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04-30-2018, 10:08 AM   #1
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Thoughts or opinions. Sigma 17-50 or Sigma 17-70mm

Question for the forum. Appreciate all the thoughts and advice in advance. Just got a K-70 and would like to add to my lens palette. I have the Pentax 18-135mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Pentax 50mm, Vivitar 28mm, and Rokinon 16mm f/2. Also a Pentax 18-250mm, but I'll be selling that in the near future, I think. Anyway, I'm interested in the Sigma 17-50mm or 17-70mm. Would like your thoughts please. Out of the two which has better IQ. I guess that will be be my deciding factor. Apprciate all the great posts here!

04-30-2018, 10:22 AM - 1 Like   #2
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If you only care about the IQ, then the SIGMA 17-50 is the best
04-30-2018, 11:56 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Crooski Quote
If you only care about the IQ, then the SIGMA 17-50 is the best
Is the IQ with the 17-50 that noticeable?
04-30-2018, 12:57 PM - 1 Like   #4
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Yeah, it's sharper and f2.8 throughout the range. I have both.

04-30-2018, 02:08 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
Yeah, it's sharper and f2.8 throughout the range. I have both.
I guess you just made up my mind. thanks, much appreciated!
04-30-2018, 02:13 PM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by kennyes Quote
Thoughts or opinions. Sigma 17-50 or Sigma 17-70mm
I own this Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro is very sharp I use it for general photography if you don't want to take along a heavy equipment is ideal, I know for sure it is sharper than the Contemporary.

The 17-50 has the advantage of a constant aperture the 17-70 Macro HSM OS ensures you however 20mm more that often make a difference, the problem is if you find it.
It depends on your needs, actually there is not much difference between the two.

Advantage of 17-50 a bit more sharpness and constant aperture,

Advantage of the 17-70 Macro HSM OS increased focal range 20mm more and less distortion on certain focal lengths. I hope it can help you choose.

Look here: Sigma 17-50 vs. Sigma 17-70
04-30-2018, 02:26 PM   #7
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Which do you think would be better for wedding stuff. Not that I do much, but occasionally get a request. The last was very dark at the reception and I was having some issues, but that was with my K-30 a Pentax 18-135mm and the Pentax 50mm. As I said I don't want to make that my thing, but I'll do it if friends or family request. I'm more into night sky, light painting, nature, macro, artsy, etc.. Again, really appreciate what you guys have to say...

04-30-2018, 02:39 PM - 1 Like   #8
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I'd go for the DA 16-85mm.
04-30-2018, 03:01 PM - 1 Like   #9
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Assuming you are not getting rid of any existing lenses, I'd go for the Sigma 17-50 because it does not overlap as much with your DA 18-135mm. I have all three lenses (Sigma 17-50, 17-70 contemporary, and DA 18-135), and I find that the 17-70 and 18-135 serve very similar purposes, although the 17-70 is a bit sharper and has the added advantage of being faster at the wide end. But my Sigma 17-50 seems sharper than the other two zooms and having f/2.8 at 50mm makes for some beautiful portraits and bokeh effects. I'm planning on selling my 17-70 contemporary sometime soon, as it's not being put to much use-- I take the 18-135 on vacation and when I need WR, compactness, and reach. I use the 17-50 at home, around town, and for everyday life events, as it's so versatile. It definitely is heavier and bulkier than the 17-70 or 18-135, no question about that.
04-30-2018, 03:35 PM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by kennyes Quote
I have the Pentax 18-135mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Pentax 50mm, Vivitar 28mm, and Rokinon 16mm f/2. Also a Pentax 18-250mm,
QuoteOriginally posted by angerdan Quote
I'd go for the DA 16-85mm.
QuoteOriginally posted by seventysixersfan Quote
Assuming you are not getting rid of any existing lenses, I'd go for the Sigma 17-50 because it does not overlap as much with your DA 18-135mm. I have all three lenses (Sigma 17-50, 17-70 contemporary, and DA 18-135), and I find that the 17-70 and 18-135 serve very similar purposes, although the 17-70 is a bit sharper and has the added advantage of being faster at the wide end. But my Sigma 17-50 seems sharper than the other two zooms and having f/2.8 at 50mm makes for some beautiful portraits and bokeh effects. I'm planning on selling my 17-70 contemporary sometime soon, as it's not being put to much use-- I take the 18-135 on vacation and when I need WR, compactness, and reach. I use the 17-50 at home, around town, and for everyday life events, as it's so versatile. It definitely is heavier and bulkier than the 17-70 or 18-135, no question about that.

I was tempted by the 16-85 mm two years ago because it's a good lens, but already having the Sigma 17-70 mm would have been a duplication, I gave up. Moreover, both the 16-85 mm

and the 18-135 mm have a maximum and minimum aperture of 3.5 and 5.6 so they are not very bright at the main focal length.

Ideal for wedding photos, "but not only" would be the 24-70 mm F/2.8 if you have a full frame, but it would only be a 36-105 in APS-C, strange zoom!

If you're allowed to get closer at weddings, 17-50 is fine for indoor photos, and working with ambient light or with those LED lamps that don't bother you

(they only turn on and off when you need them) is better than the flash that creates a hard light if you can't use it. It's Ok
04-30-2018, 07:31 PM - 1 Like   #11
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I have done wedding shots using judiciously set flash successfully, and have used a good wide-range zoom like the DA 18-135mm. It allowed me to effortlessly go from a group shot to a couples closeup and back again. Such zoomed-in closeups with the DA 18-135mm are very good indeed. It can maintain aperture of f/3.5-4.5 out to 70mm if needed, with good quality. I have that lens also.

But I also have the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC, more recently acquired, and if you are looking for a faster f/2.8 zoom lens, this one is great. I love both lenses for what they are and can do.
04-30-2018, 11:00 PM - 1 Like   #12
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I have the 17-50mm and have found it to be superb, though I don't shoot weddings or anything of the sort. A 17-70mm recently also came up locally and I gave it some thought but in the end I prefer to have that extra speed and not to sacrifice image quality, so I left it alone. An extra 20mm would be handy but it's not that much of a difference and with the sharp results from the 17-50mm and the K3's 24MP, cropping can be done easily.
05-01-2018, 10:23 AM - 1 Like   #13
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Great stuff, thank you all. Guess it's the 17-50mm. I was tempted with the 17-70 because of the extra 20mm and the Macro ability's. But I have the Sig 70-300, and will buy a set of extension tubes for that if need be. I also purchased a Raynox DCR-250 a couple months ago for the ulta close up stuff. That worked out better than I though. But back to topic, Thanks again for all the input!
05-01-2018, 10:55 AM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by kennyes Quote
Great stuff, thank you all. Guess it's the 17-50mm. I was tempted with the 17-70 because of the extra 20mm and the Macro ability's. But I have the Sig 70-300, and will buy a set of extension tubes for that if need be. I also purchased a Raynox DCR-250 a couple months ago for the ulta close up stuff. That worked out better than I though. But back to topic, Thanks again for all the input!
Remember, it's pseudo macro only. Let's call it close focusing.



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