My 18-55 (1st gen, no WR) has gotten really stiff to focus, not sure if just old, or if it got whacked at some point. The cameras can't drive the focus past a certain rough point in the focus, I can feel it bind as I do it manually. I suspect a repair is more than it's worth, and I have an itch to buy something new anyway.
I have this focal range covered with a couple of other lenses, the 18-135, and the 18-250, I carry the 18-135 most everywhere with me. My wife occasionally shoots, and needs something in the short range, the 18-250 is usually too much size and range for what she needs or wants. I'm also thinking a ƒ/2.8 short zoom lens would be nice to have in the arsenal. While most of my work is outside, I do help out with some non-profits around here shooting indoor events, where flash is not appreciated. I've got fast primes I've been using, but a body with a short zoom might be a good tool too.
It looks like my options are the Tamron 17-50, the Sigma in the same range and the Pentax 16-50, after reading the PF shoot out between the three, I'm about to get the Tamron. While most of my collection is Pentax, I'm leery of the SDM issues that the 16-50 is known for,
The only other lens I'm finding in the range is the 20-40, but it's not constant aperture,
Working with a K5 &K3, not thinking about FF anytime soon.
Would appreciate the wit and wisdom of this group, other lenses that I might have missed?
Thoughts on the test results and personal experience with the various lenses?
Thanks in advance for your help,