lens question for new K-5

toooldtocare · 01-23-2013, 06:45 PM - **1 Like**

I purchased my K5 with the 18-55 lens, but last summer I added the 18-135 lens. Since then the 18-55 has been in the camera bag and never used. I would go for the 18-135 too.

Driline · 01-24-2013, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by Avid Beginner67

I too purchased my K-5 with the 18-55 WR kit lens. Its an okay lens and does a decent job, but I ran into severe overexposure issues when using smaller apertures on bright days. For roughly the same price (under $200), I recently purchased the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM and its like day an night when comparing edge to edge sharpness and overall performance. Its a faster lens and also has its own high speed focus motor so it performs better in low light.

Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619?

VisualDarkness · 01-24-2013, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619?

Well, it's quite a lot faster (2.8 instead of 2.8-4.5 and is better built.

Avid Beginner67 · 01-24-2013, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619?

Because it, as VisualDarkness has stated, is a faster lens. It can hold a fast f2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. I will add another plus of the cheaper Sigma (compared to the standard kit lens) is that it is an internal zoom, thus also eliminating possible dust, etc issues when zooming in and out with the standard kit lens. It also has its own IS within the lens and can outperform that of the in camera IS offered by the body alone.

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01-23-2013, 06:45 PM - 1 Like	#16
toooldtocare Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lake Saint Louis Posts: 126	I purchased my K5 with the 18-55 lens, but last summer I added the 18-135 lens. Since then the 18-55 has been in the camera bag and never used. I would go for the 18-135 too.

01-24-2013, 05:39 PM	#17
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Originally posted by Avid Beginner67 I too purchased my K-5 with the 18-55 WR kit lens. Its an okay lens and does a decent job, but I ran into severe overexposure issues when using smaller apertures on bright days. For roughly the same price (under $200), I recently purchased the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM and its like day an night when comparing edge to edge sharpness and overall performance. Its a faster lens and also has its own high speed focus motor so it performs better in low light. Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619?

01-24-2013, 06:02 PM	#18
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Driline Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619? Well, it's quite a lot faster (2.8 instead of 2.8-4.5 and is better built.

01-24-2013, 08:52 PM	#19
Avid Beginner67 New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 7	Originally posted by Driline Then why is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM 3 times the price at $619? Because it, as VisualDarkness has stated, is a faster lens. It can hold a fast f2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. I will add another plus of the cheaper Sigma (compared to the standard kit lens) is that it is an internal zoom, thus also eliminating possible dust, etc issues when zooming in and out with the standard kit lens. It also has its own IS within the lens and can outperform that of the in camera IS offered by the body alone.