Pentax 17-70 v Sigma 17-70
This topic has a poll - login to enter
Posted 04/10/2011 - 21:55
Link
Offertonhatter wrote:
Thanks all for your comments and voting.
It seems that the Pentax is the better lens when it comes to IQ, but most of you who have it say in lower light it does hunt more than expected at 50mm and beyond. The third option of the Tamron 17-50mm seems an interesting option, although it does not have the reach of the others, it could be a better option to replace my 16-45mm. So I will look into this.
Once again, thanks all for your input.
Might I suggest another contender, perhaps, the Sigma 18-50 DC EX.Thanks all for your comments and voting.
It seems that the Pentax is the better lens when it comes to IQ, but most of you who have it say in lower light it does hunt more than expected at 50mm and beyond. The third option of the Tamron 17-50mm seems an interesting option, although it does not have the reach of the others, it could be a better option to replace my 16-45mm. So I will look into this.
Once again, thanks all for your input.
Like the Tamron, a constant f2.8 through the range, love mine
Regards.
K5IIs, Sigma 10-20, Pentax DA 16-85, Pentax DA 55-300, Pentax 70 Ltd, Metz 44 AF-2.
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ambott/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ambott/
Posted 04/10/2011 - 22:48
Link
Mike-P wrote:
Drove me bonkers and I just don't see why I had to get round it by lightly touching the barrel to get the thing to focus correctly.
Come on Mike, you know that you're being unreasonable... all you have to do is improve your technique to get round the alleged limitations of the gear.
Drove me bonkers and I just don't see why I had to get round it by lightly touching the barrel to get the thing to focus correctly.
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 05:39
Link
bychan wrote:
Like the Tamron, a constant f2.8 through the range, love mine
Regards.
The 18-50 has now been replaced by a 17-50/2.8. By all accounts an excellent lens (maybe even superior to the Tamron) but considerably more expensive (but still cheaper than the *16-50) than the Tamron 17-50/2.8. The Tamron that the OP mentioned is an absolutely outstanding lens (and that's without even considering it's low price).
Offertonhatter wrote:
Thanks all for your comments and voting.
It seems that the Pentax is the better lens when it comes to IQ, but most of you who have it say in lower light it does hunt more than expected at 50mm and beyond. The third option of the Tamron 17-50mm seems an interesting option, although it does not have the reach of the others, it could be a better option to replace my 16-45mm. So I will look into this.
Once again, thanks all for your input.
Might I suggest another contender, perhaps, the Sigma 18-50 DC EX.Thanks all for your comments and voting.
It seems that the Pentax is the better lens when it comes to IQ, but most of you who have it say in lower light it does hunt more than expected at 50mm and beyond. The third option of the Tamron 17-50mm seems an interesting option, although it does not have the reach of the others, it could be a better option to replace my 16-45mm. So I will look into this.
Once again, thanks all for your input.
Like the Tamron, a constant f2.8 through the range, love mine
Regards.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 05/10/2011 - 08:45
Link
ChrisA wrote:
Seems that is said a lot where Pentax is concerned Mike-P wrote:
Drove me bonkers and I just don't see why I had to get round it by lightly touching the barrel to get the thing to focus correctly.
Come on Mike, you know that you're being unreasonable... all you have to do is improve your technique to get round the alleged limitations of the gear. Drove me bonkers and I just don't see why I had to get round it by lightly touching the barrel to get the thing to focus correctly.
Seriously though, when having to do that I did wonder if it was putting even more stress on the SDM. You are basically using "brute force" to stop the lens barrel rotating so over time (and with a lot of use) would it just get worse?.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:01
Link
Mike-P wrote:
Seriously though, when having to do that I did wonder if it was putting even more stress on the SDM. You are basically using "brute force" to stop the lens barrel rotating so over time (and with a lot of use) would it just get worse?.
Heavens, is that what:Seriously though, when having to do that I did wonder if it was putting even more stress on the SDM. You are basically using "brute force" to stop the lens barrel rotating so over time (and with a lot of use) would it just get worse?.
japers45 wrote:
A little feather on the focus ring locks the focus and this has worked every time so far.
... means?A little feather on the focus ring locks the focus and this has worked every time so far.
I don't think I'd be up for that.
Quick shift is one thing, but grabbing the thing (no matter how gently) while it's actually rotating under power can't be good for it.
Analysing what I actually do when I point the camera, I notice that completely instinctively I aim the centre of the FOV at something thats reasonably high contrast for the half-press, and then recompose for the full press.
In fact the times that I want the thing it's focused on to be centre-frame are few and far between.
I'll be interested to see how it goes - my MF skills are all but atrophied these days.
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:06
Link
I must admit it's hardly grabbing the focus ring, I could do it just by touching it with my little finger as you are holding the lens ready to take the shot. Even so you are still using force to stop the ring spinning.
From the looks of it there seems to quite a few lenses with this problem, whether you can put up with it for the sake of the IQ (which is without doubt better than the 18-135mm) is down to the induvidual.
I couldn't
From the looks of it there seems to quite a few lenses with this problem, whether you can put up with it for the sake of the IQ (which is without doubt better than the 18-135mm) is down to the induvidual.
I couldn't
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:10
Link
Mike-P wrote:
From the looks of it there seems to be quite a few lenses with this problem
SDM ones? Which ones?From the looks of it there seems to be quite a few lenses with this problem
The 18-135 and 17-70 are the only SDM ones I've got.
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:29
Link
Ah Ok. Well I'm not going to stress about mine - I'll see how I get on with it. It's in fabulous condition anyway, I think I got a very fair deal on it (Cheers Tim!).
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:50
Link
ChrisA wrote:
The 18-135 and 17-70 are the only SDM ones I've got.
The 18-135 isn't SDM it's DC
The 18-135 and 17-70 are the only SDM ones I've got.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 09:51
Link
Gwyn wrote:
Eh?ChrisA wrote:
The 18-135 and 17-70 are the only SDM ones I've got.
The 18-135 isn't SDM it's DC The 18-135 and 17-70 are the only SDM ones I've got.
Edit: aha, so it is.
I hadn't realised there was a third type, other than screw-drive and SDM.
Shows how out of the loop I've been, pre-K-5
What's the difference between DC and SDM?
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Pentax K-3, DA18-135, DA35 F2.4, DA17-70, DA55-300, FA28-200, A50 F1.7, A100 F4 Macro, A400 F5.6, Sigma 10-20 EXDC, 50-500 F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS Samsung flash SEF-54PZF(x2)
.
Posted 05/10/2011 - 14:41
Link
ChrisA wrote:
Ah Ok. Well I'm not going to stress about mine - I'll see how I get on with it. It's in fabulous condition anyway, I think I got a very fair deal on it (Cheers Tim!).
You're welcome- I got a great deal on the bundle and it seemed wrong not to share the wealth Ah Ok. Well I'm not going to stress about mine - I'll see how I get on with it. It's in fabulous condition anyway, I think I got a very fair deal on it (Cheers Tim!).
I have to say, I really really liked the 17-70. It does have a little difficulty focusing once you're past 50mm, but hey, with all the alternatives in it's class, you can't get past 50mm full stop... No one complains about the DA 16-45 or Tamron 17-50 missing focus at 60mm
It was very much the lens that stayed on my camera while I had it, and I still haven't quite decided what to put there in it's place!
Posted 05/10/2011 - 15:09
Link
timothyw wrote:
I have to say, I really really liked the 17-70. It does have a little difficulty focusing once you're past 50mm, but hey, with all the alternatives in it's class, you can't get past 50mm full stop... No one complains about the DA 16-45 or Tamron 17-50 missing focus at 60mm
If a £400+ (new) lens is sold as a 17-70mm then is it too much to expect it to focus correctly in that range?I have to say, I really really liked the 17-70. It does have a little difficulty focusing once you're past 50mm, but hey, with all the alternatives in it's class, you can't get past 50mm full stop... No one complains about the DA 16-45 or Tamron 17-50 missing focus at 60mm
It'a all very well making up excuses but sometimes it's just nice to have something that works as advertised.
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
13627 posts
18 years
Hythe,
Hampshire UK
Drove me bonkers and I just don't see why I had to get round it by lightly touching the barrel to get the thing to focus correctly.