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06-01-2015, 07:28 AM   #1
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I want to turn one lens into two

I got back into Pentax with a K3 18-135 kit. Love the lens but I'd like some better results. I was thinking a Pentax 16-50 or Sigma 17-50. For wider angle and little more speed. I had a Tamron 17-50 before and i liked the 17mm over 18mm, the F2.8 was nice too

And then adding a Sigma 50-500 non-OS for outdoors (i'm not rich).

What yinz think?

06-01-2015, 07:47 AM - 1 Like   #2
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Yinz?

My wife's kit is the 18-135 and the 55-300. My kit is the DA*16-50 and the DA*60-250. We generally shoot together and sometimes my pictures are better than hers. And sometimes her's are better than mine. The 16-50 is clearly a better lens but she still often outshoots me with the 18-135. Stopped down a bit the difference is not as great as you might think. On the long end the 55-300 is amazing at the price. But the 60-250 shoots rings around it.

I would ask myself some questions:
How often do I shoot at f/2.8 rather than f/4 or f/5.6?
How often do I need over 300mm?
How often would I carry the 50-500 around considering how much it weighs?

My vote would be keep the 18-135 and add the DA*60-250 or the 55-300. The Sigma 50-500 is impressive but it is big and heavy and soft after about 450mm. I found I could get good images with it if I worked at it but it was too heavy for me to carry around so I was not using it enough. Sold it on and bought the Pentax 1.4x TC. That plus the 60-250 gives me 85-350 with a kit I can carry all day.
06-01-2015, 08:03 AM - 2 Likes   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by no694terry Quote
I want to turn one lens into two
An axe will work, though a band saw would be tidier.


Steve

(Sorry, could not resist!)
06-01-2015, 08:18 AM   #4
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You might consider a few primes for when you want to capture those magical images and the 18-135 is not delivering up to your expectations.

06-01-2015, 08:21 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Yinz?

My wife's kit is the 18-135 and the 55-300. My kit is the DA*16-50 and the DA*60-250. We generally shoot together and sometimes my pictures are better than hers. And sometimes her's are better than mine. The 16-50 is clearly a better lens but she still often outshoots me with the 18-135. Stopped down a bit the difference is not as great as you might think. On the long end the 55-300 is amazing at the price. But the 60-250 shoots rings around it.

I would ask myself some questions:
How often do I shoot at f/2.8 rather than f/4 or f/5.6?
How often do I need over 300mm?
How often would I carry the 50-500 around considering how much it weighs?

My vote would be keep the 18-135 and add the DA*60-250 or the 55-300. The Sigma 50-500 is impressive but it is big and heavy and soft after about 450mm. I found I could get good images with it if I worked at it but it was too heavy for me to carry around so I was not using it enough. Sold it on and bought the Pentax 1.4x TC. That plus the 60-250 gives me 85-350 with a kit I can carry all day.
I also had the DA 55-300, Nice lens too. I got rid of it in my last kit because i thought 18-135 was just as nice cropped down, i just couldnt steady a long zoom, a nice monople also added to wish list. The 18mm has been bugging me lately. I shot a lot in our shop at work, very dull light and big projects so i find myself backing up a lot to get things in frame and trying to get away with ISO1600-3200 for to get everything in focus. So the 16mm is probably more inportant than 500 right now.

The 55-300 didnt have enough reach for what i wanted it for at my cottage. We just started getting bald eagles over here and they often fly up and down the river out front, along with osphreys catching fish out of the water. I'm also 31yrs old 6'-0 180 so carrying around a 50-500 isnt too big of a deal. I would love a 300 prime and a teleconverter but I then i can zoom... or maybe the HD55-300 and a 1.4 Teleconverter?
06-01-2015, 08:28 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by no694terry Quote
The 18mm has been bugging me lately. I shot a lot in our shop at work, very dull light and big projects so i find myself backing up a lot to get things in frame and trying to get away with ISO1600-3200 for to get everything in focus. So the 16mm is probably more inportant than 500 right now.
Then you have the choice of the 16-50 or the newer 16-85. Or keep the 18-135 and look at the 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20.

Nothing wrong with the 50-500, it is an excellent lens for what it is.

If you are interested in a 16-50 at a good price PM me and we can talk.
06-01-2015, 08:28 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Yinz?
The Western PA, or Pittsburgh, version of "You guys" or "Y'all".

06-01-2015, 08:29 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
An axe will work, though a band saw would be tidier.


Steve

(Sorry, could not resist!)
RioRico would have used a Dremel.
06-01-2015, 09:02 AM   #9
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eating chipped ham right now actually. i forgot about the super wide zooms. ill give them a look

---------- Post added 06-01-15 at 12:08 PM ----------

the sigma 10-20 dont look bad but would definetly need to lug a tripod around in shop with those speeds
06-01-2015, 09:38 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by dcshooter Quote
Wanna come over to my hahs for some chip-chopped hams n'at?
It's "chipped ham" and you can only buy it at Isaly's in Westview. So stay calm n at.
06-01-2015, 09:38 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by no694terry Quote
I got back into Pentax with a K3 18-135 kit. Love the lens but I'd like some better results. I was thinking a Pentax 16-50 or Sigma 17-50. For wider angle and little more speed. I had a Tamron 17-50 before and i liked the 17mm over 18mm, the F2.8 was nice too

And then adding a Sigma 50-500 non-OS for outdoors (i'm not rich).

What yinz think?
1) The Tamron 17-50mm is a winner in my book for price/performance. Photozone.de gave it nice ratings. There are several great options in that range, and you already know about them. They all have advantages and disadvantages. You cannot lose with any of them.

2) The real question is on the long end. If you are not shooting sports or moving wildlife, consider a couple of quality but older manual lenses. These lenses should be sharper than the Bigma you are considering. If you had more money, I'd suggest the Pentax D* 60-250mm and a tele-extender over the Sigma offerings. Since money is an object, one of the Sigma super-telephoto zooms will make the most sense. Consider buying one used, provided the seller has a return policy. As we all know, lenses drop in value as soon as they are sold (like cars). Getting a good used copy saves $ and allows you to get better glass for your money assuming you get a good copy. Over the years I had to return two "bargains" purchased on ebay because they had issues, but both sellers issued a full refund.

3) If you really want what the title of this thread requested--turning two lenses into one--consider doing more: turning whatever you purchase into multiple lenses (or "one" with a really massive range). Consider buying an inexpensive prime or two and making macros out of them using a $4 reversing ring or cheap extension tubes. For example, the 50mm M 1.8 goes for $40-$50, is sharp as can be by itself, and can double for macro work with a reversing ring or extension tube. Consider a tele-converter too, but beware (and double beware): It is essentially a magnifying glass that will make the lens "slower" and magnify any imperfections. They work best at a magnification of 1.4x or 1.7x, and almost never at 2.0x or above (where you would be better off cropping).
06-01-2015, 09:50 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
The Western PA, or Pittsburgh, version of "You guys" or "Y'all".
I know. Born & raised.
06-01-2015, 09:59 AM   #13
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I should just change it to turning one into three. I'm liking the Sigma 10-20 and the 50-500, now just which one to buy first
06-01-2015, 10:02 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
I know. Born & raised.
These Jagoff's don't know nothin'
06-01-2015, 10:04 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by no694terry Quote
the sigma 10-20 dont look bad but would definetly need to lug a tripod around in shop with those speeds
what speeds? It's an ultra wide lens. it doesn't take super steady hands or a tripod to use it if you're not doing long exposures. It comes in constant 3.5 or 4-5.6 apertures. If you need a tripod for that, you'd need one for the 18-135, too.
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