[voxxonline]

Good evening.

I have camera ( k20d) for few years now, and somehow acquired sigma 30 mm 1.4 lens.
But because it is the only lens I have apart kit one I am thinking of either selling and adding money towards a zoom (probably in 70 - 200 range ) or getting cheaper lens.
I am not an expert and did not dig deeper into the market for alternatives.
From what I know I can use some older lenses like F 20 -210 F4 5.6 ...and still enjoy quality.
But if I sell my prime I can add (much more) money (I d love not to spend) towards s/h sigma 70 200 2.8 or tamron 70 -200 2.8...
I d love to discuss possible variants with you guys.
I have few more shortlisted if you need

Thank you

Ivan

[VoiceOfReason]

I would keep that lens, the add a Tamron 17-50, Tamron 10-24, Pentax 18-135WR, and a Sigma 150-500, and then possibly a Tamron 70-200. That should give you a very nice range and good quality too!

Of course if you want to sell that Sigma donate and list it in the marketplace here or even put it up for a trade for another lens!

[voxxonline]

BTW I am going to Banff national park this may, so wildlife and landscape lens is a priority now.

[gooseta]

Keep the sigma, it's hardly worth chips now that the new 35mm has come out and it has been discontinued. Use what you have, it's a great lens and has absolutely stunning center sharpness right from f1.4 (Sigma AF 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM - Review / Test Report - Analysis), sure the corners are mush, but it's a versatile lens and it's good to have primes. I find my Tamron 70-200 too short for wildlife, I'd recommend a telephoto prime or bigma

[voxxonline]

But telephoto prime is expensive choice, isnt it ?

[Kameraten]

I'm not so sure it's discontinued, still shows up on Sigmas UK pages. But it's not all that useful on a K20D, because the body will seldom be focusing it correctly.
If you plan on getting a K-5II (either one) this will be a gem, though. They will finally hit the focus. But this lens is still mainly for portraits, certainly not for landscape and wildlife.

[voxxonline]

Yes, focus is a pain sometimes. This is the reason I am thinking of replacement.

[VoiceOfReason]

For wildlife I'd go the Sigma 150-500. It's cheaper than the Bigma, and goes nice and long. Sharp too, but heavy. For landscape I'd get the Tamron 10-24. I love mine. With those two and a Pentax 18-135 WR you have a kit that will get you loads of coverage and has decent IQ.

[Boris]

I think that for low light photography or standard angle of view photography Sigma 30/1.4 is a very good option. Unless you're 200% certain that none of the intended uses of this excellent prime lens are in your scope, then you can surely sell it, but I would humbly suggest you keep it as it may come in handy when you least expect it and to have one fast standard prime seems like a no-brainer to me.

[voxxonline]

Actually it is great lens for catching my daughter (if she is not moving ) and I really like iq. But because I am not too skilled there is a big chance of so so quality.
Attached picture made today.

[p38arover]

I would keep that lens, the add a Tamron 17-50, Tamron 10-24, Pentax 18-135WR, and a Sigma 150-500, and then possibly a Tamron 70-200. That should give you a very nice range and good quality too!

I think voxxon has indicated that he needs to limit his spending.

Keep the sigma, it's hardly worth chips now

I disagree that the lens in now worth little. Your suggestion that voxxon buy a bigma also flies in the face of a limited budget. Isn't the bigma about 1000 pounds?

Voxxon, a reasonable quality zoom is the Sigma 18-200 which makes it a useful; walk-around lens - see https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-18-200mm-f3-5-6-3-dc.html

It's well priced secondhand and will cover most of your photography. It's a bit short for wildlife but you can get secondHand 300 or 400 mm manual focus but with auto aperture lenses for about $250. I picked up a 400mm Tokina from the USA for $200 including shipping. See https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tokina-rmc-tokina-400mm-f5-6.html

A Pentax F 100-300mm can be had for under $100 (I paid $55 here in Australia for mine) https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-F-100-300mm-F4.5-5.6-Zoom-Lens.html

This Quantaray 70-300 is currently for sale on the forum for $100
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/212273-sale-q...ens-boxed.html

All of us have budgets and I've bought some cheaper lenses and been very happy with them. If you want to sell and upgrade in the future, you'll have no problem getting most or all of your money back. I'm about to start selling off some of mine as they have been replaced with better lenses (a Sigma 30mm f1.4 being one of my recent purchases )

[VisualDarkness]

Actually it is great lens for catching my daughter (if she is not moving ) and I really like iq. But because I am not too skilled there is a big chance of so so quality.
Attached picture made today.

Lovely shot! It makes the lens look like a keeper.

[voxxonline]

Thank you
Reality is I would like not to overspend , but if lens worth it I can stretch up to 450 £ but prefer to keep this money in pocket.
I am the person who does a lot of research prior purchase so eventually I ll figure out what I need with your help.
How difficult to manage older pentax lenses ?

[voxxonline]

What about aforementioned F 20 -210 F4 5.6 Pentax... ?
It has a positive feedback from owners

[gooseta]

You should save up for the sigma 150-500, which can be had for £550, but I advise you don't sell the 30mm as it is a wonderful lens as shown by your photo