Originally posted by Squeeze I am very close to deciding on buying the Pentax K20D
Amazon has the K20D body, A40 Optio point-and-shoot, and Pentax backpack combo special for $750, for a few more days. (I paid $250 more for just the K20D...:-(
Quote: Choice 1- Pentax -Zoom Fisheye to Super Wide-Angle SMCP-DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED (IF) Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR $390
Good one. Must like curved lines, though not too much at 17mm.
Quote: Choice 5 – Sigma - Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens $400
Cameta Camera has the older (non-macro) version for about $279. I can get 5 keyboard keys in the shot with it. Oh, its not really "superwide".
Quote: Choice 6 - (instead of Choice 5, this will leave me with no 50-70mm coverage)
Sigma - Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras $350
This seems like a great focal length, and the lens has good reviews, despite the variable aperture.
Quote: Choice 7 - Sigma - Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF $200
I had that one. Aperture blades broke :-( It has pretty low contrast and lifeless-looking shots unless you increase the contrast a lot. I stopped using it after getting the Pentax 55-300.
I would strongly suggest getting the Pentax 55-300 which is only $100 more but much better. It also solves your "gap" from 50-70. The extra cost here offsets the savings on the older 18-50, so moneywise you break even but with better equipment.
The K20D will make average lenses not so average, anymore...