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Ted1212 · 09-10-2008, 12:21 AM

I'm looking for a lens to fit between my Sigma 10-20mm and my 77ltd, I'm unsure whether to get a zoom or a prime, it needs to have a constant aperture if its a zoom.

I tried three copies of the Tamron 28-75mm none of them could focus accurately ff/bf issues and two of the copies were too soft wide open.

For zooms I was thinking of a sigma 24-60mm and for a prime anything between 30mm and 40mm. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I need something to get good quality portraits to compliment (more or less) the quality of my 77ltd.

garth1948 · 09-10-2008, 12:41 AM

I have the Sigma f2.8 28-70 full frame zoom with no focus problems and is perfect for indoor portraiture. Lives on the K20D 90% of the time. Bit large and heavy but never disappoints.

Nesster · 09-10-2008, 03:09 AM

43 ltd? 35 macro?

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-10-2008, 03:26 AM

your problem is no different than anyone wanting to find something smaller than their 70 (ish) to 200-300mm zoom

I got a tamron 28-75mm F2.8, others have bought sigma 24-60 or 24-70 mm F2.8 lenses.

Any one of them is fine if you want a zoom.

Cant recommend what you would want primes.

lbam · 09-10-2008, 07:31 AM

I find my Tammy 17-50mm is a good middle ground, as is the 35macro. Just don't expect the same bokeh (as the 77mm), from the Tammy. It is however probably my most consistent performer, sharp enough wide open, with a nice zoom range.
I'd love one of the new DA* primes though to be honest...

To be honest, I have trouble removing either of the Sigma, or 77mm from my camera once they are on.. both addictive in their own way.

tybeck · 09-10-2008, 07:54 AM

The FA 31mm or DA 40mm Limiteds go great with the 77mm.

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-10-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by lbam

To be honest, I have trouble removing either of the Sigma, or 77mm from my camera once they are on.. both addictive in their own way.

isn't that why you have 2 bodies

maxwell1295 · 09-10-2008, 06:15 PM

I think the Sigma 24-60/F2.8 would fit there nicely if you're looking for a zoom. If not, I'd go FA35 and FA50.

mhertel · 09-10-2008, 06:20 PM

DA40 would work great

TourDeForce · 09-10-2008, 07:03 PM

DA40 Limited has a touch of softness. I'd suggest an FA 35mm f/2 or 43 Limited.

Is the new Pentax 17-70 a constant aperture? Would that be sharp enough?

suro · 09-10-2008, 08:17 PM

My choice - Pentax FA 35mm /2.0 AL or Pentax 16-50* /2.8 (if you want zoom)

clawhammer · 09-10-2008, 09:38 PM

The FA 20-35 performs reasonable, and is a constant f/4. you can find it used for around 200 or 300.

axl · 09-11-2008, 12:09 AM

DA 40.
reasons?
- you can take it anywhere even in you pocket
- superbly sharp even at 2.8
- excellent IQ
need more reasons?

Ted1212 · 09-11-2008, 01:34 AM

Thanks for the advice, I originally tried the Tamron 28-75mm but after trying 3 bad copies I gave up on it. I had a 43mm ltd, but I found it too close to the 77mm ltd and too far from the Sigma 10-20mm. Probably most would find it ideal with the 77 though.

Now the shortlist is down to the 40mm, 35 f2, and the Sigma 24-60. I wonder if I'll have the same quality control issues with the Sigma as I did the Tamron.

The 43mm was razor sharp and reliable, I do have some regrets about selling it, I thought a zoom would get me the shots without changing lenses.

f2.8 is the smallest I'd want to go to because I can do more with the bokeh, which is useful in portraiture, which is the main use for the lens, to get the wider shots to compliment the 77lds usual head and shoulders (they are not all like that).

Do you think the Sigma would give the quality of the primes?

ivoire · 09-13-2008, 12:06 PM

I can't comment on the Sigma. I have the Da35mm f2.8 Macro which is a beautiful lens and highly recommend it.

09-10-2008, 12:21 AM	#1
Ted1212 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Posts: 41	Lens to fit between 77ltd & Sigma 10-20mm I'm looking for a lens to fit between my Sigma 10-20mm and my 77ltd, I'm unsure whether to get a zoom or a prime, it needs to have a constant aperture if its a zoom. I tried three copies of the Tamron 28-75mm none of them could focus accurately ff/bf issues and two of the copies were too soft wide open. For zooms I was thinking of a sigma 24-60mm and for a prime anything between 30mm and 40mm. Any suggestions would be welcome. I need something to get good quality portraits to compliment (more or less) the quality of my 77ltd.

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09-10-2008, 12:41 AM	#2
garth1948 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	I have the Sigma f2.8 28-70 full frame zoom with no focus problems and is perfect for indoor portraiture. Lives on the K20D 90% of the time. Bit large and heavy but never disappoints.

09-10-2008, 03:09 AM	#3
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	43 ltd? 35 macro?

09-10-2008, 03:26 AM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	your problem is no different than anyone wanting to find something smaller than their 70 (ish) to 200-300mm zoom I got a tamron 28-75mm F2.8, others have bought sigma 24-60 or 24-70 mm F2.8 lenses. Any one of them is fine if you want a zoom. Cant recommend what you would want primes.

09-10-2008, 07:31 AM	#5
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	I find my Tammy 17-50mm is a good middle ground, as is the 35macro. Just don't expect the same bokeh (as the 77mm), from the Tammy. It is however probably my most consistent performer, sharp enough wide open, with a nice zoom range. I'd love one of the new DA* primes though to be honest... To be honest, I have trouble removing either of the Sigma, or 77mm from my camera once they are on.. both addictive in their own way.

09-10-2008, 07:54 AM	#6
tybeck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 452	The FA 31mm or DA 40mm Limiteds go great with the 77mm.

09-10-2008, 01:53 PM	#7
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by lbam To be honest, I have trouble removing either of the Sigma, or 77mm from my camera once they are on.. both addictive in their own way. isn't that why you have 2 bodies

09-10-2008, 06:15 PM	#8
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	I think the Sigma 24-60/F2.8 would fit there nicely if you're looking for a zoom. If not, I'd go FA35 and FA50.

09-10-2008, 06:20 PM	#9
mhertel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vernon, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 274	DA40 would work great

09-10-2008, 07:03 PM	#10
TourDeForce Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 514	DA40 Limited has a touch of softness. I'd suggest an FA 35mm f/2 or 43 Limited. Is the new Pentax 17-70 a constant aperture? Would that be sharp enough?

09-10-2008, 08:17 PM	#11
suro Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ekaterinburg Posts: 344	My choice - Pentax FA 35mm /2.0 AL or Pentax 16-50* /2.8 (if you want zoom)

09-10-2008, 09:38 PM	#12
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	The FA 20-35 performs reasonable, and is a constant f/4. you can find it used for around 200 or 300.

09-11-2008, 12:09 AM	#13
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	DA 40. reasons? - you can take it anywhere even in you pocket - superbly sharp even at 2.8 - excellent IQ need more reasons?

09-11-2008, 01:34 AM	#14
Ted1212 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Posts: 41 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice, I originally tried the Tamron 28-75mm but after trying 3 bad copies I gave up on it. I had a 43mm ltd, but I found it too close to the 77mm ltd and too far from the Sigma 10-20mm. Probably most would find it ideal with the 77 though. Now the shortlist is down to the 40mm, 35 f2, and the Sigma 24-60. I wonder if I'll have the same quality control issues with the Sigma as I did the Tamron. The 43mm was razor sharp and reliable, I do have some regrets about selling it, I thought a zoom would get me the shots without changing lenses. f2.8 is the smallest I'd want to go to because I can do more with the bokeh, which is useful in portraiture, which is the main use for the lens, to get the wider shots to compliment the 77lds usual head and shoulders (they are not all like that). Do you think the Sigma would give the quality of the primes?

09-13-2008, 12:06 PM	#15
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	I can't comment on the Sigma. I have the Da35mm f2.8 Macro which is a beautiful lens and highly recommend it.

Lens to fit between 77ltd & Sigma 10-20mm

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