K10D - DA lens advice?

Just had the pleasant surprise today that my Xmas bonus at work is a wee bit better than expected (i.e. it actually exists this year!) so I'm going to be giving Chris @ SRS a call tomorrow to see if he's got any spare K10D's left from the initial stock that's due after fulfilling all his pre-orders.

Having had a look at his website again the BIG question is do I go the whole hog and get it with one of the DA lenses? And if so which one is the one to go for? There is no doubt that I already have every possible focal length that I'll need covered with my existing lenses so will I really see the difference if I go for a DA lens?

I've been using Sigma EX's in the main on my istD as I need the coverage for film. Sigma 12-24 DG / 24-70 f2.8 DG / 70-200 f2.8 DF, plus various Pentax primes in Ltd, FA and A series versions are what normally lives in my bag. I never liked the FA series zooms (horrible tiny focussing rings!!!) and could never stretch the budget to the FA* zooms hence going with the Sigma's to cover my everyday options. Never had a problem with them once...

I know that the general feeling on the forum is ever so slightly anti-Sigma but am I REALLY going to notice the difference in going for one of the DA zooms? I know the DA's can't be used on film but it's not often I carry round both film and digital - it's either one or the other so the Sigma's will stay no matter what.

Has anyone on here used both the more modern Sigma EX's and Pentax's DA lenses - would be nice to hear of any comparison?

Thanks in advance and fingers crossed that Chris gives me the news I'm hoping for tomorrow...

Will

I have a Sigma EX 100-300 f4 and a Pentax DA 16-45 f4 (also Pentax 24-90 and FA50mm f1.7)

Both are excellent. Despite the regular counter claims on here (John?) many of the Sigma EX lenses are very good in deed. Why not wait for the new generation of Pentax lenses due over next year? If bonus money is burning a hole in your pocket, how about a new A3+ printer and better tripod to make use of all those extra pixels?

I have no doubt that some Sigma, Tokina, Tamron or other independent lenses are very good indeed in terms of sharpness and/or resolution, Kevin.

What I have found over many years is that it cannot be guaranteed, which can lead to expensive buying mistakes, and it's cheaper in the long run to bite the bullet and buy the proper Pentax lens.

But it's not only performance that counts - it's the greater likelihood that filter sizes will be more uniform, colour transmission will be more consistent, focusing and aperture rings will all turn the same way and the Pentax lenses also tend to be more compact.

So I made a "Pentax only" decision that also includes accessories such as lens hoods, even filters when I can get them, and I have been pleased with that decision.

Others are of course free to disagree, and regularly do when they feel so inclined!

The only thing I would disagree with John about is the choice of filters. I used to go for the Pentax SMC ones when I could get them but now tend to use B+W.

Kim

I'd definitely go with the 16-45, as to a longer lens you might want to wait on the 50-135. Get a used A lens in the meantime, go hold you over. Plenty on ebay.

Personally, I'm waiting for the new DA* 16-50 1:2.8.

G

So am I, but I need to find an excuse to replace the 16-45. It may be a business, but SWMBO can look at the books any time she wants!