Lens choice

ronyzmbow · 02-05-2012, 04:46 AM

I own a great K-10 camera plus the 18-55 kit lens and a second hand Sigma 70-2300 lens. I am looking for an upgrade for the kit lens which will also give me a wider option. Find it very difficult to decide between
Pentax !6-45
Pentax 16-50
Tamron 17-50
Sigma 17-70

or should I get a Pentax Prime wide lens or a Pentax wide zoom or a third party wide zoom lens.

All your thoughts will be appreciated.

wlachan · 02-05-2012, 04:54 AM

If I must choose between these zooms, I would probably go for the Tamron. But my opinion has always been that primes are the strength of Pentax. If I want great zooms, I won't be shooting Pentax.

Verglace · 02-05-2012, 05:11 AM

I had to go through this recently. I decided to go with 16-50. Here's why.

-Wanted silent focusing (that ruled out the tamron 17-50 and pentax 16-45)
-Wanted a fast apperture (ruled out the pentax 17-70 and 18-135)
-Wanted weather sealing ruled out the Sigma 17-50

So all that's left is the Pentax 16-50. I think the best reason to go with Pentax is the weather sealing, other makes have faster primes at lower prices than Pentax, while Pentax is the only one that makes weather resist lenses that are affordable.

sterretje · 02-05-2012, 06:32 AM

Depending on your needs

DA16-45 if wider is the most important factor
DA17-70 (you left it out of the equation) if a little wider and a bit longer are necessary
Tamron 17-50 if a little wider and faster is required

See also DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

My choice: DA17-70

If you're happy with the quality of the kit lens, you might want to look at DA12-24 or similar lenses from 3rd party suppliers. The only prime in the Pentax camp that gives you something wider will be the DA15Ltd.

And as you mention primes:
DA12-24 + DA(-L)35/2.4; it a bit shorter but can be fun

civiletti · 02-05-2012, 09:58 PM

The Tamron 17-50/2.8 has impressive image quality. It is not built like a tank, and some have complained about its focus speed, but the detail it records is admirable. The DA17-70 has the best reviews among Pentax normal zooms.

ronyzmbow · 02-09-2012, 10:25 PM

Thanks for all the comments.
I have narrowed the search and want to decide between the
Sigma 17-70 mm 2.8-4
and
Pentax smc DA 16-45 mm f/4 ED AL
I can get both for about the same price
Want it is a lens which will stay most of the time on the K-10.
Comments?

02-05-2012, 04:46 AM	#1
ronyzmbow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 50	Lens choice I own a great K-10 camera plus the 18-55 kit lens and a second hand Sigma 70-2300 lens. I am looking for an upgrade for the kit lens which will also give me a wider option. Find it very difficult to decide between Pentax !6-45 Pentax 16-50 Tamron 17-50 Sigma 17-70 or should I get a Pentax Prime wide lens or a Pentax wide zoom or a third party wide zoom lens. All your thoughts will be appreciated.

02-09-2012, 10:25 PM	#6
ronyzmbow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 50 Original Poster	Lens choice - more focused now Thanks for all the comments. I have narrowed the search and want to decide between the Sigma 17-70 mm 2.8-4 and Pentax smc DA 16-45 mm f/4 ED AL I can get both for about the same price Want it is a lens which will stay most of the time on the K-10. Comments?

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02-05-2012, 04:54 AM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	If I must choose between these zooms, I would probably go for the Tamron. But my opinion has always been that primes are the strength of Pentax. If I want great zooms, I won't be shooting Pentax.

02-05-2012, 05:11 AM	#3
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	I had to go through this recently. I decided to go with 16-50. Here's why. -Wanted silent focusing (that ruled out the tamron 17-50 and pentax 16-45) -Wanted a fast apperture (ruled out the pentax 17-70 and 18-135) -Wanted weather sealing ruled out the Sigma 17-50 So all that's left is the Pentax 16-50. I think the best reason to go with Pentax is the weather sealing, other makes have faster primes at lower prices than Pentax, while Pentax is the only one that makes weather resist lenses that are affordable.

02-05-2012, 06:32 AM	#4
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Depending on your needs DA16-45 if wider is the most important factor DA17-70 (you left it out of the equation) if a little wider and a bit longer are necessary Tamron 17-50 if a little wider and faster is required See also DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com My choice: DA17-70 If you're happy with the quality of the kit lens, you might want to look at DA12-24 or similar lenses from 3rd party suppliers. The only prime in the Pentax camp that gives you something wider will be the DA15Ltd. And as you mention primes: DA12-24 + DA(-L)35/2.4; it a bit shorter but can be fun

02-05-2012, 09:58 PM	#5
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	The Tamron 17-50/2.8 has impressive image quality. It is not built like a tank, and some have complained about its focus speed, but the detail it records is admirable. The DA17-70 has the best reviews among Pentax normal zooms.