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10-04-2018, 03:44 AM   #1
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Fast Standard Zoom Lenses for Pentax DSLRs

I'm thinking of buying an f2.8 standard zoom lens to fit in between my Samsung branded 12-24mm f4 and DA* 60-250mm f4. The options for me are:

Pentax DA* 16-50mm f2.8 SDM
Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC HSM
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 SP Di XR

I shoot RAW on the K5 and K3. I'd be very grateful if fellow Pentax users could offer their experiences with any of these lenses.

10-04-2018, 04:01 AM   #2
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My father, son and I all have the Tamron. The IQ is real good and the handling is pretty good. We opted for it over the Pentax due to the chance of the focus motor failure. Because the Sigma zooms in the opposite direction of the rest of our lenses we decided against it. From what I have read you can't go wrong with either of the three lenses.
10-04-2018, 04:06 AM   #4
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I have the Sigma and it's a stunner. I already owned the 17-70 version which now lives on my K5, so the zoom working "backwards" is something I'm used to. Have to say though, all three have a great reputation.

10-04-2018, 04:19 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by MrMojo Quote
I have the Sigma and it's a stunner. I already owned the 17-70 version which now lives on my K5, so the zoom working "backwards" is something I'm used to. Have to say though, all three have a great reputation.
My own personal copy of the Sigma 17-50 just doesn't render distance in landscapes well. Everything at distance turns to mush.Close-ups of nature and people are great.

This drove me to buy a Pentax 16-85 which renders landscapes extremely well. With a K-70 sensor, the 16-85's much slower speed is a nonissue. Might be an issue on a K-5
10-04-2018, 04:29 AM   #6
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I own the 16-50 in converted screwdrive. It is a good lens but flare resistance isn't as good as I want sometimes (spoiled by DA 15). I also own the much smaller DA 20-40 f2.8-4 and find it to be more pleasant to carry due to size and weight.
10-04-2018, 04:45 AM   #7
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I had the Tamron and the Pentax. While the IQ is good on the Tamron, the build quality an QC is really bad. The Pentax is WR but the IQ is mediocre and the handling of the lens is bad. It's also very big and heavy. I suggest the Sigma. (Currently I don't have zooms other then my trusty DA18-135 travle lens.)

10-04-2018, 05:29 AM   #8
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According to the in depth review on this site. The Sigma and Tamron are a better value and IQ. The DA's advantage is WR.
10-04-2018, 05:50 AM   #9
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For my K-3, I chose the Sigma to replace the 18-55mm kit lens. It has done everything I've wanted from it - improved IQ, focus speed and low focus noise along with the f2.8 max aperture. In fact, if it were WR and had the color rendition of my DA*60-250 and DA12-24, I would say it was about perfect. I have found the reverse zoom rotation to not be an issue.
10-04-2018, 06:10 AM   #10
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I love my DA 20-40. Excellent everyday lens.
10-04-2018, 06:29 AM   #11
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I had good experiences with the Pentax 16-50.

Good contrast and color. It gives a look similar to other Pentax lenses.

Acceptable sharpness. Some people complain it's soft but in my experience it's sharp enough for most cases. It's usable at f2.8 and gets better at f4.0.

Subject to flare in tricky lighting, as are most zooms. Comparisons to the DA 15 Limited are unfair because the 15 has legendary flare resistance; every lens fails that test.

Durable. I've had my lens out in rain, snow, etc. and zero problems with water getting in.

A little bulky. f2.8, WR, internal focus motor all contribute to that. Regardless, it felt balanced on my K-5.

A good travel lens despite the bulk, because 16-50, WR, and f2.8 allow it to be the sole lens for many photo outings.
10-04-2018, 06:34 AM   #12
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This is one go those debates that goes on forever.
Tamron owners love their Tamrons, Sigma owners love their SIgma's, the Pentax did have some supporters, even if they aren't here. Personally, I'd just go for the best deal.

If you use your gear a lot, get the Sigma or the Pentax. For more casual use the Tamron will do, My wife has been using her her main lens for 5 years, and it's become unreliable. I suspect wear in the internal seals.

For it's first five years it was awesome. Personally I'd go with the Pentax looking back. We'd still have a properly working lens.
10-04-2018, 07:29 AM - 1 Like   #13
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I have both the tamron and the 16-50.
The tamron is smaller and lighter, but i reach for the 16-50 every single time. I love what comes out of that lens. Not sure if its the color, or the contrast, or what it is. but i definitely prefer it.
10-04-2018, 07:35 AM   #14
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There's also the 17-70 pentax f4 and sigma f2.8-4.
10-04-2018, 07:43 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by link81 Quote
I have both the tamron and the 16-50.
The tamron is smaller and lighter, but i reach for the 16-50 every single time. I love what comes out of that lens. Not sure if its the color, or the contrast, or what it is. but i definitely prefer it.
Many of the best shooters on the forum share that opinion. Having been critical of the lens based on test chart numbers, I've definitely been turned around by the number of reports like the one above. TO the point that I'm now thinking of looking for one second hand to replace the wife's Tamron. Just from the various reports and testimonials over the years, supported by the images I've seen, I'm convinced a second hand DA*16-50 will be better for us, than either the Tamron or the Sigma bought new.

It could be that the more talented shooters choose Pentax glass, or that there are a lot more 16-50 shooters than 17-50 shooters skewing the sample. But, in the end, people have shown you can get top tier images with a DA*16-50. Maybe you can as well sith the Tamron or Sigma, but I'm not taking the chance that 5 years down the line I'm shopping for another lens in this category because of the build quality of a 3rd party lens.

The lens has been a hot topic for my whole 10 years on the forum. At this point I've dealt with all the negativity and would be happy to purchase one, and may do so in the near future. I know the risks, but from what I've seen, they are worth it.

Just my an opinion.based on years of observation, nothing scientific.
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