Da 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro vs Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR

Deni · 01-18-2009, 11:30 AM

Which one of those lenses would be the best option? How do they compare at f/4?

bwield · 01-18-2009, 11:52 AM

At F4 there may not be too much difference.. the Real question is how do they perform at 2.8... well unfortunatly thats a game the 16-45 cant play (and it is a great lens I love mine)

asdf · 01-19-2009, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by Deni

Which one of those lenses would be the best option? How do they compare at f/4?

Read the photozone.de reviews or other careful reviews and ignore anecdotal evidence.

heatherslightbox · 01-19-2009, 09:22 AM

See and decide for yourself...

Pentax smc P-DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL Lens Sample Photos and Specifications
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO Lens Sample Photos and Specifications
Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical Lens Sample Photos and Specifications

Reviews aren't everything, but...
Pentax Lens: Zooms - Pentax 16-45mm f/4 ED AL SMC P-DA - SLRgear.com!
Sigma Lens: Zooms - Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro - SLRgear.com!
Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

Also, check out our the lens reviews for all 3 lenses here on this site.

HTH,
Heather

Finn · 01-19-2009, 09:36 AM

Well, I just picked up a new DA 16-45 from prodigital2000 for $265...there's something to be said for that!

Peter Zack · 01-20-2009, 10:31 AM

I can't speak to the Tamron but I had the Sigma and now own the Pentax. Great lens and better than the Sigma IMO.

Arjay Bee · 01-20-2009, 04:03 PM

Anecdotal evidence and biased owner here but I use the 16-45 lens by default and go to others for special purposes:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/47367-da-16-45...rs-thread.html
Just some samples from a few days ago...

ftpaddict · 01-20-2009, 04:04 PM

Voted for the 16-45, because it's the one I own, so I can't speak for the others.

Phaser · 01-21-2009, 12:43 PM

sigma 17-70mm

ftpaddict · 01-21-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by Phaser

sigma 17-70mm

That's not really on the list, is it?

edl · 01-25-2009, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

I can't speak to the Tamron but I had the Sigma and now own the Pentax. Great lens and better than the Sigma IMO.

Other than the focal length differences, what do you find better on the Pentax over the Sigma?

Just curious as I have the Sigma and like it quite a bit, even at f/2.8 - but would love to have the 16mm wide end of the Pentax.

joele · 01-25-2009, 03:13 AM

I have owned the 16-45 and the tamron 17-50 (still have that one).. The Tamron is the obvious choice for me, sharper (esp. corners) and less fringing in my experience.. I actually prefer it to the 16-50 (don't shoot me ;-)

I have the Sigma 17-70 too (my fiancee uses it) I would find it a bit more difficult choosing between this and the 16-45 (unless like for her the extra length is important), but it certainly doesn't win out over the Tamron 17-50 in my opinion...

gemini · 01-25-2009, 03:35 AM

tamron is good but hasn't a nice bokeh...

maybe pentax 16-45mm...

Peter Zack · 01-25-2009, 06:39 AM

As for the Pentax vs the Sigma, It's a simple matter of the sharpness. I found the Pentax to be a sharper lens, Even at f4 vs f4 for both. The Pentax SMC coatings render a warmer image with better flare control than the other brands but that's been a long standing advantage of SMC.

My impression, from memory, was that the Sigma fell between the Kit lens and the DA16-45mm and I was hoping for better and closer to the DA*16-50 but there's no free lunch. Of course that's just one lens and there can be sample variations.

Clearly from the comments above. The 16-45mm is a solid lens but user experiences with all 3 are variable.

**seventhdr** · 01-25-2009, 12:37 PM

are you really comparring Apples with Apples.

You should have at least had the DA* 16-50 f2.8 in the list. The DA 16-45 f4 is a rather old lens design, which I think has been replaced with the newer DA 17-70 f4 SDM.

Regards

Chris Stone

View Poll Results: Wich one would you choose?
Pentax Da 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL	93	35.23%
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro	55	20.83%
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II	116	43.94%
Voters: 264. You may not vote on this poll

01-18-2009, 11:30 AM	#1
Deni Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tirana, Albania, South Europe, Planet Earth Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 621	Da 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro vs Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Which one of those lenses would be the best option? How do they compare at f/4?

01-25-2009, 12:37 PM	#15
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	The Pentax 16-45, but ... are you really comparring Apples with Apples. You should have at least had the DA* 16-50 f2.8 in the list. The DA 16-45 f4 is a rather old lens design, which I think has been replaced with the newer DA 17-70 f4 SDM. Regards Chris Stone

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01-18-2009, 11:52 AM	#2
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444	At F4 there may not be too much difference.. the Real question is how do they perform at 2.8... well unfortunatly thats a game the 16-45 cant play (and it is a great lens I love mine)

01-19-2009, 02:41 AM	#3
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by Deni Which one of those lenses would be the best option? How do they compare at f/4? Read the photozone.de reviews or other careful reviews and ignore anecdotal evidence.

01-19-2009, 09:22 AM	#4
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	See and decide for yourself... Pentax smc P-DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL Lens Sample Photos and Specifications Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO Lens Sample Photos and Specifications Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical Lens Sample Photos and Specifications Reviews aren't everything, but... Pentax Lens: Zooms - Pentax 16-45mm f/4 ED AL SMC P-DA - SLRgear.com! Sigma Lens: Zooms - Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro - SLRgear.com! Tamron Lens: Zooms - Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF (Tested) - SLRgear.com! Also, check out our the lens reviews for all 3 lenses here on this site. HTH, Heather

01-19-2009, 09:36 AM	#5
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	Well, I just picked up a new DA 16-45 from prodigital2000 for $265...there's something to be said for that!

01-20-2009, 10:31 AM	#6
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I can't speak to the Tamron but I had the Sigma and now own the Pentax. Great lens and better than the Sigma IMO.

01-20-2009, 04:03 PM	#7
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	Anecdotal evidence and biased owner here but I use the 16-45 lens by default and go to others for special purposes: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/47367-da-16-45...rs-thread.html Just some samples from a few days ago...

01-20-2009, 04:04 PM	#8
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Voted for the 16-45, because it's the one I own, so I can't speak for the others.

01-21-2009, 12:43 PM	#9
Phaser Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery Posts: 73	sigma 17-70mm

01-21-2009, 12:58 PM	#10
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by Phaser sigma 17-70mm That's not really on the list, is it?

01-25-2009, 01:18 AM	#11
edl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 457	Originally posted by Peter Zack I can't speak to the Tamron but I had the Sigma and now own the Pentax. Great lens and better than the Sigma IMO. Other than the focal length differences, what do you find better on the Pentax over the Sigma? Just curious as I have the Sigma and like it quite a bit, even at f/2.8 - but would love to have the 16mm wide end of the Pentax.

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01-25-2009, 03:13 AM	#12
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	I have owned the 16-45 and the tamron 17-50 (still have that one).. The Tamron is the obvious choice for me, sharper (esp. corners) and less fringing in my experience.. I actually prefer it to the 16-50 (don't shoot me ;-) I have the Sigma 17-70 too (my fiancee uses it) I would find it a bit more difficult choosing between this and the 16-45 (unless like for her the extra length is important), but it certainly doesn't win out over the Tamron 17-50 in my opinion...

01-25-2009, 03:35 AM	#13
gemini Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 256	tamron is good but hasn't a nice bokeh... maybe pentax 16-45mm...

01-25-2009, 06:39 AM	#14
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	As for the Pentax vs the Sigma, It's a simple matter of the sharpness. I found the Pentax to be a sharper lens, Even at f4 vs f4 for both. The Pentax SMC coatings render a warmer image with better flare control than the other brands but that's been a long standing advantage of SMC. My impression, from memory, was that the Sigma fell between the Kit lens and the DA16-45mm and I was hoping for better and closer to the DA*16-50 but there's no free lunch. Of course that's just one lens and there can be sample variations. Clearly from the comments above. The 16-45mm is a solid lens but user experiences with all 3 are variable.