Pentax DA*16-50mm F2.8, Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 or Tarmon 17-50mm F2.8?

[aklryan]

Hi,

Currently I am using K10D with Kit len. Thinking to upgrade the len to either one mention above.
Question - Is it worth to upgrade to either of the above len since you already have Kit len of the similar range?

If yes, which is better in term of quality and worth buying? I have the eye on the Sigma Len.

ryan

[kyo86sg]

Now sure about Pentax but i am using the Tarmon 17-50mm F2.8, and i can say Sharp Sharp all the way.......

[NoMoney]

Originally Posted by aklryan Hi, Currently I am using K10D with Kit len. Thinking to upgrade the len to either one mention above. Question - Is it worth to upgrade to either of the above len since you already have Kit len of the similar range? If yes, which is better in term of quality and worth buying? I have the eye on the Sigma Len. ryan

I would say perhaps get a lens that increase your range? I believe the kit lens itself is already good enough for general purpose and I am happy with the result.

If I have $, I would get some prime lenses, since right now Feng Wei is selling 3 of his collection

[VSonic06]

Sigma 18-50 f2.8 is around $700-800 and its not as good as the Tamron in sharpness. So its more a choice between the cheaper Tamron (~$650) and the DA*. For twice the price you get the DA* which is basically a Tokina with Pentax's SMC coating + 'weather seal' + silent wave AF motor.

[stougard]

I use the 16-45 f4 from Pentax sometimes and it's quite a good lens. I prefer fixed lenses than zooms, however, if I had to buy one now, I'd go to the Tamron one. I heard it's a very good lens and I've never been disappointed by Tamron in the past.

[flowerpot]

Tamron is a better choice in terms of price/performance... but do hope the built quality can be better...too much plastic, and i dun really like lens which will extends while zooming, after a while the barrel will wobble... but for its price can't really complain...

[VSonic06]

New lenses from all brands are using more plastics these days, the DA* has lots of plastic components to reduce weight (but the first zoom cam ring and some parts inside are still metal).

These wide angle short zoom would be unpractically big or maybe 2x zoom only if they made them internal zoom lenses. The DA* 16-50 (and Sigma 17-70 I had) don't wobble much when fully extended, not sure about the Tamron.

[aklryan]

So far anyone use the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 Macro before and what your view on this len?

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by aklryan So far anyone use the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 Macro before and what your view on this len?

Its a great replacemen for your kit lens if you want a fast f/2.8 lens.
Its my primary "kit" lens now. Overall the lens is much heavier and longer than your kit lens but images are good with good colour reproduction. At times I do wish it had 70 mm instead of 5mm shorter at 50mm but hey, one can't have everything.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by airconvent Its a great replacemen for your kit lens if you want a fast f/2.8 lens. Its my primary "kit" lens now. Overall the lens is much heavier and longer than your kit lens but images are good with good colour reproduction. At times I do wish it had 70 mm instead of 5mm shorter at 50mm but hey, one can't have everything.

The Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 is pretty good, but abit slow at the tele end. Pentax is coming out w/ a DA1770/4 lens soon, hopefully it'd be a good replacement for the kit lens

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by fengwei The Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 is pretty good, but abit slow at the tele end. Pentax is coming out w/ a DA1770/4 lens soon, hopefully it'd be a good replacement for the kit lens

Nice range, and certainly worth a look if the lens is as good as the 16-45mm which I think is a pretty sharp lens..

I did a short test on my DA*16-50mm, very much llike what Feng Wei u did with the 18-250mm, and I thought it showed much more details then compared with 18-55mm and possibly on par with DA 21mm (at 21mm). Very surprised at the last comparison for a zoom.

Not sure why is it that there's so much complaints in the US over this lens..but based on those pictures that I see from the Singapore folks and my own experience, it's really good.

Those considering the 16-50mm range shd seriously consider this performer (if a good copy), with all added features like weather seal which happen to be really useful for touring... and the build quality is simply very very good.

I was thinking of pairing it with my K10D and see if the performance gets even better...

[aklryan]

Any idea the Tarmon 17-50mm will be in local store? It seem the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Macro is not so popular/having a good review here.

I ask orient about this len is $650 with GST, come with 1 year international warranty.

[yarland]

Sigma is too expensive in Singapore. I got mine for about $620 in China.
This lens is very sharp only a bit short. Here are some pictures I took with it.

[roentarre]

Da* 16-50 is a great lens. Rich colour and contrast. I would certainly go for this star zoom.


Da* 16-50 sample shots