Choices available for a walkaround lens

[Vulpix0r]

I hope to make this thread useful for those who are also confused and have no idea which of the more available and popular lens to get.

1) Pentax 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
2) Pentax 16-45mm F4
3) Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5

Personally, I am confused and have no idea what to choose. :dunno: The Sigma lens seems like a no brainer to get, but why are people choosing the 16-45mm lens?

The 18-55mm is supposedly not a very sharp kit lens, but from sample photos that have been posted here and in other forums, it looks plenty sharp to me. Is there any bad photos with lens?

 

[snapnut]

I hope to make this thread useful for those who are also confused and have no idea which of the more available and popular lens to get.

1) Pentax 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
2) Pentax 16-45mm F4
3) Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5

Personally, I am confused and have no idea what to choose. :dunno: The Sigma lens seems like a no brainer to get, but why are people choosing the 16-45mm lens?

The 18-55mm is supposedly not a very sharp kit lens, but from sample photos that have been posted here and in other forums, it looks plenty sharp to me. Is there any bad photos with lens?

Can I add...
4) Sigma 18-50mm F2.8

I would like to add the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 but their website shows it does not come with pentax mount... izit true ? This is cheaper and general feedback seems to put it better than its sigma equivalent.

 

[dnaxe]

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=250379&highlight=pentax

this lens is the most affordable of the lot

 

[phantasmal]

Can I add...
4) Sigma 18-50mm F2.8

I would like to add the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 but their website shows it does not come with pentax mount... izit true ? This is cheaper and general feedback seems to put it better than its sigma equivalent.

Yup the Tamron is not avail in Pentax mount thus far, i hope to see it in Pentax mount too.
The upcoming Pentax 16-50/2.8 and 17-70 should be good.

 

[snapnut]

....

Personally, I am confused and have no idea what to choose. :dunno: The Sigma lens seems like a no brainer to get, but why are people choosing the 16-45mm lens?

The 18-55mm is supposedly not a very sharp kit lens, but from sample photos that have been posted here and in other forums, it looks plenty sharp to me. Is there any bad photos with lens?

I also dun understand why is the f4 pentax lens choosen over the sigma f2.8 ? :dunno:
As for sharpness of the kit lens, I do find there a difference when compared to a prime lens like the P-M 50mm f1.4... the texture of the clothings, skin comes out more defined on the prime. :think:... but I am quite satisfied with the kit lens also lah :bsmilie:

 

[fengwei]

I hope to make this thread useful for those who are also confused and have no idea which of the more available and popular lens to get.

1) Pentax 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
2) Pentax 16-45mm F4
3) Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5

Personally, I am confused and have no idea what to choose. :dunno: The Sigma lens seems like a no brainer to get, but why are people choosing the 16-45mm lens?

The 18-55mm is supposedly not a very sharp kit lens, but from sample photos that have been posted here and in other forums, it looks plenty sharp to me. Is there any bad photos with lens?

People choose 16-45 over the Simga 17-70 because it's a Pentax lens (w/ SMC coating, ED glass, abit wider and lighter ...). But for walkaround lens, the Sigma 17-70's spec is better (faster at 17mm, better macro or closeup, longer at the tele end...) imo. If it's a Pentax lens, I'm sure alot people would choose it over the 16-45

There are some other walkaround lenses to choose from: Tamron/Sigma 18-200, Tamron 18-250, Sigma 18-125, Tamron/Sigma 24-135, Pentax 24-90, Tokina 24-200 and etc. All these lenses cover most shooting range. It all depends how wide or tele you wanna go for a walkaround.

Personally I'd suggest the Sgima 18-125 or 18-200 if you really want a one lens for all solution, or the Tamron 24-135 if weight/size isn't an issue. The Sigma 24-135 isn't as well-praised as the Tamron version, although the Sigma one is abit faster actually. If you don't use tele end that often, the Sigma 17-70 is a great choice (very good closeup capability, optically it's on par of the Pentax 16-45 as far as I have seen).

One of these lenses, plus a couple of prime lenses (DA21, DA40, DA70, DFA100macro, especially the DA40 - a great little lens for street photography), these would be enough for most people. If you want to have more fun w/ your Pentax cameras, get a couple M42 Takumar lenses. I'm sure you'd love them

Cheers!

 

[hjbyeo]

D40? Hows that compared to FA35, Feng Wei in terms of street Photography?

 

[crimson1d]

I personally love the 16-45mm F4 lens...and i use it as my walkaround lens!! you should see the pics i took.. it is that great of a lens. Good and sharp picture quality. Very nice colors. And i find the bokeh was good too. Even close ups i find it pretty amazing! The distance between the subject and your sensor is constant from 16-45mm thats what i found out i guess. Superb graet little lens! if you are considering more versatile lens..go for the sigma 17-70mm or Tamron 24-135 lots of great reviews on that lens. just like what feng wei said. I am really happy with the 16-45mm lens!

 

[fengwei]

D40? Hows that compared to FA35, Feng Wei in terms of street Photography?

The FA35/2 is a great lens, near the performance of an FA31/1.8 but only at the cost of 1/3 The problem is that it's not so easy to find now, even second hand.

The DA40/2.8 is easily available at some camera shops, and price is abit cheaper than the FA35. It's alot smaller and compact, very good for street photography because people won't be scared looking at that little lens. DA40 has faster autofocusing speed, it is as sharp if not sharper at F2.8. And best of all, the DA40 can be used on a 35mm film camera too (w/o any vignetting). And of course the DA40 is probably the coolest lens ever made by any manufacturer.

Personally I prefer the DA40 over the FA35.

 

[eyespeek]

Hi, Fengwei, what do you think about FA43 on K10D? is it better than DA40, in terms of performens?
thanks!

 

[fengwei]

Hi, Fengwei, what do you think about FA43 on K10D? is it better than DA40, in terms of performens?
thanks!

Both are exellent lenses. If I were you, I'd get the DA40 (much smaller, cheaper, faster AF ...). You won't be disappointed with either one. I got both, but I carry DA40 alot often nowadays. The FA43 is more or less a collector's item (so I can have one full set of FA LTD lenses).

Cheers!

 

[direwuff]

Both are exellent lenses. If I were you, I'd get the DA40 (much smaller, cheaper, faster AF ...). You won't be disappointed with either one. I got both, but I carry DA40 alot often nowadays. The FA43 is more or less a collector's item (so I can have one full set of FA LTD lenses).

Cheers!

How does the DA40 compare to DA21 for walkaround lens? Also is it significantly smaller on K10D?

 

[fengwei]

How does the DA40 compare to DA21 for walkaround lens? Also is it significantly smaller on K10D?

These two are too different lah. DA21 is for wide angle, good for some landscape/cityscape, and big group shots. But I think it's abit too wide for street candid shots (hard to isolate the main target from the scene). Both are quite small, but the DA40 is just like a body cap, much thinner and cooler

 

[snapnut]

DA40 and DA21 for sale....
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=249818
BBB ;p

 

[Vulpix0r]

I'm having difficulty locating the DA 77mm in Singapore... Anyone got any reliable sources?

 

[fengwei]

I'm having difficulty locating the DA 77mm in Singapore... Anyone got any reliable sources?

If you are looking at DA70/2.4, it's not in yet. If it's FA77/1.8, you'll have to order it from Alan Photo or Cathay Photo. It's not cheap, probably around 1k SGD. The DA70 should be around 7~800 SGD.

Good luck.

 

[seafone]

I'm having difficulty locating the DA 77mm in Singapore... Anyone got any reliable sources?

Are you refering to FA77/1.8 ? There is no DA77 lens as far as I know. Not sure if you can get it off the shelf. You probably need to order the lens if the shop is willing to take in your order.

I got mine from US directly... expensive, but its a good lens.


cheerss...

 

[fengwei]

Are you refering to FA77/1.8 ? There is no DA77 lens as far as I know. Not sure if you can get it off the shelf. You probably need to order the lens if the shop is willing to take in your order.

I got mine from US directly... expensive, but its a good lens.
cheerss...

Hey, didn't know you got a DA70 already. It's a good lens I'm sure, that's the only one that I haven't put my hands on yet ;p

For all other new Pentax users, go and get one (or all) of those DA limited lenses, and you'd love your Pentax even more

 

[phantasmal]

DA40 and DA21 for sale....
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=249818
BBB ;p

Dun seem real cheap for a 2nd hand to me hehe.

For all other new Pentax users, go and get one (or all) of those DA limited lenses, and you'd love your Pentax even more

Hmmm gonna save up before buying ar.
I would guess DA40 is cheapest among the DA limited lens.
I plan on buying the FA50/1.4 so i am wondering if it both lens are rather too similiar.

 

[fengwei]

Dun seem real cheap for a 2nd hand to me hehe.

Hmmm gonna save up before buying ar.
I would guess DA40 is cheapest among the DA limited lens.
I plan on buying the FA50/1.4 so i am wondering if it both lens are rather too similiar.

In that case, go w/ a DA40 lah. You won't be disappointed If like 50mm, get a cheaper manual one to play. For real use, DA40 is alot easier to carry around imo. Better buy something you'd like to use and carry. If you put an FA50 and DA40 side by side, you won't like those cheap plastic FA lenses :bsmilie:

Oh btw, the one at B&S priced quite alright I think. But I'm sure you can bargain down abit if you try On eBay this thing sold for well over US$300 sometimes ...

Cheers!