Advice for large aperture standard zoom lens?

I'm looking for a standard zoom lens for my K10D body, mainly for landscape photography and portraits, and with larger aperture than the kit lens.

So far, I have the following short list:

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC EX Macro

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Pentax smc P-DA J 16-45mm F4.0 ED/AL

Searching this forum, I found comments about focus problems with Sigma lenses, and an issue with the flash unit when using the Pentax lens at its widest.

My main concern is that I can't guess how much these (and other ?) issues would impact the use of the K10D in daily life.

I wouldn't like to lose any functionality/mode of the K10D just because I missed the right lens choice.

Do you have any experience/thoughts to share ?

How about to wait and see how the upcomming DA*16-50 f2.8 will perform?

That aside hmm... DA16-45, I have had the 17-70 from sigma and it is great, but if I were to chose again, I think the DA16-45 would have been my choice, do not ask me why though, becuase I have no logical answer...
--
Thomas

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
http://duplo.zenfolio.com/
http://www.my.opera.com/duplo

daybreak said:

Searching this forum, I found comments about focus problems with
Sigma lenses, and an issue with the flash unit when using the
Pentax lens at its widest.

My main concern is that I can't guess how much these (and other ?)
issues would impact the use of the K10D in daily life.

Click to expand...

The Sigma's isn't compatible with the built-in flash, it does cast a shadow with them too when they are set to their longest ends (the 16-45 is at it's longest at it's widest setting). It does this with large lenses. If you want to use large lenses with flash, then buy an external flash unit. Or use the flash with the tiny DA 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, but without the hood. Mounted hoods create a shadow fron the built-in flash with this lens also.

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo

I cannot afford the time to wait until May for the Pentax 16-50 DA * F2.8 (and cannot afford to buy it either

I chose the Sigma for the extra zoom. POV of a 25 -105 mm in FF parlance. I have been glad for the choice. And the macro feature is great for flowers and small objects. It also will focus fairly well in low light, which the kit lens won't do. It also cuts down on lens changes unless I want more telephoto. As with any camera, even with SR, you have to use good technique and understand the limitations of the camera (any camera), and your own body to get those really sharp pics. The 16-45 has an amazing reputation, but those who have the Sigma have done some great work, and I like mine.

--
Lord help me to consistently follow my own advice.

K10D, Sigma 17-70, Pentax 50-200, 50mm/1.4 SMC Takumar, Minolta manual 50mm macro lens. Pentax 360 flash, 4 old flashes and a pile of accessories.

hmayling said:

I chose the Sigma for the extra zoom. POV of a 25 -105 mm in FF
parlance. I have been glad for the choice. And the macro feature
is great for flowers and small objects. It also will focus fairly
well in low light, which the kit lens won't do. It also cuts down
on lens changes unless I want more telephoto. As with any camera,
even with SR, you have to use good technique and understand the
limitations of the camera (any camera), and your own body to get
those really sharp pics. The 16-45 has an amazing reputation, but
those who have the Sigma have done some great work, and I like mine.

Click to expand...

I second that... the sigma is a great lens.... here is a gallery full of pictures from it:
http://duplo.zenfolio.com/p980572500/

However it has basically been sitting oin the bag without being used since I received the FA50 and especially the DA21ltd and DA14

--
Thomas

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
http://duplo.zenfolio.com/
http://www.my.opera.com/duplo
My pictures categorised by lens used:
http://duplo.zenfolio.com/f311992052/