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01-05-2013, 06:28 PM   #1
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Tamron SP 17-50 v Pentax 21mm limited

I am currently tossing up between a Pentax limited 21mm & a Tamron 17-50 for my Pentax K7. I have a Tamron SP 35-80,Pentax 35-105 & Pentax 28mm all of which I am happy with. I also have a Pentax 16-45 that I am not happy with as in my sample the edge IQ is poor. I have heard bad things about the quality control of the Tamron & even the 21mm it seems is inconsistent. People complain about the AF of the Tamron but I don't mind relying mainly on manual focus. What I want is something to cater for the wider than 28mm spectrum & I need good quality right to the corners for publishing purposes of mainly landscapes. I think that 21mm would generally satisfy me although going to 17mm would be an advantage-even wider- but I am not sure about quality in wider lenses at a reasonable price. One always has the option of stitching for wider views. I can get a used 21mm for about $375 & the Tamron for about $310. Price is an important consideration for me. Has any one any opinions about the Tamron at the 21mm setting compared to the Pentax 21mm IQ wise? Any other possibilities? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

01-05-2013, 06:57 PM   #2
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I have both of these lenses. The Tamron is pretty nice, but in my personal opinion you get far superior shots with the 21. IQ wise its a non issue in my book.

Its the whole thing for primes vs zoom and a few other things.... it all depends on you.

The Tamron is nice but I recently got a line up of DA limited lenses and have been shooting those. Its not even close in my opinion. The tamron is no slouch by any means...

Either way you go you will get a great lens. The Tamron is a bit faster of a lens. Its a constant 2.8. The 21mm has better IQ.

I don't know what you are shooting or what your style is, but if you get one Limited lens odds are you will want all the limited lenses.
01-05-2013, 07:11 PM   #3
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Wide and great IQ, hmmm...why not the DA15 Limited?
01-05-2013, 08:01 PM   #4
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Depends on the subject. For just walking around and taking your time, I would go the 21 or 15. For photographing people at events or having to work quickly, then the 17-50.

01-06-2013, 12:38 AM   #5
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Tamron SP 17-50 v Pentax 21mm

Thanks for the thoughts so far, 15mm is a little beyond what I want to pay & it leaves a gap between 16-27 in my current set-up.
01-06-2013, 01:42 AM   #6
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Another option might be Pentax 12-24. It would be a good match for the rest of your lenses.
01-06-2013, 05:37 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by scheery Quote
Thanks for the thoughts so far, 15mm is a little beyond what I want to pay & it leaves a gap between 16-27 in my current set-up.
No problem, I didn't realize that the 21 was less expensive.

01-06-2013, 07:40 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
No problem, I didn't realize that the 21 was less expensive.
Yeah, the 21 is $.95 (95 cents) less than the 15 when I just checked at Adorama..........
01-06-2013, 08:05 AM   #9
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We have the 21 ltd and Tamron 17-50 although the Tamron 17-50 is new and we have yet to give it a decent work out. I've never considered the 21 ltd to be a particularly sharp lens, but I still like the pictures it takes. So far the Tamron is both really sharp and seems to control CA really well. But it's much bigger than the 21.

This is your 21 ltd. type of shot. A softish, flowing dreamy kind of lens.




This is one taken with the Tamron, a little sharper, a little more micro contrast.


Overall, I think the Tamron 17-50 is a little sharper, the 21 is more of a mood lens. It depends on what you want. These pictures aren't meant to be some kind of direct comparison. Just an illustration of what I think about the two lenses and where I'd use them.

Last edited by normhead; 01-06-2013 at 08:17 AM.
01-06-2013, 12:37 PM   #10
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Taken with the Tamron 17-50

01-06-2013, 01:16 PM   #11
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I too have the Tamron and am considering getting the 21 limited. Why? Because of the size (I lack primes that are truly wide on APS-C) and because I like limiteds (I already have the 35 macro). The Tamron can produce great shots (and I mean REALLY great shots with incredible colour, contrast and sharpness) but it misses focus a LOT and exposure can be crazy, especially in unusual light. However, the stories of so-so IQ on the 21 are worrisome, and it's a shame that it's slower than the zoom. But the only other option for a small wide prime is the 15 limited, and in Europe that's much more expensive than the 21, plus it's too wide for many applications and it's a bit slower.
01-06-2013, 01:27 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by scheery Quote
I am currently tossing up between a Pentax limited 21mm & a Tamron 17-50 for my Pentax K7. I have a Tamron SP 35-80,Pentax 35-105 & Pentax 28mm all of which I am happy with. I also have a Pentax 16-45 that I am not happy with as in my sample the edge IQ is poor. I have heard bad things about the quality control of the Tamron & even the 21mm it seems is inconsistent. People complain about the AF of the Tamron but I don't mind relying mainly on manual focus. What I want is something to cater for the wider than 28mm spectrum & I need good quality right to the corners for publishing purposes of mainly landscapes. I think that 21mm would generally satisfy me although going to 17mm would be an advantage-even wider- but I am not sure about quality in wider lenses at a reasonable price. One always has the option of stitching for wider views. I can get a used 21mm for about $375 & the Tamron for about $310. Price is an important consideration for me. Has any one any opinions about the Tamron at the 21mm setting compared to the Pentax 21mm IQ wise? Any other possibilities? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
No experience with the 21 ltd, but have been using the Tamron 17-50 for 2 years and am quite satisfied, lens provides very good IQ almost regardless of aperature setting
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