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10-16-2008, 06:34 AM   #1
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Pentax lens vs Tamron

Good morning everybody. I have a dilemma which lens to choose as my main lens. I am thinking about Pentax 16-45mm and tamron 28-75mm. I know,they are quite different- the main factor here is sharpness of the lens and color it provides...Anyone using both , or used to have them??
Thanks in advance
marius

10-16-2008, 06:39 AM   #2
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Can' talk about the Tamron, but the Pentax 16-45 (I have it) is one of the sharpest everyday use zooms out there. In fact, from all the Pentax zooms I've had, (Fa28-80, FA 70-200, FA80-320, FA 28-105, FA 28-70 f/4 and FA 28-200) this is the only one I keep and use a lot. The others found new owners since I never liked their performance.

Besides, those two are completely different animals.

Robert B.
10-16-2008, 07:51 AM   #3
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why not think about the infamous Pentax 16-50 2.8, or the Tamron 17-50 2.8, both are said to be very sharp, much faster glass

And the tamron is quite cheap.

the 28-75 shows a 42-112 give or take on a digital aps-c sensor and that doesnt leave much for wide angle
10-16-2008, 08:04 AM   #4
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i have both

i have both lens and i use all of them differently, one don't substitute the other.
but i prefer the pentax because it's wider, but the 28-75 is more versatile.

i bought the 28-75 only because a found a used one for 200 euro.

the 16-45 it's my first choice, i thought about the 16-50 but i were scared
about the IQ problems so i bought the 16-45.

10-16-2008, 08:05 AM   #5
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I prefer Pentax lenses as the Tamron provides a different shade.. I tried to compare the kit lens and the Tamron 17-50mm and found out I like the kit lens' colour then the Tamron.. Although shooting in RAW makes things equal.. heheh.. except Tamron is 2.8 and sharper..
10-16-2008, 08:09 AM   #6
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Certainly no complaints here from my Tamron 28-75mm. Very versatile lens, very sharp, great colour, constant and usable f2.8.

As noted above, these lenses are different. You will need to figure out what your purpose will be for the lens as the wide ends are very different.

c[_]
10-16-2008, 08:22 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Taff Quote
why not think about the infamous Pentax 16-50 2.8, or the Tamron 17-50 2.8, both are said to be very sharp, much faster glass
The 16-50 is one stop faster than the 16-45mm, and double the price. Both are very sharp. My partially informed opinion is that the 16-50 performs better at the long end and the 16-45 performs better at the wide end.

10-16-2008, 08:34 AM   #8
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Have both. They're both stunning! The decision here is not price or IQ, but really speed and focal length.

Both very sharp, and with great colors.
10-16-2008, 10:03 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by deuces Quote
Have both. They're both stunning! The decision here is not price or IQ, but really speed and focal length.

Both very sharp, and with great colors.
Having both as well I would agree with deuces' comment. As said they are different lenses only because of the focal length ranges. Some practical examples, if I could only take one lens with me on a hike I'd take the Pentax 16-45mm. Usually I carry the Tamron as well as a closeup lens. On the other hand if I was indoors and taking more portrait range shots I'd go with the Tamron 28-75mm. Most of the shots ( here were taken with the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8 any at 77mm shot with the FA 77mm Limited. The shots in this gallery are mixed. Any close up shot or with a wide aperture were taken with the Tamron (if memory serves that's the first 2 and the last picture). All of the wide shots are certainly from the Pentax.

Some slight differences I have seen between the lens that might sway your decision. The Pentax is not as good at close up shots as the Tamron. Although the Tamron is not a true macro lens, you can get very good results at close range (say < 1 foot). I think the bokeh of the Tamron is smoother than the Pentax, but this could just be a function of a wide aperture. On the shorter focal length side of each lens (wide), under extreme contract conditions, I find the Pentax displays more purple fringing than the Tamron. That said it's rarely an issue in my hands. For my self I view these lenses the same quality with complementary uses.

In short you can't go wrong with either lens and, as with any lens choice, it really depends on what kind of photography you can use. For the money I think they are some of the best K-mount zoom lenses you can get.
10-16-2008, 11:57 AM   #10
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Hello Maryo, I enjoy my tamron lens !

You can have a look here : Flickr: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Group
10-16-2008, 12:59 PM   #11
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the tamron is a very very good lens.
10-17-2008, 12:52 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by audiobomber Quote
The 16-50 is one stop faster than the 16-45mm, and double the price. Both are very sharp. My partially informed opinion is that the 16-50 performs better at the long end and the 16-45 performs better at the wide end.
Dan (and all the others),
thx for these informations. I'm also currently looking for a new lense to cover these ranges.
Personally I hesitate between Pentax 16-45 and Tamron 17-50. Tamron is F2.8, but I find it at the same price than the 16-45 at my local reseller store. Does someone know if there are any known flaws with the Tamron, or is there any other reason that could explain that a F2.8 lense is not more expensive than a F4 lense with the same range?
10-17-2008, 01:18 PM   #13
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The Pentax you gain on the wide end, the Tamron you gain on the long end. Which do you shoot more with, wide or short tele?
10-17-2008, 01:27 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Damn Brit Quote
The Pentax you gain on the wide end, the Tamron you gain on the long end. Which do you shoot more with, wide or short tele?
Much more short tele. Missing on the long end wouldn't bother me much, since the lense will be more complementary than essential. I already have the FA 50mm 1.4 and will also get the DA* 50-135, (I'm shooting 80% between 50 and 100 mm ...).
I just wondered why a fast zoom is not more expensive than a less faster zoom (or does the little gain on the wide end really explain the price difference alone ?)
10-17-2008, 09:37 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Wulifou Quote
Personally I hesitate between Pentax 16-45 and Tamron 17-50. Tamron is F2.8, but I find it at the same price than the 16-45 at my local reseller store. Does someone know if there are any known flaws with the Tamron, or is there any other reason that could explain that a F2.8 lense is not more expensive than a F4 lense with the same range?
Pentax is a camera manufacturer, and for marketing reasons, the third-party lenses are often less expensive than manufacturers' lenses.

OTOH, some people question Tamron lenses, citing the Pentax SMC coatings as being superior in colour, contrast and flare resistance. I don't believe I've heard anything specifically about the 17-50, but I do find the colours on my (very inexpensive) Tamron 70-300mm lens do not compare well to my (considerably more expensive) Pentax 55-300mm. Whether there is s a difference in colour rendition or not between the Tamron 17-50 and Pentax 16-45mm, some people will choose Pentax, and higher demand results in higher price.
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