Sigma/Tamron lens recommendations

**pres589** · 07-06-2018, 09:03 AM

Currently I'm spending money on lenses for my manual focus film kit. Thankfully prices for these lenses seem a little more rational lately; a couple years ago that'd be a $250 lens in excellent condition.

Another Adaptall lens that seems interesting, maybe moreso for full-frame use, is the Tamron CT-105, a 105mm f2.5 prime. It's not a macro or even remotely close focusing but the images I've seen online from that lens seem quite good. I don't think there's a lot of copies of this lens floating around but they're out there.

**boriscleto** · 07-06-2018, 09:16 AM

**boriscleto** · 07-06-2018, 09:23 AM

Simply the best zoom lens of its range at the time. Still holds up today.
Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 35-80mm F2.8-3.8 (01A) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

I own 2. Only 1:2 but 1:1 with an extension tube. 180mm 1:1 with the 2x tele-converter.
Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 90mm f/2.5 (52B/52BB) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Tamron Adaptall 2x teleconverter 01F Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Tamron Adaptall 24mm f/2.5 (CW-24) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Own but never used it.
Tamron ( Promaster ) 171D, 271D .... 571D AF 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD IF Aspherical Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**Cerebum** · 07-06-2018, 02:06 PM

Wow
All this began when I realised I only had one WR lens (my 18-135). I started looking at PLMs, then I looked at 18-250/270 (wr had been forgotten), then the tamron and sigma versions. By this time my LBA was purring like a V8. There is a 35mm sigma art lens on fleabay for £150 but I have a Pentax AF 35mm, it is the only AF prime I have and would rather like another of a different length, maybe a 50, maybe a wide, although they are expensive. It is fascinating to see which sigmas are worth considering

eBay trawling time

Regarding my MF collection, I have

24mm Miranda f2.4
28mm pentax-m f3.5, tokina RMC f2.8
35mm auto takumar & super takumar f3.5
38mm Mir1b f2.8
40mm Pentax-m f2.8
50mm 2x Pentax-m f2, Alloy Tessar, zebra pancolar, steinheil munchen Cassar, steinheil munchen cassaron, E Ludwig,
55mm Takumar
58mm Helios 44-2 & 44-4
100mm Takumar f4 macro
135mm chinon, Preset Takumar, Pentax-m f3.5
200mm Pentax-m

All get used. What can I say, I just enjoy using vintage lenses.

Thanks for all the input so far. I am going to sit down and look at everything mentioned in dispatches

rickc118 · 07-06-2018, 05:01 PM

I just bought the older version of the Tamron 90mm 2.8 Di SP MACRO. Definitely still learning to use it, as I'm new to macro photography. It's a nice portrait lens, too.

I also have the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD, which I think is a very well built, solid lens.

**Mallee Boy** · 07-06-2018, 07:16 PM - **1 Like**

Started off in film with a Ricoh KR 10 and a Pentax or Sigma lens....think it was a 28-80. Added a Sigma 100-300 .

Then along came digital.

Non Pentax lenses today are:
Tamron 10 - 24. Ok. Have used it a bit with OK results, but its a lens I will often leave out of the bag and not miss.

Tokina ATX Pro 20-35 f2.8. an excellent lens, beautifully constructed, use it a lot. Purchased it in Hong Kong, standing in a Nikon store waiting for someone else and spied it at the bottom of a very big pile of boxes...asked about it, he said he had no idea what it was doing there or how it got there and to make him an offer, which I did, a very silly offer, he initially refused but then stopped me at the door and accepted it. Have used it on K1 mk2 and very

very happy.

Sigma EX DG 24mm f1.8. careful handling it, could cut yourself its so sharp. Looking forward to using this on the K1.

Sigma EX DG 70-200 f2.8. Has had a trip to Japan to meet its family at the Sigma factory, now K1 compatible. Again....a lens I look forward to on K1.

Tamron 28-300. Picked this up s/h recently, have field tested it and pleasantly surprised at results. My "lazy" lens for the K1.

Sigma 135 - 400. Haven't used this on K1 yet, but on APSC it is great up to 300mm and then gets soft.

Bought my wife a Sigma 18-250 for her K3, in addition to DA 17-70...she doesn't like it, says its soft. I have tried it and in good light you get good results, but if conditions are anything less than perfect you have to start to "work" it.

Overall my experience with third party lenses is very positive.

PizzaDon · 07-31-2018, 10:30 AM

I own a Tamron 90mm Macro, it's a super sharp lens and well worth the money IMO.

SSGGeezer · 07-31-2018, 08:09 PM

Currently my only Sigmas are my Mini Wide 2 28mm and my APO 120-400 HSM OS that gets more use for its length when trying to get images of birds. It is a good high end consumer zoom and if it had Pentax coatings for color reproduction, would be amazing. But Sigma's coatings are fine, just not as bright as most of my Pentax lenses.

**Cerebum** · 08-01-2018, 02:59 AM

I have the sigma 28-80macro. I got it for the macro function and it isn't bad. The plastics are nasty but the picture quality is surprisingly good for a £20 lens

macro is 1:2 ...... 2:1? ..... Not 1:1 but OK all the same

**pepperberry farm** · 08-01-2018, 03:07 AM

I'm working with a new copy of the Tamron Adaptall-2 01BB (24mm f2.5)

so far, I like what I'm seeing - good color, sharpness, but only 'ok' bokeh so far...

**Cerebum** · 08-01-2018, 03:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I'm working with a new copy of the Tamron Adaptall-2 01BB (24mm f2.5)

so far, I like what I'm seeing - good color, sharpness, but only 'ok' bokeh so far...

OK Bokeh sounds like a slightly less enthusiastic affirmation. I am going to use it all the time and see if anyone notices

**pepperberry farm** · 08-01-2018, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

OK Bokeh sounds like a slightly less enthusiastic affirmation. I am going to use it all the time and see if anyone notices

to be fair, I've had limited time with the lens and am hoping to be able to fully evaluate her over the course of the month...

**Cerebum** · 08-01-2018, 05:35 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

to be fair, I've had limited time with the lens and am hoping to be able to fully evaluate her over the course of the month...

OK bokeh sounds like okey dokey, that's where I was heading lol :0)

**pepperberry farm** · 08-01-2018, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

OK bokeh sounds like okey dokey, that's where I was heading lol :0)

and I'm obviously taking you far too seriously...

(need moar coffee!)

**Cerebum** · 08-01-2018, 05:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

and I'm obviously taking you far too seriously...

(need moar coffee!)

I am going for qualification by post numbers so expect a sharp rise in flippancy and an equivalent marked decline in my popularity

07-06-2018, 09:16 AM	#17
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	Part of my current kit. Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own but never used. Sigma 75-300mm DL Macro AF Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Used to own. But it wasn't good at all. Sigma 70-210mm F4-5.6 UC II Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own and used once. It was probably made in a Sigma factory... Quantaray 28-90mm f3.5-5.6 version 5 Lens Reviews - Quantaray Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own but have the 10-20 now... Sigma 24mm F2.8 Super Wide II Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own but have the Super Wide II... Sigma 28mm f/2.8 Mini Wide Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own but have longer macro lenses now. Better in some ways than the Pentax A 50/2.8 Macro. 1:1 unlike the Pentax. Sigma 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database I also own a Sigma 28mm XQ that isn't in the database. It's a reminder of why Sigma used to be known as Stigma...I think it was the same as the YS mount lens but with a fixed K-mount... Last edited by boriscleto; 07-06-2018 at 09:32 AM.

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07-06-2018, 09:03 AM	#16
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,528	Currently I'm spending money on lenses for my manual focus film kit. Thankfully prices for these lenses seem a little more rational lately; a couple years ago that'd be a $250 lens in excellent condition. Another Adaptall lens that seems interesting, maybe moreso for full-frame use, is the Tamron CT-105, a 105mm f2.5 prime. It's not a macro or even remotely close focusing but the images I've seen online from that lens seem quite good. I don't think there's a lot of copies of this lens floating around but they're out there.

07-06-2018, 09:23 AM	#18
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	Simply the best zoom lens of its range at the time. Still holds up today. Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 35-80mm F2.8-3.8 (01A) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database I own 2. Only 1:2 but 1:1 with an extension tube. 180mm 1:1 with the 2x tele-converter. Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 90mm f/2.5 (52B/52BB) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Tamron Adaptall 2x teleconverter 01F Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Tamron Adaptall 24mm f/2.5 (CW-24) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Own but never used it. Tamron ( Promaster ) 171D, 271D .... 571D AF 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD IF Aspherical Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

07-06-2018, 02:06 PM	#19
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Wow All this began when I realised I only had one WR lens (my 18-135). I started looking at PLMs, then I looked at 18-250/270 (wr had been forgotten), then the tamron and sigma versions. By this time my LBA was purring like a V8. There is a 35mm sigma art lens on fleabay for £150 but I have a Pentax AF 35mm, it is the only AF prime I have and would rather like another of a different length, maybe a 50, maybe a wide, although they are expensive. It is fascinating to see which sigmas are worth considering eBay trawling time Regarding my MF collection, I have 24mm Miranda f2.4 28mm pentax-m f3.5, tokina RMC f2.8 35mm auto takumar & super takumar f3.5 38mm Mir1b f2.8 40mm Pentax-m f2.8 50mm 2x Pentax-m f2, Alloy Tessar, zebra pancolar, steinheil munchen Cassar, steinheil munchen cassaron, E Ludwig, 55mm Takumar 58mm Helios 44-2 & 44-4 100mm Takumar f4 macro 135mm chinon, Preset Takumar, Pentax-m f3.5 200mm Pentax-m All get used. What can I say, I just enjoy using vintage lenses. Thanks for all the input so far. I am going to sit down and look at everything mentioned in dispatches

07-06-2018, 05:01 PM	#20
rickc118 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 28	I just bought the older version of the Tamron 90mm 2.8 Di SP MACRO. Definitely still learning to use it, as I'm new to macro photography. It's a nice portrait lens, too. I also have the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD, which I think is a very well built, solid lens.

07-06-2018, 07:16 PM - 1 Like	#21
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Started off in film with a Ricoh KR 10 and a Pentax or Sigma lens....think it was a 28-80. Added a Sigma 100-300 . Then along came digital. Non Pentax lenses today are: Tamron 10 - 24. Ok. Have used it a bit with OK results, but its a lens I will often leave out of the bag and not miss. Tokina ATX Pro 20-35 f2.8. an excellent lens, beautifully constructed, use it a lot. Purchased it in Hong Kong, standing in a Nikon store waiting for someone else and spied it at the bottom of a very big pile of boxes...asked about it, he said he had no idea what it was doing there or how it got there and to make him an offer, which I did, a very silly offer, he initially refused but then stopped me at the door and accepted it. Have used it on K1 mk2 and very very happy. Sigma EX DG 24mm f1.8. careful handling it, could cut yourself its so sharp. Looking forward to using this on the K1. Sigma EX DG 70-200 f2.8. Has had a trip to Japan to meet its family at the Sigma factory, now K1 compatible. Again....a lens I look forward to on K1. Tamron 28-300. Picked this up s/h recently, have field tested it and pleasantly surprised at results. My "lazy" lens for the K1. Sigma 135 - 400. Haven't used this on K1 yet, but on APSC it is great up to 300mm and then gets soft. Bought my wife a Sigma 18-250 for her K3, in addition to DA 17-70...she doesn't like it, says its soft. I have tried it and in good light you get good results, but if conditions are anything less than perfect you have to start to "work" it. Overall my experience with third party lenses is very positive.

07-31-2018, 10:30 AM	#22
PizzaDon Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: central Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 363	I own a Tamron 90mm Macro, it's a super sharp lens and well worth the money IMO.

07-31-2018, 08:09 PM	#23
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Currently my only Sigmas are my Mini Wide 2 28mm and my APO 120-400 HSM OS that gets more use for its length when trying to get images of birds. It is a good high end consumer zoom and if it had Pentax coatings for color reproduction, would be amazing. But Sigma's coatings are fine, just not as bright as most of my Pentax lenses.

08-01-2018, 02:59 AM	#24
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	I have the sigma 28-80macro. I got it for the macro function and it isn't bad. The plastics are nasty but the picture quality is surprisingly good for a £20 lens macro is 1:2 ...... 2:1? ..... Not 1:1 but OK all the same

08-01-2018, 03:07 AM	#25
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625	I'm working with a new copy of the Tamron Adaptall-2 01BB (24mm f2.5) so far, I like what I'm seeing - good color, sharpness, but only 'ok' bokeh so far...

08-01-2018, 03:11 AM - 1 Like	#26
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I'm working with a new copy of the Tamron Adaptall-2 01BB (24mm f2.5) so far, I like what I'm seeing - good color, sharpness, but only 'ok' bokeh so far... OK Bokeh sounds like a slightly less enthusiastic affirmation. I am going to use it all the time and see if anyone notices

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08-01-2018, 04:55 AM	#27
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625	Originally posted by Cerebum OK Bokeh sounds like a slightly less enthusiastic affirmation. I am going to use it all the time and see if anyone notices to be fair, I've had limited time with the lens and am hoping to be able to fully evaluate her over the course of the month...

08-01-2018, 05:35 AM - 1 Like	#28
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm to be fair, I've had limited time with the lens and am hoping to be able to fully evaluate her over the course of the month... OK bokeh sounds like okey dokey, that's where I was heading lol :0)

08-01-2018, 05:38 AM	#29
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,625	Originally posted by Cerebum OK bokeh sounds like okey dokey, that's where I was heading lol :0) and I'm obviously taking you far too seriously... (need moar coffee!)

08-01-2018, 05:43 AM - 1 Like	#30
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm and I'm obviously taking you far too seriously... (need moar coffee!) I am going for qualification by post numbers so expect a sharp rise in flippancy and an equivalent marked decline in my popularity