[SHIFT]

Just wondering if anybody knows if Tamron plans on making this lens available for our Pentax mounts? Finally have the K10D but with no AF lens. The 17-70mm Sigma that I was going to buy had a large spec of dust in the lens, so I must continue to wait. And now I feel nervous about buying Sigma.

[neighhoma]

I've heard that the planned release date is some time in October/November. I'm also waiting hehe .

[SHIFT]

Everyone that I talked to recommends this lens and the current price for other mounts is still cheaper than the Pentax 16-50mm 2.8!!! I e-mailed Tamron and will update this thread with what they tell me. Depending on what they say, I may be forced to buy the kit lens for the time or that Sigma.

[kjao]

If you a lens now you can have a look at the new Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX DC Macro. All the reports I read seem to indicate that this is a better lens than the non-Macro version.

cheers
Kenny

I have send a e-mail to tamron askig about this lens with a Pentax Mount and I receive this answer:

"
Unfortunately I don't think there will be a Pentax version of that lens, Tamron has not announced any intention to do so.

Tamron USA"

So sad...I'll not pay U$700,00 in a 16/50... My atention returns to 16/45...

[Rick]

The 17-70mm Sigma that I was going to buy had a large spec of dust in the lens, so I must continue to wait. And now I feel nervous about buying Sigma.

Why?

The Sigma 17-70 is a fairly common lens among members here. You won't find too many posts here about Pentax users whimpering and wailing about their lousy Sigma 17-70, how it is full of dirt, etc. Most - including myself - are exceedingly happy with this lens and have no complaints whatsoever. For the $340 or so this lens costs, I think it is excellent both in quality and in value.

The Sigma 17-70 may not be what you're looking for, and it may not be suitable for your demands. But I don't think one lens with some dust in it means it is anything to get nervous about. I don't think there's a product out there, including our Pentax camera bodies, where a few examples don't get out of the factory with defects.

Your milage, of course, may vary.

[SHIFT]

I got that same response as posted above too.

@ neighhoma - Who is your source that said this Tamron lens would be released?

The reason I want this lens is that since neither of these lens are really cheap, so I want to get it right the first time. And it has been getting great reviews like the K10D. I played with the 17-70mm at the store and liked it!