What to buy... decisions, decisions...

Ok, I know the questions I'm about to ask have been covered in lots of threads before, and I've read them all. But time's gone by since they were all done to death, and I'd be very grateful for a 'fresh pair of eyes' take on it all.

This time next week I'm off to the Lakes for a week, and weather-permitting I'll be spending quite a bit of it up in the fells. And in my normal style, I've put off making any decision for far too long.

The question is: Versatile or wide?

Put another way:

18-250 (Pentax or Tamron), or Sigma 10-20 (sadly the 12-24 is just too expensive)? Not interested in fisheye, so the 10-17 is out.

I'll be buying from SRS, and I'll be asking Chris if he can have a good look at whatever he sends me, since there won't be time for return/replacement in the event of a dud.

So, good people, your thoughts please - since I need to make a decision.

Anything, the more unconventional your thoughts the better, since I've been agonising about the conventional issues for ages.

My thanks in advance.

[I currently have nothing wider than 18, but various things up to 400, so long isn't an issue.]

Oh, and can someone recommend a decent walking pole that doubles as a monopod?

Thanks again.

I'd pack light and go versatile. So the 18-250.
It's on my list to get in the US in a couple of weeks. The bill payer thinks he's getting it on the Ds when (if) I get my K20D, but if I really like it (and I think I will) then he maybe out of luck - but don't tell him that!

Sounds to me like you've answered your own question...

Unconventional : Think of the possibilities a whole new range (right down to 10mm( will present you with...

Jamie

The desire for an 18-250 is very understandable, but you have to think about whether it's worth using such a relatively slow lens to save some inconvenience. It's not lightweight or cheap either. All these factors have put me off, despite having been impressed by example images, and at times finding it a real pain to change lenses.

Look again at the recent thread about the Sigma 10-20 to be reminded of what dramatic results you can get with it.

I went for the Sigma 18-200 becuase the Tamron 18-250 (and I believe that the Pentax is based on that one) was too noisy and slow on focus and also a be stiff on manual focus!

I tried the Sigma 10-20 once and it is a great lens. Thing is you already have 18mm so going wider will give you a lot to play with.

On the monopod side take a look at the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF7 and this Manfrotto is a bit different.

I was in the Lakes a few weeks ago when I missed a ferry. Had to kill time for a day, and what better palce to do it.

I hadn't been there for 40 years, and had forgotten how close and steep a lot of the mountains are. I was using my 16-50, but could have done with something wider.

So my choice would be the 10-20mm.

G

But hills and mountains look better zoomed in on - very wide and they just look flat.
Are you taking other lenses or really only taking one? if you're taking others as well then yes get the Sigma, if you are only planning on taking a single lens get the Pentax.

Well, I'll have other stuff with me.

The 18-250 would mean that I wouldn't need to cart much up the fells though, and no annoying the other half while I faff about changing lenses. She was very indulgent when we were in Australia, but I did feel under pressure on the umpteenth stop...

It's not so much "one lens only, which one?", it's "should I opt for versatility and convenience at the expense of perhaps losing out at the wide end - or not".

I know it's not an easy question to answer - if it was, I would have by now


I would appreciate advice on the monopod/walking pole though, as well, and that might be an easier answer to find, since the requirements are pretty clear - light, strong, collapsible, with a (preferably coverable) tripod thingy at the top. One to suit an average height bloke would be fine, and I'd be prepared to pay for quality - it needs to last forever, like my tripod has.

Standard zoom plus 50-200mm for me. Much faster than the 18-250mm and much more compact.

"Tailwise Photo Shoot 7075" is my walking pole/monopod. Well made and I think it cost me £29.95.

Have a great time, whatever lenses you decide on!

How about using a compact camera for some of the shots that you would otherwise have to change a lens for? It would be a compromise overall, but so would any other solution.

Thanks John, would that be one of these:

http://www.trailwise.co.uk/trailwise-poles.html

??

Did a search on walking poles and came up with this Leki Sierra FotoSystem.

How about this?
http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=7285&1=Exped+Viewfinder+Trekking+Pole

T85P looks like the one I have.