Originally posted by mikesbike
Don't know what camera you are using, but I would consider getting rid of your 18-55mm kit lens and go for the DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 WR Limited. That would fill in a gap you have without having to deal with more primes and lens-changing, yet have a high quality upgrade.
I'm more than satisfied with my Tamron 17-50mm. Really, really excellent lens!
---------- Post added 02-23-2019 at 10:15 PM ----------
Originally posted by monochrome
In good light using Spot AF on K-1 or KP the original SMC DA55~300 is fast enough to focus and locks just fine. Additionally it produces images with rich, bright, deep colors, especially blues. I still use mine for light hiking when I don’t want to carry a big, heavy lens.
Yes, a very good lens, sharp at every focal and aperture and for me a very good landscape lens, too!
---------- Post added 02-23-2019 at 10:21 PM ----------
Originally posted by Alex645
Guaranteed. But you gotta think of it like life. It's not a destination; it's the journey, the process.
You just don't want to replace something better with something different. Technically, the Zeiss or the Leica have less "flaws" but IMO less character.
And for what I do with my photos, FF and MF take it to another level. That's not LBA, it's ZEN.
Good point! "No character!" My lenses and my camera have character! A big one!!!
Let's see what I've had if I remember: Smc Pentax m 50mm f1.7, Vivitar 28mm f2.8 close focus, Pentacon 50mm f1.8, Fujinon 55mm f2.2 ( Maybe the best colors I have seen in a lens), Sigma 30mm f1.4 first version (strange rendering but very smooth bokeh), Sigma art 30mm f1.4 (didn't like the rendering, muted colors, very bad CA), Tamron 28-200mm (very good colors, contrast but pretty unsharp), Rikenon 50mm f2, Smc Pentax 55-300mm (little fungus), Samyang 85mm as if (little fungus)...
What I have and what Iike about them:
15mm limited - great colors, contrast, sharpness
31mm limited - not a big love for the moment, but one of the best bokeh I have seen, 3d pop sometimes
Smc f 50mm f1.7 - my precious, best lens for flowers, Christmas lights, bright image and fa limited feeling...
Smc A 50mm f1.7 - cover for f version
Pentax da 55mm sdm - best colors and contrast, on par with my Sigma 105mm macro, vintage defined edges bokeh until f2, smooth bokeh above
Helios 58mm f2 - unique bokeh
Samyang 85mm f1.4 - one of the smoothest bokeh and I think that on this chapter only it's better than 77mm limited!
Sigma 105 macro - crazy colors and contrast, very smooth bokeh
Smc pentax 18-55mm - not very sharp but unique rendering, don't know how to describe, great lens for black and white photography!
Tamron 17-50mm - a prime sharpness, great colors, contrast, it can't do bad pictures!
Hd Pentax da 55-300mm - my go to lens for birds and other animals, surprisingly good for macro and a very good landscape lens!
So, I don't need anything else! Say it!