Pentax DA* 16-50 vs Sigma 17-50

tyrepeddler · 03-20-2014, 07:24 PM

New to Pentax would love some opinons of the Pentax 16-50 vs the Sigma 17-50
I bought a 16-50 and was really a nice lens but SDM motor was bad.
Wondering the quality of the Sigma vs the Pentax

Adam · 03-20-2014, 07:26 PM

Check out our comparative review:
DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Driline · 03-20-2014, 08:02 PM

I don't own the Sigma, but the color and IQ on my DA*16-50 is top notch and I'm very glad I purchased it. As a matter of fact it's such a nice lens that I don't feel the need for the FA 31 or 35 any longer.

I suggest you either send it in for repair or perform the screwdrive conversion. PJM1 did a fantastic job of putting together a simplified tutorial for the conversion. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...-2-8-a-19.html

Franky2step · 03-20-2014, 08:16 PM

IMHO, the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 HSM non OS is a fantastic lens

Heie · 03-20-2014, 09:39 PM

I tinkered around with the 17-50 HSM non OS, and, quite frankly, I don't know what the fuss is all about. Didn't seem any sharper on my K-3 and the focus was, despite all the claims I had heard to date, slower than the 16-50. It was brand new, mind you.

I wouldn't trade my DA* 16-50 for it for any reason.

-Heie

DSims · 03-20-2014, 10:59 PM

Fix the lens if you can't send it back. Especially since you like it.

causey · 03-21-2014, 01:12 PM

I don't know about the DA* 16-50mm, but I have the Sigma 17-50mm, and I tried a couple of copies of the Tamron 17-50mm. The Sigma is an incredible lens, and better than the Tamron, IMO. (Bought it for $380 new from a Japanese ebay seller--a steal!)

tyrepeddler · 03-21-2014, 01:35 PM

I see them on eBay from Japan sellers and they are really inexpensive I assume you had no problem with yours. Almost 200 less then in US just seems to good to be true.
Thanks for the input

cbope · 03-21-2014, 01:46 PM

I researched all the options and ended up with the DA* 16-50, even though the Sigma 17-50 is currently available locally for less than 1/2 the price. Just got my DA* this evening, so I can't comment on its performance yet. Based on my research, it was the rendering, slightly wider field-of-view, WR and quick-shift manual focus that pulled me towards Pentax in this case. The Sigma is also a great lens, it just missed a few tick boxes for me compared to the DA*.

cali92rs · 03-21-2014, 02:07 PM

I chose the Pentax 16-50, even though i knew of the SDM problems because:
it is wider (16mm is wide enough for at least 75% of what i shoot)
it is weather sealed. This is a lens that you can keep on your camera all the time without switching to a different lens. So WR is important in my opinion. If you are switching lenses all the time anyway, i guess it isnt as important.
You can easily convert to a screw drive. My SDM failed real quickly after i bough it...but i bought it fully expecting it to fail anyway. If you are shooting in churches, or weddings, the noisy screw drive may be of concern. TO me, it isnt.

tyrepeddler · 03-21-2014, 02:13 PM

I am not sure what I will do at this point I get lots of people liking the Pentax but it is really unreliable as far as the SDM is I am not sure that I want to pay
1000 for a lens that will fail after a short time. I know it probably is better then the Sgma over all and I like the WR part but for 24 cents I can buy a plastic bag when it rains. Just not sure which way I will go
Thanks
Jim

Heie · 03-21-2014, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by tyrepeddler

I am not sure what I will do at this point I get lots of people liking the Pentax but it is really unreliable as far as the SDM is I am not sure that I want to pay 1000 for a lens that will fail after a short time. I know it probably is better then the Sgma over all and I like the WR part but for 24 cents I can buy a plastic bag when it rains. Just not sure which way I will go Thanks Jim

The problem with plastic rainsleeves/bags is that water will get in there no mater what - it's going to happen if the rain is hard enough. And, now you are shooting through the plastic, further degrading your IQ.

I honestly think the SDM thing has been overblown, and like mentioned above, there is the screw-drive option.

I would seriously consider the 16-50 over the Sigma, and for peace of mind, a $35 warranty extension from MACK to extend the warranty for 7 more years (8 total).

But what is "unreliable" ? It is dead completely or only sometimes? And was this a brand new purchase from B&H/Adorama/Amazon? Return it for an exchange if so.

-Heie

LastFrontier · 03-21-2014, 02:33 PM

I'm not well-informed on the weather sealing of the Sigma lens (don't believe it has it), so I went with the Pentax because I bought into this line largely so I can hike with the camera and not have to worry about rain, dust or snow. So if you plan on shooting in those conditions, the Pentax is worth the extra IMO. Keep in mind too that most of the SDM problems people reference have been resolved in the lenses built in 2012 and later. This is actually the first lens I bought for my K3 and it's done everything I've asked of it and then some so far.

tyrepeddler · 03-21-2014, 02:40 PM

Does Pentax run lens sales like Nikon and Canon do
Maybe I just wait till they run one and get the 16-50

stormtech · 03-21-2014, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by tyrepeddler

Does Pentax run lens sales like Nikon and Canon do
Maybe I just wait till they run one and get the 16-50

Almost always on Black Friday weekend is a good sale. Pentax surprised us recently a couple weeks ago with a similar sale:

3-Day Pentax Lens Sale - Pentax Deals - PentaxForums.com

The DA* 16-50 was $896 16 days ago......

03-20-2014, 07:24 PM	#1
tyrepeddler Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Phoenix Az Posts: 88	*Pentax DA 16-50 vs Sigma 17-50** New to Pentax would love some opinons of the Pentax 16-50 vs the Sigma 17-50 I bought a 16-50 and was really a nice lens but SDM motor was bad. Wondering the quality of the Sigma vs the Pentax

03-20-2014, 07:26 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Check out our comparative review: DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-21-2014, 02:33 PM	#13
LastFrontier New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Juneau, Alaska Posts: 5	Weather sealing I'm not well-informed on the weather sealing of the Sigma lens (don't believe it has it), so I went with the Pentax because I bought into this line largely so I can hike with the camera and not have to worry about rain, dust or snow. So if you plan on shooting in those conditions, the Pentax is worth the extra IMO. Keep in mind too that most of the SDM problems people reference have been resolved in the lenses built in 2012 and later. This is actually the first lens I bought for my K3 and it's done everything I've asked of it and then some so far.

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03-20-2014, 08:02 PM	#3
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695	I don't own the Sigma, but the color and IQ on my DA*16-50 is top notch and I'm very glad I purchased it. As a matter of fact it's such a nice lens that I don't feel the need for the FA 31 or 35 any longer. I suggest you either send it in for repair or perform the screwdrive conversion. PJM1 did a fantastic job of putting together a simplified tutorial for the conversion. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/208353-how-...-2-8-a-19.html

03-20-2014, 08:16 PM	#4
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	IMHO, the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 HSM non OS is a fantastic lens

03-20-2014, 09:39 PM	#5
Heie Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 968	I tinkered around with the 17-50 HSM non OS, and, quite frankly, I don't know what the fuss is all about. Didn't seem any sharper on my K-3 and the focus was, despite all the claims I had heard to date, slower than the 16-50. It was brand new, mind you. I wouldn't trade my DA* 16-50 for it for any reason. -Heie

03-20-2014, 10:59 PM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Fix the lens if you can't send it back. Especially since you like it.

03-21-2014, 01:12 PM	#7
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	I don't know about the DA* 16-50mm, but I have the Sigma 17-50mm, and I tried a couple of copies of the Tamron 17-50mm. The Sigma is an incredible lens, and better than the Tamron, IMO. (Bought it for $380 new from a Japanese ebay seller--a steal!)

03-21-2014, 01:35 PM	#8
tyrepeddler Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Phoenix Az Posts: 88 Original Poster	I see them on eBay from Japan sellers and they are really inexpensive I assume you had no problem with yours. Almost 200 less then in US just seems to good to be true. Thanks for the input

03-21-2014, 01:46 PM	#9
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664	I researched all the options and ended up with the DA* 16-50, even though the Sigma 17-50 is currently available locally for less than 1/2 the price. Just got my DA* this evening, so I can't comment on its performance yet. Based on my research, it was the rendering, slightly wider field-of-view, WR and quick-shift manual focus that pulled me towards Pentax in this case. The Sigma is also a great lens, it just missed a few tick boxes for me compared to the DA*.

03-21-2014, 02:07 PM	#10
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	I chose the Pentax 16-50, even though i knew of the SDM problems because: it is wider (16mm is wide enough for at least 75% of what i shoot) it is weather sealed. This is a lens that you can keep on your camera all the time without switching to a different lens. So WR is important in my opinion. If you are switching lenses all the time anyway, i guess it isnt as important. You can easily convert to a screw drive. My SDM failed real quickly after i bough it...but i bought it fully expecting it to fail anyway. If you are shooting in churches, or weddings, the noisy screw drive may be of concern. TO me, it isnt.

03-21-2014, 02:13 PM	#11
tyrepeddler Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Phoenix Az Posts: 88 Original Poster	I am not sure what I will do at this point I get lots of people liking the Pentax but it is really unreliable as far as the SDM is I am not sure that I want to pay 1000 for a lens that will fail after a short time. I know it probably is better then the Sgma over all and I like the WR part but for 24 cents I can buy a plastic bag when it rains. Just not sure which way I will go Thanks Jim

03-21-2014, 02:25 PM	#12
Heie Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 968	Originally posted by tyrepeddler I am not sure what I will do at this point I get lots of people liking the Pentax but it is really unreliable as far as the SDM is I am not sure that I want to pay 1000 for a lens that will fail after a short time. I know it probably is better then the Sgma over all and I like the WR part but for 24 cents I can buy a plastic bag when it rains. Just not sure which way I will go Thanks Jim The problem with plastic rainsleeves/bags is that water will get in there no mater what - it's going to happen if the rain is hard enough. And, now you are shooting through the plastic, further degrading your IQ. I honestly think the SDM thing has been overblown, and like mentioned above, there is the screw-drive option. I would seriously consider the 16-50 over the Sigma, and for peace of mind, a $35 warranty extension from MACK to extend the warranty for 7 more years (8 total). But what is "unreliable" ? It is dead completely or only sometimes? And was this a brand new purchase from B&H/Adorama/Amazon? Return it for an exchange if so. -Heie

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03-21-2014, 02:40 PM	#14
tyrepeddler Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Phoenix Az Posts: 88 Original Poster	Does Pentax run lens sales like Nikon and Canon do Maybe I just wait till they run one and get the 16-50

03-21-2014, 06:18 PM	#15
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by tyrepeddler Does Pentax run lens sales like Nikon and Canon do Maybe I just wait till they run one and get the 16-50 Almost always on Black Friday weekend is a good sale. Pentax surprised us recently a couple weeks ago with a similar sale: 3-Day Pentax Lens Sale - Pentax Deals - PentaxForums.com The DA* 16-50 was $896 16 days ago......