Think I'm going to wait a few weeks for any deals at the Photography Show...

Yeah me to George, even the pigeons were good which just goes to prove you can get some great shots with pretty ordinary subjects !

Thanks for your opinions guys, some interesting points there.

Don't get me wrong, I'd dearly love to own the Pentax but I just can't afford to ignore the £500 difference right now so I'll probably go with the Sigma for the time being.

Now, when I'm earning thousands a week from photography that will be a different matter


cheers
Andy

Some fantastic images in to see here :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26065140

I'm also put off a second hand DA* lenses because of the reported SDM issues. Just looking at the SRS website for new copies of the three :

Pentax DA* 16-50 - £839
Sigma 17-50 EX DC HSM - £309.
Tamron 17-50 - £279

So to my mind, there "seems" to be little to choose between the sigma and pentax apart from WR which is not important to me. The difference in cost however is a "Pentax DFA 100m f2.8 Macro Lens" worth of pounds so

Sigma 17-50 + Pentax 100 Macro = Pentax DA* 16-50. It does indeed seem like a no brainer !

Does anyone have any experience of these two lenses?

Reading the user reviews on the other forum they tend to suggest that the IQ of the sigma is as good, if not better, than the Pentax. The sigma is £500 cheaper at SRS so it seems like a good option. I've hired the DA*16-50 for a few wedding shoots but I'd quite like to own a lens in this range for weddings and portrait style shoots.

I know the Sigma is not weather sealed but for a £500 difference I could live with that. Or am I missing something obvious ?

http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-17-50mm-f2-8-ex-dc-os-hsm-no-stabi...

Cheers
Andy

Thanks Steve

Just checking online it would seem that I can get a new replacement screen for about £30, so I'm guessing that probably wont cover JP admin fee.

Thanks for you advice David, I must admit admit that it IS a bit risky but I have a spare K5 which I can always "donate" should I mess it up.


Andy

What sort of price are you looking for Steven? My GF has a K-R with a dodgy screen so considering trying to swap it out..

Cheers
Andy

Pm sent

Nice to see you on here my love xx