I have used the kit lens
DA 18-55mm as a standard zoom on my first DSLR
K100D as a beginner.
It was fine; no big problems.
After feeling better with my technique and upgrading to
K10D, I moved to
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5mm.
I loved that lens; nice range, fairly good image quality, ability to close focus and a fine build. I acquired many other lenses in the meantime (the lovely
DA 40mm Ltd, the beautiful
FA 77mm Ltd and the problematic
DA* 50-135mm). Then, Sigma started to feel a bit below my expectations...
Then, I had
Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 as a standard, fixed wide aperture zoom (I had the very functional
Sigma 10-20mm already to go really wide). However, its wide open performance was not up to my expectations (as I was spoiled by the
DA 40mm Ltd). These were all on
K20D; my latest addiction!
Now I look at Pentax offerings:
DA 17-70mm f/4?
Why f/4? I am ready to offer more for a good f/2.8 (I expect this as my last purchase, a cure for LBA).
DA* 16-50mm f/2.8?
Definitely no! I have a failed (after warranty) 50-135mm with a stupid SDM problem. It is now fixed but stands in a drawer somewhere; I seem to have lost confidence in it.
Also, as a regular reader of this forum, I am well aware of the reported problems with this particular lens. Please do not tell me about the warranty; I am not living in the US!
Now comes the recently (February 21st) announced Sigma offering:
17-50mm f/2.8 with ultrasonic motor and shake reduction (Sigma has different terms for those). It is an EX series lens. I hear that C* and N* variants will be on the market within a month or so. Pentax and Sony variants will be available afterwards. The suggested retail price will probably be close to USD 900 (I may be seriously wrong about the price as this info is quite indirect).
I do not have a
Tamron 17-50mm but I have read quite positive remarks on it. It, however, lacks the "sweet" AF motor and it does not have image stabilization.
Thank you for following me until here : )
Do you think I should be buying this Sigma as my last standard zoom?
Last edited by bc_the_path; 04-13-2010 at 01:11 PM.