General Purpose Lens: Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm

SirGMT · 01-30-2009, 09:09 AM

I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D?

BBear · 01-30-2009, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by SirGMT

I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D?

Not sure about the Sigma, but the 16-45 is somehow noisy (just like most body-motor AF lenses).

But it is also very sharp and render great colors.

If the sigma has SDM and it is as sharp, i guess you have a winner, and also get a tele.

heatherslightbox · 01-30-2009, 10:32 AM

The Sigma 17-70 does not have SDM, but the Pentax DA17-70 does.

The Sigma has a great quasi-macro (1:2.3) feature on it in addition to the great FL range. I had one of these, got rid of it, and now kind-of miss it. I have the 16-45, but there are times that I find the long end to be a bit short for my style of shooting.

HTH,
Heather

SirGMT · 01-30-2009, 10:50 AM

Since you have both 16-45 and 17-70, which one is more noisier or they generate the same noise level?

Marc Sabatella · 01-30-2009, 10:52 AM

If AF noise is a major concern, the Pentax 17-70 is the only logical choice here, since it is the only one with SDM (assumin you don't go with the 16-50, that is).

awo425 · 01-30-2009, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by SirGMT

I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D?

If you are looking for an average IQ, then Pentax16-45 is not for you. The IQ of this lens on 10 MP sensor is well above average even wide open.
Considering the $299 new ($215 used) price that they go for lately, I do not think there is another lens like this for the price. And quick shift focus is amazing.
I wouldn't call it very noisy, but it is not quiet ether, being non SDM lens

woodworm · 01-30-2009, 12:44 PM

Both of these lenses are highly rated and are a step up from the kit lens. I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs - it's also a faster lens. I use this lens as my general 'walk around' lens and it rarely left my camera when I went to Vienna in December.

I wouldn't say it was quiet though - the only quiet lenses are SDM / HSM but these tend to be more expensive.

asdf · 01-31-2009, 02:32 AM

Originally posted by woodworm

Both of these lenses are highly rated and are a step up from the kit lens. I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs - it's also a faster lens.

Faster? Really? What is Sigma's largest aperture at 45mm?

calicojack · 01-31-2009, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by woodworm

<snip> I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs <snip> I use this lens as my general 'walk around' lens and it rarely left my camera when I went to Vienna in December.

My thoughts are similar to woodworm's. I bought my K10D as a body only and then picked up a Sigma 17-70 shortly before taking a 3 week trip through Italy and Greece. It and a Tamron 1.4X TC was all I took. It was a great, light, small, travel kit. I only used the TC for a handfull of shots and never really felt the need for more range. I do feel that with the more limited range of the 16-45, I would have wanted more.

RT1 · 01-31-2009, 12:25 PM

If you can find a Sigma 24-60 f2.8 EX DG, it is a very nice lens, and has been pretty cheap since they were discontinued. Sure it's not as wide as the choices above, but it does offer a constant 2.8 aperture.

aleonx3 · 01-31-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

If AF noise is a major concern, the Pentax 17-70 is the only logical choice here, since it is the only one with SDM (assumin you don't go with the 16-50, that is).

Marc, I am thinking about getting the Pentax 17-70. Do you have this lens, is that any good? I have the sigma 18-50mm f2.8 macro, it is very good, but I sometimes find it just a bit too short for my style of shooting . Also, I recently find it a little hesitent in getting focus locked in low-light situation. I am also thinking about DA* 16-50mm f2.8 but wary of quality issue.

Thanks,
Alfred

woodworm · 01-31-2009, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by asdf

Faster? Really? What is Sigma's largest aperture at 45mm?

f4

What's the Pentax's largest aperture at 17mm?

asdf · 01-31-2009, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by woodworm

f4

What's the Pentax's largest aperture at 17mm?

When shooting at the wide end, I shoot landscapes or architecture and I tend to want an essentially infinite DOF, so f/2.8 does not make a difference at the wide end--to me at least. EDIT: At the wide end, distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting are a concern to me.

DJey · 01-31-2009, 09:55 PM

The Pentax DA 17-70mm F4 was a great lens.. tried it and really will go with over the DA 16-45mm F4. Unfortunately the price difference between the two is way too much for me..

NorthPentax · 02-01-2009, 04:15 AM

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4,5 is a very good lens, I have mine in Sigma's SA mount with AF motor.
Too bad the aperture is 3,2 at 24mm and 4,0 at 35mm. It would be great if the aperture was 2,8 up too 35mm. Something between 24-35 in focal lenght are great for indoor shooting and I usually need 2.8 if I don't have flash.

DA 17-70mm f/4 is also a great lens. Pretty fast and silent AF. It was this or the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for me. The focal lenght is perfect, it's wide and long. You don't have to change lenses all the time. All my lenses overlap, 12-24, 17-70 and 50-135, it's just practical

I recommend both of them, Sigma 17-70mm if you don't need the SDM(or don't have the ca$h).

I have owned DA 16-45mm f/4, didn't like it. Too short and I hated that it was extended at 16mm and normal at 45mm. It is cheap and good for it's price. And there is the CA problem.

01-30-2009, 09:09 AM	#1
SirGMT New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 13	General Purpose Lens: Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D?

01-31-2009, 04:28 AM	#9
calicojack Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, N.Y. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,124	17-70 over 16-45 for general use Originally posted by woodworm <snip> I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs <snip> I use this lens as my general 'walk around' lens and it rarely left my camera when I went to Vienna in December. My thoughts are similar to woodworm's. I bought my K10D as a body only and then picked up a Sigma 17-70 shortly before taking a 3 week trip through Italy and Greece. It and a Tamron 1.4X TC was all I took. It was a great, light, small, travel kit. I only used the TC for a handfull of shots and never really felt the need for more range. I do feel that with the more limited range of the 16-45, I would have wanted more.

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01-30-2009, 09:42 AM	#2
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Originally posted by SirGMT I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D? Not sure about the Sigma, but the 16-45 is somehow noisy (just like most body-motor AF lenses). But it is also very sharp and render great colors. If the sigma has SDM and it is as sharp, i guess you have a winner, and also get a tele.

01-30-2009, 10:32 AM	#3
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	The Sigma 17-70 does not have SDM, but the Pentax DA17-70 does. The Sigma has a great quasi-macro (1:2.3) feature on it in addition to the great FL range. I had one of these, got rid of it, and now kind-of miss it. I have the 16-45, but there are times that I find the long end to be a bit short for my style of shooting. HTH, Heather

01-30-2009, 10:50 AM	#4
SirGMT New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: California Posts: 13 Original Poster	Since you have both 16-45 and 17-70, which one is more noisier or they generate the same noise level?

01-30-2009, 10:52 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If AF noise is a major concern, the Pentax 17-70 is the only logical choice here, since it is the only one with SDM (assumin you don't go with the 16-50, that is).

01-30-2009, 12:30 PM	#6
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	Originally posted by SirGMT I am looking for a general purpose lens that can take landscape and portrait with average IQ. Also, I want a low AF noise level. Which one, Pentax 16-45mm or Sigma 17-70mm, better fit my need to work with K200D? If you are looking for an average IQ, then Pentax16-45 is not for you. The IQ of this lens on 10 MP sensor is well above average even wide open. Considering the $299 new ($215 used) price that they go for lately, I do not think there is another lens like this for the price. And quick shift focus is amazing. I wouldn't call it very noisy, but it is not quiet ether, being non SDM lens

01-30-2009, 12:44 PM	#7
woodworm Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Wales Posts: 266	Both of these lenses are highly rated and are a step up from the kit lens. I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs - it's also a faster lens. I use this lens as my general 'walk around' lens and it rarely left my camera when I went to Vienna in December. I wouldn't say it was quiet though - the only quiet lenses are SDM / HSM but these tend to be more expensive.

01-31-2009, 02:32 AM	#8
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by woodworm Both of these lenses are highly rated and are a step up from the kit lens. I went for the Sigma as the range better suited my needs - it's also a faster lens. Faster? Really? What is Sigma's largest aperture at 45mm?

01-31-2009, 12:25 PM	#10
RT1 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery Posts: 85	If you can find a Sigma 24-60 f2.8 EX DG, it is a very nice lens, and has been pretty cheap since they were discontinued. Sure it's not as wide as the choices above, but it does offer a constant 2.8 aperture.

01-31-2009, 01:00 PM	#11
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella If AF noise is a major concern, the Pentax 17-70 is the only logical choice here, since it is the only one with SDM (assumin you don't go with the 16-50, that is). Marc, I am thinking about getting the Pentax 17-70. Do you have this lens, is that any good? I have the sigma 18-50mm f2.8 macro, it is very good, but I sometimes find it just a bit too short for my style of shooting . Also, I recently find it a little hesitent in getting focus locked in low-light situation. I am also thinking about DA* 16-50mm f2.8 but wary of quality issue. Thanks, Alfred

01-31-2009, 03:19 PM	#12
woodworm Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Wales Posts: 266	Originally posted by asdf Faster? Really? What is Sigma's largest aperture at 45mm? f4 What's the Pentax's largest aperture at 17mm?

01-31-2009, 03:49 PM	#13
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by woodworm f4 What's the Pentax's largest aperture at 17mm? When shooting at the wide end, I shoot landscapes or architecture and I tend to want an essentially infinite DOF, so f/2.8 does not make a difference at the wide end--to me at least. EDIT: At the wide end, distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting are a concern to me.

01-31-2009, 09:55 PM	#14
DJey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 284	The Pentax DA 17-70mm F4 was a great lens.. tried it and really will go with over the DA 16-45mm F4. Unfortunately the price difference between the two is way too much for me..

02-01-2009, 04:15 AM	#15
NorthPentax Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: No(r)way Photos: Gallery Posts: 179	Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4,5 is a very good lens, I have mine in Sigma's SA mount with AF motor. Too bad the aperture is 3,2 at 24mm and 4,0 at 35mm. It would be great if the aperture was 2,8 up too 35mm. Something between 24-35 in focal lenght are great for indoor shooting and I usually need 2.8 if I don't have flash. DA 17-70mm f/4 is also a great lens. Pretty fast and silent AF. It was this or the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for me. The focal lenght is perfect, it's wide and long. You don't have to change lenses all the time. All my lenses overlap, 12-24, 17-70 and 50-135, it's just practical I recommend both of them, Sigma 17-70mm if you don't need the SDM(or don't have the ca$h). I have owned DA 16-45mm f/4, didn't like it. Too short and I hated that it was extended at 16mm and normal at 45mm. It is cheap and good for it's price. And there is the CA problem.