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J.R.Tec · 03-02-2014, 01:39 PM

I recently bought a K 30, which I adore. Now looking to add a wide angle to my kit.
I've read tons of reviews on the Sigma 10-20 f 4 and the Pentax 10-17 f 3.5.
Last year I had a Nikon D 300 with Sigma 10-20 f 4, they performed very well. I sold and switched brands.
I found the Sigma pretty big mounted on the D 300. IQ was great but sometimes lacking in color.
In your honest opinion, which would be better for general shooting, image wise and handling, the Sigma or the Pentax?

Thanks for your replies.

**jatrax** · 03-02-2014, 01:54 PM

Pentax 10-17 is a fisheye. Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to. There is an extensive review of ultra wide zooms here on the forum. Do read that first. I would link to it but i am on my tablet. Maybe someone else can provide it?

johnyates · 03-02-2014, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to

The 12-24 is an outstanding lens.

J.R.Tec · 03-02-2014, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Pentax 10-17 is a fisheye. Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to. There is an extensive review of ultra wide zooms here on the forum. Do read that first. I would link to it but i am on my tablet. Maybe someone else can provide it?

Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range.

IchabodCrane · 03-02-2014, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by one eyed shooter

Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range.

Unless you specifically want a fisheye lens, best to go with the Sigma 10-20/4-5.6 or the Tamron 10-24.

jezza323 · 03-02-2014, 03:39 PM

The Sigma 8-16mm is probably the sharpest of the rectilinear wide angles based on reviews, also the widest, also expensive!

lytrytyr · 03-02-2014, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by jezza323

The Sigma 8-16mm is probably the sharpest of the rectilinear wide angles based on reviews, also the widest, also expensive!

Also discontinued, at least in K-mount.

On this page:

8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM | Sigma

"Pentax" is listed under "Corresponding mounts",
but doesn't show up on the "Choose mount" dropdown.

jezza323 · 03-02-2014, 04:39 PM

Yes it was recently discontinued, but you should still be able to find some around I would expect.

SpecialK · 03-02-2014, 05:06 PM

Some people find this comparison of the 10-17 and 12-24 handy.

Years later I added the 10-17 @ 10mm but I am too lazy to join them now :-)

J.R.Tec · 03-02-2014, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Some people find this comparison of the 10-17 and 12-24 handy.

Years later I added the 10-17 @ 10mm but I am too lazy to join them now :-)

Thank you SpecialK, you're comparison is very helpful!

adwb · 03-03-2014, 12:21 AM

See If you get get to test a Tamron 10-24 if you have a stockist near by, it's a very good lens

tuggie76 · 03-03-2014, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by one eyed shooter

Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range.

I have the Pentax 10-17, it's not fisheye at the higher end, and Lightroom has a Lens Calibration that straightens thing out pretty well.

Tuggie76

**jatrax** · 03-03-2014, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by one eyed shooter

Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle?

Here is the review I mentioned: DA 12-24mm vs Sigma and Tamron 10-24mm Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

The 10-17 is a fish eye, how fishy depends on what focal length. Nothing wrong with a fish eye, if that's what you want but you said 'general shooting' and for me that eliminates fish eyes. YMMV

03-02-2014, 01:39 PM	#1
J.R.Tec New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23	Wide angle lens Sigma or Pentax I recently bought a K 30, which I adore. Now looking to add a wide angle to my kit. I've read tons of reviews on the Sigma 10-20 f 4 and the Pentax 10-17 f 3.5. Last year I had a Nikon D 300 with Sigma 10-20 f 4, they performed very well. I sold and switched brands. I found the Sigma pretty big mounted on the D 300. IQ was great but sometimes lacking in color. In your honest opinion, which would be better for general shooting, image wise and handling, the Sigma or the Pentax? Thanks for your replies.

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03-02-2014, 01:54 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Pentax 10-17 is a fisheye. Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to. There is an extensive review of ultra wide zooms here on the forum. Do read that first. I would link to it but i am on my tablet. Maybe someone else can provide it?

03-02-2014, 02:18 PM	#3
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Originally posted by jatrax Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to The 12-24 is an outstanding lens.

03-02-2014, 02:26 PM	#4
J.R.Tec New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax Pentax 10-17 is a fisheye. Pentax 12-24 is what you should compare to. There is an extensive review of ultra wide zooms here on the forum. Do read that first. I would link to it but i am on my tablet. Maybe someone else can provide it? Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range.

03-02-2014, 03:18 PM	#5
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by one eyed shooter Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range. Unless you specifically want a fisheye lens, best to go with the Sigma 10-20/4-5.6 or the Tamron 10-24.

03-02-2014, 03:39 PM	#6
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	The Sigma 8-16mm is probably the sharpest of the rectilinear wide angles based on reviews, also the widest, also expensive!

03-02-2014, 03:48 PM	#7
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by jezza323 The Sigma 8-16mm is probably the sharpest of the rectilinear wide angles based on reviews, also the widest, also expensive! Also discontinued, at least in K-mount. On this page: 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM \| Sigma "Pentax" is listed under "Corresponding mounts", but doesn't show up on the "Choose mount" dropdown.

03-02-2014, 04:39 PM	#8
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	Yes it was recently discontinued, but you should still be able to find some around I would expect.

03-02-2014, 05:06 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Some people find this comparison of the 10-17 and 12-24 handy. Years later I added the 10-17 @ 10mm but I am too lazy to join them now :-)

03-02-2014, 05:33 PM	#10
J.R.Tec New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Some people find this comparison of the 10-17 and 12-24 handy. Years later I added the 10-17 @ 10mm but I am too lazy to join them now :-) Thank you SpecialK, you're comparison is very helpful!

03-03-2014, 12:21 AM	#11
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	See If you get get to test a Tamron 10-24 if you have a stockist near by, it's a very good lens

03-03-2014, 09:25 AM	#12
tuggie76 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,216	Originally posted by one eyed shooter Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? I've never had a fish eye before. The Pentax 12-24 is out of my budget range. I have the Pentax 10-17, it's not fisheye at the higher end, and Lightroom has a Lens Calibration that straightens thing out pretty well. Tuggie76

03-03-2014, 09:49 AM	#13
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by one eyed shooter Yes I've read the forum reviews, is the 10-17 strictly fish eye or can it be used as a very wide angle? Here is the review I mentioned: DA 12-24mm vs Sigma and Tamron 10-24mm Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com The 10-17 is a fish eye, how fishy depends on what focal length. Nothing wrong with a fish eye, if that's what you want but you said 'general shooting' and for me that eliminates fish eyes. YMMV

Wide angle lens Sigma or Pentax

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