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08-06-2017, 04:32 PM   #1
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What would you buy?

I have an accumulation of lenses that I use for general purposes, with an emphasis on landscapes:

Pentax-DA 16-45 F4
Pentax-A 28 F2.8
Tamron 17-50 F2.8
Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4

What would your strategy be, lens-wise, to improve image quality for the least expenditure?
I like them all for various reasons and will probably keep one of the zooms but that's not a requirement.

08-06-2017, 04:44 PM - 1 Like   #2
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are you looking for full-frame or APS-C?

new or used?

MF or autofocus?
08-06-2017, 05:07 PM   #3
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K35/3.5, DA*16-50, HD-DA20-40 Ltd, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, & Sigma 17-50/2.8 if the DA*16-50 is too much for you. The constant 3.5 version of the Sigma 10-20 doesn't offer any real advantage over its homely sibling other than constant 3.5. For general purposes and landscapes, that's a boondoggle. The K35/3.5 has become my favorite Pentax lens of all (even over the FA43), no matter what I'm shooting. Conveniently, it's a "normal" on your K3. No auto-focus, no auto-aperture, no zoom - I keep a fluorescent green vest with reflector tape in my camera bag because I'm willing to stand in traffic to get pictures with the K35/3.5.
08-06-2017, 05:44 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
I have an accumulation of lenses that I use for general purposes, with an emphasis on landscapes:

Pentax-DA 16-45 F4
Pentax-A 28 F2.8
Tamron 17-50 F2.8
Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4

What would your strategy be, lens-wise, to improve image quality for the least expenditure?
I like them all for various reasons and will probably keep one of the zooms but that's not a requirement.

I suggest selling the 16-45mm f4, sigma 17-70mm f4, and the 28 f2.8, and if your shooting on aps-c go with the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 (for those ultra-wide shots, takes 82mm filters, and on sale at b&h for $399) or the Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6 (if you can find one, you'll need square filters for this lens though) and the 50-200mm f4-5.6 DA ED AW lens (can be found on keh.com for around $100 bucks) or the 50-135mm f2.8 (more expensive option, around $500 on keh.com) for those long disfance/compressed shots. But it all depends on your budget though.


Last edited by disconnekt; 08-06-2017 at 06:02 PM.
08-06-2017, 06:12 PM - 1 Like   #5
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Personally, I have the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 and it is a great Landscape lens. Next, I would look at a 24mm, Sigma has a nice one at f1.8. I would keep the 28 and 17-50 Tamron. Finally, look into a short telephoto (50-200 or 50-300). Not all landscape images are wide angle shots!
08-06-2017, 06:59 PM - 1 Like   #6
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Pepperberry - APS/C, probably auto focus and I'd probably aim for a better lens than a lesser new one.

Am inclined to go with with a strategy something like disconnekt suggests. The Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 sounds interesting and not an option I'd thought about.

I've recently acquired a Tamron 70-200 2.8 to go alongside my DA 55-300 for the longer shots - particularly like the Tamron on first impressions but will keep the DA due to convenient size/weight.
08-06-2017, 07:32 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by hokonui Quote
pepperberry - aps/c, probably auto focus and i'd probably aim for a better lens than a lesser new one.

Am inclined to go with with a strategy something like disconnekt suggests. The sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 sounds interesting and not an option i'd thought about.

I've recently acquired a tamron 70-200 2.8 to go alongside my da 55-300 for the longer shots - particularly like the tamron on first impressions but will keep the da due to convenient size/weight.
da14/2.8

08-06-2017, 08:14 PM   #8
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Maybe it's just me but I just did a quick check in Lightroom and 75% of my published "landscapes" were shot at 28mm or higher (on APS-C). So while I appreciate the photos from ultra-wide lenses it isn't everyone's cup of tea. So I'll suggest if the OP wants an excellent modern lens that covers a wide range and is perfect for landscapes go with the DA 16-85.
08-06-2017, 08:41 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Maybe it's just me but I just did a quick check in Lightroom and 75% of my published "landscapes" were shot at 28mm or higher (on APS-C). So while I appreciate the photos from ultra-wide lenses it isn't everyone's cup of tea. So I'll suggest if the OP wants an excellent modern lens that covers a wide range and is perfect for landscapes go with the DA 16-85.
Thanks, DA14 & DA16-85 were both on my possibles list but depend on how much I get from those I sell and what becomes available used in the next while.
08-06-2017, 11:16 PM   #10
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The sigma 10-20 f/3,5 is big value for money and a very good lens. It sells new for about the same price of a used DA14. It's a stop slower but it has 10 mm perfectly usable in landscape and cityscape. I just find it a bit softer with 24 mpx sensor. the 10 mm is remarkable if you have to correct the prospect distortion without cutting off anything.the only drawback is that it has 82 mm filter thread.
08-06-2017, 11:27 PM   #11
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This was shot at 10 mm with HUGE prospect distortion corrected in PP. It's Fontana di Trevi in Roma. Sorry guys I shot this with Nikon. When I'll buy the K1 , I suspect I will miss this lens and the 15-30 would be the perfect lens to replace the Sigma in FF format.
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Last edited by bm75; 08-06-2017 at 11:39 PM.
08-07-2017, 04:54 AM - 1 Like   #12
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I can see you purchased several lenses trying to address your various concerns. I had the same problem... And there is a reason there are so many offerings in this class of lens. Many people have their own personal needs, and these lenses try to address those.

In the end, you need to decide what is best for your shooting style.

For me, I like zooms so I use the 16-50, and the 10-17 Fisheye. I do have a 15mm limited for "non distorted" images. I made a personal decision a while back to buy only Pentax branded gear. I like the colors way more than the Sigma/Tamron lenses. Don't get me wrong, they look good, but I really like what I see in the Pentax glass.
08-07-2017, 05:28 AM - 1 Like   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Blacknight659 Quote
In the end, you need to decide what is best for your shooting style.
This. +1
08-07-2017, 09:03 AM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
I have an accumulation of lenses that I use for general purposes, with an emphasis on landscapes:

Pentax-DA 16-45 F4
Pentax-A 28 F2.8
Tamron 17-50 F2.8
Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4

What would your strategy be, lens-wise, to improve image quality for the least expenditure?
I like them all for various reasons and will probably keep one of the zooms but that's not a requirement.
These should all do well for landscapes. What is it that you miss, what would you like to do that these lenses can't do for you? Since you also have a 55-300 I suppose you have covered the longer end of things (and that's a good lens for landscapes as well!).

There are several options for wider if that's what you need; DA14 or DA15, DA10-17, Sigma 10-20 (either version) or 8-16, Pentax DA12-24, Tamron 10-24, several wide (manual) options from Samyang of decent quality... Anything I've missed? Maybe even a Zenitar 16mm, although a fisheye is not everybody's cup of tea. (The 10-17 is a fisheye too, but not very fishy at 17mm on APS.)
08-07-2017, 02:19 PM   #15
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Thank you all - I think perhaps wider (I find I stitch quite a few panoramas these days) and sharper is what I was looking for ... and rectilinear rather than fisheye .
I was keen to see which lenses were well rated by users rather than reviewers, but I also quite like the idea of trying the less obvious choices.

I hadn't heard much about the Sigma 10-20 for instance and quite like that range.
Tamron 10-24 and Samyang 14 were others that had caught my eye recently.
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