[Christopher M.W.T]

Here in Australia some of the camera shops are selling the K7D with the Sigma twin kits, I had one salesman try and tell me that the Sigma 18-50mm & 55-200mm is as good as the Pentax lenses. Something I'm VERY dubious of I know the 18-50mm Sigma DC is a pretty cheap and nasty lense.

However I am looking for a decent all purpose lense to pair with the K7, I have my mind set on the Sigma 17-70mm.

I'd love to here some thoughts ,cheers.

[asdf]

Here in Australia some of the camera shops are selling the K7D with the Sigma twin kits, I had one salesman try and tell me that the Sigma 18-50mm & 55-200mm is as good as the Pentax lenses. Something I'm VERY dubious of I know the 18-50mm Sigma DC is a pretty cheap and nasty lense.

However I am looking for a decent all purpose lense to pair with the K7, I have my mind set on the Sigma 17-70mm.

I'd love to here some thoughts ,cheers.

Obviously, there's no such thing as an all purpose lens, but if you don't have fast primes already, take a look at Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.

[Mechan1k]

There are so many difference lenses for this ... it depends on the focal length you choose to use.

I have used the Sigma 17-70mm and it is a nice lens indeed. The tamron that is mentioned is also an excellent lens.

The issue with us in Australia is trying to get these lenses in ... at a decent price. It is still cheaper to purchase overseas compared to buying here (although I have read recently that C.R. Kennedy is price matching the O/S prices lately).

If you have the cash ... and are willing to stay in the range you seem to be looking at ... the Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 is meant to be an excellent lens (if you get one of the better QC versions)

Seeing as you have forked out for a decent body ... I suggest getting better specced lenses than what the shop is offering.

What lenses do you have at the moment???

[dr jekyl and MR hyde]

btw - do you know about a good zoom lense for the k7 above 200? something like 200-400? thanks

[Christopher M.W.T]

There are so many difference lenses for this ... it depends on the focal length you choose to use.

I have used the Sigma 17-70mm and it is a nice lens indeed. The tamron that is mentioned is also an excellent lens.

The issue with us in Australia is trying to get these lenses in ... at a decent price. It is still cheaper to purchase overseas compared to buying here (although I have read recently that C.R. Kennedy is price matching the O/S prices lately).

If you have the cash ... and are willing to stay in the range you seem to be looking at ... the Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 is meant to be an excellent lens (if you get one of the better QC versions)

Seeing as you have forked out for a decent body ... I suggest getting better specced lenses than what the shop is offering.

What lenses do you have at the moment???

I just pulled the trigger on the K7 + Sigma 17-70mm. Going to pick it up this week, was quite impressed after testing the combo. The shop in Melbourne managed to do me the K7 for $1599 & the 17-70 sigma for $299!!!! certainly one of the best prices I found on this lense.

Otherwise I just have an old crappy sigma 100-300mm 2nd hand shop job I bought for a bit of fun and an old Ricoh 50mm f/1.7 which is quite a nice lense imho.

[Page]

@ OP - The sigma 100 - 300's go for around $120 on ebay and are pretty good bang for buck zoom. Leave the lens the salesman is offering and grab a tameron 17-50/2.8 .
What style of shooting do you do?
Penatx has some loverly prime lens if you are after image quality.

[deadwolfbones]

I have the Quantaray 100-300mm that's a rebadged Sigma, and I like it enough that I sold my Pentax 55-300mm and will use it till I buy a 70-200mm f/2.8 (and possibly after). Incredible bang for the buck (I got mine for $70 shipped).

[Christopher M.W.T]

@ OP - The sigma 100 - 300's go for around $120 on ebay and are pretty good bang for buck zoom. Leave the lens the salesman is offering and grab a tameron 17-50/2.8 .
What style of shooting do you do?
Penatx has some loverly prime lens if you are after image quality.

I havent really found a style yet.

To get an idea

Flickr: Christopher M.J. Tsorotes' Photostream

I like all sorts of things hence why i went with the 17-70mm Sigma as a start,
i want some nice primes and a good macro lense.

[robjmitchell]

The Sigma a great all purpose lens and is excellent value. I'm the same, got the sigma and then started working on the nice primes. got a Da 14, Fa 43ltd and sigma 70 macro. Next i'm looking at a light 20/21. The 17-70 still gets a heap of use because its so darn convenient!

[ozlizard]

the Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 is meant to be an excellent lens (if you get one of the better QC versions)

I am getting this lens to go with my new K20 as soon as I sell my K100, what is the QC version?

[jeffrey r]

I am getting this lens to go with my new K20 as soon as I sell my K100, what is the QC version?

I think he means a version with better quality control (QC), as in, one that has come out of the factory in good operating order, as opposed to needing to send it in for repair.