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01-24-2011, 06:02 AM   #1
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K5 Sigma 10-20 and what?

Will be getting my K5 next week and have kept my Sigma 10-20. So down to only one lens. I really like the Sigma and rarely shoot above 10mm. I shoot landscapes 99% and there are times when I wish I had more reach with a bigger zoom to get the shots that the 10-20 can't. With the Aus dollar at parity with the US the price of Pentax lenses from B&H is very tempting. They are nearly half the Australian price. So at some time in the near future I would like to get a Pentax zoom. Under consideration are the DA 16-50mm and the DA 50-135mm. I believe that both of these lenses are top quality so the question is which one would compliment the 10-20?
I also had a look at some primes but couldnt decide if they would be suitable, eg DA 15mm, but it would overlap with the Sigma.
Would appreciate any suggestions or comments thanks!

01-24-2011, 08:44 AM   #2
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The new 18-135 seems like a no-brainer to me. That and the Sigma 8-16 are the only two zooms I own and pretty much cover everything I shoot.
01-24-2011, 08:47 AM   #3
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I second the 18-135
01-24-2011, 09:19 AM   #4
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The Tamron SP 24-135 f3.5-5.6 is a great lens, and was made to cover Full Frame, where it receives many accolades. See, for examle, here: FM Reviews - Tamron AF 24-135MM F/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF) Macro Your Sigma would cover you to 20mm, the the Tamron would pick up @ 24mm. The tiny you gap you could cover with cropping. This SP lens is made well, has great colors, and renders splendidly. The lens is more affordable than the Pentax option in this range and you will not lose anything in IQ. You have 18-20mm anyway.


Last edited by Jewelltrail; 01-24-2011 at 09:27 AM.
01-24-2011, 06:17 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by mabelsound Quote
The new 18-135 seems like a no-brainer to me
Is this lens really any good? I havn't heard much about it and thought it was a kit lens. I saw a kit lens on the K5 at a camera shop, I think it was the 18-55, which looked and felt very plasticy and cheap. I will have a look at the 18-135, but will it be anywhere as good as a * lens?
01-24-2011, 06:22 PM   #6
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even with SDM issue, I think the 50-135mm f2.8 is still the best bet
01-24-2011, 06:30 PM   #7
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The DA *50-135 is only $320 more then the 18-135 so was wondering if the extra is worth paying. In other words is the IQ difference sufficient to justify the cost? I'm not really worried about the gap netween 20 and 50.

01-24-2011, 06:43 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by ozlizard Quote
I shoot landscapes 99% and there are times when I wish I had more reach with a bigger zoom to get the shots that the 10-20 can't.
QuoteOriginally posted by ozlizard Quote
Under consideration are the DA 16-50mm and the DA 50-135mm.
These are f2.8 lenses; do you need that if you are a landscape shooter? There are SDM issues with both these lenses. For some of us who shoot a lot of low light performances etc taking a chance on an sdm lens is something we may have had to make.

I dont have the 18-135 but an alternative to the 16-50 is the 16-45 f4 according to advice I got in the past. The 50-135 is really nice and along with the DA 70 are my 2 favorite lenses. Sigma makes a 50-150 which some have said is a good alternative to the 50-135 for those who are nervous about the sdm.
01-29-2011, 12:03 AM   #9
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I think Iv'e narrowed it down. What got me thinking about these options was seeing a lot of landscape photos being taken by Canon users with the 24-70 L lens.
So the almost direct equavilent to that for APS-C is the Pentax DA 16-50. Now this is a * lens and can be had from B&H for about $750, which is a bargain compared to the Canon 24-70 (about $1300).
Just out of interest how does this lens compare to the Canon?
01-29-2011, 01:42 AM   #10
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Sigma 24-70 f2.8

If it's a 24-70 you're interested in, sigma has one with constant f2.8. It's not their smallest lens (82mm filter) but it's not too pricey either, and got about 8.5 in the reviews here. It's not an astounding score but I think it's a nice lens, I use it for 90% of my shots but then again I don't have any real wide angle...and I think there are two versions of it. The newer one is a bit more expensive but it's supposed to be better as well (HSM and new optical formula).

EDIT: Oh, forgot to say it's ff as well if that matters.
01-29-2011, 01:52 AM   #11
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What I am after is the APS-C lens that matches the FOV of the Canon 24-70 which is (roughly) the 16-50.
01-29-2011, 06:32 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by ozlizard Quote
Is this lens really any good? I havn't heard much about it and thought it was a kit lens. I saw a kit lens on the K5 at a camera shop, I think it was the 18-55, which looked and felt very plasticy and cheap. I will have a look at the 18-135, but will it be anywhere as good as a * lens?
It is much better than a kit lens, but I haven't used the star zooms and can't compare. Images are sharp, autofocus is unbelievably fast, and most importantly to me, it's very light and compact. Build quality is excellent, and it's weather-sealed.

I do think most people who have both agree that the star zooms are better, but I'm very satisfied.
01-29-2011, 11:53 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by ozlizard Quote
Is this lens really any good? I havn't heard much about it and thought it was a kit lens. I saw a kit lens on the K5 at a camera shop, I think it was the 18-55, which looked and felt very plasticy and cheap. I will have a look at the 18-135, but will it be anywhere as good as a * lens?

About 5% of the shots I've seen from the 18-135 were what I would call impressive. The other 95% were pretty mediocre. No way is it as good as the 50-135 (and technically, it does qualify as a kit lens, just sayin'). The only downsides to the * lens are the less-than speedy AF (still not that bad) and the possible SDM issue. While it is a real issue, it has gotten so rare that I truly wouldn't even think twice about buying a new one today. The IQ of the 50-135 is top-notch, the 16-50 perhaps a half-notch below it (but quicker AF). I have seen some pretty good images from the 16-45, but I would personally still prefer the 16-50. It's just a little bit better and has WR. Let us know what you decide!
01-29-2011, 01:02 PM   #14
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The 16-50 is a beautiful lens optically. I've been impressed the whole time I've owned it.
If you're looking for value for money mate, then go to the Tamron 17-50 - it's optically excellent also and still f/2.8 throughout. Definitely worth the money you pay for it. You may well give up the Sigma 24-60 as a result of getting the DA* or Tamron, and then consider getting the 50-135 to boot.
01-29-2011, 01:57 PM   #15
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If you want to go the prime route, I donīt think that the DA15Ltd adds anything from a focal length perspective. I would first consider something in the range from 28mm to 35mm to get a īnormal' field of view. From experience: the FA31Ltd has covered my normal needs for the last 2 months (since I started using it instead of the kit lens); this included family events and nature / landscape.

People seem to be very happy with the new DA-L35/2.4 and it does not break the bank. DA35Ltd has an excellent reputation (Iīve heard that itīs a bit slow focusing in normal use). And off course FA31Ltd (the only one that I have experience with).

Having an universal lens will make the other lenses that you have / acquire īspecialistī lenses and the gap in focal length between that universal lens and other īspecialistī lenses basically becomes a non-issue (at least for me). 10-20 for landscape and whatever longer you acquire for your tele needs.

Next you can add a prime between 70 and 100mm if your tele needs are not extreme or the 50-135 or 60-250 if you need longer or need a zoom.

PS
Personally I think that the gap between 20 (end of your current setup) and 50 (begin of the 50-135) is big; I would definitely need something to fill that.

Last edited by sterretje; 01-29-2011 at 02:03 PM.
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