/70/80 and 50/80-150/200. I would also like a fast AF wide lens and a fast AF long focus (tele).

Please give some suggestions based on your experience and research, so I can buy these two, three, or four lenses.

Well currently if you want a 2.8 zoom your options are:

Sigma 17-50 f/2.8
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Sigma 24-60 f/2.8
Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 (there are multiple versions of this one)
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Pentax 16-50 f/2.8

I have the 16-50 f/2.8 from Pentax and like it a lot. The model has been plagued by quality control issues but my lens has done great so far. Any others from that group are also pretty good as far as I know, with some having advantages over the others for various reasons and types of shooting. Yes almost all of these lenses will likely outperform the zooms you had from the 1970s and 80s.

For telephoto zooms I believe your options are:

Pentax 50-135 f/2.8
Tamron 70-200 f/2.8
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 (there are also multiple versions of this one)
Sigma 50-150 f/2.8

Of these, the Tamron is probably the most consistent optically and performance wise and is pretty cheap when you can find it used. The Pentax lens hass great image quality in a relatively small, weathersealed, package but it is also plagued by quality control issues. The Sigmas are good and have the fastest autofocus if you get the versions with the HSM internal motors.

Good Pentax wides I'd suggest for travel are:

The DA15 f/4, DA21 f/3.2 and DA35 f/2.8

Good Pentax modern telephoto primes still in production:

DA70 f/2.4, FA77 f/1.8 (both small, sharp short telephotos. good for travel)

D-FA WR 100 f/2.8 Macro (weather sealed, also fairly small, and a macro. I'd think this would be a great all around telephoto for travel)

DA*200 f/2.8 (I'm a big fan of this lens. The image quality is great, especially considering that if you buy it used on this forum, you can often find it for a pretty reasonable price)

Hope that helps.

[wlachan]

I would like a set of good, fast AF zooms (2.8) 17/18-50/70/80 and 50/80-150/200. I would also like a fast AF wide lens and a fast AF long focus (tele).

If you are a risk taker, check out DA*16-50/2.8 & 50-135/2.8, otherwise check out Canon EF-S17-55/2.8IS & EF70-200/2.8L IS II.

I would also like a fast AF wide lens

AF-S14-24/2.8 will be for you then, but then you will be looking at Nikon FF. Pentax DA12-24/4 is also okay if you can live with CA.

[Adam]

This sounds more like a lens question. Moved to the appropriate section.

Adam
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