[Enc0der]

What do you think about the FA * 28-75 ?
Should I consider it in terms of IQ against the Tamron 28-75 ?
What about its AF speed?

[nanok]

i've had the k100d, k10d, k20d with me hiking in the mountains in the winter, at bellow zero temperatures, for hours (often morning till night). never had an issue, not with batteries, with nothing. long exposures on a tripod, at night, included. pentax has merely acknowledged this capability with the k-7, it was more of a marketing move than an ingeneering move, and it is great because it means official support for this. i suspect most dslrs will work at bellow freezing temperatures, btw. (also check the luminous landscape report on the antarctica trip, rather interesting)

for whomever might be interested

to the original poster: i think the initial question is perhaps mis-formulated: do you need something better, or do you really mean something different? what's wrong with the da* 16-50 from your point of view?

[kenyee]

Did you find any review / user-review on the NEW sigma 24-70 HSM ?

Yes. Look at the link I posted earlier in this thread...

[huqedato]

I need something better then the 16-50 da*

And have looked around and not sure wich one to go for.. The more natural choise is the sigma 24-70 with hsm, but havent seen any excamples with it.

what would be the lens that fits pentax that is as good as the canon 24-70L?

No, you won't!
won't find such a beauty on K mount.
Only Sony ZA 24-70 and Nikon 24-70 could match such level of optical quality.

[jsherman999]

In Canon-land, the Tamron 28-75 is generally thought to be optically on-par (or close enough) with the 24-70L.

Same thing in Nikon-land - Nikonians generally recognize that the Tammy 28-75 punches with the 28-70 and 24-70 2.8 Nikon lenses optically, just doesn't have the tank build quality (and size/weight that goes with it.)

However it's hard to believe the DA* 16-50 isn't meeting your needs optically, it's brilliant if you get a good copy, IMO.

.

[redpigeons]

I would also love to see samples of the new sigma...

I checked it out at B&H last Sunday and what I love about this lens is the size.
its a small lens for a FF 2.8 zoom

I am really considering this lens... please if you have it post some samples

[snappy]

Canon 24-70L with 5D and FA*28-70 on K20 are not much of difference. However, I find myself reaching for the 24-70L because of the zoom range on full frame, but FA*28-70 is a joy to shoot.

And it's hard to get a good copy for DA*16-60. I might try again though.

[redpigeons]

Canon 24-70L with 5D and FA*28-70 on K20 are not much of difference. However, I find myself reaching for the 24-70L because of the zoom range on full frame, but FA*28-70 is a joy to shoot.

And it's hard to get a good copy for DA*16-60. I might try again though.

the FA* was a dream of mine but since I am focusing on street photography I cant walk around with a huge lens like that... not only that its huge its also shiny silver

I never actually considered having a zoom lens for street until I saw the new sigma

[kenyee]

I checked it out at B&H last Sunday and what I love about this lens is the size.

You checked it out and you didn't take any pictures with it????
No one carries it in the Boston area so I'd have to mail order it to try it...

[soccerjoe5]

I have a full Canon system too so I can share some insights.

The 24-70L is a very good lens. VERY fast AF. It instantly snaps into focus, faster than my DA40. I haven't had any focusing problems. Sharp and well-built, the zooming action is very smooth. Overall a very well-balanced good zoom. The new Nikkor 24-70 kicks its ass though (seriously that lens is disgustingly sharp)

The 16-50 is a very good bargain zoom. For about $600 you get full sealing, great build and f/2.8. I got a very good copy which was very sharp in the middle, but the corners were a bit weak (EDIT) wide open (EDIT) . I loved the focal length range, having 16mm was awesome, I didn't miss my UWA much. The zooming action is not as smooth though. Contrast is very good and colors are punchy, contrastier and punchier than the L lens. AF is slower than the L lens.

Best zooms out there IMO are the latest Nikkors (14-24 and 24-70), blistering AF, amazing build, optics even outperform some of the best prime lenses out there. Seriously. But they've got serious price tags too

Back to the Canon and Pentax lenses, both are great lenses, as long as you know their limits and their price tags.

[leeak]

Here is a non-formal comparison between the DA16-50mm on K20D and 24-70mm on 5D:

A Few Quick & Dirty Canon vs. Pentax Comparison Shots (Absurd Singularity)

I say the DA 16-50mm did pretty well.

[Enc0der]

So... to sum this thread up - there is nothing better than Tamron for the 24-70 (or 28-75) focal length, in terms or build quality (considering the IQ is just fine) ?

[kenyee]

So... to sum this thread up - there is nothing better than Tamron for the 24-70 (or 28-75) focal length, in terms or build quality (considering the IQ is just fine) ?

If you get a good copy, it's great (but the new Sigma 24-70 HSM should be sharper and have less flare).
I went through 3 copies of the Tamron before giving up. They had BF/FF issues and halo'ing.

[redpigeons]

ok thank you zoom idea off the table next lens will be prime 77mm...

hopefully Pentax will make a new D-FA * 24-70 f/2.8 soon ...that would be an awesome day!! oh man I drooling just from the thought

[leeak]

Here is a recently informal comparision of the Sigma, Canon, and Nikon:

Mike Kobal