Standard lens advice
Downside to your wishes is no Sigma OS and it isn't fast but again, looking at your preferred subjects, it would cut down on walkabout kit.
Food for thought or just ignore me. Just sayin'
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
I bought mine last week from SRS, as mentioned by Steve. Unfortunately the 10% code I tried didn't work
I have posted examples shot with this lens here: link and here : link
CaptureLight Ltd
flickr
"I carry a camera to capture memories and the occasional photograph worthy of sharing"
I then started to have a few extra penny's to play with and for a time gave up on these standard lenses and spent more time using primes, then a few months ago I needed a all in one lens, something I could travel light with, I.e one camera, one lens and so bought the Pentax 18-135mm and what a lovely lens it is to use, But I don't know whether I was spoilt by primes but I was never blown away by the quality of the images.
So still needing an all in one standard lens but with a bit of quality I invested in the 20-40mm ltd which is superb, but due to a fault it had to be returned and whilst it was away I bought David Storms Pentax 17-70mm f/4 lens to use on a short break away, Well I was blown away, I have now found a zoom lens that matches the image quality of my primes the only other lens I have found the same if my old Pentax F 35-70mm.
I did list this lens on the classifieds as the wife said I had to many lenses and I agreed to sell but I have now withdrawn it as I think I have now found my perfect standard zoom lens,
This was taken this weekend with my K3 with the Pentax 17-70mm of my lad.
On another note I have owned a couple of the Tamron 17-50mm f2,8 both the VC and non VC but never seemed to take to them at all, but others on here quite like them so I might have had bad ones.
Hope that helps a little?
It's also markedly cheaper than the competition which is probably reflected in the slightly plasticy feel, but if others are paying that may not be an issue...
Andrew
"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050 http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
I still have the Sigma 17-70, but there is something about the Pentax Da 17-70 that is special. It is far better than the Sigma at the long end of the zoom, and not far behind at the short end. Allied to that it has the typical Pentax colours and contrast. All in all, a great lens.
Regards
David
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
The Pentax 17-70 may be a good lens if you get a good copy. If you don't it's a pain in the proverbial.
I think I may have a right cracker then I also own a Leica R6.2 with a 28-70mm Vario Elmar lens which I always thought for a standard zoom lens could never be beaten, well it has now.
I think this is where i am now:
Sigma 17-70 - Been reading the reviews of the new Contemporary Sigma 17-70 HSM and boy are they glowing. That's in the review section of the other US Pentax forum. Not sure i've seen another lens get so much love from all that own it. Usually there's always someone that like to stick in a bad review.
Pentax 18-135 - The negative review from Photozine aside, the 18-135 seems a well liked lens with added bonus of extra reach and WR plus the DC focus motor.
Pentax DA17-70 SDM - This really appeals too. Pentax glass and coatings. Only negative is the SDM. Should be a plus but after reading reviews and Googling, i stumbled upon so many disgruntled owners cursing SDM. But i think someone once told me Pentax fix it for approx £100 and fit an improved SDM to boot. Is that right?
Sigma DC 17-70 OS HSM (MkII) - This has all the elements i was looking for. Extra reach over the kit lens, faster max aperture, slightly wider, OS, HSM. But a number of reviews on the web said this was the weakest of the 17-70 incarnations? Apparently the MkI has better, all be it slower, optics and the latest C model is easily the better. Is that right? I'm sure i read magazine reviews when it first came out that said it was the other way round.
Decided to just keep to these four, rule out the others. Then try and reduce these four to one. Thanks for all the comments so far, really helped a lot. Brand new appeals in that i'll get a warranty and some chance of returning a lemon. I think at the moment the leading two are the Sigma 17-70 'C' and Pentax 18-135WR open box. Mainly because they are obtainable brand new for the budget.
Pentax DA17-70 SDM - This really appeals too. Pentax glass and coatings. Only negative is the SDM. Should be a plus but after reading reviews and Googling, i stumbled upon so many disgruntled owners cursing SDM. But i think someone once told me Pentax fix it for approx £100 and fit an improved SDM to boot. Is that right?
How many reviews have you read stating that SDM is ok? Here's one - it's ok! Most people with problems bleat about it; most without stay quiet!
None of my SDM lenses have failed, including the dreaded 50-135.
Yes, there were problems, but the lens design of the 16-50 and 50-135 might actually be the root cause of the higher than average SDM failure rate for these two lenses.
As to SDM itself, wider reading suggests it's no more or less likely to fail than other manufacturers systems.
The 17-70 is a great lens.
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640 posts
15 years
Anyway i have narrowed down my selection based on budget and needs (i'm mainly landscapes, seascapes, buildings, flowers and static cars):
Pentax DA 17-70 F4 SDM
Sigma EX 17-50 F2.8 HSM
Sigma DC 17-70 OS HSM (B model secondhand)
Sigma DC 17-70 HSM (C model)
Sigma DC 18-50 F2.8-4 OS HSM
Tamron SP 17-50 F2.8
Have to rule out the Pentax DA* 16-50 due to cost. £300 or there abouts is the max.
One factor i have had to take into account is the SR in my K5 is completely US. So i have no in-body stabilisation. So the lure of the Sigma lenses with OS is quite compelling at this time.
The B model Sigma 17-70 OS HSM is the one that really appeals i think. Anyone have any views on these lenses?