Used Pentax 16-45 or new Tamron 17-50 ?

Prior to upgrading body from K10D I'm considering some "slightly" better quality glass. I'm fairly much sold on the 55-300 to replace my Tamron 70-300. But its the question of what to have in place of the 18-55 kit lens. I remember the 16-45 being well thought of and I know that it can be got 2nd hand. The other option I'm considering is buying the Tamron 17-50 new. Budget rules out the Pentax 16-50 I'm afraid.

All thoughts welcome

Apologies if this has been covered previously

I have no experience of the 16-45, but the Sigma 17-50 is well worth considering as well, and only about £20 more than the Tamron.

The 55-300 is certainly a good upgrade against the 70-300.

As an alternative I would consider the Sigma 17-70.
I have owned the Pentax 16-45 and the Tamron 17-50 but as good as they are the Sigma 17-70 is a far better lens.
The extra reach is a bonus and you may well pick one up for the same price as a used 16-45.
Hope this helps.

The new Sigma 17-70 f2.8-f4 so far (I've just got one) is proving very good. I don't know what your budget is but have a look.
CHEERS Vic.

I recommend the 16-45, excellent lens, sharp and nice and wide at 16mm and for what they are going for at the moment they are absolute bargains!

As Vic suggests, money has to be taken into consideration. I had a 16-45 and it was sharp but suffered from CA. However, you can deal with that and it's likely to be the cheapest option. I use a Tamron 17-50 and, for the money, it works very well. The Sigma, being a newer lens, is more expensive but people who own one like them. The extra reach would be very useful too.

Hello Martin,

You have a pm.

Regards

Dave

+1 for the 16-45mm. Sharp little lens.

here is a link to a quick handheld test shot (full res available)

flickr link