Suggestions for a fast everyday lens

sharepointalex · 12-05-2012, 01:57 AM

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Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a fast lens I can use everyday to use instead of/replace my kit lens, ideally either 17-50mm or 28-70mm. I'm open to MF but would also like AF too as it's easier for my wife to use. I really dont want to spend more than £100 if possible.

I'm considering the Sigma 28-70MM F/2.8 or perhaps Tamron 17-50MM F/2.8 but I think these might be out of my price range.

These are the lenses I own so far -

Ricoh Rikenon 50mm prime f/2
Kit lens 18-55mm
Sigma 70-300mm zoom lens f/4
Sigma 28-80mm mini zoom f/3.5

Anything spring to mind?

Cheers

Alex

sharepointalex · 12-05-2012, 01:58 AM

Just spotted this on eBay, worth it? Pentax fit Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC OS Lens 0085126861568 | eBay. I could sell my kit lens to recoup some of the cost.

Cheers

elliott · 12-05-2012, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by sharepointalex

Just spotted this on eBay, worth it? Pentax fit Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC OS Lens 0085126861568 | eBay. I could sell my kit lens to recoup some of the cost.

Cheers

It is a slight step up from the 18-55mm, but I don't think it would be enough to be worth it, only half a stop across the zoom range. The nice thing about the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is that it is f2.8 at 17mm and 50mm, the Sigma being f4.5 at 50mm is pretty slow in comparison. I'd suggest saving up for the Tamron if you really want an upgrade.

Runegutt123 · 12-05-2012, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by sharepointalex

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a fast lens I can use everyday to use instead of/replace my kit lens, ideally either 17-50mm or 28-70mm. I'm open to MF but would also like AF too as it's easier for my wife to use. I really dont want to spend more than £100 if possible.

I'm considering the Sigma 28-70MM F/2.8 or perhaps Tamron 17-50MM F/2.8 but I think these might be out of my price range.

These are the lenses I own so far -

Ricoh Rikenon 50mm prime f/2
Kit lens 18-55mm
Sigma 70-300mm zoom lens f/4
Sigma 28-80mm mini zoom f/3.5

Anything spring to mind?

Cheers

Alex

Pentax A 28 f/2.8
Pentax A 50 f/1,7

No autofokus, though.

The Da 16-45 f/4 is not as fast as you would like, but its in another division of quality than your kit lens,
Then 100$ is a very tight budget for lenses.

lightbulb · 12-05-2012, 02:31 AM

16-50. Hearsay built 2012 are supposed to be free of SDM problem. I love mine, especially with K5iis. Kick ass IQ!

sharepointalex · 12-05-2012, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by lightbulb

16-50. Hearsay built 2012 are supposed to be free of SDM problem. I love mine, especially with K5iis. Kick ass IQ!

Is that this lens? Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens 0027075129252 | eBay

lightbulb · 12-05-2012, 02:52 AM

Yup. Ask for serial number and use Pentax Forum database to track how old is the lens. Also ask for photo samples especially 16mm @ f2.8.

Good luck!

dtmateojr · 12-05-2012, 03:09 AM

Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5. The range and macro capability is very good. And very cheap.

msatlas · 12-05-2012, 09:47 AM

I you're looking for both cheap and sharp, check out the Pentax DA 35/2.4. It's not a zoom but it's quite sharp and gets you a faster aperture as well.

normhead · 12-05-2012, 10:06 AM

NEW TAMRON 17-50mm XR f/2.8 Di II LENS FOR PENTAX DSLR | eBay

Best combination of useful, cheap, sharp and fast as far as I can tell. Still way more than $100. Tamron 17-50.

12-05-2012, 01:57 AM	#1
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134	Suggestions for a fast everyday lens Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi Guys, I'm looking for a fast lens I can use everyday to use instead of/replace my kit lens, ideally either 17-50mm or 28-70mm. I'm open to MF but would also like AF too as it's easier for my wife to use. I really dont want to spend more than £100 if possible. I'm considering the Sigma 28-70MM F/2.8 or perhaps Tamron 17-50MM F/2.8 but I think these might be out of my price range. These are the lenses I own so far - Ricoh Rikenon 50mm prime f/2 Kit lens 18-55mm Sigma 70-300mm zoom lens f/4 Sigma 28-80mm mini zoom f/3.5 Anything spring to mind? Cheers Alex

12-05-2012, 02:18 AM	#4
Runegutt123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: LODINGEN, Northern Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 275	Originally posted by sharepointalex Hi Guys, I'm looking for a fast lens I can use everyday to use instead of/replace my kit lens, ideally either 17-50mm or 28-70mm. I'm open to MF but would also like AF too as it's easier for my wife to use. I really dont want to spend more than £100 if possible. I'm considering the Sigma 28-70MM F/2.8 or perhaps Tamron 17-50MM F/2.8 but I think these might be out of my price range. These are the lenses I own so far - Ricoh Rikenon 50mm prime f/2 Kit lens 18-55mm Sigma 70-300mm zoom lens f/4 Sigma 28-80mm mini zoom f/3.5 Anything spring to mind? Cheers Alex Pentax A 28 f/2.8 Pentax A 50 f/1,7 No autofokus, though. The Da 16-45 f/4 is not as fast as you would like, but its in another division of quality than your kit lens, Then 100$ is a very tight budget for lenses.

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12-05-2012, 01:58 AM	#2
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134 Original Poster	Just spotted this on eBay, worth it? Pentax fit Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC OS Lens 0085126861568 \| eBay. I could sell my kit lens to recoup some of the cost. Cheers

12-05-2012, 02:09 AM	#3
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by sharepointalex Just spotted this on eBay, worth it? Pentax fit Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC OS Lens 0085126861568 \| eBay. I could sell my kit lens to recoup some of the cost. Cheers It is a slight step up from the 18-55mm, but I don't think it would be enough to be worth it, only half a stop across the zoom range. The nice thing about the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 is that it is f2.8 at 17mm and 50mm, the Sigma being f4.5 at 50mm is pretty slow in comparison. I'd suggest saving up for the Tamron if you really want an upgrade.

12-05-2012, 02:31 AM	#5
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	16-50. Hearsay built 2012 are supposed to be free of SDM problem. I love mine, especially with K5iis. Kick ass IQ!

12-05-2012, 02:33 AM	#6
sharepointalex Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134 Original Poster	Originally posted by lightbulb 16-50. Hearsay built 2012 are supposed to be free of SDM problem. I love mine, especially with K5iis. Kick ass IQ! Is that this lens? Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens 0027075129252 \| eBay

12-05-2012, 02:52 AM	#7
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	Yup. Ask for serial number and use Pentax Forum database to track how old is the lens. Also ask for photo samples especially 16mm @ f2.8. Good luck!

12-05-2012, 03:09 AM	#8
dtmateojr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 604	Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5. The range and macro capability is very good. And very cheap.

12-05-2012, 09:47 AM	#9
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	I you're looking for both cheap and sharp, check out the Pentax DA 35/2.4. It's not a zoom but it's quite sharp and gets you a faster aperture as well.

12-05-2012, 10:06 AM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	NEW TAMRON 17-50mm XR f/2.8 Di II LENS FOR PENTAX DSLR \| eBay Best combination of useful, cheap, sharp and fast as far as I can tell. Still way more than $100. Tamron 17-50.