[whitedogone]

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I am searching out the options for a replacement for my kit lens and trying to figure out which lens that will complete my Pentax system. If I would go with the Tamron Macro SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD as my main lens what would be a good low cost wide solution? I was thinking maybe just keep the 18-55 kit to fill in the wide void. Here's what I am thinking for the short term:

DA 18-55 II
Tamron Macro SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD
DA 55-300
Tamron 90 macro

I am just not sure that all that many of my shots will require a wide solution. Do you guys find that the 28 on the short end is a pain that requires changing lens often?

[davef]

A lot depends on you shooting style ans subjects. 28 can be tight for inside shots but when I had this lens it was a fixture as my walkaround. Dave

[heatherslightbox]

I haven't had my 28-75 that long, but for what I normally shoot, the 28 on the wide end usually isn't a big deal. Really, it all depends on what you shoot more than anything.

Since the 18-55 isn't that expensive of a lens, anyway, it definitely won't hurt to hang on to it in the short term. As you get more experienced at shooting a variety of things, you'll have a better idea of which lens to use in a particular outing and can plan accordingly.

Another option would be to sell the 18-55 and put the proceeds + some extra money towards this:
Sigma 17-35mm EX DG Lens for Pentax K20D K200D Camera - eBay (item 140257326477 end time Aug-21-08 07:46:16 PDT)
From what I understand, it's a pretty decent lens and with this deal, not a lot of money for a lens that you may not use all that often.

HTH,
Heather

[daacon]

I have the Tammy and for the most part I find 28mm not wide enough. In crowded quarters and for some street shots I find it too long. If you look at my sig I like wide (10-17,12-24,16-50). I would keep the 18-55 or as Heather suggests the 17-70 is another valid option.

[ll_coffee_lP]

I almost never shoot the wide end of my Tammy's 28mm (usually never below 35 actually), so in my case the decision to replace Mr. Kit with Ms. Tammy was an easy one.

It really does depend on what you shoot. If you do shoot wider you may want to consider the much revered Sigma 17-70mm, or the new Pentax 17-70mm.

I don't think you would be disappointed with any of those choices, although each have slight pros/cons over each other.

Good luck!

c[_]

[whitedogone]

I am also considering the 17-70. But, I am not real keen on the variable app i.e. 2.8-4. Looks like the sig 17-35 is that way also. Maybe it's not that big of a deal.

[Mr Hyde]

I replaced the kit lens with the DA 16-45mm f/4. I also have the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. The tamron is the lens that is usually on the camera all the time. If I need wide, I'll switch to the 16-45mm

[Lowell Goudge]

I think before you take the plung with your next lens, you need to be considering your whole system.

There was a similar post a few days ago, on exactly the same subject. edit note see link https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/34679-do-i-nee...size-lens.html

The Tammy is a fine lens, to be sure, and I have made excellent use of mine since I owned it, but it will force you to make some decisions as to how to incorporate it into your entire system.

My usual recomendation is that you need to plan out a system going from 10mm to 200mm (or 400 if wildlife is involved)

from somewhere in the 20mm range to 200 mm ultimately this should be F2.8 or faster.


The question is, what will you surround this lens with. It presently overlaps both lenses you already have

My 4 zoom kit consists of the sigma 10-20, a Pentax 18-35 FA-J the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 and the sigma 70-200 F2.8 Add 1.4x and 2x TCs and I get out to 400mm.

What you have not said is why you are replacing (possibly) your kit lens. If you are happy with it, getting something wider might be more sensible than just duplicating a range of focal lengths you already have. Maybe a 10-20 or if you stick with pentax the 12-24. ultra wide angles are fun to use, and very useful in travel and archectural shots

[whitedogone]

The speed of the kit is not what I desire for my main lens. I am really looking for a sharp/fast lens that I can keep on my body for the majority of my shots. I would agree with the need for a wide zoom as well. As I will need a min. of three lens, I was thinking that the main 28-75 tammy (or other) and a long solution 55-300 (or other)would have to do for now. The keeper of the funds isn't real happy about even that. Then, maybe next year I could replace the kit with a 12-24 or 10-20. I also think that I would replace my M50 with another AF 50 in the future as well.

[deuces]

The speed of the kit is not what I desire for my main lens.

I am really looking for a sharp/fast lens that I can keep on my body for the majority of my shots.

Hm, so, which is it? fast or not fast?

Okay, seriously, you have the kit lens and a pile of pictures. I think the answer to your question is already there. Where do you live in the zoom range? If you have a large percentage in the 18-28mm range, you need a wider lens. If most of your shots are at 50mm, the 28-75 might suit you better. If you're constantly crossing the 28mm mark, you want the wide lens.

You not only want to cover a wide range, you don't want your most used range split between two lenses.

So count up those photos and make an informed decision!

[whitedogone]

I don't have a pile as of yet. Less than 200 total. This is my first DSLR. From my film days (10-20 years ago) I had a 28,50,and a 135 in my bag. I as remember the 28 was the least used of the three. I do realize the short end of the 28-75 is longer than 28 in film.

[maxwell1295]

I would also recommend the Sigma 17-70 as a replacement. It gives you a little more on the long end and does a very good job with closeups if you don't have (or need) and dedicated macro lens).

If the constant aperture is a big deal, you can opt for the Sigma 24-60mm/F2.8: Amazon.com: Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG IF Aspherical Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

You lose a little on both ends vs. the 17-70, but do gain constant aperture. I'm actually considering selling my 17-70 to grab this one, eventually putting any leftover $$$ toward the DA*50-135mm. At some point, I'd also pick up a DA12-24 to cover the wide end. Right now the wide end is not a big deal to me. I could always de-fish the DA10-17mm, but I really like the FE effect.

[Groucho]

I've got the 28-75mm F2.8 and most of the time, it's fine - but there are definitely times where it's just not wide enough. That's one of the reasons that my next lens will be a DA* 16-50mm, and the Tamron will go up for sale.

The build quality is also certainly not comparable to the Pentax lenses, with the zoom often creeping when the camera faces downwards. (Hence the need for a zoom lock slider.) I've also found myself shooting in the rain more often lately and I need a wider companion for my 50-135mm.

[heatherslightbox]

Hmmm...my 28-75 has a zoom lock on it. I'm wondering if the older versions of the lens didn't include it, but they added on in a later version.

Heather

[Lowell Goudge]

I've got the 28-75mm F2.8 and most of the time, it's fine - but there are definitely times where it's just not wide enough. That's one of the reasons that my next lens will be a DA* 16-50mm, and the Tamron will go up for sale.

The build quality is also certainly not comparable to the Pentax lenses, with the zoom often creeping when the camera faces downwards. (Hence the need for a zoom lock slider.) I've also found myself shooting in the rain more often lately and I need a wider companion for my 50-135mm.

The zoom creep is not limited to tamron or this lens, but any design that moves the front group oout to zoom. My Old Vivitar S1 70-210 F3.5 did it also. Actually the lock would be more useful if it were a friction lock not a detent at minimum focal length.

As for seals and the rain. I think the lenses need to breethe a little, otherwise one such as this that douples its length would put a tremendous stress on the seals when you zoom out. better a little moisture in the barrel than some sucked into the seals