Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
03-04-2008, 02:55 AM   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Waukegan, IL
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 83
Kit lens replacement

My 18-55 has never been right anyway, it's always had trouble with AF at 55mm; maybe I got a bad one. Anyhow it's now completely broken, so I've decided it's time to move up to something better. I was thinking about getting either the Pentax 50 f/1.4, or the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8. My other lenses are sigma 14 f/2.8, Tamron 28-200 f/3.8, and Sigma 100-300 f/4.5. I tend to shoot more landscape than anything else. I've alway wanted a standard prime, and the price of the Pentax 50 is very appealing. However, I feel the 17-70 Sigma might be a bit more versatile. Pros/cons? What would you buy?

03-04-2008, 03:57 AM   #2
Inactive Account




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Long Island, N.Y.
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,124
QuoteOriginally posted by miniman82 Quote
My 18-55 has never been right anyway, it's always had trouble with AF at 55mm; maybe I got a bad one. Anyhow it's now completely broken, so I've decided it's time to move up to something better. I was thinking about getting either the Pentax 50 f/1.4, or the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8. My other lenses are sigma 14 f/2.8, Tamron 28-200 f/3.8, and Sigma 100-300 f/4.5. I tend to shoot more landscape than anything else. I've alway wanted a standard prime, and the price of the Pentax 50 is very appealing. However, I feel the 17-70 Sigma might be a bit more versatile. Pros/cons? What would you buy?
I have the 17-70. It's a great, very versatile lens.
Brian
03-04-2008, 05:19 AM   #3
Veteran Member
palmor's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: North of Boston, MA
Posts: 798
QuoteOriginally posted by calicojack Quote
I have the 17-70. It's a great, very versatile lens.
Brian
I second that. I also love the 50/1.4 but since you won't have a good wild angle zoom to replace the Kit I think I'd go for the Sigma then the 50 at a later date.. that is just me though

Look here for a ton of 17-70 examples Alaska Photo Gallery by palmor at pbase.com
03-04-2008, 06:06 AM   #4
Inactive Account




Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,067
Hi miniman82

Re your present quandary:

QuoteQuote:
I tend to shoot more landscape than anything else.
Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, a Pentax 50 f/1.4 is going to give you a 35mm film equivalent coverage of 75mm, whilst the Sigma 17-70mm approximates to roughly 24 - 105mm. I imagine that 75mm would be pretty restrictive when attempting to capture panoramic landscapes, in which case I'd tend to opt for the Sigma. Hope this helps somewhat, but good luck which ever lens you eventually choose.

Best regards
Richard

03-04-2008, 11:48 AM   #5
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Canada_Rockies's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,385
QuoteOriginally posted by miniman82 Quote
My 18-55 has never been right anyway, it's always had trouble with AF at 55mm; maybe I got a bad one. Anyhow it's now completely broken, so I've decided it's time to move up to something better. I was thinking about getting either the Pentax 50 f/1.4, or the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8. My other lenses are sigma 14 f/2.8, Tamron 28-200 f/3.8, and Sigma 100-300 f/4.5. I tend to shoot more landscape than anything else. I've alway wanted a standard prime, and the price of the Pentax 50 is very appealing. However, I feel the 17-70 Sigma might be a bit more versatile. Pros/cons? What would you buy?
I had enough cash, so I bought the Pentax DA* 16-50/2.8. With half the cash, it would have been the Pentax DA 16-45/4. I think that the 16mm wide angle (24mm on film) to 70mm or thereabouts equivalent field of view makes the 16-45 a nearly perfect landscape tool. 17mm is actually quite a bit longer (6+ percent) and restricts the wide open spaces shots quite a bit.
03-04-2008, 01:52 PM   #6
Ash
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Ash's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 23,920
Not for landscapes, but you just can't go by the FA 50/1.4 for image quality, shallow depth of field and fast AF (much better in low light) - perfect for portraits.
03-04-2008, 01:53 PM   #7
Forum Member




Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Waukegan, IL
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 83
Original Poster
I looked at the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8 lens, but I'm afraid it's a bit out of my price range ATM. I have the Sigma 14 when I need an 'everything in it' shot, and I figured if I was going to spend the cash for a lens to replace the kit, it would need to be a tad faster so I didn't even look at the 16-45 f/4. I guess I'm leaning towards the 17-70 at this point, although like palmor said, I may still get the prime later on.

03-04-2008, 09:55 PM   #8
Forum Member




Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Waukegan, IL
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 83
Original Poster
Update- I decided on the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Macro. It doesn't have as much reach as the 17-70, but it is 2.8 all the way and in the same price range. I figure if I need something longer, I'll use my Tamron lens.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
f/2.8, k-mount, kit lens, pentax, pentax lens, sigma, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best replacement kit lens for K-X Eagle_Friends Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 3 02-21-2010 10:58 AM
Kit Lens Replacement Reddog Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 13 01-01-2010 04:07 PM
Replacement Kit Lens - 16-45/4 or 20-40/2.8 inneyeseakay Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 0 11-16-2009 07:15 AM
replacement lens kit mec17 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 6 11-12-2009 12:50 AM
Looking for a kit lens replacement. NaClH2O Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 19 06-11-2009 12:18 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:42 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top