[normhead]

Do you still have all these lenses?

Lenses:
Pentax 18-55mm DAL
Pentax 18-55mm DA II
Vivitar 28mm 2.8 Wide Angle
Vivitar Series 1 28-70mm 2.8 (komine)
Sigma 28-300 DL Hyperzoom
Tokina AF 28-70 2.8-4.5
Pentax 50-200mm DAL
Pentax M 50mm 1.4
Pentax A 50mm 1.7
Pentax F 50mm 1.7
Ricoh Rikenon 50mm 1.7
Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm 2.8 (komine)
Sigma 70-300mm DL Macro
Promaster 100mm 3.5 Macro w/ 1:1 MMA
Sears 135 2.8 Macro

If you do your next lens under $250 should definitely be the 35 2.4.

[vega]

Yes Normhead, still have them and looking to unload some as well. But I agree my next "budget" lens will be 35mm 2.4 I'll actually be grabbing a used one from a fellow Pentaxian. I cant wait to give it a try 35mm just seems to be that great length

[bpv_UW]

Looking at photos taken with the 17-70mm it just looked like the images weren't as sharp towards the 70mm mark compared to the Tamron. But yeah as a beginner that would be a great pic to see what length you like to shoot at.

That's probably true. I haven't had experience with either the Tamron 17-50 or 28-70, but based on others' opinions they are generally a little bit better regarded in terms of pure IQ than the Sigma. The reason that the Sigma worked well for me was the versatility of it's zoom range (which no Tamron zoom duplicates) and the built in macro capability. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a more versatile zoom out there, and it will deliver reasonably good IQ in most situations (I never had an IQ beef with it at all, though wasn't in pixel-peeping mode during the time I had it).

Best,
Brandon

[vega]

How close does the Macro function get you? Do you have any examples, of some shots with the Sigma?

[bass3587]

I see someone (NaCIH2O) beat me to the recommendation of the Pentax A 35-105 F3.5 zoom as an excellent buy. It will do two wonderful things for you . Teach you how to compose and use a manual lens. Well actually three things.....take some wonderful pictures.

[DeadJohn]

If you want reach, the DAL 55-300 is a great value. A lightly used copy should fall within your budget.

[rparmar]

I recommend any fast 50mm that has "A" aperture. You can do practically anything with a lens like that, and you don't need to slow down for manual metering. I actually never took to 50mm on 135 film. But on APS-C I like it a good deal.