F2.8 lens recomendations

I have the Pentax 16-45mm F4 lens, but having just taken approx 50 shots at a local show found that in the low and changing light it did not perform as well as my Sigma 28-105mm Aspherical 2.8-4 lens.

I am thinking of getting a wide angle F2.8 lens (Tamron or Sigma), as I only have a limited budget all sensible suggestions welcome.

Edit;
I found that the Sigma focal length was ideal for the show shame its not a constant f2.8.

I use this, and find although heavy can produce some excellent results.

One more vote for the Sigma 24-70, it's a stellar performer if you have the luck to obtain a good copy (my first one was backfocusing badly).

Another vote for the Sigma. I have one. I don't use it often, but when I do it is a joy.

The Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 is also a cracking lens, but even heavier than the 24-70mm

Thanks for the information, 70mm is to narrow, I found this Tokina 28-70mm F2.8 what is this lens like in the conditions described above.

I also thought about the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR lens, still looking.

I'm a big fan of the Tamron 17-50mm - I uppgraded from a 16-45mm and have been very happy both with the sharpness of the lens and the additional viewfinder brightness of the f2.8 optic.

I like my siggy 24-70....

Bret

+1 for the Tamron 17-50mm here. Google for reviews of it - I find it lives up to the press.

Sigma 24-70mm is excellent but heavy. I have one and Love it.

However, it does not go wide enough at times, hence why I got the 16-45mm F4 for out and about.

I have heard that the Tamron is excellent and a lot lighter than the 24-70.
Depends on what you want to use it for. Portraits and closer work, the sigma is the one, more general use, then the Tamron could by the one to get.

I love my Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8 - Got a good deal on a second hand copy

And another vote for the Siggy 24-70, fantastic lens, has rapidly become my favourite since getting it last year. Probably take the majority of shots with it now. Yes it is heavy, but it is worth it.

Davex.

You should be using fully manual in show conditions

When there is a substantial amount of blackness around the subject you MUST tell the camera what to do (or it will blow out the very subject you want to catch).

My preference is to use focus-on-demand, fully M, and either the DA*50-135 (but shooting around f/4), and the DA17-70 (which is f/4 anyway).


Perhaps an image sample or two would help make a recommendation (and perhaps save you a few quid and hassle too )

Matt

for shows in small venues the tamron is superb.

wish i could get to use f4 at indoor shows... yes m mode all the way, spot metering of the faces.

you also need to bare in mind any future lens purchases, for example if you want a 70-200mm then the tamron will leave a gap in your range.

I shoot between ISO1600 and ISO2500 on the K7
Silkypix cleans them up very nicely indeed - and I print at 18"x12". Wish I could show you some
Matt