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06-22-2012, 03:38 PM   #1
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Looking for help on an everyday lens

I am considering buying a new lens for a general walk around lens to go with my K5.

What I have now is this:

Pentax 18-55 kit lens

Pentax 55-300

Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (gets used the most)

I’m thinking about the New Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 HSM Macro.

Any words of advice would be helpful.



Thanks Rob

06-22-2012, 04:24 PM   #2
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I really liked the old faithful Sigma DC 18-200, smaller than the 18-250s and no OS/HSM to add weight and subtract battery life. I owned it and a Tamron 18-250, and preferred the compactness (and lack of zoom creep when pointed down) to the extra 50mm. I'm hoping the roadmap DA zoom will fill this spot in a few more months, but if it doesn't match up with my hopes & dreams I'll grab another DC.
06-22-2012, 04:49 PM   #3
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For a zoom, just get the DA 18-135mm. It will easily cover most shooting situations.
For a prime, I'd recommend the DA 35mm f/2.4, DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro or Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Wide and versatile enough for many different subjects with the added benefit of smaller size.
06-22-2012, 04:57 PM   #4
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Thanks for the info

06-22-2012, 05:00 PM   #5
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I'd second the 18-135 DA. Nothing like having a fully weather sealed kit. It'd be my choice if I had a K5. Darn Km not being weather sealed. My other suggestion would be the DA40. I'm really considering removing the DA35mm 2.4 and getting the DA40 to replace it. Budget wise the XS version is going to run only 50$ more or so and you get a tiny lens albeit a little bit slower but good optics.
06-22-2012, 05:10 PM   #6
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Third on the 18-135, my everyday lens though, so I might be biased.

I hear the latest 18-200 is great though.(Older ones are supposedly lackluster)
06-22-2012, 05:17 PM   #7
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Indeed the DA18-135 or sigma equivelant, really do you need 250mm??
For everyday the smaller and lighter DA18-135 will be much nicer to work with.


ps. good excuse to get the K30 +DA18-135 if you needed one

06-22-2012, 06:00 PM   #8
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Thanks everyone. I hadn't thought about the DA 18-135
06-22-2012, 07:09 PM   #9
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I had a Pentax 18-250 but my walk-around lens now is the 18-135, which I much prefer. It's hard to say what the new Sigma will be like, there are no tests yet. One thing for sure, it will not be weather-resistant.

K20D and 18-135 at 135mm f/6.7. Pretty sweet bokeh for a zoom, thanks to rounded blades:


Last edited by audiobomber; 06-22-2012 at 07:40 PM.
06-24-2012, 11:25 AM   #10
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thanks everyone for the help still not sure what Im going to do
06-24-2012, 12:50 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by rwfarnell Quote
Any words of advice would be helpful.
Since you're still undecided, let me pose you a question:

A single zoom covering a wide range
is likely to give you lower IQ than your current setup
of DA 18-55 and Tamron 70-200/2.8 or DA 55-300.

Do you want to trade quality for convenience?

Put more sharply:
Do you want to waste the potential that sits in your K5?

If the answer is "No," you may do better selecting one of the following lenses for your next purchase:
DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
06-24-2012, 01:21 PM   #12
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The 55-300 is a stellar little lens. Keep that one and just replace the 18-55 with the 18-135 or if you don't need WR perhaps something like a Tamron/Pentax 18-250 if you can find one. Good IQ and decent build quality.
06-24-2012, 01:33 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by rwfarnell Quote
I am considering buying a new lens for a general walk around lens to go with my K5.


Pentax 18-55 kit lens
Pentax 55-300
Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (gets used the most)
Let me try something else than the others have; I do not see a lot of advantage for you in getting the DA18-135 as it overlaps both the 55-300 as well as the 70-200 in at least some of their range - these are quite formidable lenses and I doubt the 18-135mm will trump their IQ at any setting between 55 and 135. It's had quite mixed reviews.

Pain point seems to be the 18-55 kit lens - its IQ nothing to really write home about, its range somewhat limiting. If you'd get like a DA17-70 or the Sigma equivalent(s) (both HSM and the older version), you'd have more range and heaps of IQ. Slots in nicely under the Tammy you have, with the 55-300mm doing service when you know you need the long end.

The 17-70's serve you well for interior and street candids, as well as being a nice portrait range. The older Sigma (f2.8-4.5) has lovely bokeh to boot AND does extreme close-ups as well!

Save you some bucks AND improve your overall quality impact - how does that sound?
06-24-2012, 09:27 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by newmikey Quote
Let me try something else than the others have; I do not see a lot of advantage for you in getting the DA18-135 as it overlaps both the 55-300 as well as the 70-200 in at least some of their range - these are quite formidable lenses and I doubt the 18-135mm will trump their IQ at any setting between 55 and 135. It's had quite mixed reviews.

Pain point seems to be the 18-55 kit lens - its IQ nothing to really write home about, its range somewhat limiting. If you'd get like a DA17-70 or the Sigma equivalent(s) (both HSM and the older version), you'd have more range and heaps of IQ. Slots in nicely under the Tammy you have, with the 55-300mm doing service when you know you need the long end.

The 17-70's serve you well for interior and street candids, as well as being a nice portrait range. The older Sigma (f2.8-4.5) has lovely bokeh to boot AND does extreme close-ups as well!

Save you some bucks AND improve your overall quality impact - how does that sound?
I second this. The Tamron 70-200 has excellent IQ and I would not be quick to use something lesser (though lighter :-)

I have the older Sigma 17-70 and though not quite the top IQ, it is pretty good, and a definite step up from the kit. It also is slightly wider which is important to me.
06-24-2012, 09:47 PM   #15
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I think your collection of zooms covers a pretty good range already, try something new, totally different and exciting... open up a whole new world, buy the 15mm limited!
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