Pentax 18-55mm kit lens or Sigma?

Driline · 01-23-2013, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by Ikarus

Same difference as far as IQ is concerned. You should ask yourself, what exactly is it that you find lacking with the 18-55? I have a hard time believing it is sharpness. Also, what other lenses do you own already? Frankly, if I weren't yet covered on the uwa, portrait, tele, macro and low-light front, replacing the kit would be the last of my priorities. I'd get a Sigma 10-20, for instance, or a DA-35/2.4, or a 55/1.4, or the 55-300.

I find nothing lacking with the 18-55mm kit lens. Just asking if it made sense to replace it with a better lens now, or use the money for other lenses since this is the only lens in my arsenal at this time. The sigma 10-20 sounds good. I've been using the wide end of the kit lens frequently.

HSV · 01-23-2013, 07:03 PM

I would base the decision on what focal length is the one you use the most on the 18-55. If it's always the lowest, go for the da15!

The 18-55 is actually quite good, for a kit lens. Depending on the type of subject you are shooting (and choice of parameters), there might or might not be a huge difference with the 2.8 zooms. I actually liked the look at 55mm f5.6 of my (ex) 18-55 II.

Driline · 01-24-2013, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by HSV

I would base the decision on what focal length is the one you use the most on the 18-55. If it's always the lowest, go for the da15!

The 18-55 is actually quite good, for a kit lens. Depending on the type of subject you are shooting (and choice of parameters), there might or might not be a huge difference with the 2.8 zooms. I actually liked the look at 55mm f5.6 of my (ex) 18-55 II.

So you'd take the DA 15 over the Sigma 10-20?

nosliwmit · 01-25-2013, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by Driline

Its common knowledge pixie dust is fairy poop.

Bad-mouthing the 15mm Ltd. is blasphemy around here (and rightly so, I think!). Seriously--check out the "controls my mind" thread; you'll probably end up owning one.

Driline · 01-25-2013, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by nosliwmit

Bad-mouthing the 15mm Ltd. is blasphemy around here (and rightly so, I think!). Seriously--check out the "controls my mind" thread; you'll probably end up owning one.

Honestly I didn't know what pixie dust was until I googled it.

causey · 01-25-2013, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Driline

Honestly I didn't know what pixie dust was until I googled it.

Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it?

GeneV · 01-25-2013, 12:30 PM

I've gone on the quest for the kit replacement, but the more I go down that road, the more I am impressed with what Pentax packed into that little package at such a small price. My first replacement was a Sigma 17-35/2.8. I did see a difference in the VF and in the sharpness at larger apertures on the K10/20d. Sharpness is worse than the kit on the K-x and K5. Then I went to the DA 17-70/4. I was very pleased with the DA 17-70 when it worked. Its focus failed during a shoot last year, and I finished with the kit at 20-30mm and F 7.1-8. The results from the kit were actually superb. It was a situation where I time and space did not permit me to change out primes.

Still, before I spend money fixing the DA 17-70, I will probably look at one of the faster options.

PBandJ · 01-25-2013, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by causey

Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it?

off topic: I like to say common sense isn't so common!

Driline · 01-25-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by causey

Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it?

It..........was.........a..............joke..........

Tanzer · 01-25-2013, 03:33 PM

All ye blasphemers, beware the PF inquisition!

Driline · 01-25-2013, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by Tanzer

All ye blasphemers, beware the PF inquisition!

I have blasphemed

The Inquisition is knocking upon my door. Ohhhhh the Agony......

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-25-2013, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by Driline

I have blasphemed

The Inquisition is knocking upon my door. Ohhhhh the Agony......

You'll probably have to switch user names.

The trouble with duplicating the kit lens range is that only you will notice the difference. It might be brighter viewfinder, faster focus, slightly wider or longer, allow some more light in, have more subject isolation - all good stuff. The manufacturers know they have to outperform the kit lens and they do. We might notice. But to less sophisticated viewers, the images might not look like the money was worth it, and they will tune out when you mention HSM.

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01-23-2013, 05:35 PM	#16
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ikarus Same difference as far as IQ is concerned. You should ask yourself, what exactly is it that you find lacking with the 18-55? I have a hard time believing it is sharpness. Also, what other lenses do you own already? Frankly, if I weren't yet covered on the uwa, portrait, tele, macro and low-light front, replacing the kit would be the last of my priorities. I'd get a Sigma 10-20, for instance, or a DA-35/2.4, or a 55/1.4, or the 55-300. I find nothing lacking with the 18-55mm kit lens. Just asking if it made sense to replace it with a better lens now, or use the money for other lenses since this is the only lens in my arsenal at this time. The sigma 10-20 sounds good. I've been using the wide end of the kit lens frequently.

01-23-2013, 07:03 PM	#17
HSV Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 321	I would base the decision on what focal length is the one you use the most on the 18-55. If it's always the lowest, go for the da15! The 18-55 is actually quite good, for a kit lens. Depending on the type of subject you are shooting (and choice of parameters), there might or might not be a huge difference with the 2.8 zooms. I actually liked the look at 55mm f5.6 of my (ex) 18-55 II.

01-24-2013, 11:54 AM	#18
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by HSV I would base the decision on what focal length is the one you use the most on the 18-55. If it's always the lowest, go for the da15! The 18-55 is actually quite good, for a kit lens. Depending on the type of subject you are shooting (and choice of parameters), there might or might not be a huge difference with the 2.8 zooms. I actually liked the look at 55mm f5.6 of my (ex) 18-55 II. So you'd take the DA 15 over the Sigma 10-20?

01-25-2013, 10:41 AM	#19
nosliwmit Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 913	Originally posted by Driline Its common knowledge pixie dust is fairy poop. Bad-mouthing the 15mm Ltd. is blasphemy around here (and rightly so, I think!). Seriously--check out the "controls my mind" thread; you'll probably end up owning one.

01-25-2013, 11:46 AM	#20
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by nosliwmit Bad-mouthing the 15mm Ltd. is blasphemy around here (and rightly so, I think!). Seriously--check out the "controls my mind" thread; you'll probably end up owning one. Honestly I didn't know what pixie dust was until I googled it.

01-25-2013, 11:57 AM	#21
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by Driline Honestly I didn't know what pixie dust was until I googled it. Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it?

01-25-2013, 12:30 PM	#22
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I've gone on the quest for the kit replacement, but the more I go down that road, the more I am impressed with what Pentax packed into that little package at such a small price. My first replacement was a Sigma 17-35/2.8. I did see a difference in the VF and in the sharpness at larger apertures on the K10/20d. Sharpness is worse than the kit on the K-x and K5. Then I went to the DA 17-70/4. I was very pleased with the DA 17-70 when it worked. Its focus failed during a shoot last year, and I finished with the kit at 20-30mm and F 7.1-8. The results from the kit were actually superb. It was a situation where I time and space did not permit me to change out primes. Still, before I spend money fixing the DA 17-70, I will probably look at one of the faster options.

01-25-2013, 02:04 PM	#23
PBandJ Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC metro area Photos: Gallery Posts: 480	Originally posted by causey Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it? off topic: I like to say common sense isn't so common!

01-25-2013, 03:25 PM	#24
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by causey Turns out common knowledge isn't so common, is it? It..........was.........a..............joke..........

01-25-2013, 03:33 PM	#25
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	All ye blasphemers, beware the PF inquisition!

01-25-2013, 04:17 PM	#26
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tanzer All ye blasphemers, beware the PF inquisition! I have blasphemed The Inquisition is knocking upon my door. Ohhhhh the Agony......

01-25-2013, 04:33 PM	#27
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Driline I have blasphemed The Inquisition is knocking upon my door. Ohhhhh the Agony...... You'll probably have to switch user names. The trouble with duplicating the kit lens range is that only you will notice the difference. It might be brighter viewfinder, faster focus, slightly wider or longer, allow some more light in, have more subject isolation - all good stuff. The manufacturers know they have to outperform the kit lens and they do. We might notice. But to less sophisticated viewers, the images might not look like the money was worth it, and they will tune out when you mention HSM.