Good zoom for flash

Hello again!

Looking for a general purpose best quality zoom for flash that has a low fixed aperture throughout the range, best glass, low noise motor etc and is fully functional with K20D and AF 360FGZ.

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens ???

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/4941/Sigma-70-200mm-F2-8-EX-DG-OS-HSM-Lens---Pe...

Is this the best for my kit, please?



Rob

I don't think that's how you choice a lens though

What do you want to shoot with the lens and use the flash?


I think a 70-200 is too long of a focal length to really use with a flash.
a Pentax DA*50-135 f/2.8 or Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 would be more suitable.
There is also 28-70 f/2.8 lenses and several lens around 17-50 f/2.8.

But i can't recommend you any lens at the moment if we don't know what you want to shoot with it.

Hello again, Stefan.

Nothing specific...occasional family wedding, grand daughters etc ... been advised that a low fixed aperture equals less hassle and better photos.

Is the Pentax or Sigma the better of the two you list? I see you have the former.

I am good at asking stupid questions, you may recall.

Rob

There is no thing as stupid question but it sounded a bit strange

The Pentax 50-135 or sigma 50-150 or one of the 28-70 f/2.8 lenses that are at offer would be more suitable for portrait work than a 70-200.
The 50-1XX are good for the close up shoulder head type of shots but the 28-75 gives you full body and headshots with ease so for all round such a lens might be better.

I combined the DA*16-50 and DA*50-135 to cover the range, sigma also have a 17-50 f/2.8 lens that would go well with the sigma 50-150 f/2.8

You can use a 70-200 but you need to work at quite a distance from your subject so you should then work with the flash offer camera so that you can place the flash closer to the subject or else the flash will struggle if you leave it on the camera if you use the lens on th longer end.

Between Pentax and Sigma.
Pentax offers better colours and more contrast general speaking.
Sigma have lenses that focus faster but before you buy a lens from them make sure you look up how the lens preform, Sigma can make very good lenses and not so good ones so you need to know which one to get.

Thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply.

Food for thought.



Rob

SRS now has some Pentax lenses for rental, it might maybe be a good idea to try a lens out for a week to see if it works for you.

Thanks Stefan.

Is Pentax likely to be offering discounts like they have in the past?

Rob