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APS-C standard zoom lenses

cardiffgareth
Posted 25/03/2022 - 22:24 Link
Been a while since I used APS-C but I've just bought myself a K3ii predominantly for weddings with the Sigma OS 70-200mm on but I'm also liking how smaller and lighter it is compared to the K1 so may look to get a cheap standard zoom lens.

Pentax
16-45mm
17-70mm
16-45mm
16-85mm

Sigma
17-70mm

So many choices!

Is the 16-85mm the one to look at or should I drop down to the 16-50mm or ditch early SDM all together and get the 16-45mm?!

The 20-40mm looks very nice but not really keeping the pennies down!
Gareth Williams ARPS

My outfit: K1ii - Pentax D FA 24-70mm f2.8 - Pentax DA* 300mm f4 - Pentax modified DA* 60-250mm f4 - Irix 15mm Firefly - Pentax FA 35mm - FA 50mm f1.4 - Tamron SP 90mm macro - Pentax AF 540 FGZ II

Welsh Photographer
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My PPG
Foundation NFT
PRYorkshire
Posted 25/03/2022 - 22:34 Link
I can recommend the 16-85 as a great all round lens. Colour rendition and sharpness are first class as is it's close focus abilities.
Paul

K1000, Espio 140, ist, istD, K70, K3iii and numerous lenses, just don't tell my wife.
bforbes
Posted 25/03/2022 - 22:48 Link
This may add to the confusion but, Sigma 17-35 DG and Pentax F 35-70. Both at home on APS-C and FF.
barkin
Posted 25/03/2022 - 23:06 Link
I really like my Tamron 17-50/f:2.8. Great IQ from my copy, and cheap as chips.
womble
Posted 25/03/2022 - 23:08 Link
I have a Sigma standard lens for sale in the classifieds.... (hint, hint...)
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
johnriley
Posted 25/03/2022 - 23:54 Link
You haven't mentioned the 18-135mm, a very versatile and pretty good lens, with the added bonus of WR.
Best regards, John
Nigelk
Posted 26/03/2022 - 08:03 Link
I have the 18-135mm and the 16-85mm. My personal habit, the 18-135mm sits on the shelf, I pick the 16-85mm every time. It's better across the whole frame, much better and, I like the extra mm on the wide end. Two important differences when I find myself more at the landscape side of photography.
If I want more reach I take my 55-300mm as well. The two lenses cover just about everything.
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 26/03/2022 - 08:45 Link
If you don't need speed then the 16-85mm is superb. It's my favourite landscape lens as it's very versatile and renders better than most primes.

The Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 is another option. It's a really great lens with a special rendering that somehow brings out a subtle magic in many images.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Lubbyman
Posted 26/03/2022 - 10:34 Link
Depends on what you want to use it for. I was very happy with the 16-45mm except for one thing: too often found myself wanting to change lens because 45mm was too short. Eventually got the 16-85mm rather than any of the others because I really like 16mm and a mm or two at the short end makes a significant difference. And while the 16-85mm isn't f4 across its whole range, it is from 16 to 45mm so no losing out there. As Nigelk says, the 16-85mm and 55-300mm make a good pair for general use and are what comes with me if I don't have a specific reason to take another lens.

Steve
pentaxian450
Posted 26/03/2022 - 20:57 Link
For focus speed and accuracy plus image quality, you could also look at the new DA*16-50. Only if you have deep pocket. It nearly bankrupt me and cause a divorce!!!
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
oldhat
Posted 27/03/2022 - 10:33 Link
Another vote for the 16-85 for the reasons already mentioned.
I use other lens but invariably return to it as the versatility and sharpness are excellent
redbusa99
Posted 28/03/2022 - 13:57 Link
17-70mm f4 Pentax or Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 are very good and fairly cheap, although 16-85 could prove a bit more versatile due to slghtly more range on each end but sacrificing a bit on aperture range , only a problem in some specific situations.
odd lens or 2

Flickr
Edited by redbusa99: 28/03/2022 - 13:57
Chrism8
Posted 28/03/2022 - 14:22 Link
The Sigma 17 - 70 was my " walkabout " lens a few years ago, versatile, sharp and not to obtrusive.

Comment Image
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
andy_bell
Posted 28/03/2022 - 15:29 Link
johnriley wrote:
You haven't mentioned the 18-135mm, a very versatile and pretty good lens, with the added bonus of WR.

Agreed! +1
A few bits & Bobs
pschlute
Posted 28/03/2022 - 16:50 Link
Chrism8 wrote:
The Sigma 17 - 70 was my " walkabout " lens a few years ago, versatile, sharp and not to obtrusive.

Cracking shot

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