Originally posted by nixcamic Just wondering if there are any lenses a step up from the 18-55mm kit which are under $200. I've found the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and pentax 16-45mm f/4 for around $200 each, and was wondering if there was anything I'd missed.
If you're looking for a *replacement* for the kit lens, sure, either of those would be a step up in most respect, although usually they run a bit more than $200. Or maybe you mean $100 net assuming you could sell your 18-55 for $100.
On the other hand, these lenses cover pretty much the same focal length range. If I had only the kit lens and $200 to spend, I'd put that toward *supplementing* what you already have. Depending on your needs, perhaps something telephoto (a zoom like the 50-200 or a couple of old manual focus primes), a true macro, or something truly *fast* (in the sense of large maximum aperture), like the FA50/1.4. That would make a bigger difference than marginally better IQ at the same focal lengths.
If you've already got telephoto and macro you are happy with, I'd probably pick the 18-50/2.8 over the 16-45/4, because at least it is significantly faster than what you've got, even if the focal length range is about the same. I'd only consider the 16-45 if you are mostly craving a wider angle lens but think 16m will be wide enough, and if you also have something longer than 45 (that's going to be *very* limiting as your maximum focal length).