WTB: Sigma 20-40mm f2.8

I'm looking to buy a Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX. I need a lens to bridge the gap between a 10-20 and my (soon to be fixed) 50-135. I know it's a rather rarely sold lens but I'm confident I can purchase one... eventually! If you have one you'd be willing to part with, I live in New York, USA but would be willing to at least split shipping.

I've only ever seen 1 up for sale, I bought and sold it.
Not many of them about.

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I know what i like, If not always why.

MikeyBugs95, do You have a body with aps-c sensor?

Why not the Pentax Ltd 20-40?

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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)

I think I've seen 2. But I didn't think much about them at the time.


Yes, A K-3II. It would still be useful bridging the gap from 20mm on my Sigma 10-20 to 50mm on my 50-135.


I prefer the constant max aperture of f2.8 and, when I've seen them for sale, they weren't as expensive as the 20-40 Ltd. Another small factor is that I already have 77mm and 82mm filters but no 55mm filters.

I've been thinking I might go with the Sigma 17-50 2.8 if it's comparable to or better than the Sigma 20-40. I've tried the DA* 16-50 but I found I don't really like it much.

Now people know they're scarce they'll be wanting more money for them!

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John K

MikeyBugs95, I can tell you that sigma 17-50 f/2.8 should fulfill your gap. My copy is great. Sharp even wide open. Good colours rendering. Only sometimes catch blikes from sun... And there is a lot of sigmas 17-50 i can send you some photos from my copy. But you can also find some into Internet. Go for it!

I can second the suggestion of the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, it's a superb lens - sharp, fantastic colours (especially blues), contrasty and nice quick & quiet AF.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3 & K200D, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

Yes, yes, yes. I can tell that I was impressed by Af of sigma 17-50. So quick and quiet. Almost 100% shoots was in point. Highly recommended lens.

I might go with a 16-50 too if I find one inexpensive enough.

The US forum did an analysis of the three fast standard zooms for Pentax APS-C - the DA* plus the Tamron and Sigma 17-50/2.8s and the Sigma won overall. The Tamron is just as good optically but with poorer build quality and screwdrive AF, while the DA* is not as good optically and has the dreaded SDM failure.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3 & K200D, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

I have an old tam 17-50 2.8 with a loose hood and with a few coating marks its not worth a lot but it still turns out sharp photos

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k5iis sigma 10-20 3,5 hsm pentax da 16-45 f4 tamron 17-50 2.8 pentax 17-70 f4 sigma 18-125 hsm sigma af 24 2.8 pentax f 35-70 pentax da 55-300 samsung dfa 100 2.8 sigma 70-200 apo ex 2.8
kenko pz af 1.5 tele tamron pz af 2.0 tele and a flash

Yeah I know about the problems of the DA*. I have a well used one with a dead SDM and terrible optics. I'd be willing to give it a second try but I've, again, kinda decided to go with the 16-85 for the obvious reasons of the better optical quality and better AF motor.

I recently picked up a used Tamron 17-50. I wouldn't say the build quality is at all bad, given the price. For what I paid for it, I could wear out half a dozen for the cost of a used DA 16-50
Screw drive AF doesn't bother me - it seems damned fast on my K3, and I know the SDM won't fail...

Most importantly though, the images that it produces are top notch - if it got pinched, I'd get another in a heartbeat.

And it zooms/focuses the right way

Don't think you'll be disappointed with one of those.

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John K