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bladerunneruk · 12-20-2009, 01:12 PM

Hi folks, had a look at the 3rd party lens database but did not see an answer to the query I have.

My pentax 16-45 is unfortunately damaged and seems to be unrepairable, so looking for a replacement.

The great thing about the 16-45 is the edge to edge sharpness straight from f4 and has been great for landscapes for that reason and not bad at all for general use ;-)

On a K10D for indoor use f4 is a little slow for me with natural light only, I don't like pushing much beyond ISO560 if I have a choice, so I'm dallying with an alternative choice, the Sigma 24-60mm F2.8 DG EX but can find little hard data for it - there's now't on photozone for example

Please could owners tell me how the edge to edge sharpness is at f2.8 and f4 and f8, is it as even MTF-wise as the DA16-45 ?

pxpaulx · 12-20-2009, 01:26 PM

I like the lens alot, so much so that I re-purchased it after selling it last year. I dont really delve into heavy lens testing personally, but from what I have read and discussed with others (it was discussed quite alot last summer as new stock was being cleared out for dirt cheap pricing), this lens is a tad soft, but completely usable wide open, and by f4 would pretty easily rival the 16-45. That said, you have to consider the focal length difference, as you are giving up an appreciable amount on the wide end if you go with the 24-60 to replace the 16-45.

If you do decide you want this lens (I won't part with it again unless I give up photography entirely!), you are going to have a tough time. It is discontinued, and when they do pop up in the marketplace or on fleabay, you can expect them to go quickly. Last year when a couple of retailers were clearing out old stock they were being sold a tad above $200. Expect to pay around $250 now (possibly alittle more, I probably wouldve paid close to $300 and still felt it a good value); considering it was originally a $500+ lens, it still goes for a reasonable price, and is an overall great value with very high build quality (if you've ever held a sigma EX lens you know they are very solid).

Mike.P® · 12-20-2009, 01:28 PM

Thread on the forum HERE.

bladerunneruk · 12-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by pxpaulx

I like the lens alot, so much so that I re-purchased it after selling it last year. I dont really delve into heavy lens testing personally, but from what I have read and discussed with others (it was discussed quite alot last summer as new stock was being cleared out for dirt cheap pricing), this lens is a tad soft, but completely usable wide open, and by f4 would pretty easily rival the 16-45. That said, you have to consider the focal length difference, as you are giving up an appreciable amount on the wide end if you go with the 24-60 to replace the 16-45.

If you do decide you want this lens (I won't part with it again unless I give up photography entirely!), you are going to have a tough time. It is discontinued, and when they do pop up in the marketplace or on fleabay, you can expect them to go quickly. Last year when a couple of retailers were clearing out old stock they were being sold a tad above $200. Expect to pay around $250 now (possibly alittle more, I probably wouldve paid close to $300 and still felt it a good value); considering it was originally a $500+ lens, it still goes for a reasonable price, and is an overall great value with very high build quality (if you've ever held a sigma EX lens you know they are very solid).

thanks for your thoughts, I have found a new one in europe so I can get one (for now) not at the clearance level prices you mention though !

I already have the DA12-24, bought before the prices went up, so I'm OK on the wider end. My other thought is the tamron 17-50/2.8 but I'd like a little more on the longer end I think as I also have a 60-250 and I'm trying to fill the gap :-)

bladerunneruk · 12-20-2009, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

Thread on the forum HERE.

thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't !

pxpaulx · 12-20-2009, 03:36 PM

back when I had the 24-60 the first time, that was pretty much the perfect setup in my mind! The 60-250 is so nice, those 3 lenses are a very nice, complete kit.

danielchtong · 12-20-2009, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by bladerunneruk

thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't !

I do have Sigma 24-60mm

Model shots & trial shots K20D - Photo.net Pentax Forum

Re: Is the Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 discontinued?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/travel-photography/139777-snap-shots-hong-kong.html (except the bottom part which was shot with Zen 16mm

Daniel

Last edited by danielchtong; 12-20-2009 at 03:52 PM.

Mike.P® · 12-20-2009, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by bladerunneruk

thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't !

I have had many a bargain off Ebay from people listing lenses without the mm at the end. Just last night I got a Tamron Adaptall 2 80-200mm f2.8 for £142 because he listed it as a 80 200 Adaptall.

Anyway, 24-60mm Sigma is a cracking lens, I got mine off Ebay for £100 12 months ago when the prices were low but I would happily pay twice that.

bladerunneruk · 12-20-2009, 03:57 PM

well that's the theory, 12-24, 24-60, 60-250, I must confess to wondering if the need to change at 24mm will prove to be annoying, ideally I'd like some overlap at each end - a 17-70 might be nice but pentax's is f4 and sigma's isn't f2.8 through the range, ho hum !

I see from your sig you have both 16-45 and 24-60, I don't suppose you have any comparison shots of sigma 24-60 and pentax 16-45 at say f4, ISO200, for 24mm, 45mm and 35mm do you ? (I'm using my FA35/2 to fill the FL gap (very nicely too I must say) whilst the 16-45 is damaged, hence the 35mm datum)

PS the 60-250 is so very nice

pxpaulx · 12-20-2009, 04:09 PM

back when I had my first 24-60, I also had the sigma 10-20 - I did find myself changing lenses often and kind of became annoyed with it; the 12-24 is another story though, that extra 4mm reach is pretty significant and I think they would be a decent match. replacing the 16-45, or getting the 17-70 are both viable options, but the extra stop would probably be more useful than getting that overlapping coverage. Have you run an exposure plot (that is the name of the program) of your photos to see where you shoot the most in terms of lens focal length? This also can help with your decision, and whether you need that overlap or not.

danielchtong · 12-20-2009, 07:24 PM

As 24-60mm is no long in production, the 18-50mm F2.8 is ( as far as N Am is concerned) at almost 2x the price of 24-60mm.

Raplacement Kit Lens - 16-45/4 or 20-40/2.8 - Page 2 - Steve's Digicams Forums

danielchtong · 12-21-2009, 03:34 AM

Originally posted by bladerunneruk

(I'm using my FA35/2 to fill the FL gap (very nicely too I must say) whilst the 16-45 is damaged, hence the 35mm datum)

PS the 60-250 is so very nice

I did not know you have FA35mm. Why bother with any zoom? Get a decent prime lens at around 14 or 16mm and you are done. The rest you can zoom with your feet.
I am essentially a prime lens person and this Sigma 24-60mm is mainly for party snaps.

Daniel

Nowhere Matt · 12-21-2009, 08:13 AM

I have the Sigma 24-60 DG EX as well and have some images posted specifically in the "Appreciation Of The Sigma 24-60" thread.
I have noticed instances of softness near the edges but I do like how it renders contrast and color and sharpness otherwise in all situations. This is the lens that is on my K10 most often and as a frugal minded photographer, it is my most expensive though I got it used from my cousin for a very good price.

bladerunneruk · 12-21-2009, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by danielchtong

I do have Sigma 24-60mm

Model shots & trial shots K20D - Photo.net Pentax Forum

Re: Is the Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 discontinued?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Snap shots - Hong Kong - Steve's Digicams Forums (except the bottom part which was shot with Zen 16mm

Daniel

thanks for the links Daniel, fashion type shoots are not my thing personally, but looks like you had some fun there !

bladerunneruk · 12-21-2009, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by danielchtong

I did not know you have FA35mm. Why bother with any zoom? Get a decent prime lens at around 14 or 16mm and you are done. The rest you can zoom with your feet.
I am essentially a prime lens person and this Sigma 24-60mm is mainly for party snaps.

Daniel

Hi Daniel, well it's horses for courses for me, sometime I use primes, sometimes zooms, depends on circumstances and time available and sometimes my mood at the time too !

just for the prime-ophiles amongst you I have a DA*200/2.8 and an A50/1.7 too !

12-20-2009, 01:12 PM	#1
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45	Sigma 24-60mm F2.8 DG EX Hi folks, had a look at the 3rd party lens database but did not see an answer to the query I have. My pentax 16-45 is unfortunately damaged and seems to be unrepairable, so looking for a replacement. The great thing about the 16-45 is the edge to edge sharpness straight from f4 and has been great for landscapes for that reason and not bad at all for general use ;-) On a K10D for indoor use f4 is a little slow for me with natural light only, I don't like pushing much beyond ISO560 if I have a choice, so I'm dallying with an alternative choice, the Sigma 24-60mm F2.8 DG EX but can find little hard data for it - there's now't on photozone for example Please could owners tell me how the edge to edge sharpness is at f2.8 and f4 and f8, is it as even MTF-wise as the DA16-45 ?

12-20-2009, 03:02 PM	#5
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike.P® Thread on the forum HERE. thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't ! Last edited by bladerunneruk; 12-20-2009 at 03:14 PM. Reason: typo

12-21-2009, 03:00 PM	#14
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45 Original Poster	links Originally posted by danielchtong I do have Sigma 24-60mm Model shots & trial shots K20D - Photo.net Pentax Forum Re: Is the Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 discontinued?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review Snap shots - Hong Kong - Steve's Digicams Forums (except the bottom part which was shot with Zen 16mm Daniel thanks for the links Daniel, fashion type shoots are not my thing personally, but looks like you had some fun there !

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12-20-2009, 01:26 PM	#2
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	I like the lens alot, so much so that I re-purchased it after selling it last year. I dont really delve into heavy lens testing personally, but from what I have read and discussed with others (it was discussed quite alot last summer as new stock was being cleared out for dirt cheap pricing), this lens is a tad soft, but completely usable wide open, and by f4 would pretty easily rival the 16-45. That said, you have to consider the focal length difference, as you are giving up an appreciable amount on the wide end if you go with the 24-60 to replace the 16-45. If you do decide you want this lens (I won't part with it again unless I give up photography entirely!), you are going to have a tough time. It is discontinued, and when they do pop up in the marketplace or on fleabay, you can expect them to go quickly. Last year when a couple of retailers were clearing out old stock they were being sold a tad above $200. Expect to pay around $250 now (possibly alittle more, I probably wouldve paid close to $300 and still felt it a good value); considering it was originally a $500+ lens, it still goes for a reasonable price, and is an overall great value with very high build quality (if you've ever held a sigma EX lens you know they are very solid).

12-20-2009, 01:28 PM	#3
Mike.P® Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Thread on the forum HERE.

12-20-2009, 03:00 PM	#4
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45 Original Poster	Originally posted by pxpaulx I like the lens alot, so much so that I re-purchased it after selling it last year. I dont really delve into heavy lens testing personally, but from what I have read and discussed with others (it was discussed quite alot last summer as new stock was being cleared out for dirt cheap pricing), this lens is a tad soft, but completely usable wide open, and by f4 would pretty easily rival the 16-45. That said, you have to consider the focal length difference, as you are giving up an appreciable amount on the wide end if you go with the 24-60 to replace the 16-45. If you do decide you want this lens (I won't part with it again unless I give up photography entirely!), you are going to have a tough time. It is discontinued, and when they do pop up in the marketplace or on fleabay, you can expect them to go quickly. Last year when a couple of retailers were clearing out old stock they were being sold a tad above $200. Expect to pay around $250 now (possibly alittle more, I probably wouldve paid close to $300 and still felt it a good value); considering it was originally a $500+ lens, it still goes for a reasonable price, and is an overall great value with very high build quality (if you've ever held a sigma EX lens you know they are very solid). thanks for your thoughts, I have found a new one in europe so I can get one (for now) not at the clearance level prices you mention though ! I already have the DA12-24, bought before the prices went up, so I'm OK on the wider end. My other thought is the tamron 17-50/2.8 but I'd like a little more on the longer end I think as I also have a 60-250 and I'm trying to fill the gap :-)

12-20-2009, 03:36 PM	#6
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	back when I had the 24-60 the first time, that was pretty much the perfect setup in my mind! The 60-250 is so nice, those 3 lenses are a very nice, complete kit.

12-20-2009, 03:45 PM	#7
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by bladerunneruk thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't ! I do have Sigma 24-60mm Model shots & trial shots K20D - Photo.net Pentax Forum Re: Is the Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 discontinued?: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review http://forums.steves-digicams.com/travel-photography/139777-snap-shots-hong-kong.html (except the bottom part which was shot with Zen 16mm Daniel Last edited by danielchtong; 12-20-2009 at 03:52 PM.

12-20-2009, 03:50 PM	#8
Mike.P® Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by bladerunneruk thanks for the link Mike, I tried the forum search function with sigma 24-60 and it came up with precisely now't ! I have had many a bargain off Ebay from people listing lenses without the mm at the end. Just last night I got a Tamron Adaptall 2 80-200mm f2.8 for £142 because he listed it as a 80 200 Adaptall. Anyway, 24-60mm Sigma is a cracking lens, I got mine off Ebay for £100 12 months ago when the prices were low but I would happily pay twice that.

12-20-2009, 03:57 PM	#9
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45 Original Poster	well that's the theory, 12-24, 24-60, 60-250, I must confess to wondering if the need to change at 24mm will prove to be annoying, ideally I'd like some overlap at each end - a 17-70 might be nice but pentax's is f4 and sigma's isn't f2.8 through the range, ho hum ! I see from your sig you have both 16-45 and 24-60, I don't suppose you have any comparison shots of sigma 24-60 and pentax 16-45 at say f4, ISO200, for 24mm, 45mm and 35mm do you ? (I'm using my FA35/2 to fill the FL gap (very nicely too I must say) whilst the 16-45 is damaged, hence the 35mm datum) PS the 60-250 is so very nice

12-20-2009, 04:09 PM	#10
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	back when I had my first 24-60, I also had the sigma 10-20 - I did find myself changing lenses often and kind of became annoyed with it; the 12-24 is another story though, that extra 4mm reach is pretty significant and I think they would be a decent match. replacing the 16-45, or getting the 17-70 are both viable options, but the extra stop would probably be more useful than getting that overlapping coverage. Have you run an exposure plot (that is the name of the program) of your photos to see where you shoot the most in terms of lens focal length? This also can help with your decision, and whether you need that overlap or not.

12-20-2009, 07:24 PM	#11
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	As 24-60mm is no long in production, the 18-50mm F2.8 is ( as far as N Am is concerned) at almost 2x the price of 24-60mm. Raplacement Kit Lens - 16-45/4 or 20-40/2.8 - Page 2 - Steve's Digicams Forums

12-21-2009, 03:34 AM	#12
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by bladerunneruk (I'm using my FA35/2 to fill the FL gap (very nicely too I must say) whilst the 16-45 is damaged, hence the 35mm datum) PS the 60-250 is so very nice I did not know you have FA35mm. Why bother with any zoom? Get a decent prime lens at around 14 or 16mm and you are done. The rest you can zoom with your feet. I am essentially a prime lens person and this Sigma 24-60mm is mainly for party snaps. Daniel

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12-21-2009, 08:13 AM	#13
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,357	I have the Sigma 24-60 DG EX as well and have some images posted specifically in the "Appreciation Of The Sigma 24-60" thread. I have noticed instances of softness near the edges but I do like how it renders contrast and color and sharpness otherwise in all situations. This is the lens that is on my K10 most often and as a frugal minded photographer, it is my most expensive though I got it used from my cousin for a very good price.

12-21-2009, 03:16 PM	#15
bladerunneruk Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Photos: Gallery Posts: 45 Original Poster	Originally posted by danielchtong I did not know you have FA35mm. Why bother with any zoom? Get a decent prime lens at around 14 or 16mm and you are done. The rest you can zoom with your feet. I am essentially a prime lens person and this Sigma 24-60mm is mainly for party snaps. Daniel Hi Daniel, well it's horses for courses for me, sometime I use primes, sometimes zooms, depends on circumstances and time available and sometimes my mood at the time too ! just for the prime-ophiles amongst you I have a DA*200/2.8 and an A50/1.7 too !