Mid range zoom lense advise please

Donut
Posted 10/08/2007 - 13:54 Link
Current kit is: -
K100D with kit 18-55
Tamron 70-300
Pentax 50mm 1.7
2x macro/teleconverter
1.4x teleconverter

I would like a better "everyday lense" but don't want a full range 18-250 type lense as I have the tamron already. Ideally I'd like to get a sigma 10-20mm eventually but not a priority now.

Question is - does anyone have any experiences or opinions on the following two lense options: -
Get Pentax 28-105 (£240) and keep the 18-55 kit lense for now.
Get Sigma 18-125 (£185) and get rid/part ex the 18-55 - I am leaning towards this option at the moment.

Just to confuse things there is also a Tamron 24-135 for about £330 - this would really be pushing the finances though and I can't really see the advantage over the sigma re focal lengths - not sure about quality thou.

Cheers
Donut
Mannesty
Posted 10/08/2007 - 14:36 Link
I can say that the image quality from the SMC Pentax-FA 28-105 is superb. It also has a power zoom function if you want/need it. I use this lens a lot and I'm very happy with it.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
George Lazarette
Posted 10/08/2007 - 18:11 Link
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.

The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.

The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.

The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Pwynnej
Posted 11/08/2007 - 08:49 Link
Quote:
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.

The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.

The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.

The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.

G
and still available new as well I think... I always hankered after the PZ lens when I had my Z-20..... the price put me off, now I can understand why there was such a price premium over the 28-80....

Now that I have the 24-90...
niblue
Posted 12/08/2007 - 12:00 Link
Quote:
Just to confuse things there is also a Tamron 24-135 for about £330
I got a Sigma 24-135mm F2.8-4.5 from the US on Ebay for under £100 (well under if I recall correctly) including postage and taxes etc. and I've found that to be a decent performer and a useful general purpose lens - it fits well with the Sigma 10-20mm I use for wide angles etc.
Clarky
Posted 14/08/2007 - 00:42 Link
Quote:
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.

The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.

The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.

The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.

G
George how do you get to test all these lenses Do you own them all or are you in the know with a supplier. Just curious.
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
George Lazarette
Posted 14/08/2007 - 08:23 Link
Quote:
George Lazarette wrote:
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.

The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.

The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.

The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.

G
George how do you get to test all these lenses Do you own them all or are you in the know with a supplier. Just curious.
I have owned a number of bodies and lenses over the years, but only one of these lenses (the power zoom).

But it's no secret that there are two holy books for all Pentax collectors - the gospel according to Boz, and the gospel according to Stan, and I am sufficiently familiar with both that I can usually recall the salient facts about a piece of kit without looking it up.

The PDML (which is where Stan Halpin got his info) is also an excellent resource, as is the AOHC for screw-mount stuff.

Incidentally, although he doesn't brag about it, JR has owned more lenses than most people have had hot dinners.

G

EDIT:
http://stans-photography.info/
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ (AKA Boz)
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
Clarky
Posted 14/08/2007 - 11:38 Link
Thanks George you must have a mind like an encyclopaedia
I have spent many hours browsing through Boz and Stans web sites and find them very informative Thanks again
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|

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