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04-01-2007, 08:19 PM   #1
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What is the best replacement....

I am looking to upgrade the kit 18-50mm lens, is the DA 16-45mm lens the bext option? I plan on keeping my DA 50-200mm but I am going to want to get some stronger lenses in the future. I also am thinking of getting the DA 50mm 2.8 macro as well, but to stay focussed, is the 16-45mm the best option for now?

04-01-2007, 08:39 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
I am looking to upgrade the kit 18-50mm lens, is the DA 16-45mm lens the bext option? I plan on keeping my DA 50-200mm but I am going to want to get some stronger lenses in the future. I also am thinking of getting the DA 50mm 2.8 macro as well, but to stay focussed, is the 16-45mm the best option for now?
This question or something like this question gets asked here (and elsewhere) pretty often. In my opinion, it has no real answer. Depends on what you want to photograph. Depends also on how many lenses you can afford or are willing to spend money on. Why do you feel you should upgrade the kit lens? Does your budget at the moment limit you to a single lens or could you conceivably get more than one?

I have the Pentax 16-45. In terms of image quality within the lens's range, it's probably my best lens. But I don't keep it on the camera all the time. I don't regard it as a replacement for the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. And if I could only have one lens, I'm not sure that the 16-45 would be the one I'd keep. The kit lens is a very decent lens but lacked the range that I want in my default lens. I guess I regard my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 as the "replacement" for the kit lens - either that or the Tamron 18-200. I use the 16-45 either when I want a little extra depth or if I'm approaching a shot very deliberately, with excellent lighting, etc.

But that's just me. What YOU want or need is for you to decide. Let's ignore image quality for the moment. Going from the 18-55 to the 16-45, you lose a little reach and gain a little width. Which do you need more?

Or do you need speed more than either width or reach? In that case, you might consider the 50mm f/1.4 or the 43mm f/1.9.

Will

Last edited by WMBP; 04-01-2007 at 09:04 PM.
04-01-2007, 08:58 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
I am looking to upgrade the kit 18-50mm lens, is the DA 16-45mm lens the bext option? I plan on keeping my DA 50-200mm but I am going to want to get some stronger lenses in the future. I also am thinking of getting the DA 50mm 2.8 macro as well, but to stay focussed, is the 16-45mm the best option for now?
is it a good step up? yes
is it a huge step up? maybe, maybe not...depending on your needs
If you like a lot of low light or window light photography, the F4 will be on the slow side (my opinion)
For the price vs quality ratio, I think it is an excellent choice.
what do you want to use the 16-45 for?

cheers

randy
04-01-2007, 09:24 PM   #4
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I have the 16-45 and the 50-200 and I think they are a great pair. I do think the 16-45 is better than the kit lens.

That being said, statistically I use my Tamron 28-75 more than the other two zooms combined. It really depends on what you shoot. I do a lot of portrait work so the 75mm works out better than the 45mm. When shooting scenic stuff I prefer the 16-45.

04-01-2007, 09:59 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
I am looking to upgrade the kit 18-50mm lens, is the DA 16-45mm lens the bext option? I plan on keeping my DA 50-200mm but I am going to want to get some stronger lenses in the future. I also am thinking of getting the DA 50mm 2.8 macro as well, but to stay focussed, is the 16-45mm the best option for now?
You can still get the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 non-macro version (an extra stop) for $300 (same as rebate-priced 16-45), which might be a non-Pentax option. I like it. The 2mm of wide angle can be handy, though.

Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo
04-01-2007, 11:08 PM   #6
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G'day Buddha,
I do not have the 16-45...but have heard good things about it from some knowledgeable people.

However....IF you can afford it....I think it would be a smart call to check out the new Pentax 16-50 f2.8., get your wide angle and your 50mm f2.8 all in one package.....but I am told it is expensive.
04-02-2007, 01:17 AM   #7
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I'm hopefully soon replacing it with the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5. gainaing a stop and better quality from all I've read. But it also depends on what others len/es you are going to end up with. I now have the Pentax 80-320, so the 16-45 is a bit short for me (I'm basically trying to stick to a 2 zoom kit). Having the extra reach of the 17-70 may also mean less lens changing, if that's a factor for you.

04-02-2007, 02:29 PM   #8
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Thanks for all of the repliies, the input and questions got me to thinking. RItht now I dont have a preferrence of what I liket o shoot, I like to shoot pretty much everything, I guess I havent latched on to any one thing yet. I guess I am just wanting to build a good zoom base and then start buying my primes. I never/rarely do anything wiht planned lighting so I take what I can get, that being said faster is better, but quality is paramount IMO.
04-02-2007, 02:47 PM   #9
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Actually, the lens that I like the most is the Sigma 24-135... but it is soo dang big and heavy.
04-03-2007, 05:37 AM   #10
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Unfortunately I think that all lenses that are looked at as "replacements" for the 18-55mm are going to be big and heavy (well, at least bigger and heavier than the kit lens).

f/2.8 glass or bigger zoom ranges come at a cost in both dollars and pounds (ok, BAD pun! or double entendre?)

Anyway, My new "kit" lens is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Only con (besides cost and weight) is the loss of the wide angle. But you get a constant f/2.8, much better image quality than the kit (although the kit lens isn't that bad), and it's actually not too heavy (compared to the Sigma 24-70mm, that one is a BEAST)

I was also considering the Sigma 17-70mm, but really wanted f/2.8 at the long end. I still put on my kit lens when I need wide, but I am looking to get something else in the wide range - either the Sigma 10-20mm, Pentax 12-24mm, or possibly the Pentax 14mm f/2.8.

QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
Actually, the lens that I like the most is the Sigma 24-135... but it is soo dang big and heavy.
04-03-2007, 05:47 AM   #11
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Yeah, you are right, but I think I can deal with the weight better than the size. The diameter of it is 77mm, the 16-45 is 67mm, while all my other lenses are 52mm. Why cant they all be 52mm...
04-03-2007, 06:03 AM   #12
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Ha! The Sigma 24-70mm has a 82mm filter thread! I believe my Tamron is 67mm. My Sigma 105mm is 58mm, and my 50mm f/1.4 is a mere 49mm
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