Re: "Digital" lenses

[Joseph Tainter]

"I understand that nobody may have personal experience with all of the 
following lenses, but from what you know how would you rank (sharpness & 
distortion) the following lenses?

"Sigma Digital 18-50mm F/3.5-5.6

"Pentax SMCP-DA 16-45mm F4 ED-AL"

Be guided by the price. Lenses are priced according to the image quality 
they are designed to deliver.

I know that most of us have to watch our budgets. That includes me. Why, 
though, would you pay $1300-$1700 (U.S.) for the *ist D, then put a $100 
lens on it? Your image quality will be dictated by the $100 lens.

The DA 16-45 is a very fine lens optically, according to my tests. I 
haven't tried the Sigma, and probably never will.

Joe