Sigma vs Tamron vs Tokina

deadwolfbones · 04-08-2010, 08:32 AM

FM reviews for the Tokina/Pentax collaborative lenses:

10-17 FE, 9.6 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 107 DX 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5
12-24 Wide-Angle, 9 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4
16-50, 9.3 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 165 PRO DX
50-135, 9.8 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 535 PRO DX AF 50-135mm f/2.8

MrApollinax · 04-08-2010, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by cgoudie

I'm certain that higher end Sigma gear would impress me more than the kit-ish lens I was looking at.

I think you probably would be more impressed with the higher end stuff. I have a Sigma 105mm EX Macro the build quality of the lens is superb.

ohyouloveme · 04-08-2010, 10:11 AM

how does the tamron 17-50 f2.8 compare to the DA* 16-50 f2.8?

LeDave · 04-08-2010, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by twitch

Thanks, I'd assumed it was the other way round.

Wonder why aren't the Canikon folks singing the praises of this lens, is it just not as good as their in house ones?

Because they isolate themselves to believe that Canon L is the best and that if anyone brings up the FA Limiteds, they will say they don't know other than Pentax lenses are very limited.

LeDave · 04-08-2010, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by ohyouloveme

how does the tamron 17-50 f2.8 compare to the DA* 16-50 f2.8?

The Tamron is sharper at f/2.8, but the Pentax has better bokeh.

ohyouloveme · 04-08-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by LeDave

The Tamron is sharper at f/2.8, but the Pentax has better bokeh.

thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon.

LeDave · 04-08-2010, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by ohyouloveme

thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon.

It is a steal for the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 and 17-50 f/2.8 for the optical quality to price ratio when comparing it to 1st party lens prices, the bokeh on it isn't even half as bad as the word "bad" sounds. The DA* is better because it has better build quality, weather-sealing and quieter focusing.

Pentaxor · 04-08-2010, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by ohyouloveme

thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon.

my vote is for the Tamron. save the extra moolah for another lens.

Pentaxor · 04-08-2010, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by cgoudie

I don't know that I can broadly generalize unless we're comparing lenses of similar focal lengths.

I have the Tamron 90mm/F2.8 Macro, and I love it's pictures, but the lens just isn't as well constructed as my Pentax gear. When I pull it out of it's bag, especially if the lens cap is on, the lens extends to the end of it's focus. It just feels less solid than my other gear. The fact that it's always got the AF screw engaged drives me nuts. All that said, its pictures are stunning. It got a highly recommended from photozone.de, and for the $350 I paid for it used, I'd say I'm getting way more than my moneys worth... But then again at the time, the Pentax WR macro was fresh out and $900.

I don't have any Sigma lenses yet, but I looked at an older overpriced Sigma 50-300 lens in a pawn shop a week ago, and I was unimpressed by it's build quality as well. It felt plasticly.

I'm certain that higher end Sigma gear would impress me more than the kit-ish lens I was looking at.

most of the older Sigmas as garbage. the recent EX build look tough and feel solid compared to the build of modern DA lenses (kitlenses ,16-45 , 55-300, 12-24). they are also much bigger, wider and quite heavy as well. as for IQ, I could attest to the Sigma 70's brilliance.

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04-08-2010, 08:32 AM	#16
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	FM reviews for the Tokina/Pentax collaborative lenses: 10-17 FE, 9.6 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 107 DX 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 12-24 Wide-Angle, 9 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 16-50, 9.3 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 165 PRO DX 50-135, 9.8 rating: FM Reviews - AT-X 535 PRO DX AF 50-135mm f/2.8

04-08-2010, 09:31 AM	#17
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Originally posted by cgoudie I'm certain that higher end Sigma gear would impress me more than the kit-ish lens I was looking at. I think you probably would be more impressed with the higher end stuff. I have a Sigma 105mm EX Macro the build quality of the lens is superb.

04-08-2010, 10:11 AM	#18
ohyouloveme Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	how does the tamron 17-50 f2.8 compare to the DA* 16-50 f2.8?

04-08-2010, 10:44 AM	#19
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Originally posted by twitch Thanks, I'd assumed it was the other way round. Wonder why aren't the Canikon folks singing the praises of this lens, is it just not as good as their in house ones? Because they isolate themselves to believe that Canon L is the best and that if anyone brings up the FA Limiteds, they will say they don't know other than Pentax lenses are very limited.

04-08-2010, 10:48 AM	#20
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Originally posted by ohyouloveme how does the tamron 17-50 f2.8 compare to the DA* 16-50 f2.8? The Tamron is sharper at f/2.8, but the Pentax has better bokeh.

04-08-2010, 11:04 AM	#21
ohyouloveme Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	Originally posted by LeDave The Tamron is sharper at f/2.8, but the Pentax has better bokeh. thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon.

04-08-2010, 11:29 AM	#22
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Originally posted by ohyouloveme thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon. It is a steal for the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 and 17-50 f/2.8 for the optical quality to price ratio when comparing it to 1st party lens prices, the bokeh on it isn't even half as bad as the word "bad" sounds. The DA* is better because it has better build quality, weather-sealing and quieter focusing.

04-08-2010, 11:32 AM	#23
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by ohyouloveme thanks for the info. aw, i would go for the pentax but the tamron is way cheaper and it is impossible for me to get the pentax anytime soon. my vote is for the Tamron. save the extra moolah for another lens.

04-08-2010, 01:37 PM	#24
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by cgoudie I don't know that I can broadly generalize unless we're comparing lenses of similar focal lengths. I have the Tamron 90mm/F2.8 Macro, and I love it's pictures, but the lens just isn't as well constructed as my Pentax gear. When I pull it out of it's bag, especially if the lens cap is on, the lens extends to the end of it's focus. It just feels less solid than my other gear. The fact that it's always got the AF screw engaged drives me nuts. All that said, its pictures are stunning. It got a highly recommended from photozone.de, and for the $350 I paid for it used, I'd say I'm getting way more than my moneys worth... But then again at the time, the Pentax WR macro was fresh out and $900. I don't have any Sigma lenses yet, but I looked at an older overpriced Sigma 50-300 lens in a pawn shop a week ago, and I was unimpressed by it's build quality as well. It felt plasticly. I'm certain that higher end Sigma gear would impress me more than the kit-ish lens I was looking at. most of the older Sigmas as garbage. the recent EX build look tough and feel solid compared to the build of modern DA lenses (kitlenses ,16-45 , 55-300, 12-24). they are also much bigger, wider and quite heavy as well. as for IQ, I could attest to the Sigma 70's brilliance.