Now that the Pentax 17-70 is out... what carry around lens??

Pentakun · 07-20-2008, 07:08 AM

(Sorry this got posted to the SLR Film Thread. I am reposting here)

I am very ready to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens and have been considering either the Sigma 17-70 or Tamron 17-50, favoring the Sigma because of the longer zoom. But now that the Pentax 17-70 is out, I am wondering if I should get that? Price wise the Pentax is A LOT more, but maybe worth it. The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two.

Just wondering what any of you might have to say about these lenses and which, if any, would you suggest for a carry around, all factors considered.

Appreciate the feedback.

Peter Zack · 07-20-2008, 07:18 AM

Even though I own Tamron's and Sigmas (and some other oddballs). I till will always favour a Pentax lens whenever possible. They are almost always better than a similar Fl lens. There are of course some very notable exceptions like the VL's and a few others.

But it's hard to beat the Pentax glass in most cases for the colour qualities and SMC coatings. All that being said, as a walk around my Tamron 28-75mm XR Di f2.8 is still my most used but the DA16-45 f4 is generally very nearby for wider stuff.

rormeister · 07-20-2008, 07:50 AM

I have the Sigma 17-70 and love it. I opted for it over the 18-55 kit lens. I hasn't disappointed me. However for travel, I've chosen to add the Pentax 18-250. IQ might not be perfect at all lengths, but overall it will be a great lens to accompany my Sigma 10-20 when I'm traveling. If the Pentax version of the 17-70 had been available I would have looked very closely at it for sure.

Bramela · 07-20-2008, 12:29 PM

For the difference in price, the extra dollars for the Pentax would need to justify a much better lens than the Sigma. I cant see how it can be that much better.
I have the Sigma 17-70 and I find it a brilliant lens. Can Pentax outdo it by that much? I really wonder.

kenyee · 07-20-2008, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by Bramela

I have the Sigma 17-70 and I find it a brilliant lens. Can Pentax outdo it by that much? I really wonder.

Ditto. Really have to wonder why they made this unless they're planning on making it the kit lens for the K1D or whatever is coming this fall...

falconeye · 07-20-2008, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Bramela

I cant see how it can be that much better.

Chasseur d'Images tested it and was very happy with it. They only found that it is a bit soft fully open from 50-70 though. Otherwise, it sounded like it would outperform alternatives in this range. But then, nobody can confirm yet

FHPhotographer · 07-20-2008, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by Pentakun

(Sorry this got posted to the SLR Film Thread. I am reposting here)

I am very ready to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens and have been considering either the Sigma 17-70 or Tamron 17-50, favoring the Sigma because of the longer zoom. But now that the Pentax 17-70 is out, I am wondering if I should get that? Price wise the Pentax is A LOT more, but maybe worth it. The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two.

Just wondering what any of you might have to say about these lenses and which, if any, would you suggest for a carry around, all factors considered.

Appreciate the feedback.

Are you using a K10 or newer body? If not the older bodies will not auto focus the 17-70, so unless you plan to do a lot of manual focus, I'd stay away from the 17-70.

You might consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 unless you need the wider angle at 18mm. It outscores the Pentax 16-50, and holds it's own at 70mm with the very highly regarded Sigma and Pentax 70 primes.
FHPhotographer

Clem Nichols · 07-20-2008, 06:56 PM

I can't speak for the Pentax 17-70, but the Sigma is a super lens IMO. In addition to that lens I also have the Sigma 10-20, the Sigma 70-300, the Bigma, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and the Pentax 50mm f/1.4, and at least 95% of my photos have been made with the 17-70. With a constant f/4 I really can't see how Pentax can achieve much of a market with its lens. I only wish that someone would come out with a constant f/2.8 in the same focal length range.

CN

ll_coffee_lP · 07-20-2008, 07:47 PM

Not interested in this lens. My Tammy 28-75 fits the bill and takes great shots. I almost never shoot at 28mm either...so don't need the extra real estate on the wide end.

c[_]

Pentakun · 07-21-2008, 06:10 AM

I have found a used one in fact, planning on getting it tomorrow. I am going to bring my own K10D to see if the AF works properly, etc. etc. on my own camera.

Sorry my original post (which I reread) has some typos.

Originally posted by Pentakun

The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two.

It should have read "The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $300 more than either of the two when buying used."

As was mentioned, I wonder if Pentax would outshine the Sigma, and justify the $300 - $200 price difference? I guess we all wondering and it's too soon to tell since it hasn't even come out yet.

I'm planning on getting the Sigma now, since the price is right and I want to take it on vacation from Aug 1. After that, I can study the Pentax version.

07-20-2008, 07:08 AM	#1
Pentakun New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tokyo Posts: 15	Now that the Pentax 17-70 is out... what carry around lens?? (Sorry this got posted to the SLR Film Thread. I am reposting here) I am very ready to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens and have been considering either the Sigma 17-70 or Tamron 17-50, favoring the Sigma because of the longer zoom. But now that the Pentax 17-70 is out, I am wondering if I should get that? Price wise the Pentax is A LOT more, but maybe worth it. The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two. Just wondering what any of you might have to say about these lenses and which, if any, would you suggest for a carry around, all factors considered. Appreciate the feedback.

07-21-2008, 06:10 AM	#10
Pentakun New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tokyo Posts: 15 Original Poster	It's good to hear more positive comments about the Sigma 70 I have found a used one in fact, planning on getting it tomorrow. I am going to bring my own K10D to see if the AF works properly, etc. etc. on my own camera. Sorry my original post (which I reread) has some typos. Originally posted by Pentakun The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two. It should have read "The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $300 more than either of the two when buying used." As was mentioned, I wonder if Pentax would outshine the Sigma, and justify the $300 - $200 price difference? I guess we all wondering and it's too soon to tell since it hasn't even come out yet. I'm planning on getting the Sigma now, since the price is right and I want to take it on vacation from Aug 1. After that, I can study the Pentax version.

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07-20-2008, 07:18 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Even though I own Tamron's and Sigmas (and some other oddballs). I till will always favour a Pentax lens whenever possible. They are almost always better than a similar Fl lens. There are of course some very notable exceptions like the VL's and a few others. But it's hard to beat the Pentax glass in most cases for the colour qualities and SMC coatings. All that being said, as a walk around my Tamron 28-75mm XR Di f2.8 is still my most used but the DA16-45 f4 is generally very nearby for wider stuff.

07-20-2008, 07:50 AM	#3
rormeister Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 626	I have the Sigma 17-70 and love it. I opted for it over the 18-55 kit lens. I hasn't disappointed me. However for travel, I've chosen to add the Pentax 18-250. IQ might not be perfect at all lengths, but overall it will be a great lens to accompany my Sigma 10-20 when I'm traveling. If the Pentax version of the 17-70 had been available I would have looked very closely at it for sure.

07-20-2008, 12:29 PM	#4
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	For the difference in price, the extra dollars for the Pentax would need to justify a much better lens than the Sigma. I cant see how it can be that much better. I have the Sigma 17-70 and I find it a brilliant lens. Can Pentax outdo it by that much? I really wonder.

07-20-2008, 12:38 PM	#5
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by Bramela I have the Sigma 17-70 and I find it a brilliant lens. Can Pentax outdo it by that much? I really wonder. Ditto. Really have to wonder why they made this unless they're planning on making it the kit lens for the K1D or whatever is coming this fall...

07-20-2008, 04:15 PM	#6
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by Bramela I cant see how it can be that much better. Chasseur d'Images tested it and was very happy with it. They only found that it is a bit soft fully open from 50-70 though. Otherwise, it sounded like it would outperform alternatives in this range. But then, nobody can confirm yet

07-20-2008, 04:40 PM	#7
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	Originally posted by Pentakun (Sorry this got posted to the SLR Film Thread. I am reposting here) I am very ready to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens and have been considering either the Sigma 17-70 or Tamron 17-50, favoring the Sigma because of the longer zoom. But now that the Pentax 17-70 is out, I am wondering if I should get that? Price wise the Pentax is A LOT more, but maybe worth it. The Pentax new is about $200 more than either a new Tamron or Sigma; or $200 more than either of the two. Just wondering what any of you might have to say about these lenses and which, if any, would you suggest for a carry around, all factors considered. Appreciate the feedback. Are you using a K10 or newer body? If not the older bodies will not auto focus the 17-70, so unless you plan to do a lot of manual focus, I'd stay away from the 17-70. You might consider the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 unless you need the wider angle at 18mm. It outscores the Pentax 16-50, and holds it's own at 70mm with the very highly regarded Sigma and Pentax 70 primes. FHPhotographer

07-20-2008, 06:56 PM	#8
Clem Nichols Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Munfordville, Ky. Photos: Gallery Posts: 370	I can't speak for the Pentax 17-70, but the Sigma is a super lens IMO. In addition to that lens I also have the Sigma 10-20, the Sigma 70-300, the Bigma, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and the Pentax 50mm f/1.4, and at least 95% of my photos have been made with the 17-70. With a constant f/4 I really can't see how Pentax can achieve much of a market with its lens. I only wish that someone would come out with a constant f/2.8 in the same focal length range. CN

07-20-2008, 07:47 PM	#9
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Not interested in this lens. My Tammy 28-75 fits the bill and takes great shots. I almost never shoot at 28mm either...so don't need the extra real estate on the wide end. c[_]