Sigma 17-70 Ordered

I would go for the Pentax 17-70. Great range, and Matt (who ought to know) swears by it.

I have the 16-50, and it's great, but I don't kid myself that it is hugely better than the 17-70 or the 16-45.

G

Have just been through all my shots and have found that 70% of my shots are between 18-70mm. Another 9% can be added for shots from 70mm to 85mm. I too have been looking at the Sigma 17-70 and looking to sell my Pentax 18-250mm. Would like to know how you get on with the Sigma. I'd plum for the Pentax but it's just too expensive at the moment for me.

You already have an excellent lens in your Pentax 18-250mm and I wonder why you want a less versatile one to replace it?

I'm guessing it might be a fsater aperture you are looking for, or maybe a more compact lens?

To be honest John, I do find myself caught between a rock and a hard place on the issue. I ended up selling my last 18-250mm with the aim of getting a 17-70 about two months back. couldnt get a good 2nd hand 17-70 so ended up buying another 18-250 because of it's versatility.

so having assessed how I use my lens I am again thinking about the 17-70 again. My images over and above the 150mm just arent really useable. i get more pleasure from the wider angle upto about 90mm. But every time I think about it I invariably come to the conclusion that I have a good lens for 18mm up to 100mm shots anyway, and the 150mm over and above that is a bonus.

I suppose it all depends on which side of the ebd I wake up on. i remember you advising me back in April that the 18-250mm was a great versatile lens, and am glad I took your advice.

Oh, so many toys and not enugh money!!!!!!

I am in exactly the same boat as you, i just want better images quality in the range that the 17-70 has.

I would like the pentax version its just so exspensive so will settle for the 17-70, Even though i have had some graet images with the 28-200 i know i will get better with the 17-70

The trouble is these can be expensive lessons to learn, and I too have sold a lens only to miss it and then have to buy another.

It would seem a 18-150mm would be perfect, but there isn't one.

I suspect the problem with images being poor over about 150mm is simply camera shake because the aperture reduces so much and the shutter has to slow down. Try on a tripod to be sure of this.

I would be inclined to go for the now classic kit of 18-55mm (or 16-45mm) and 50-200mm. This will be compact and effective and also not particularly expensive. If you go for the 17-70mm on its own then you still need a second lens anyway to extend your range.

Sigma do a 18-125mm but it's only f/3.8-5.6

still waiting to look at 2 lenses now, i have cancelled my order for the 17-70 just so i can see the tamron lens,

I am off to london maby next week so will call a few shops up there before i travel and arrange some play time

I notice you have a K10D as I have. I also have the Tamron 17-50 and it was (was you notice) a superb lens on my K10D and I mean superb close to a match for most of my Pentax prime lenses. BUT I bought a Sigma 30mm lens and this didn't work well with the K10D and after some analysis I realised the K10D was off on the AF and I used the debug mode to get it right for the Sigma 30mm and with the same adjustment it looks like all the Pentax lenses perform better as well.

Guess which lens is no longer as good? the Tamron. I'm not bothered as at some stage I'll get a K7 or K20 and be able to adjust for each lens and anyway I don't like zooms at the moment so I may sell it anyway.

So, this might be something to consider. Not all lenses perform equally on all bodies!

Mike