So I've been getting along using a combination of a Manual focus
Varafocal, (Vivitar 35-85mm f2.8), and a FA 20-35mm which satisfies most
of my needs, but they can be damnably inconvenient, the varafocal makes
me think that sometimes I need extra fingers and more inertial
processing for my brain to keep track of stop down metering, re-framing
and refocusing, which leads to a lot more missed shots than I'm happy
with. Swapping to the 20-35 and back, is sometimes necessary at very
inconvenient times which also leads to missed shots.
It doesn't look like a Full Frame camera is in my budget for quite some
time, and let's face it, I've come to terms with APS-C. The K-5II is
more than sufficient for most of what I do, in fact is better than most
needs. A more identical backup body is what I'm more likely to get than
an actual full frame camera, maybe a K-7 another K-5[II(s)], or K3
thought the latter would have some of the same problems as using the
K20D as backup, though the K5II hasn't failed me yet.
So I'm looking at APS-C lenses.
I've kind of narrowed it down to five lenses, at this point, based on
reviews.
Pentax FA* 16-55 f2.8 available new.
Sigma 17-50 f2.8, comes in couple versions, latest version still
available new.
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 also comes in a couple of versions latest version
still available new.
Pentax FA 17-70, seems to be discontinued, but still available new.
Sigma 17-70, three versions, latest one still available new.
All of them have pluses and minuses, the Pentax FA* is the most
expensive, the first version of the Tamron is least expensive, of course
it's only really available used. I like the idea of the 17-70 as it
would cut down on the necessity of changing lenses when things are
moving fast.
I know there are people on the list who've used later Sigma 17-70, and
the two Pentax lenses, but what about the Sigma 17-50 and Tamron 17-50
has anybody got any experience with them? Optically good? Mechanically
crap? Vice Versa?
It comes down to the fact that I don't trust most reviewers. I'll pick
up something that's gotten bad reviews play with it a while and think,
this isn't nearly as bad as I expected, hell this even seems to be
pretty good, and things that have gotten good reviews and think, what
the f*#k was that guy talking about this is pretty horrible. You guys
have real world experience, what is it.
--
I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve
immortality through not dying.
-- Woody Allen
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