Hi Ed,
Several other people have responded already. Let me just add what I think
about this lens. In the past 3-5 years, it is the most used lens for me.
It is usually the "default" one attached to the camera while in the bag
that frequently travels with me (unless I prepared for some special
situation and switch to a different lens).
I've written about it on PDML a few times before.
(E.g. here: http://pdml.net/pipermail/pdml_pdml.net/2013-July/352571.html
)
It is not the best quality lens in my bag, but it is very good, and
universal enough to cover many of my needs and situations.
Some 8 years ago, I used to use 18-250 as a universal "travel" lens,
and it was reasonable, but 17-70 outperforms, so it replaced 18-250.
As Mark said, 17-70/4 has fast, quiet and accurate focusing.
Compared to a few other lenses (16-50, 16-45, 18-55), - this one gives me
the reach to 70. It is actually performing better below 50 mm, and is not
the sharpest one at the longer end. So, if I need 50-70 at the best
quality, I switch to 50-135/2.8. But it is still reasonably good.
Compared to 16 mm on the wide end, I don't think there is a huge
difference. On APS-C 17-70 gives you the angle of view of 79-23 degrees,
while, e.g. 16-45 is 83-35. So, what you loos on the wide lens is not that
much.
17-70 has relatively small, 11"/28cm, minimum focus distance, which is
very convenient in some tight spaces.
(Note, there is also Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 out there, but I don't know much
about it.)
There is a recent 16-85 lens.
You can read this review about it (and catch some comparison to other
lenses in the range):
http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-da-16-85mm-f35-56/general-image-qu
ality.html
As I said, when I go for a longer end, I switch to 50-135/2.8 which is
optically much better performer, all the way throughout the focal range.
That one is also on your list, - and I highly recommend it.
Around Black Friday/Cyber Monday, it sells at B&H and Adorama for
some amount between $800 and $900, at least in the past couple years or
so. (And that is typically the best time to buy all lenses).
I am also using 60-250, and, while it is a bit slower than 50-135, it
gives the longer reach. It's quality is very close to that of 50-135, or
maybe even on par with it. IIRC, 60-250 comes down in price to just below
$1000 ($900s).
In low light, or when I want some special quality, I switch to primes
(FA's 35/1.8, 50/1.4 [rather seldom these days], 77/1.8).
35/1.8 and especially 77/1.8 are in the league above the rest of the lens,
even 50/1.4. (Actually, I think 50-135/2.8 is almost comparable to
FA 50/1.4 image-quality-wise (except for the speed)), if not even better.
35/1.8 is probably my 2nd or 3rd (after 50-135?) most used lens.
FA 35/2 is much cheaper and I'd put it at the same level as FA 50/1.4, but
again, 35/1.8 in a different league.
I had the SDM motor replaced under warranty on my 17-70 in the very first
year, (some 5-6? years ago) and have not had any problem since.
I tried 16-50 in the 2nd year of its existence, and I was underwhelmed by
its performance, at least in the low light, while wide open.
I thought 17-70 was doing somewhat better wide-open.
But in the early years, I believe, some IQ variations were reported (in
addition to the SDM problems). Presumably, the optical issues have been
fixed later, but I don't know.
I tried 12-24 for a very short time, and it was good, but I wasn't overly
impressed with it, and didn't have much need at the time, so I didn't keep
it.
I hope this helps.
Igor
Ed Keeney Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:29:00 -0800 wrote:
Hello all!
I have the following in my bag at the moment...
Pentax K-50
SMC-DAL 18-55 3.5/5.6
SMC-DA 50-200 4-5.6
SMC-FA 50 1.4
I find that the image quality of the 50 is outstanding when comparing
to the other 2 lenses (primarily the 18-55). Not that the kit lens is
bad, but the 50 is very sharp. I attribute this to the fixed aperture
and overall better quality glass.
I'm thinking of saving for a new higher quality lens (aren't we all?).
At this point, I'm not sure which direction to take. Do I look at the
current lineup (below) or try to find a second hand older lens.
The current fixed aperture zoom lens lineup from the Ricoh site (US
prices)...
PENTAX DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] $ 699.95
PENTAX smc DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM $1049.95
PENTAX smc DA 17-70mm f/4 AL [IF] SDM $ 499.95
PENTAX HD D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR $1299.95
PENTAX smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM $1049.95
PENTAX smc DA* 60-250mm F4 [IF] SDM $1299.95
To start, I am looking at the DA 17-70 to roughly cover the same range
as the 18-55 and luckily it's the lowest priced one. B&H has it
listed for $350, Amazon $300.
Online reviews are hit and miss on this (SDM focusing issues).
I'd like to get PDML thoughts, so fire away!
Thanks!
Ed
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edkeeney/
--
PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
[email protected]
http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow
the directions.
