I know Mike, didn't mean to come across like I was blaming you for my past Lens misdemeanours I've done that all by myself!

I like the idea of a basic three Lens kit for Landscapes IE: Siggy 8-16/Pentax 16-50 and 50-135, and I've got the DA*300 for longer, I'd love Pentax to bring on the fabled 1.4X convertor and I reckon I'd be set, four Lenses but what a set...

To be honest Mike it was your comments on the subject that made me leave it alone the first time around, I want to give it a try, if I don't like it fair enough but I want to give it a good go before I jump into Limited land again, because I know what I'm like and I's just end up with em all but they are just trophies/paperweights if they are not getting used...

Pentax DA*16-50mm F2.8 SDM.
Must be mint with no history of SDM problems...
I would describe the 17-70 as mint- without box but with pouch and caps/hood. 35mm is Mint boxed,/ complete, box a little tatty...

I'd like to solicit opinions on this Lens, with all my current wheeling and dealing I've ended up with two Pentax 17-70'S & a SINGLE limited DA35 F2.8 MACRO, I want to run myself a comparison between the 17-70 and 16-50, I love the 35 macro but some of you may know I've been down that road before. I want what I want/need in as few lenses as possible, so that there are no passengers this time around. I'm certain of my DA* 50-135/300 and the Siggy 8-16, I'd like to have a lightweight back Packing combo of the 16-50 and 50-135 because of the weather sealing which is important to me, the 17-70 doesn't quite scrub up there as it's rotating focus ring isn't sealed as far as I am aware but optically both of mine are superb and pretty much in use for 70+% of my shots, if it doesn't measure up, I'll just get the 21/40/70 Ltd like I had before...
I've read most of the reviews on the Lens which seem to put it as no worse than the 17-70 in the same range and comparable F stops, it's just a bit soft at F2.8 which is ok by me as if I used it for limited depth of field photography I'd likely not be bothered by the edges anyway...

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-35mm-f-1-8-dc-hsm-a-lens-review-22257#Performance

Seems to hold pretty well across the board and it diminishes a little only by F11 where diffraction takes a real hold, at least up to 24mm and Landscape aint all about F11 Algi which I know you know. I love wide angle limited depth of field stuff too, for me this Lens seems
Sort of academic really cause I'm cleaned out a bit at the moment but I'm not willing to flog any of the kit I've just picked up either
I really only see the weight of it as the downside for me getting above 3000Ft pretty frequently...

I like the idea of that 28mm F2 but then I'd start adding Limiteds as well...Again, there there be monsters

Where's that zoom limited???

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Sigma-18-35mm-F1.8...

Looking very very good, I know you don't like DXO Algi but still it's making me want one, it's about perfect for around 70-80% of my landscapes

I think there is someone wanting one of these on the forum across the pond but prices over there probably wouldn't favour you, just to let you know though.

Those straps look good David..
I'm using an Optech on mine and compared to those in your link a bit pricey! Materials wise it must be similar to the caden, as in it twists up .. a lot!

Still mine owes me nothing it's about ten years old now and has seen more camera's than most people have had hot dinners (Dunno why the shock smiley as it'll be no shock to most:twisted

Cheers Stuey, it feels realy good to be back with Pentax, after all the gear I've had I've only really liked two Digitai SLR's those being the Sony A900 and the K5.
The Sony is a boat anchor, and to be truthful feels like a dinosaur but that viewfinder, oh that viewfinder, the K5 just feels right...

Many thanks! Not easy having to try to handhold that tiny centre autofocus spot in the K5 over the wavering flower stamen, I'll have to get used to that
That said, trying to practice good technique rather than selecting multiple (9) points and AFC as I would of done on the Nikon I had, rendered keepers quicker than the point and squirt philosophy I think, maybe thats deliberate on Pentax's part?
Lens is very sharp and half a kilo lighter than the Canikon equivilant, which helps with the balance too methinks...