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04-23-2008, 10:13 AM   #1
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Help! Having trouble with lens lineup...

The LBA binge has slowed and I'm really starting to zero on the lenses I want to keep in my lineup....at least for the immediate future. Once I do that, I figure I could focus on picking up another body (K20D).

Here's what I've got right now:

- 24mm/F2.8 Sigma AF
- 50mm/F1.4 Pentax FA
- 18-55mm DA kit lens
- 35-70mm/F3.5-4.5 Pentax F
- 70-210mm/F4-5.6 Pentax F
- 450mm Tele Lentar (T-mount w/ adapter)


I think there's way too much overlap here, so I figured I'd upgrade the kit lens (and eliminate the gaps in the process) with this setup:

- 17-35mm/F2.8-4 Sigma
- 50mm/F1.4 Pentax FA
- 35-70mm/F3.5-4.5 Pentax F
- 70-300/F4-5.6 Tamron Di LD
- 450mm Tele Lentar (T-mount w/ adapter)


Then I started reading the 70-300 tammy thread and decided I could probably use a little more reach. I also figured I could cut down the number of lenses even further with something like this:
- 50mm/F1.4 Pentax FA
- 17-70mm/F2.8-4 Sigma
- 70-300/F4-5.6 Tamron Di LD
- 450mm Tele Lentar (T-mount w/ adapter)

That would drop me down to 4 very usable, quality lenses that I'd be able use on the new body. I'd also cover everything from 17mm to 300mm with 2 lenses, which would make for a pretty light bag. I like the zooms and having a good 50mm prime is always a must. I think the Sigma 17-70 would be a lot more useful then the 17-35/35-70 combo. That's a range I use a lot and switching back and forth would probably be as much of a PITA as it is now.

Decisions, decisions......I need help!

04-23-2008, 10:30 AM   #2
LDB
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I like your last scenario best. Good luck deciding.
04-23-2008, 10:42 AM   #3
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I would add either a 10-17 pentax fisheye or 10-20 sigma ultra wide angle to the bottom end.

Otherwise, unless you really want fast lenses you would seem set with the last kit
04-23-2008, 11:07 AM   #4
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maybe wait for the 17-70 55-300 pentax combo...

04-23-2008, 11:14 AM   #5
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I'd go with your third grouping, but keep that Sigma 24 2.8. That looks like a nice prime to keep.



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04-23-2008, 11:54 AM   #6
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I just picked up the Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 and so far am pretty happy with it. It had pretty mixed reviews, but for the price I figured it was worth a hands-on try.

There seems to be (need to do some more testing) a little vinetting when wide open @ 17mm but I haven't had an opportunity to do any real world shooting with it yet. However, most of the negative reviews I saw on the lens complained of soft focus around the edges of the frame and thus far I have not seen any evidence of this at all.

It does stop down to f/3.5 really fast though, at around 20mm, which was a little disappointing.

It's a big fat hairy lens too, btw, with an 82mm barrel taking 77mm filters. I like big barrel glass though so not a problem for me.

One the plus side my shots so far have been very sharp and contrasty.
04-23-2008, 12:03 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by jsherman999 Quote
I'd go with your third grouping, but keep that Sigma 24 2.8. That looks like a nice prime to keep.
I may have consider that. I think the trouble is that there are too many options...and pretty good options at that.

I could go with a super wide zoom (like Lowell mentioned) along with the Sigma 24mm, FA50mm, and 70-300mm zoom.

or instead of the superzoom, I could go with a 16mm Zenitar with the 3 lenses mentioned above, using the primes for everything below 70mm. I'd lose the convenience of the two-zoom coverage, but would save a lot of $$$ in the process.

or...

04-23-2008, 04:51 PM   #8
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I like the last line-up too. And I agree with a previous poster about adding Sigma 10-20 to the line-up if you want to fill up the ultra-wide end.

FA50/1.4 is good for portrait/low-light. Sigma24/2.8 can be used as a normal lens.
04-24-2008, 11:18 AM   #9
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Well, I ordered the Tammy from Buydig.com. Hard to beat $130 with free shipping for that lens. I also moved a few lenses out via eBay (F70-210mm, Macro Tak 50mm/F4, SMC Tak 135/F3.5, and the 18-55 kit lens). I have a few more pieces to move before I pick up the 17-70.

Looks like I'll end up with a decent lineup:
- Sigma Super Wide AF 24mm/F2.8
- Pentax FA 50mm/F1.4
- Sigma 17-70mm/F2.8-4
- Tamron Di LD 70-300/F4-5.6
- 450mm Tele Lentar (T-mount w/ adapter)
04-24-2008, 11:20 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by jsherman999 Quote
I'd go with your third grouping, but keep that Sigma 24 2.8. That looks like a nice prime to keep.

.
I took your advice. Thanks...

Thanks to all who contributed here. I had the idea in my head and you guys helped a fellow LBAer push it through...
04-24-2008, 03:58 PM   #11
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Among that lineup, the only lens I currently have is the Sigma 17-70 and I know you're really going to like it. It's my main walkaround lens.

In my main lineup, I'm looking to replace the 100-300, with the 55-300, most likely. It's expensive, but the front rotating element on both the Sigma APO and the Tammy 70-300s would probably drive me up the wall if I wanted to use a polarizer with either one of them.

If I had the extra money to blow, I'd seriously consider getting a combination of the 50-135 and the Sigma 135-400. There's a part of me that would like to complete my FA limited set, but the more sensible part of me says to spend the money that I would spend on the 77 Ltd on the 50-135, keep the 100-300 until I can afford the 135-400 and never mind the primes.

Heather
04-24-2008, 04:56 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by maxwell1295 Quote
I took your advice. Thanks...

Thanks to all who contributed here. I had the idea in my head and you guys helped a fellow LBAer push it through...

Good, glad to hear. However, if you do decide to sell that Sigma 24 2.8, shoot me a PM!


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