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05-14-2012, 06:26 PM   #1
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What Lens for my K-5

Hey all;

So my sister pushed (a fairly easy sale based on the price of the K-5) me into selling her my K-x and kit lens, which leaves me with a gap in my lens arsenal.

I currently own a DA 10-17 and DA 55-300, both lenses I love and used maybe 30% and 50% of the time respectively. I never used the 18-55 much as I was never super satisfied with the results compared to the others. I do want a wide angle zoom for architecture photography though. What are your recommendations?

Ideally I would like some versatility as I find I'm either shooting in the fisheye range (very specific stuff) or in the 35-70mm range and don't want to change lenses all the time. DA 18-135; DA 17-70; Sigma 17-70 or others? I would like to keep both the K-5 and new lens under $2k if possible.

Thanks guys!


Last edited by sixteen12; 05-14-2012 at 06:32 PM.
05-14-2012, 06:28 PM   #2
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K-5 + Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is well under $2k.
05-14-2012, 06:50 PM   #3
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i like my 16-50 and if you get them from pro digital2000 on e-bay they are both in a package for under 2000
05-14-2012, 07:02 PM   #4
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K5 - $1,100
Sigma 10~20 - $480
Tamron 17~50 2.8 - $450
-----------------
$2,030 Total


The Sigma 10~20 "I do want a wide angle zoom for architecture photography though" statement...

05-14-2012, 07:08 PM   #5
Ash
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Yep, the 10-17 is not always appropriate for architecture. A 10-20 or even 8-16 might be necessary, but the perspective distortion may be excessive at the wide end. The 10-20 is a good choice, or if you don't need more than 24mm of reach, a DA 12-24 might do it for you also.
05-14-2012, 07:13 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by sixteen12 Quote
...I do want a wide angle zoom for architecture photography though. What are your recommendations?.
You should read the comparative in-depth reviews:

DA 12-24mm vs Sigma and Tamron 10-24mm Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

I love the DA10-17mm fisheye in cramped places, but I agree wth Ash that a wide angle lens may be more useful for architectural photography.

For standard zoom, another interesting in-depth comparative review is:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-16-50-vs-sigma-tamron-17-50mm/introduction.html

Right now the Tamron 17-50mm appears to be a great value for money IMHO.

Lastly I would recommend the lens distortion correction software PTlens (http://epaperpress.com/ptlens/) which is often required when using zoom lenses. This reasonably priced software may be purchased as a standalone or a plug-in. It is the very well regarded by many and it works nicely with wide angle photographs incl. architecture photographs.

Hope that the info may help.

Last edited by hcc; 05-14-2012 at 09:21 PM.
05-14-2012, 07:22 PM   #7
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My basic wide lenses are the DA10-17 (the lens that drove me to Pentax) and the Tamron 10-24, which I use at the wide end for tight spaces and at the long end for 'scapes. (Also the Zenitar 16/2.8, but that's another fish.) I considered the DA12-24 and the Sigma 10-20s but decided on the Tamron because of range, price, warranty, and known QC issues with Sigma. Many folks love their Sigma 10-20s -- after they get a good copy, which may take 2-3-4 returns and refunds. Hay, you could get lucky the first time!

The DA10-17 is perfect for some interiors (like looking up into domes) and totally wrong for most others (like anything with straight lines). The Zenitar 16 is perfect for some inside shots (like small groups) but not necessarily for the architecture. The Tamron 10-24 is just the most flexible wide lens, as the DA18-250 and its Tamron twin are the most flexible general zooms.

Then for midrange, my kit.lens replacements are the Cosina-made Vivitar Series 1 19-35 (in both AF and MF versions) and the F35-70. Those 2x zooms are SHARP!

05-15-2012, 04:21 AM   #8
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The K-5 begs for a killer lens. If I were to do it over again, I'd have purchased the FA 31 along with the K-5 and be done with it. OK, together, they are a budget buster, but it only hurts the moment you buy them. A week or two later you will have forgotten the pain and be off to the races. Plus, the 10-17, 31 and 55-300 paired to the K-5 is a fantastic kit. The 31 is a very special lens and it has a learning curve. Once you master it, you'll be set for life!

... my 2 cents...
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