Wide angle lens choice between Sigma 10-20 mm & Tamron 12-24mm (Page 2): Thank you for valuable infos. Shang...

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

. Either one will work, however neither will be sufficient is some cases. I would plan to take several series with the intention of stitching them later. There are many interior moments when neither of these options will capture the scene before you. The Pantheon is one example. So is the Coliseum.... or the view from St Peters.....

Thank you for valuable infos. Shang

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

shangyrhee wrote:

I am going to Paris & Rome in June and in the market to get a wide angle lens for my Pentax K3. I am currently looking at Sigma 10-20mm & Tamron 12- 24mm.I would appreciate you personal experiences & recommendations. Thank you, Shang

I had the 10-20 Sigma. Amazing lens, but watch out for sample variations. Centering was a serious problem when I got mine in 2008. I went through 6 different versions, working with Sigma in Ronkonkoma to get one that did not have the centering issues. The one I ended up with was exceptionally good. I have no experience with the Tamron.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

go with the best iq. the range is to close to matter.

dave_roe Loc: Rome Italy

Look at the Pentax 10-17mm .

I picked up one about a year ago and find it perfect with my K3.

Very sharp optics, as has been described in plenty of reviews on Pentax forms. Superb - typical Pentax, class act - build quality.

It is a keeper in my book.

I live in Rome .... a 10-17mm is a lens you need in your bag.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I have been very pleased with the Tamron 10-24. I have used it on both my Pentax K-7 and K-3. However be advised it is large and heavy compared to the kit lenses. You might also consider adding the 50mm 1.8 lens. It is small, cheap, very light and sharp and the 1.8 aperture will be useful inside the churches and other buildings.

HeyYou Loc: SE Michigan

shangyrhee wrote:

I am going to Paris & Rome in June and in the market to get a wide angle lens for my Pentax K3. I am currently looking at Sigma 10-20mm & Tamron 12- 24mm.I would appreciate you personal experiences & recommendations. Thank you, Shang

You must consider the superb Pentax 10-17mm lens.
I had the same dilemma a few months ago - for a similar trip - with my Pentax K5IIs.
I bought the Pentax 10-17 after reading a superb comparison of ultra-wide angle zooms on Pentax Forum. It is sharp, and so small and light yet so well built you won't know it is in your camera bag.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

shangyrhee wrote:

I am going to Paris & Rome in June and in the market to get a wide angle lens for my Pentax K3. I am currently looking at Sigma 10-20mm & Tamron 12- 24mm.I would appreciate you personal experiences & recommendations. Thank you, Shang

I use and like the Tamron 10-24mm lens and like it a lot...Rich

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

shangyrhee wrote:

I am going to Paris & Rome in June and in the market to get a wide angle lens for my Pentax K3. I am currently looking at Sigma 10-20mm & Tamron 12- 24mm.I would appreciate you personal experiences & recommendations. Thank you, Shang

On my K3, I use the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5 = the best of all possible worlds for a dslr and wide angle.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have not used any of those two lenses you mentioned but I have heard many good things about the Sigma. I am not saying the Tamron lens lacks quality what I am saying is that I am not familiar with it.
I used for some time a Tokina 12-24 f4 and I was impressed with the quality of its images. Modern optics, regardless of manufacturer are all of very good quality.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

shangyrhee wrote:

I am going to Paris & Rome in June and in the market to get a wide angle lens for my Pentax K3. I am currently looking at Sigma 10-20mm & Tamron 12- 24mm.I would appreciate you personal experiences & recommendations. Thank you, Shang

To honor the UHH rule to not post my images on someone else's thread, I've posted a couple of SOOC images taken using the Sigma lens on my K-30. As I commented there, I've found the lens good to have when needed, but honestly I just haven't found very many cases my 18-135mm lens wouldn't cover.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-446161-1.html#7503227

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I used my Sigma 10-20 exclusively on my D7000 in the Utah canyons. Loved it.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

Thank you so much for your kind advices and infos. I will make the decision soon. Shang

clickalot Loc: Chicago area

I have been very happy with the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for a Nikon. While intended for a DX camera, without any filters on it, there is virtually no vignette at the edges when used at 16mm on a FX camera. It makes this lens very useful.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

rehess wrote:

To honor the UHH rule to not post my images on someone else's thread, I've posted a couple of SOOC images taken using the Sigma lens on my K-30. As I commented there, I've found the lens good to have when needed, but honestly I just haven't found very many cases my 18-135mm lens wouldn't cover.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-446161-1.html#7503227

Your pix are very impressive !!! Thank you for your info & advise. Shang

ChienLunatique Loc: South West France

Interesting to read all replies, My wife had the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 and loved it. But it was stolen so she replaced it with the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 and that is an amazing lens. I love it but it is not wide enough for me I want it Wide. So after months of humming and fact checking and pixel peeping between the canon 10-18, 10-22 etc etc etc. I have just ordered a new Sigma 10-20 F3.5.
I hope that you get a huge amount of satisfaction from what ever lens you finally choose, and hope you have a great trip to Europe.