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GibbyTheMole · 10-17-2012, 08:57 AM

Hey there.

I'm relatively ok with the performance I get out of the kit lens, but there are places in the focal range that aren't as sharp. Is there a zoom that starts around 18mm that's significantly sharper all across the range AND affordable?

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

normhead · 10-17-2012, 08:58 AM

Define affordable....

alphanerd · 10-17-2012, 09:18 AM

Probably the best/cheapest option would be the 16-45 f4 (~$200-250). It has a similar range (slightly wider) and is generally considered better than the kit lens. Next up would probably be the 17-70 f4 or a variety of third-party options (sigma 17-70 comes to mind).

Adam · 10-17-2012, 09:20 AM - **1 Like**

The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8

Adam
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JinDesu · 10-17-2012, 09:23 AM

DA 16-45 ($225 used) or Tamron 17-50 ($325)

Zav · 10-17-2012, 09:44 AM

Da-l 35, da-l 50

Edit: I missed the zoom part :s

GibbyTheMole · 10-17-2012, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Define affordable....

A couple hundred or less. Used is ok.

civiletti · 10-17-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8

Ditto

civiletti · 10-17-2012, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

A couple hundred or less. Used is ok.

For $200, keep the DA18-55.

JeremytheIndian · 10-17-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8

Agreed

normhead · 10-17-2012, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by civiletti

For $200, keep the DA18-55.

Can you get a DA 18-55 for $200 ? Not with tax I suspect.

msatlas · 10-17-2012, 02:20 PM

The Tamron 17-50 usually goes for $350 used. The DA 16-45, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 and 18-50/2.8 can be had for under $300. There was a "macro" version of the 18-50 that's a little sharper than the original.

stevebrot · 10-17-2012, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by civiletti

For $200, keep the DA18-55.

What he said. Just about any decent zoom that will go that wide is going to cost you. Ditto for primes. This is true even for older/vintage gear. Everybody wants a quality, value-priced, wide lens for APS-C.

One possible exception might be the Tokina 19-35/3.5-5.6. In the past, it has been relatively inexpensive and in my estimation is somewhat better than the DA 18-55. I bought one for my daughter's K10D back in 2007. The trade-off is size and weight.

Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Steve

stevebrot · 10-17-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by civiletti

For $200, keep the DA18-55.

Originally posted by normhead

Can you get a DA 18-55 for $200 ? Not with tax I suspect.

That's the point. You can't touch similar or better quality at a lower price point. Note that the $196 at B&H will get you the most recent WR version of the lens with metal mount and hood, and not the down-market version that is bundled with some bodies.

Steve

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-17-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by Zav

Da-l 35, da-l 50

Edit: I missed the zoom part :s

But maybe the right answer if sharpness is the goal.

10-17-2012, 08:57 AM	#1
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	What's a sharper lens than the 18-55 AND affordable? Hey there. I'm relatively ok with the performance I get out of the kit lens, but there are places in the focal range that aren't as sharp. Is there a zoom that starts around 18mm that's significantly sharper all across the range AND affordable? Cheers, Bobbo :-)

10-17-2012, 09:44 AM	#6
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Da-l 35, da-l 50 Edit: I missed the zoom part :s Last edited by Zav; 10-17-2012 at 12:33 PM.

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10-17-2012, 08:58 AM	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Define affordable....

10-17-2012, 09:18 AM	#3
alphanerd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 119	Probably the best/cheapest option would be the 16-45 f4 (~$200-250). It has a similar range (slightly wider) and is generally considered better than the kit lens. Next up would probably be the 17-70 f4 or a variety of third-party options (sigma 17-70 comes to mind).

10-17-2012, 09:20 AM - 1 Like	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-17-2012, 09:23 AM	#5
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	DA 16-45 ($225 used) or Tamron 17-50 ($325)

10-17-2012, 10:02 AM	#7
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Define affordable.... A couple hundred or less. Used is ok.

10-17-2012, 10:21 AM	#8
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Originally posted by Adam The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Ditto

10-17-2012, 10:22 AM	#9
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole A couple hundred or less. Used is ok. For $200, keep the DA18-55.

10-17-2012, 10:24 AM	#10
JeremytheIndian Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 121	Originally posted by Adam The Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Agreed

10-17-2012, 01:30 PM	#11
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by civiletti For $200, keep the DA18-55. Can you get a DA 18-55 for $200 ? Not with tax I suspect.

10-17-2012, 02:20 PM	#12
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	The Tamron 17-50 usually goes for $350 used. The DA 16-45, Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 and 18-50/2.8 can be had for under $300. There was a "macro" version of the 18-50 that's a little sharper than the original.

10-17-2012, 02:29 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by civiletti For $200, keep the DA18-55. What he said. Just about any decent zoom that will go that wide is going to cost you. Ditto for primes. This is true even for older/vintage gear. Everybody wants a quality, value-priced, wide lens for APS-C. One possible exception might be the Tokina 19-35/3.5-5.6. In the past, it has been relatively inexpensive and in my estimation is somewhat better than the DA 18-55. I bought one for my daughter's K10D back in 2007. The trade-off is size and weight. Tokina AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 (193) Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Steve

10-17-2012, 02:38 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by civiletti For $200, keep the DA18-55. Originally posted by normhead Can you get a DA 18-55 for $200 ? Not with tax I suspect. That's the point. You can't touch similar or better quality at a lower price point. Note that the $196 at B&H will get you the most recent WR version of the lens with metal mount and hood, and not the down-market version that is bundled with some bodies. Steve

10-17-2012, 02:39 PM	#15
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Zav Da-l 35, da-l 50 Edit: I missed the zoom part :s But maybe the right answer if sharpness is the goal.

What's a sharper lens than the 18-55 AND affordable?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!