Kit lens replacement search

BPT · 02-09-2009, 12:35 PM

Ok I have basically narrowed down to a few lenses. This is to complement my Bigma, and I also have a 50mm f/2.0 (manual) and a 28mm f/2.8

Budget $350, need it in about a month when my k20d returns from warranty work.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX Macro -- This is my prefered so far, but a tad out of my price range new, I dont know if I can justify it with other options within my budget

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical -- This is a lot like the sigma but its build quality seems to be rated slightly less and it still falls outside of my price range

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro -- This falls within my price range, gives a tiny bit more reach then the others so money wise I think this is where I want to go if I cant somehow justify the other sigma and tamron

Pentax 16-45 -- now this falls quite well within my price range but I am unsure how it really compares to the others. I kind of have this as a last place/ last resort lens of my choices

How does everyone compare these lenses? I have read the reviews but they never seem to go head to head in the reviews. They all seem to say good for the money.

ve2vfd · 02-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Well, I can tell you I am VERY satisfied with the Tamron!

Just my 2¢ worth of course

Pat

**pentagor** · 02-09-2009, 12:47 PM

When I was in search for kit lens replacement, I also "threw an eye" on Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, but it was to long at the wide end. So I ended up with Sigma 17-70.
I put the kit lens aside for a while, but tested it again another day and was really disappointed. So the Sigma 17-70 was really a good choice.
If you don't miss the 50-70mm range, then 16/17/17-50 are better choice maybe. And they have the constant aperture, although Pentax is a bit slow compared to Sigma and Tammy (for indoor photography)
The majority of my photos are taken at 25-30mm and 50-70mm. It all depends on your style of photography.
I think all the lenses that you pointed out, are very good replacement for the kit lens and within the budget.

BPT · 02-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by ve2vfd

Well, I can tell you I am VERY satisfied with the Tamron!

Just my 2¢ worth of course

Pat

I cant say I have heard anyone complaing about this lens yet, which is encouraging.

Originally posted by pentagor

When I was in search for kit lens replacement, I also "threw an eye" on Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, but it was to long at the wide end. So I ended up with Sigma 17-70.
I put the kit lens aside for a while, but tested it again another day and was really disappointed. So the Sigma 17-70 was really a good choice.
If you don't miss the 50-70mm range, then 16/17/17-50 are better choice maybe. And they have the constant aperture, although Pentax is a bit slow compared to Sigma and Tammy (for indoor photography)
The majority of my photos are taken at 25-30mm and 50-70mm. It all depends on your style of photography.
I think all the lenses that you pointed out, are very good replacement for the kit lens and within the budget.

I looked breifly at the Tamron 28-75 but for the same reason as you I decided against it. I do a lot below 28 mm.

Generally I go wide or go long. Birds, animals and scenery are my main targets. Unless I am shooting my son at play then I often end up going in the middle. I dont normally shoot in the 50-70mm range but I havent discounted it. One of my targets is just developing it is my son who is 1.28 years old, he is really starting to move. I actually dont know what I will need as time progresses for him.

**pentagor** · 02-09-2009, 01:08 PM

Well, I have a daughter, which is 1.98 years old, and I love portaits of her. So 70mm is a must... ;-)

BPT · 02-09-2009, 01:18 PM

Portrait photography isnt really in my skillset yet. How much duct tape does it take to make your daughter sit still? I am pretty sure that is what it would take for my son

Jewelltrail · 02-09-2009, 01:21 PM

BPT:

If there is anyway you can hold off and save until you have enough to get what you want--do it! You do not want any regrets that will just have you upgrading again if you feel you short-changed yourself.

Read all you can about the lenses, save your money, and buy the one you think is best for you. The LBA thing can be dealt with successfully, hang in there.

BTW, I selected the Tamron (and I'm delighted), after extensive research, but I never actually shot with the other lenses you are discussing here. Perhaps you can find a way to try the lens you want, first.

winglik · 02-09-2009, 01:29 PM

I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness.

AndrewG NY · 02-09-2009, 01:36 PM

Other than its shorter reach and modest f/4 max aperture, the DA16-45/4 is a very good lens. If wide angle is important to you I wouldn't discount the difference between 16 and 18mm--its probably at least as important as the difference between 45 and 50. Personally my current choice is the somewhat pricier DA17-70 as I've found I like to have a little bit of reach into portrait-lens territory available. In the event I want more speed, i'll use primes.

BPT · 02-09-2009, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by Jewelltrail

BPT:

If there is anyway you can hold off and save until you have enough to get what you want--do it! You do not want any regrets that will just have you upgrading again if you feel you short-changed yourself.

Read all you can about the lenses, save your money, and buy the one you think is best for you. The LBA thing can be dealt with successfully, hang in there.

BTW, I selected the Tamron (and I'm delighted), after extensive research, but I never actually shot with the other lenses you are discussing here. Perhaps you can find a way to try the lens you want, first.

I was going to eventually replace the kit lens somewhere down the road but I ended up selling my k100D and including the kit lens in the sale since it is a friend who is just starting out. So when my new k20D comes back I am handing over my k100D and kit lens. I wasnt planning on giving up my kit lens but I did create a new pentax user

I cant try out lenses before buying since I live in a small area and the only Canon and Nikon are really served. It was actually suggested to me to buy an adapter so I can use some decent lenses rather then the sigma and pentax lenses I had.

Originally posted by winglik

I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness.

Just a little better then the kit lens isnt that encouraging, I am glad you said that

Originally posted by AndrewG NY

Other than its shorter reach and modest f/4 max aperture, the DA16-45/4 is a very good lens. If wide angle is important to you I wouldn't discount the difference between 16 and 18mm--its probably at least as important as the difference between 45 and 50. Personally my current choice is the somewhat pricier DA17-70 as I've found I like to have a little bit of reach into portrait-lens territory available. In the event I want more speed, i'll use primes.

Right now wide angle is probaly the more important to me. Ideally I would get the sigma 10-20 then another lens to go in the 20+ range. I cant really afford that this year.

**rparmar** · 02-09-2009, 02:43 PM

No-one ever went wrong with the DA16-45, and it's wider than your other options. The IQ is second to none. About the only downside is that extra stop of light you get going to f/2.8, but you pay for that in weight, distortion, etc.

BPT · 02-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

No-one ever went wrong with the DA16-45, and it's wider than your other options. The IQ is second to none. About the only downside is that extra stop of light you get going to f/2.8, but you pay for that in weight, distortion, etc.

Thank you, I think the 16-45 is moving up my list and I think the 17-70 has moved down a bit. I still havent made up my mind, I think I will be watching the marketplace to see what shows up. I wont be a dumbass like yesterday and miss a Sigma 18-50 for a good price.

palmor · 02-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by winglik

I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness.

I think you tested out a bad copy of the Sigma because I'd say that it is more then a "little better" then the kit lens.. and in every way. It is faster, sharper, focuses faster has more reach....

I've never used the Tamy so I can't comment on that and how it compares to the Sigma.

John

winglik · 02-09-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by palmor

I think you tested out a bad copy of the Sigma because I'd say that it is more then a "little better" then the kit lens.. and in every way. It is faster, sharper, focuses faster has more reach....

I've never used the Tamy so I can't comment on that and how it compares to the Sigma.

John

Not mine test, just google review.

palmor · 02-09-2009, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by winglik

Not mine test, just google review.

Ahh. I think the review may have had a bad copy then or some super copy of the kit lens hehe. Don't get me wrong I actually think the kit lens is great for what it is.. a kit lens but the Sigma is better in every way (except if you think a heavier lens is a negative).

To the OP, if you want to see a ton of real world examples taken with the 17-70 take a look here: Alaska Photo Gallery by palmor at pbase.com

BTW, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the lens you mentioned

John

02-09-2009, 12:35 PM	#1
BPT Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fruitvale, British Columbia Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 310	Kit lens replacement search Ok I have basically narrowed down to a few lenses. This is to complement my Bigma, and I also have a 50mm f/2.0 (manual) and a 28mm f/2.8 Budget $350, need it in about a month when my k20d returns from warranty work. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX Macro -- This is my prefered so far, but a tad out of my price range new, I dont know if I can justify it with other options within my budget Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical -- This is a lot like the sigma but its build quality seems to be rated slightly less and it still falls outside of my price range Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro -- This falls within my price range, gives a tiny bit more reach then the others so money wise I think this is where I want to go if I cant somehow justify the other sigma and tamron Pentax 16-45 -- now this falls quite well within my price range but I am unsure how it really compares to the others. I kind of have this as a last place/ last resort lens of my choices How does everyone compare these lenses? I have read the reviews but they never seem to go head to head in the reviews. They all seem to say good for the money.

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02-09-2009, 12:37 PM	#2
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Well, I can tell you I am VERY satisfied with the Tamron! Just my 2¢ worth of course Pat

02-09-2009, 12:47 PM	#3
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	When I was in search for kit lens replacement, I also "threw an eye" on Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, but it was to long at the wide end. So I ended up with Sigma 17-70. I put the kit lens aside for a while, but tested it again another day and was really disappointed. So the Sigma 17-70 was really a good choice. If you don't miss the 50-70mm range, then 16/17/17-50 are better choice maybe. And they have the constant aperture, although Pentax is a bit slow compared to Sigma and Tammy (for indoor photography) The majority of my photos are taken at 25-30mm and 50-70mm. It all depends on your style of photography. I think all the lenses that you pointed out, are very good replacement for the kit lens and within the budget.

02-09-2009, 01:04 PM	#4
BPT Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fruitvale, British Columbia Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 310 Original Poster	Originally posted by ve2vfd Well, I can tell you I am VERY satisfied with the Tamron! Just my 2¢ worth of course Pat I cant say I have heard anyone complaing about this lens yet, which is encouraging. Originally posted by pentagor When I was in search for kit lens replacement, I also "threw an eye" on Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, but it was to long at the wide end. So I ended up with Sigma 17-70. I put the kit lens aside for a while, but tested it again another day and was really disappointed. So the Sigma 17-70 was really a good choice. If you don't miss the 50-70mm range, then 16/17/17-50 are better choice maybe. And they have the constant aperture, although Pentax is a bit slow compared to Sigma and Tammy (for indoor photography) The majority of my photos are taken at 25-30mm and 50-70mm. It all depends on your style of photography. I think all the lenses that you pointed out, are very good replacement for the kit lens and within the budget. I looked breifly at the Tamron 28-75 but for the same reason as you I decided against it. I do a lot below 28 mm. Generally I go wide or go long. Birds, animals and scenery are my main targets. Unless I am shooting my son at play then I often end up going in the middle. I dont normally shoot in the 50-70mm range but I havent discounted it. One of my targets is just developing it is my son who is 1.28 years old, he is really starting to move. I actually dont know what I will need as time progresses for him.

02-09-2009, 01:08 PM	#5
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	Well, I have a daughter, which is 1.98 years old, and I love portaits of her. So 70mm is a must... ;-)

02-09-2009, 01:18 PM	#6
BPT Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fruitvale, British Columbia Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 310 Original Poster	Portrait photography isnt really in my skillset yet. How much duct tape does it take to make your daughter sit still? I am pretty sure that is what it would take for my son

02-09-2009, 01:21 PM	#7
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	BPT: If there is anyway you can hold off and save until you have enough to get what you want--do it! You do not want any regrets that will just have you upgrading again if you feel you short-changed yourself. Read all you can about the lenses, save your money, and buy the one you think is best for you. The LBA thing can be dealt with successfully, hang in there. BTW, I selected the Tamron (and I'm delighted), after extensive research, but I never actually shot with the other lenses you are discussing here. Perhaps you can find a way to try the lens you want, first.

02-09-2009, 01:29 PM	#8
winglik Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 258	I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness.

02-09-2009, 01:36 PM	#9
AndrewG NY Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chappaqua, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 688	Other than its shorter reach and modest f/4 max aperture, the DA16-45/4 is a very good lens. If wide angle is important to you I wouldn't discount the difference between 16 and 18mm--its probably at least as important as the difference between 45 and 50. Personally my current choice is the somewhat pricier DA17-70 as I've found I like to have a little bit of reach into portrait-lens territory available. In the event I want more speed, i'll use primes.

02-09-2009, 01:50 PM	#10
BPT Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fruitvale, British Columbia Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 310 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jewelltrail BPT: If there is anyway you can hold off and save until you have enough to get what you want--do it! You do not want any regrets that will just have you upgrading again if you feel you short-changed yourself. Read all you can about the lenses, save your money, and buy the one you think is best for you. The LBA thing can be dealt with successfully, hang in there. BTW, I selected the Tamron (and I'm delighted), after extensive research, but I never actually shot with the other lenses you are discussing here. Perhaps you can find a way to try the lens you want, first. I was going to eventually replace the kit lens somewhere down the road but I ended up selling my k100D and including the kit lens in the sale since it is a friend who is just starting out. So when my new k20D comes back I am handing over my k100D and kit lens. I wasnt planning on giving up my kit lens but I did create a new pentax user I cant try out lenses before buying since I live in a small area and the only Canon and Nikon are really served. It was actually suggested to me to buy an adapter so I can use some decent lenses rather then the sigma and pentax lenses I had. Originally posted by winglik I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness. Just a little better then the kit lens isnt that encouraging, I am glad you said that Originally posted by AndrewG NY Other than its shorter reach and modest f/4 max aperture, the DA16-45/4 is a very good lens. If wide angle is important to you I wouldn't discount the difference between 16 and 18mm--its probably at least as important as the difference between 45 and 50. Personally my current choice is the somewhat pricier DA17-70 as I've found I like to have a little bit of reach into portrait-lens territory available. In the event I want more speed, i'll use primes. Right now wide angle is probaly the more important to me. Ideally I would get the sigma 10-20 then another lens to go in the 20+ range. I cant really afford that this year.

02-09-2009, 02:43 PM	#11
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	No-one ever went wrong with the DA16-45, and it's wider than your other options. The IQ is second to none. About the only downside is that extra stop of light you get going to f/2.8, but you pay for that in weight, distortion, etc.

02-09-2009, 03:13 PM	#12
BPT Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fruitvale, British Columbia Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 310 Original Poster	Originally posted by rparmar No-one ever went wrong with the DA16-45, and it's wider than your other options. The IQ is second to none. About the only downside is that extra stop of light you get going to f/2.8, but you pay for that in weight, distortion, etc. Thank you, I think the 16-45 is moving up my list and I think the 17-70 has moved down a bit. I still havent made up my mind, I think I will be watching the marketplace to see what shows up. I wont be a dumbass like yesterday and miss a Sigma 18-50 for a good price.

02-09-2009, 07:33 PM	#13
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798	Originally posted by winglik I was looking for a replacement before, Sigma 17-70mm and Tamron 28-75mm both are good replacements. After googled some review, Looks like Tamron is a much better lens than Sigma, Sigma 17-70mm just a little better than the Kit lens, but Sigma has 17mm. so just depend what you look for. I am ok with 28mm, and I like Tamron's sharpness. I think you tested out a bad copy of the Sigma because I'd say that it is more then a "little better" then the kit lens.. and in every way. It is faster, sharper, focuses faster has more reach.... I've never used the Tamy so I can't comment on that and how it compares to the Sigma. John

02-09-2009, 07:53 PM	#14
winglik Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 258	Originally posted by palmor I think you tested out a bad copy of the Sigma because I'd say that it is more then a "little better" then the kit lens.. and in every way. It is faster, sharper, focuses faster has more reach.... I've never used the Tamy so I can't comment on that and how it compares to the Sigma. John Not mine test, just google review.

02-09-2009, 08:02 PM	#15
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798	Originally posted by winglik Not mine test, just google review. Ahh. I think the review may have had a bad copy then or some super copy of the kit lens hehe. Don't get me wrong I actually think the kit lens is great for what it is.. a kit lens but the Sigma is better in every way (except if you think a heavier lens is a negative). To the OP, if you want to see a ton of real world examples taken with the 17-70 take a look here: Alaska Photo Gallery by palmor at pbase.com BTW, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the lens you mentioned John