[rustynail925]

try checking this
Pentax Lens Tests

or the lens review in the forum might be helpful

[pcarfan]

My vote is for the Sigma 17-70 HSM and the Sigma 18-250 HSM

My vote is for the Sigma 17-70 HSM and the Sigma 18-250 HSM

So you mean the 18-250 HSM for vacation and stuff like that and the 17-70 when I need a faster aperture?

What about the tele end?

[rustynail925]

I know that primes get you the best possible image quality. But I personally prefer zooms. I very seldom shot in low light situations (probably sometimes landscapes but then I use a tripod. Primes are not an option for me.

If I buy the 18-250 I would keep the 17-70 just for the few cases where I could need the 2.8 - 4.5

Like I said I'm just afraid that the 18-250 lacks significant in terms of sharpness compared to 17-70 + 55-300

Pentax SMC DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] - Review / Lab Test Report

or try the lens review in the forum

My guess compared w/ 2 of your lenses the image will be pretty much the same at 18-70 if you dont pixel peep and becomes softer as you zoom out.

Still so undecided.

17-70 HSM and DA 55-300 or just 18-250 HSM

Somehow I think it's stupid to buy the 17-70 HSM when owning a 17-70. But I like the "sound" of the HSM.

On the other hand I'm afraid that the 18-250 doesn't satisfy me, while I would love to have to convinience of the zoom-range.

Always such hard decisions to make

[Ash]

Ask yourself what advantage you're looking for in HSM - it's unlikely going to make focusing any faster, just quieter - useful in wildlife and weddings, both of which none of your desired lenses would be suitable for.

You may as well stick with the 17-70 and add the 55-300, which is incredible value for the image quality it is able to produce, definitely better than having the 18-250.

IMO, you don't buy a dSLR system to just stick with one lens the whole time. That one lens will leave you with an only mediocre telephoto focal range, both in terms of speed and IQ. The 55-300 will at least give the advantage of IQ, even if not for speed.

just quieter

The problem is that this is a big point for me. Since I heard the "sound" of an USM on the Canon of a friend of mine, I'm dreaming of such a lens. I know that this sounds stupid but I think when taking pictures is a hobby, feelings that are not reasonable (hope this is the right word) are allowed, aren't they?

But don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade "sound" for IQ. This would be stupid. Because of that my first thought was to trade the Sigma 17-70 for the 17-70 HSM. For the telephoto I don't need a HSM because I would mostly use the 17-70 so the 55-300 would be fine (and what I heard even if it's not an HSM it's still more quiet than the Sigma 70-300).

The 18-250 idea came up, because it has HSM AND it would be an option for travelling (and longer hikes...).

[Blue]

Coming to PF not knowing what to do can be very very dangerous. Wallets have been known to get murdered by an axe murderer after visiting here. . . . or at least a POed spouse/significant other and a big old pair of scissors.

Different question: Does anyone know how good the new Sigma 50-200 HSM is?

[Marc Sabatella]

The problem is that this is a big point for me. Since I heard the "sound" of an USM on the Canon of a friend of mine, I'm dreaming of such a lens. I know that this sounds stupid but I think when taking pictures is a hobby, feelings that are not reasonable (hope this is the right word) are allowed, aren't they?

Sure they are. So buy a regular lens and a set of ear plugs. :-)

[rustynail925]

You can sell your old sigma and buy a new one plus the 55-300 i think there
is no need to get the 18-250 it will just add more cost to it.

Has anyone owned and compared the old sigma w/ the new one?
and how does the image stabilization works since the pentax body has SR?

No one who tried the Sigma 50-200 HSM?

Last question before I decide:

I know that the 55-300 is not a SDM but the AF more quiet than the Sigma 70-300? Because this one sounds like some electric screw driver when focusing.

[asdf]

Last question before I decide:

I know that the 55-300 is not a SDM but the AF more quiet than the Sigma 70-300? Because this one sounds like some electric screw driver when focusing.

The in-camera motor is loud and slow when operating DA 55-300.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qQPyK0iEYw

Hell, this is loud!

Probably I will go for the Sigma 50-200 OS HSM

or does it sound worse on the youtube video than in real life?