Normally Prime shooter but need zoom advice for family trip

audiobomber · 11-08-2011, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

DA10-17, the lens that drove me to Pentax.

That's an odd reason to choose Pentax. The Tokina 10-17mm is the same lens, available in Nikon and Canon mount.

audiobomber · 11-08-2011, 05:28 PM

The 18-250mm has terrific range but is beaten in every other way by the 18-135mm (I own both). If the Pentax 17-70mm was WR, I'd have that instead, but for now my main kit is 18-135mm + primes.

RioRico · 11-08-2011, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

That's an odd reason to choose Pentax. The Tokina 10-17mm is the same lens, available in Nikon and Canon mount.

I didn't see the Tokina when I did my dSLR research 3.5 years ago. Also, when I read user reviews of Canikony cams in the same price range as the K20D, I saw many urgent desires to upgrade ASAP. I didn't want to buy into a system that required a periodic migration path. The DA10-17 drove me to Pentax; the K20D drove me onward, beyond the blue horizon.

audiobomber · 11-08-2011, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

I didn't see the Tokina when I did my dSLR research 3.5 years ago. Also, when I read user reviews of Canikony cams in the same price range as the K20D, I saw many urgent desires to upgrade ASAP. I didn't want to buy into a system that required a periodic migration path. The DA10-17 drove me to Pentax; the K20D drove me onward, beyond the blue horizon.

You got the right camera. A friend of mine with a 40D had the Tokina fisheye before I had my K20. He upgraded to a 50D pretty quickly, that 40D IQ was pretty awful compared to the K20D.

John Araki · 11-08-2011, 06:45 PM

Where are you going to visit and plan to shoot? The 12-24 may be all you'd need!

shellie · 11-08-2011, 08:24 PM

I bought a used Pentax 18-250 for our recent family trip to England. LOVE this lens. I don't have any really good primes, so it was the only lens I took. I bought a neoprene camera cover and just threw the whole camera in my purse... didn't even bring a camera bag. I love traveling light, and this lens helped me do that. It's not a small lens, but it was very nice not to have to change lenses or schlep another one around with me. The only time I really wish I had another lens was when we went down into the dungeon of a castle... it was just too dark for me to get pics of my boys goofing around down there. But it certainly did perform admirably in all other situations during our trip.

Besta · 11-08-2011, 09:16 PM

We are going to New York and Boston this Winter. It seems that from ebay, it would cost about

- $400 for the used 18-250mm or new Tamron 28-75,
- $475 for Pentax 18-135,
- $>450 for both Sigma and Pentax 17-70mm.
- $220-250 for Pentax 24-90 (from my friend)

As RioRico mentioned, I can get probably $120 selling both FA100-300mm and F35-70mm (after fees).

So, what do you think?

L33tGreg · 11-09-2011, 12:07 PM

My wife uses a Sigma 28-105/2.8 and it gets the job done. I don't think I could live without my limited though, even if I only had to pick 1 each day, I rather make a few pictures with that one that take a lot of pictures with the other.

Besta · 11-09-2011, 12:35 PM

Thank you for all helpful comments. Just got used-excellent Tamron 18-250 version for $348 from ebay. Too bad, got it before selling my Fa100-300 and F35-70 lens. Will see if I will sell these two in the near future. My LBA just starts again.

RioRico · 11-09-2011, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Besta

Thank you for all helpful comments. Just got used-excellent Tamron 18-250 version for $348 from ebay. Too bad, got it before selling my Fa100-300 and F35-70 lens. Will see if I will sell these two in the near future. My LBA just starts again.

I have no trouble keeping and using all three of those. But I'm a perv. Have fun!

sterretje · 11-09-2011, 11:05 PM

Too late now, but DA12-24 + DA40 or F35-70 would have been my choice. Enjoy your new lens.

RioRico · 11-10-2011, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

Too late now, but DA12-24 + DA40 or F35-70 would have been my choice. Enjoy your new lens.

There are several ways to approach this.

1) For travel and dynamic situations (i.e. I don't know what to expect) the 18-250 is just so damn convenient. No lens-swapping. No missing shots shots during lens-swapping. The IQ of a missed shot is zero.

2) If situations are more foreseeable, then a set of shorter-range zooms are fine. My Tamron 10-24, F35-70, and FA100-300 work well thus, if I know that my targets will be at close or middle or further distances.

3) If I want to work harder at framing specific images, then primes are the answer. I'll toss into my bag the Zenitar 16/2.8, the Kiron 24/2 or Komine 28/2 CFWA, some Fast Fifty, and a 90mm or 105mm macro.

4) If *coverage* is vital, then I go whole-hog: DA10-17, Tamron 10-24, DA18-250, Lil'Bigma 170-500, Rubinar Makpo 1000/10 mirror, and the FA50/1.4 -- all my most expensive glass (except for the K50/1.2).

OP chose #1. You suggested #2 (sorta), which OP wants to move away from. I use both those and #3 a lot. For #4 I need a porter or pack-llama, especially for the tripods. Carrying one's kit in a rucksack isn't really fun. Oh, my aching back...

chickenandavocado · 11-10-2011, 05:08 AM

i was in a similar situation, decided on tamron 17-50 (lens swapping is annoying for non photographers :P) so i could do wide ish angle and also low light

regor · 12-07-2011, 09:21 PM

My go-to zoom when switching primes isn't practical (also a prime guy) is the A35-105/3.5. Not quite as wide as I think you'd like it I am guessing (I'd like 24-105), but it is a rather nice lens for the price it can be had. IQ is definitely there, a bit on the heavy side though.

Mike Cash · 12-07-2011, 10:01 PM

Saying that lens is a bit on the heavy side is understatement on a par with saying Bonnie & Clyde were a bit on the mischievous side.

The image quality, though, is indeed superb and many owners (including me) say it is like having three primes in one lens.

11-08-2011, 05:28 PM	#17
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	The 18-250mm has terrific range but is beaten in every other way by the 18-135mm (I own both). If the Pentax 17-70mm was WR, I'd have that instead, but for now my main kit is 18-135mm + primes. Last edited by audiobomber; 11-08-2011 at 09:46 PM.

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11-08-2011, 05:22 PM	#16
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by RioRico DA10-17, the lens that drove me to Pentax. That's an odd reason to choose Pentax. The Tokina 10-17mm is the same lens, available in Nikon and Canon mount.

11-08-2011, 05:34 PM	#18
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by audiobomber That's an odd reason to choose Pentax. The Tokina 10-17mm is the same lens, available in Nikon and Canon mount. I didn't see the Tokina when I did my dSLR research 3.5 years ago. Also, when I read user reviews of Canikony cams in the same price range as the K20D, I saw many urgent desires to upgrade ASAP. I didn't want to buy into a system that required a periodic migration path. The DA10-17 drove me to Pentax; the K20D drove me onward, beyond the blue horizon.

11-08-2011, 05:42 PM	#19
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by RioRico I didn't see the Tokina when I did my dSLR research 3.5 years ago. Also, when I read user reviews of Canikony cams in the same price range as the K20D, I saw many urgent desires to upgrade ASAP. I didn't want to buy into a system that required a periodic migration path. The DA10-17 drove me to Pentax; the K20D drove me onward, beyond the blue horizon. You got the right camera. A friend of mine with a 40D had the Tokina fisheye before I had my K20. He upgraded to a 50D pretty quickly, that 40D IQ was pretty awful compared to the K20D.

11-08-2011, 06:45 PM	#20
John Araki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makawao, HI Photos: Gallery Posts: 195	Where are you going to visit and plan to shoot? The 12-24 may be all you'd need!

11-08-2011, 08:24 PM	#21
shellie Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 57	I bought a used Pentax 18-250 for our recent family trip to England. LOVE this lens. I don't have any really good primes, so it was the only lens I took. I bought a neoprene camera cover and just threw the whole camera in my purse... didn't even bring a camera bag. I love traveling light, and this lens helped me do that. It's not a small lens, but it was very nice not to have to change lenses or schlep another one around with me. The only time I really wish I had another lens was when we went down into the dungeon of a castle... it was just too dark for me to get pics of my boys goofing around down there. But it certainly did perform admirably in all other situations during our trip.

11-08-2011, 09:16 PM	#22
Besta New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 10 Original Poster	We are going to New York and Boston this Winter. It seems that from ebay, it would cost about - $400 for the used 18-250mm or new Tamron 28-75, - $475 for Pentax 18-135, - $>450 for both Sigma and Pentax 17-70mm. - $220-250 for Pentax 24-90 (from my friend) As RioRico mentioned, I can get probably $120 selling both FA100-300mm and F35-70mm (after fees). So, what do you think?

11-09-2011, 12:07 PM	#23
L33tGreg Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 369	My wife uses a Sigma 28-105/2.8 and it gets the job done. I don't think I could live without my limited though, even if I only had to pick 1 each day, I rather make a few pictures with that one that take a lot of pictures with the other.

11-09-2011, 12:35 PM	#24
Besta New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thank you for all helpful comments. Just got used-excellent Tamron 18-250 version for $348 from ebay. Too bad, got it before selling my Fa100-300 and F35-70 lens. Will see if I will sell these two in the near future. My LBA just starts again.

11-09-2011, 01:01 PM	#25
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Besta Thank you for all helpful comments. Just got used-excellent Tamron 18-250 version for $348 from ebay. Too bad, got it before selling my Fa100-300 and F35-70 lens. Will see if I will sell these two in the near future. My LBA just starts again. I have no trouble keeping and using all three of those. But I'm a perv. Have fun!

11-09-2011, 11:05 PM	#26
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Too late now, but DA12-24 + DA40 or F35-70 would have been my choice. Enjoy your new lens.

11-10-2011, 04:52 AM	#27
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by sterretje Too late now, but DA12-24 + DA40 or F35-70 would have been my choice. Enjoy your new lens. There are several ways to approach this. 1) For travel and dynamic situations (i.e. I don't know what to expect) the 18-250 is just so damn convenient. No lens-swapping. No missing shots shots during lens-swapping. The IQ of a missed shot is zero. 2) If situations are more foreseeable, then a set of shorter-range zooms are fine. My Tamron 10-24, F35-70, and FA100-300 work well thus, if I know that my targets will be at close or middle or further distances. 3) If I want to work harder at framing specific images, then primes are the answer. I'll toss into my bag the Zenitar 16/2.8, the Kiron 24/2 or Komine 28/2 CFWA, some Fast Fifty, and a 90mm or 105mm macro. 4) If coverage is vital, then I go whole-hog: DA10-17, Tamron 10-24, DA18-250, Lil'Bigma 170-500, Rubinar Makpo 1000/10 mirror, and the FA50/1.4 -- all my most expensive glass (except for the K50/1.2). OP chose #1. You suggested #2 (sorta), which OP wants to move away from. I use both those and #3 a lot. For #4 I need a porter or pack-llama, especially for the tripods. Carrying one's kit in a rucksack isn't really fun. Oh, my aching back...

11-10-2011, 05:08 AM	#28
chickenandavocado Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 327	i was in a similar situation, decided on tamron 17-50 (lens swapping is annoying for non photographers :P) so i could do wide ish angle and also low light

12-07-2011, 09:21 PM	#29
regor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 356	My go-to zoom when switching primes isn't practical (also a prime guy) is the A35-105/3.5. Not quite as wide as I think you'd like it I am guessing (I'd like 24-105), but it is a rather nice lens for the price it can be had. IQ is definitely there, a bit on the heavy side though.

12-07-2011, 10:01 PM	#30
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Saying that lens is a bit on the heavy side is understatement on a par with saying Bonnie & Clyde were a bit on the mischievous side. The image quality, though, is indeed superb and many owners (including me) say it is like having three primes in one lens.