Lens help.....Smc Pentax da f4ed al 15mm ltd or tamron 10-20mm for landscape lens with a kr?

[Kerrie]

Hi Pentax users.

I only want to buy 3 lens at this stage and only once. One for macro, one for landscape, and a decent zoom.

Looking at the da ltd or tamron for landscape/ cityscape. I know price varies, but does anyone have experience or seen them using either on a kr or kx and what's your thoughts? My macro choice is either Pentax 100 mm or tamron 90 mm.

The zoom have researched yet. Thatd be for wildlife and distant shots I guess .

So. Ltd or tamron? I need to make my decision within a day or so.

Many thanks

[KevPride]

I've not tried the DA15 f4 & the write ups on Pentax forum are pretty good, would appear a good landscape lens, however it does not have the flexibility of a zoom. Tamron does not make a 10-20 - but a 10-24 this does not get the wraps that the Sigma 10-20 gets, which is well known as one of the best Sigma lenses - it is brilliant. I'm biased but the Tamron 90 is also a very well respected lens and much cheaper than the Pentax 100.

[Kym]

I use the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 with excellent results.

[Kym]

BTW your 18-55 is quite ok at f/8 and above.

As for a zoom, maybe the Sigma 70-300 APO (make sure it's the APO version) if you are NOT going birding.
If you planning to shoot birds, then you will need at least 400mm,
so I'd suggest http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500mm-f5-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma .
I have the older 50-500 without OS. The 150-500 now has OS for Pentax and that helps with birds.

I also have a 'lazy' lens the Sigma 18-250 OS. It's ok.

Maybe a couple of primes?
Get a cheap SMC 50/1.7 off ebay for around $100 (or less), just make sure its clean and has no fungus.
Also the 'plastic fantastic' Pentax 35/2.4 DAL, or really lash out for one of the limited primes.

[Kerrie]

Sorry guys, I meant tamron 10-24 mm

Great advice. Thanks

[Kerrie]

So consensus is let the da ltd 15 mm go and grab a sigma 10-20 as it has more flexibility.

I can get the 35/2.4 .....and the 50/ 1.7. What are they used for mainly? Ltds are out of my budget unless eBay helps lol

[Cage]

I have the DA 15 Ltd. Simply put, it's brilliant! :th3:

But don't just take my word for it. It is gathering a cult following on Pentax forums.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-15mm-F4-Limited-Lens.html

I have the Sigma 105 Macro but the Tamron is also highly regarded and the DFA Pentax is coming down in price.

For your zoom, don't overlook the Pentax DA 55-300. It was my pick till I got my DA* 300mm.

[Kerrie]

If I could get both I would lol. The forums do often state that for more serious landscaping the sigma zoom flexibility is worth it.....and given I want both, but only afford one, it might have to be the siggy Because of at. I have seen pics of the da ltd and they are amazing to say the least...but I have to choose just one for now.

Thanks for helping :)

[cupic]

I had the sigma 10-20 (Not the f/3.5 version) and sigma 100-300 f/4(Really miss the telezoom sigma:( ) and both where excellent on my K20D,to round up the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 is also excellent macro feature and cheaper
so you wont be disappointed with either of the 3 mention

cheers

[knumbnutz]

I had a 12-24 pentax and you should consider this as well as it is a damn fine lens for landscaping, high resolution and little distortions.
I had a sigma 105 macro, excellent lens too.
kit macro - 55-300 is highly regarded, higher grade is the 60-250 pentax* lens.

I would suggest looking as some dedicated lens testing sites for some additional lens data and testing.

Also on my flickr there are plenty of images from these two lenses (i didnt get a 55-300 or 60-250 lens, i had a bigma 50-500)

[knumbnutz]

12-24
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2526/3979690900_05efe87501_z.jpg

105
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3214/3126302922_3c7fd83d1d_z.jpg

[kyteflyer]

Hi Kerrie, I'm probably too late to the thread to be of any use, I see you were wanting to decide in a couple of days and thats long gone. I don't have the 10-20/24, or the 12/24 (which would be my choice because of its f/4 throughout the range) but I do have the DA15. Sometimes it seems a bit soft, but that could be me, or the fact that I havent "tuned"it with my K-5. On my old K-r though, I found it brilliant.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5215/5414503560_a6f53a1ef3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyte50/5414503560/)
Canoe Pool Dawn 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyte50/5414503560/) by kyte50 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kyte50/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4075/5413900399_70ac9fc677_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyte50/5413900399/)
Canoe Pool Dawn 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyte50/5413900399/) by kyte50 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kyte50/), on Flickr

[Kerrie]

I let the da 15 mm ltd go on eBay......but if you find yours too soft now I'd be happy to take it off your hands :D Just sayin.......

[Kerrie]

Oh dear. Found the 15mm da ltd at a very very good price from b&h........and I bought it :eek:

The heart wants what the heart what wants. Will post a wahoo when it arrives no doubt.


Got my eye on a 50mm 1.7. And the good sigma zoom will be next month. Got my hands on a cheaply zoom for now. But soooo anticipating that little ltd.


Thanks for every ones input & help