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Replacement standard zoom

mattie
Posted 09/03/2017 - 17:00 Link
Hi all

After managing to drop my 16-45 and bork the AF mechanism I'm after a replacement walk around standard zoom lens. I'm taking more and more photos in bad weather so I'm looking at the weather-sealed lenses, which I've not had any experience of.

I'd be keen to hear opinions on whether the standard WR lenses (18-55 in particular, given its bargain-bin pricing) are a decent shout, or whether I'd be better going a bit further up the price range - I had an 18-55 on my old K5 and thought the 16-45 was a fair bit sharper, although it seems from discussions that I might have had a poor example of the 18-55. I'd also be interested to hear whether the superzooms such as the 18-135 offer equivalent sharpness and AF response to the shorter zoom range lenses.

I'd also be interested in low-light/wide aperture performance as I do take a few low-light photos, my 16-45 seemed to cope well but was not a particularly fast lens to begin with. I'd be interested in any lenses that offer faster useable aperture but don't break the bank (which I appreciate is some ask!)

Despite all the lenses I seem to have accumulated I'm left with quite a gap at present - I've got a Sigma EX 28-70 f/2.8 from my film days which isn't wide enough for an APS-C sensor, and my Sigma 8-16 is a remarkable lens but impractical for many uses and won't accept filters. It's also a big gap from 16 to 28mm, and carrying the two is back-breaking given the size of the 28-70!

All comments and ideas for candidate lenses appreciated.
Edited by mattie: 09/03/2017 - 17:01
JAK
Posted 09/03/2017 - 17:15 - Helpful Comment Link
The 16-85 would be a great replacement covering your preferred range plus a bit more at the long end.
John K
HarisF1
Posted 09/03/2017 - 17:29 - Helpful Comment Link
If you're looking at something a little bit faster then the Sigma 17-70mm 'C' lens is quite impressive with its f/2.8 - 4.0 max aperture range.

You'll be missing out on the longer end in this case of course.

There's also a reason why the 18-135 is one of the most popular Pentax lenses around - it's good enough for most photography!
All the gear with no idea
takuman
Posted 09/03/2017 - 18:54 - Helpful Comment Link
I have just taken a punt on a Sigma 18-125 HSM and despite some negative reviews have found it far better than expected, and the price was very reasonable, I use it on K3ii.
Just passing thru
mattie
Posted 11/03/2017 - 10:08 Link
Many thanks all - I'll take a look at the usual places and see what's in stock.

Shame I broke the 16-45, it's a decent lens and I was tempted to get another one, but thought I'd experiment!
mattie
Posted 11/03/2017 - 14:25 Link
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Abe_Normal wrote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!
Edited by mattie: 11/03/2017 - 14:28
bychan
Posted 11/03/2017 - 15:57 - Helpful Comment Link
mattie wrote:
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Abe_Normal wrote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!

Quote:

I owned a Sigma 18-50 for years, the model with the constant f2.8 through the zoom range; fantastic lens, highly recommend, especially if this is available for £120 (I paid £150 for mine used).

Mine was only traded to purchase the 16-85.

Good luck
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/
mattie
Posted 11/03/2017 - 18:36 Link
bychan wrote:
mattie wrote:
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Quote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!

Quote:

I owned a Sigma 18-50 for years, the model with the constant f2.8 through the zoom range; fantastic lens, highly recommend, especially if this is available for £120 (I paid £150 for mine used).

Mine was only traded to purchase the 16-85.

Good luck

Ta mate - just ordered the lens with a 72mm polariser from Ffordes. Look forward to trying it out!
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 12/03/2017 - 07:36 Link
mattie wrote:
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Abe_Normal wrote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!

I tried the Sigma 18-50/2.8 many years ago and returned it as it was very soft wide open. I bought the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and, though perhaps a little less well built, the optics are far superior. It's the lens I always recommend as the one to replace the kit lens. I'd certainly avoid that Sigma.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
mattie
Posted 12/03/2017 - 09:56 Link
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
mattie wrote:
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Quote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!

I tried the Sigma 18-50/2.8 many years ago and returned it as it was very soft wide open. I bought the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and, though perhaps a little less well built, the optics are far superior. It's the lens I always recommend as the one to replace the kit lens. I'd certainly avoid that Sigma.

Ah. I've placed order for the sigma - I'll give it a try, if it's indeed soft I can always swap it out.
bychan
Posted 12/03/2017 - 15:42 Link
mattie wrote:
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
Quote:
I've had a look around the bazaars, keeping an eye out for the Pentax WR lenses but also some of the sigma line.

Abe_Normal wrote:
Sub-£200
Another 17-50 f/2.8, this time from Sigma - large (with a 77mm filter thread), sharpness is even across the frame but not exceptional (better than kit), HSM, not WR

I've found an older 18-50 f/2.8 EX going for a decent price (around £120), any impressions on this lens? It's the older screw-AF lens, so I'm not anticipating blazing AF speeds, and is designed for APS-C only. I like the faster aperture, and I've had good experiences with Sigma EX lenses in the past although have endured some issues with backfocus and poor AF response.

There's also a 16-85 up for grabs on this forum, but it's a little more than I was looking to spend (£280 at time of writing) - worth extra outlay? I gather the Pentax lens is a bit of a weighty beast as well, whereas the sigma looks an easier carry!

I tried the Sigma 18-50/2.8 many years ago and returned it as it was very soft wide open. I bought the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and, though perhaps a little less well built, the optics are far superior. It's the lens I always recommend as the one to replace the kit lens. I'd certainly avoid that Sigma.

Ah. I've placed order for the sigma - I'll give it a try, if it's indeed soft I can always swap it out.



I never used the Sigma wide open, but never had any issues with it. Here's my last ever set taken with it.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/parc-glynllifon--autumn-2015-55652
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/

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