worth the upgrade?

cinaibur · 10-07-2009, 11:40 AM

I just purchased a k20d and had to sell my k-m and kit lens to do so. I am now without a zoom lens. I am looking at the DA 18-55 AL II and the Sigma 18-50 EX DC Macro. Is it worth the extra money to go ahead and get the Sigma? I don't want to be disappointed and end up upgrading in the not so distant future.

Marc Sabatella · 10-07-2009, 02:09 PM

It's worth it if the advantages it brings - constant f/2.8 and somewhat better IQ - is worth the much greater price/size/weight. Only you can decide that, really. Not worth it to me, but then, I'm not enough of a pixel peeper to be impressed by any difference in IQ, I have other lenses to give me f/2.8 in that focal length range, and I really value small size / light weight a lot.

heliphoto · 10-07-2009, 02:29 PM

At one point I had the non-macro version of that sigma lens and I thought it was very good - the macro version is supposed to be better... The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 also consistently gets high marks and if I were to buy one I'd buy the Tamron. I think the most noticeable benefit of either of these lenses over any of the 18-55 variants will be the f/2.8 aperture and the better build quality (at least from the Sigma - I can't speak to the Tamron's feel since I've never handled it). They ought to be optically superior to the 18-55 too, for what that's worth.

**Ash** · 10-07-2009, 03:45 PM

It's the vesatility of having a constant f/2.8 that sets those lenses apart from the kit lens.
Better IQ in the f/4-5.6 range also than the kit lens, but otherwise the kit lens is just the best value for money - it's a fine little lens.

raymeedc · 10-07-2009, 06:01 PM

Have you considered the Pentax f:4 16-45?

cinaibur · 10-08-2009, 08:54 AM

I decided that the extra benefits were worth it to me so I bought the Sigma 18-55 EX DC Macro last night. Oddly enough, from the same guy I bought my k20d from. I guess I'll have to stop myself from buying his entire part-out.

10-07-2009, 11:40 AM	#1
cinaibur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 117	worth the upgrade? I just purchased a k20d and had to sell my k-m and kit lens to do so. I am now without a zoom lens. I am looking at the DA 18-55 AL II and the Sigma 18-50 EX DC Macro. Is it worth the extra money to go ahead and get the Sigma? I don't want to be disappointed and end up upgrading in the not so distant future.

10-07-2009, 02:09 PM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	It's worth it if the advantages it brings - constant f/2.8 and somewhat better IQ - is worth the much greater price/size/weight. Only you can decide that, really. Not worth it to me, but then, I'm not enough of a pixel peeper to be impressed by any difference in IQ, I have other lenses to give me f/2.8 in that focal length range, and I really value small size / light weight a lot. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 10-07-2009 at 03:15 PM.

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10-07-2009, 02:29 PM	#3
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	At one point I had the non-macro version of that sigma lens and I thought it was very good - the macro version is supposed to be better... The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 also consistently gets high marks and if I were to buy one I'd buy the Tamron. I think the most noticeable benefit of either of these lenses over any of the 18-55 variants will be the f/2.8 aperture and the better build quality (at least from the Sigma - I can't speak to the Tamron's feel since I've never handled it). They ought to be optically superior to the 18-55 too, for what that's worth.

10-07-2009, 03:45 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	It's the vesatility of having a constant f/2.8 that sets those lenses apart from the kit lens. Better IQ in the f/4-5.6 range also than the kit lens, but otherwise the kit lens is just the best value for money - it's a fine little lens.

10-07-2009, 06:01 PM	#5
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	Have you considered the Pentax f:4 16-45?

10-08-2009, 08:54 AM	#6
cinaibur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 117 Original Poster	I decided that the extra benefits were worth it to me so I bought the Sigma 18-55 EX DC Macro last night. Oddly enough, from the same guy I bought my k20d from. I guess I'll have to stop myself from buying his entire part-out.