Looking for new Pentax Lens - 10-17 mm vs. 16-50 mm - Advice?
Discussion
5 replies
Posted by Sarah Marino on November 22, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Hi everyone –
I have had my Pentax K10D (my first non-point and shoot) for about eight months. I bought a Tamron 18-250 (F/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens) to accompany the camera body. I am ready to add to my lens collection and am interested in your advice. I prefer to shoot wide angle landscape scenes, so I am considering two wide-angle options. I am considering these two lenses:
Pentax Fisheye 10-17mm (fun to play with, with the capability to capture an undistorted wide angle view)
Pentax 16-50 mm (higher optical quality than my current lens, but mixed reviews on gear forums).
I might buy both, one, or something else. Any advice or personal experience? Thank you for your feedback!
Posted by Buck Ward on November 23, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I have no specific knowledge of the lenses you are considering. A fisheye lens is a specialty lens. It isn't used in the same way as a normal wide-angle lens is. I think you will find a normal wide-angle lens in the range of the 16-50 to be more useful for traditional landscape shooting. I love my Canon 17-40.
Your 1.5 crop factor may make you wish for something wider. You might also want to consider the Sigma 12-24mm. It's ultra wide and not a fisheye. I'm not endorsing it, just suggesting.
Posted by John Mumaw on November 23, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Nor am I familiar with these lenses, but I think you'll want as great a wide angle lens on the wide endas possible with your camera, which means one that starts in the 10mm range, whether it be the Pentax or a third party lens. This also ensures minimal overlap with your existing Tamron lens.
Posted by Tom Lusk on November 24, 2008 at 8:44 AM
From what I have read, you had better avoid the 16-50. It appears this lens has had the worst quality control or design problems (likely both) of any lens in recent history. It has a reputation that in order to get an acceptable one, you have to order at least 3.
Despite hopes that the issues have been resolved, recent purchasers continue to be disappointed.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on November 25, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Sarah....The Pentax 18-55mm, which came with my K10D, works very well for landscape scenes. I prefer my primary lens, though, the Sigma 28-135mm, and use it at least 90% of the time for a variety of subjects.
Posted by Bass Sears on November 25, 2008 at 3:37 PM
John,
Cool chart, a picture really is worth a thousand words! ;-)
Anyone have any experience with the Sigma 10-20? It would seem a great addition to the 18-55 for very wide angle without overlapping the two lenses... gets good reviews on Adorama and seems to be the widest lens for a K10 that's not the Pentax fisheye or the Tamron 10-24, which I can't find much info on.
Discussion
5 repliesI have had my Pentax K10D (my first non-point and shoot) for about eight months. I bought a Tamron 18-250 (F/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens) to accompany the camera body. I am ready to add to my lens collection and am interested in your advice. I prefer to shoot wide angle landscape scenes, so I am considering two wide-angle options. I am considering these two lenses:
Pentax Fisheye 10-17mm (fun to play with, with the capability to capture an undistorted wide angle view)
Pentax 16-50 mm (higher optical quality than my current lens, but mixed reviews on gear forums).
I might buy both, one, or something else. Any advice or personal experience? Thank you for your feedback!
Your 1.5 crop factor may make you wish for something wider. You might also want to consider the Sigma 12-24mm. It's ultra wide and not a fisheye. I'm not endorsing it, just suggesting.
See this wide angle comparison chart to visualize what I mean.
Despite hopes that the issues have been resolved, recent purchasers continue to be disappointed.
Cool chart, a picture really is worth a thousand words! ;-)
Anyone have any experience with the Sigma 10-20? It would seem a great addition to the 18-55 for very wide angle without overlapping the two lenses... gets good reviews on Adorama and seems to be the widest lens for a K10 that's not the Pentax fisheye or the Tamron 10-24, which I can't find much info on.
-- Bass