Next Lens

Gerrys · 11-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Hi, all. I need some advice on my next lens. I have a K10D with a 50mm 1.4 and a 55-300mm both Pentax. I broke my 18-55 and am trying to decide between the Pentax 16-45, or the Sigma 17-70. any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-20-2010, 05:17 PM

I think you would find the difference of 16 vs 17 quite noticeable - it's about 6 %. I don't know if you need the greater long reach on your normal zoom.

SpecialK · 11-20-2010, 05:29 PM

You already have 50+mm covered twice. You need wider, not longer. So, the 16-45 based only on focal length.

hcc · 11-20-2010, 06:18 PM

You already received some good advice.

One question: do you want some overlap (or not) between your lenses, for flexibility ?

Would you consider the newer 18-135WR as an option? It adds WR (as your K10 body), and the flexibility of an all-around lens. The 50mm would be the fast prime for low-light and the 55-300mm would be for long range.

Food for thoughts...

sterretje · 11-21-2010, 02:37 AM

17-70 (Pentax, Sigma, ...); I think that the 18-55 is slightly too short for general purpose

Gerrys · 11-21-2010, 02:58 PM

I would consider that lens, but don't you think that the 16=45 with a fixed f4.0 is better?

twitch · 11-21-2010, 03:23 PM

One thing I dont like about Sigma zooms is that the zoom ring works the opposite way from the Pentax (or Tamron) zooms. Seems trivial but I always find myself zooming the wrong way for the first 10 minutes or so after I've mounted the Sigma zoom, and then again for another 10 minutes after I switch form the Sigma to my Pentax. That factor alone makes me want to sell my Sigma for a Pentax.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-21-2010, 06:25 PM

It used to be worse, Twitch. The focus rings went the wrong way and the aperture as well as the zoom ring on many third party lenses.

SpecialK · 11-21-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

One thing I dont like about Sigma zooms is that the zoom ring works the opposite way from the Pentax (or Tamron) zooms.

Sigma lenses are not consistent. The 18-50 and 70-300 zoom in opposite directions.

twitch · 11-21-2010, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Sigma lenses are not consistent. The 18-50 and 70-300 zoom in opposite directions.

I didn't know that. I've got the 17-70 f2.8-4.5 and it zooms in the "wrong" direction.

KxBlaze · 11-21-2010, 09:41 PM

I would say the 16-45. You do not have that focal length covered and I hear that the 16-45 has a tad bit better IQ. I just bought one and can't wait to try it out.

sterretje · 11-21-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally posted by Gerrys

I would consider that lens, but don't you think that the 16=45 with a fixed f4.0 is better?

The Pentax one has a fixed aperture (and would be my choice). It's an SDM only lens so will not work with the initial firmware of the K10D (1.0 or so); you might have to do a firmware update and the latest version should do fine.

PS
A fixed aperture is not necessarily better. It has advantages when using a manual flash as you don't have to worry about the aperture when changing focal length. On the other hand the extra stop on the wide end can be an advantage as well.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-22-2010, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

The Pentax one has a fixed aperture (and would be my choice). It's an SDM only lens so will not work with the initial firmware of the K10D (1.0 or so); you might have to do a firmware update and the latest version should do fine.

Pentax 16-45 is screw drive, 16-50 is dual. I haven't seen notice of any Pentax lens other than the 17-70 that is SDM only.

Quote:

PS
A fixed aperture is not necessarily better. It has advantages when using a manual flash as you don't have to worry about the aperture when changing focal length. On the other hand the extra stop on the wide end can be an advantage as well.

It can also have advantages when using manual exposure settings without flash.

mickey · 11-22-2010, 06:41 PM

I bought the Sigma 17-70-2.8-4.5 a fewmonths ago as a replacement for my kit lens.
Very happy with it, and it works fine with my K10.
The factors for me were the longer reach and the almost 1:2 macro.

abmj · 11-23-2010, 02:02 PM

I have the newer Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 and love it. It is my "walking around" lens and rarely comes off the camera. That extra speed at the wide end comes in very handy and the SR is very good - at least a stop better than the in-camera SR.

11-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#1
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152	Next Lens Hi, all. I need some advice on my next lens. I have a K10D with a 50mm 1.4 and a 55-300mm both Pentax. I broke my 18-55 and am trying to decide between the Pentax 16-45, or the Sigma 17-70. any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

11-20-2010, 05:17 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I think you would find the difference of 16 vs 17 quite noticeable - it's about 6 %. I don't know if you need the greater long reach on your normal zoom.

11-20-2010, 05:29 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	You already have 50+mm covered twice. You need wider, not longer. So, the 16-45 based only on focal length.

11-20-2010, 06:18 PM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	You already received some good advice. One question: do you want some overlap (or not) between your lenses, for flexibility ? Would you consider the newer 18-135WR as an option? It adds WR (as your K10 body), and the flexibility of an all-around lens. The 50mm would be the fast prime for low-light and the 55-300mm would be for long range. Food for thoughts...

11-21-2010, 02:37 AM	#5
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	17-70 (Pentax, Sigma, ...); I think that the 18-55 is slightly too short for general purpose

11-21-2010, 02:58 PM	#6
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152 Original Poster	I would consider that lens, but don't you think that the 16=45 with a fixed f4.0 is better?

11-21-2010, 03:23 PM	#7
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	One thing I dont like about Sigma zooms is that the zoom ring works the opposite way from the Pentax (or Tamron) zooms. Seems trivial but I always find myself zooming the wrong way for the first 10 minutes or so after I've mounted the Sigma zoom, and then again for another 10 minutes after I switch form the Sigma to my Pentax. That factor alone makes me want to sell my Sigma for a Pentax.

11-21-2010, 06:25 PM	#8
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	It used to be worse, Twitch. The focus rings went the wrong way and the aperture as well as the zoom ring on many third party lenses.

11-21-2010, 06:39 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: One thing I dont like about Sigma zooms is that the zoom ring works the opposite way from the Pentax (or Tamron) zooms. Sigma lenses are not consistent. The 18-50 and 70-300 zoom in opposite directions.

11-21-2010, 07:07 PM	#10
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by SpecialK Sigma lenses are not consistent. The 18-50 and 70-300 zoom in opposite directions. I didn't know that. I've got the 17-70 f2.8-4.5 and it zooms in the "wrong" direction.

11-21-2010, 09:41 PM	#11
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	I would say the 16-45. You do not have that focal length covered and I hear that the 16-45 has a tad bit better IQ. I just bought one and can't wait to try it out.

11-21-2010, 10:36 PM	#12
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Gerrys I would consider that lens, but don't you think that the 16=45 with a fixed f4.0 is better? The Pentax one has a fixed aperture (and would be my choice). It's an SDM only lens so will not work with the initial firmware of the K10D (1.0 or so); you might have to do a firmware update and the latest version should do fine. PS A fixed aperture is not necessarily better. It has advantages when using a manual flash as you don't have to worry about the aperture when changing focal length. On the other hand the extra stop on the wide end can be an advantage as well.

11-22-2010, 09:51 AM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by sterretje The Pentax one has a fixed aperture (and would be my choice). It's an SDM only lens so will not work with the initial firmware of the K10D (1.0 or so); you might have to do a firmware update and the latest version should do fine. Pentax 16-45 is screw drive, 16-50 is dual. I haven't seen notice of any Pentax lens other than the 17-70 that is SDM only. Quote: PS A fixed aperture is not necessarily better. It has advantages when using a manual flash as you don't have to worry about the aperture when changing focal length. On the other hand the extra stop on the wide end can be an advantage as well. It can also have advantages when using manual exposure settings without flash.

11-23-2010, 02:02 PM	#15
abmj Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central California Posts: 600	I have the newer Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 and love it. It is my "walking around" lens and rarely comes off the camera. That extra speed at the wide end comes in very handy and the SR is very good - at least a stop better than the in-camera SR.