17-70mm range options?

pb_red · 03-31-2010, 09:11 PM

i've been sticking to primes ever since i got my k7 but i feel like i need an all-around zoom lens for travel and such.

17-70 seems like a great range since it's wide enough and long enough for many situations. also, $500 is my limit and the DA 17-70 fits right in.

so why don't i go out and buy one? well, SDM-only is not ideal. also, if there was a WR version for under $500 i'd be all over it. in fact, if it was over $500 (but not by much) i'd probably be all over it. but, as we all know, there isn't one.

sigma f2.8-4.5 and future f2.8-4 are also an option but for the same price i would rather just go with pentax.

another option is the DA* 16-50mm f2.8, which is a very nice lens, but a bit too much for me with regard to size and cost. also, i would like to have that 70mm range.

at the other end of the spectrum, there are 18-200mm and 18-250mm lenses. the tamron 18-200mm seems like a great value at only ~$250 but it's an f6.3 lens.

so... what to do... what to do... any advice?

ps, sorry about the "yet another 17-70 thread"

Big G · 04-01-2010, 04:07 PM

I can't advise on the other ones, but I had the Pentax 17-70mm f/4 SDM. In terms of image quality, it was great. Contrast and sharpness were very good indeed and I found the focal length to be excellent for "walkaround" and general holiday use. I used it for the odd landscape before I got the Sigma 10-20mm.

My only issue with it was that I did have an SDM issue with mine which Pentax rectified by replacing the PCB inside the lens. When it came back, it was perfect. I also found the SDM to be a bit slow and unsure in the dark; screw driven lenses were more reliable on my Pentax body in that situation.

SpecialK · 04-01-2010, 05:03 PM

Between the Pentax and Sigma 17-70 I would lean toward the Sigma. It is well regarded by almost all owners, and the faster wide end may be a bit more useful indoors. SDM sounds iffy according to recent complaints. But, I'm thinking about the Tamron 28-75 when my 18-50 dies. (I have the UWA end covered).

wlachan · 04-01-2010, 05:08 PM

The Tamron SP 17-50/2.8 would be another option, but a little shorter at the long end and QC is spotty. But a good one is supposed to be as good as the best.

03-31-2010, 09:11 PM	#1
pb_red Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 194	17-70mm range options? i've been sticking to primes ever since i got my k7 but i feel like i need an all-around zoom lens for travel and such. 17-70 seems like a great range since it's wide enough and long enough for many situations. also, $500 is my limit and the DA 17-70 fits right in. so why don't i go out and buy one? well, SDM-only is not ideal. also, if there was a WR version for under $500 i'd be all over it. in fact, if it was over $500 (but not by much) i'd probably be all over it. but, as we all know, there isn't one. sigma f2.8-4.5 and future f2.8-4 are also an option but for the same price i would rather just go with pentax. another option is the DA* 16-50mm f2.8, which is a very nice lens, but a bit too much for me with regard to size and cost. also, i would like to have that 70mm range. at the other end of the spectrum, there are 18-200mm and 18-250mm lenses. the tamron 18-200mm seems like a great value at only ~$250 but it's an f6.3 lens. so... what to do... what to do... any advice? ps, sorry about the "yet another 17-70 thread"

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04-01-2010, 04:07 PM	#2
Big G Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 581	I can't advise on the other ones, but I had the Pentax 17-70mm f/4 SDM. In terms of image quality, it was great. Contrast and sharpness were very good indeed and I found the focal length to be excellent for "walkaround" and general holiday use. I used it for the odd landscape before I got the Sigma 10-20mm. My only issue with it was that I did have an SDM issue with mine which Pentax rectified by replacing the PCB inside the lens. When it came back, it was perfect. I also found the SDM to be a bit slow and unsure in the dark; screw driven lenses were more reliable on my Pentax body in that situation.

04-01-2010, 05:03 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Between the Pentax and Sigma 17-70 I would lean toward the Sigma. It is well regarded by almost all owners, and the faster wide end may be a bit more useful indoors. SDM sounds iffy according to recent complaints. But, I'm thinking about the Tamron 28-75 when my 18-50 dies. (I have the UWA end covered).

04-01-2010, 05:08 PM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	The Tamron SP 17-50/2.8 would be another option, but a little shorter at the long end and QC is spotty. But a good one is supposed to be as good as the best.