[laissezfaire]

I'm thinking that while my 50-135 is a GREAT lens, it's just a bit impractical for a novice like me to carry it and the 16-50 when traveling. I need a do it all lens, but would appreciate your thoughts on what I would get for the 50-135 (mint condition, hardly used).

Here's the link to the new sigma - it's supposed to allow one to use either lens based OS or sensor based in the Pentax.
Sigma launches 18-250mm DC OS HSM lens: Digital Photography Review

Anyone tried this new sigma out yet?

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Last edited by laissezfaire; 07-20-2009 at 07:59 PM.

[GLXLR]

Don't switch a awesome lens! At most, just save up and buy it (save a bit more and buy the 18-250 from pentax... no point to have OS)

[asdf]

I thinking that while my 50-135 is a GREAT lens, it's just a bit impractical for a novice like me to carry it and the 16-50 when traveling. I need a do it all lens, but would appreciate your thoughts on what I would get for the 50-135 (mint condition, hardly used).

Here's the link to the new sigma - it's supposed to allow one to use either lens based OS or sensor based in the Pentax.
Sigma launches 18-250mm DC OS HSM lens: Digital Photography Review

Anyone tried this new sigma out yet?

Super-zoom? Variable aperture?

[Confused]

Hi laissezfaire

This quandary is not an uncommon one and your eventual choice will probably come down to a number of factors including cost, convenience, weight, typical usage etc. Obviously I can't speak about the optical abilities or handling of the Sigma 18-250mm, because unfortunately I've not had an opportunity of trying one out yet. If it's quality is anything like as good as my Sigma 10-20mm, then you'll be well impressed ! Bear in mind that you'd be paying quite a bit over-the-odds for it's internal Hyper-Sonic Motor anti-shake compensation function, which I believe will not currently work with any of Pentax's DSLR bodies. However, if you possess a digital Pentax camera equipped with internal Shake Reduction, this will achieve virtually the same thing. I personally own the Tamron 18-250mm super-zoom with which I am generally delighted, but by the very nature of these all-in-one designs, it suffers from slight barrel-distortion at the wide end and also pincushion-distortion at the tele end. Thankfully these optical deficiencies aren't insurmountable and can be easily removed by many inexpensive commercially available photographic editing software packages. Hope this info helps a little.

Best regards
Richard

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Last edited by Confused; 03-29-2009 at 05:43 PM.

[laissezfaire]

Bear in mind that you'd be paying quite a bit over-the-odds for it's internal Hyper-Sonic Motor anti-shake compensation function, which I believe will not currently work with any of Pentax's DSLR bodies.

Richard, thanks for the feedback. I have a K20D and know very well that the in body stabilization is great (live view demonstrates the benefits and you can hear it working away, in fact), but this lens is supposed to offer a choice, in lens (for distance) or in body (for closer). Also, it's priced at $529, very competitive since that's only $100 more than Pentax's own DA 18-250. HSM and in lens OS for $100 means I think this will be one very popular and competitive lens.

See the link below:

Sigma's New 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 Is All Kinds of Stable - - PopPhotoJanuary 2009

[egordon99]

If you care about image quality, stick with the 50-135! I still miss my copy

[octavmandru]

You have a beautiful set over there: 16-50, 50-135, 50/f1,4...
They go together like Ying and Yang. Don't do such a mistake to split it, or you'll end up in yearning!
I carry three lenses all the time in the bag: the Sigma 17-35, the 50/f1,4 and the Pentax K-mount 28/f2.
If I must choose only one, I think ahead, and I make my pick.
All purpose zooms are trade-offs.
Just thinking to switch from f2,8 to f 5-6,3! Will be very dark in your view! (not to mention the AF speed)

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Last edited by octavmandru; 04-01-2009 at 07:32 AM.