[kevins]

Hi all Travelling to the USA and Canada from Australia and i am looking for some help on which lens would be best suited general travel photography eg, landscape, groups shots, i have been reading reviews on the pentax da limited lenses but not sure which suite i have a sigma 70- 300 and a smc pentax-m 50mm prime

Any Help would be great Thanks Kevin

[sterretje]

Do you still have the kit lens that is in your profile ?

[RioRico]

My basic lens is the DA18-250, no longer made but still obtainable (with luck). All my other 170+ lenses are essentially specialty items. That's served me well in several countries with varied situations. My absolute minimum nothing-else-at-all kit for my K20D is a DA18-250, a FA50/1.4 for low light and portraiture, and a Raynox DCR-250 for macros. Beyond those I add some old fast (mostly cheap) manual primes for special situations. And my lens-of-the-day, of course, which right now is an Enna Tele-Sandmar 100/4.5 (US$7) that I've glued to a Pentax body cap. Incredible contrast!

But I digress. Some will recommend a 50-300 paired with an 18-55 or 16-45, with a Fast Fifty for dimmer situations; but I and others still prefer the 18-250. Good luck and have fun!

[kevins]

yes i do have the 18-55 kit lens but dont use it much

[sterretje]

I which case I would say you're pretty much sorted with regards to focal length. What's wrong with it that you don't use it much? No need for it? Don't like the quality.

If you don't like the 18-55, I guess you need to cater for the wider side. It depends a little on how wide you need.

1)
As you have looked at Limiteds, a DA15Ltd or DA21Ltd come to mind to complement your kit / replace the 18-55mm.

2)
Your title however states 'walk around lens' and I don't consider either of the two above as a walk around lens. The DA17-70 would be my choice as a walk around lens to cover a lot of needs.

3)
If you need wider than that (I personally don't) the DA12-24 comes to mind to complement the kit; I think it still can function as a walk around lens although you will miss the longer side.

4)
If you want an all-in-one solution, see RioRico's reply

12-24, 50 and a telezoom will make a nice kit if you need really wide.
17-70, 50 and telezoom will also make a nice kit if you want a 'real' walkaround lens in the setup (and lesser lens changes).

By the way, my walk around lens is a prime lens in the 30mm to 35mm region. And in bad weather the WR kit lens.


PS I only mention Pentax lenses because I'm familiar with the range; you can also look at similar lenses from 3rd party suppliers.

[GeneV]

What one needs in a "walkaround" lens is very subjective and changes. For a lens that covers most of the bases adequately and with WR, I'd look at the DA 18-135. My "walkaround" right now is a fast 40mm on film or 28mm on a DSLR. My "all purpose" lens is the DA 17-70. The kit lens was the nearest thing I used to a DSLR walkaround last vacation.

[gp1806]

+1 for DA 18-250mm. I agree with RioRico, except I substitute an FA 35mm for the 50mm. I like a normal lens.

[paperbag846]

general travel photography eg, landscape, groups shots

Wide - wide normal.

I would suggest the DA 21, the DA 16-45, the tamron 17-50, a manual 28mm f2.8, or DA 35 L f2.4.

In general I think you would be best served between 20mm - 35mm, any either a prime in that area, or some zoom, should do you well. Pair it with the fast 50 for low light, and travel light.

[liukaitc]

The range of sigma 18-125 is pretty good. General use do not need very long tele, especally beyong 200, and I find tiny focal difference between 200 and 250. The pentax 18-135 is better but much expensive.

[Manel Brand]

yes i do have the 18-55 kit lens but dont use it much

There's your opportunity...

[wtlwdwgn]

For a 'walkabout' lens I still prefer my DA* 16-50 f/2.8. I don't find switching lenses all that much fun when traveling. And I have an S-M-C 50 f/1.4 for dim light. I'm sure I'd miss having something longer but then I'd need an extra wheeled bag to carry it all.

[eddie1960]

Looking at what you have (sigma 70-300 and m series prime I would say add a sigma 24-70 2.8 or the tamron 28-75 2.8 and grab either a Da 14 or DA15 to give yourself ultra-wide (Ultra-wide zooms can be good but at this extreme FOV you can cover a lot of the difference with your feet easily enough)

My travel kit is now almost all M series primes and my DA14 as it actually weighs less than taking my big zooms and has better iq as well, I miss some shots that are fleeting though where i wouldn't with a zoom
If I was to buy a new zoom for travel it would be the 18-135 and i would carry my DA14, M50 1.7 and M200 f4.0 to flesh it out

[Colbyt]

I am going to stick my neck way out of my shell here, and I truly mean no offense to anyone, do you guys travel for fun and to see the sights or to take pictures?

My take on what kevins is saying is that he wants to travel light, enjoy the trip and take some pictures. Toting a case full of lenses is not the way to do any of that. Taking a nice light multipurpose lens and maybe one other for those few special shots is about this old guy can handle. That second lens would stay on the boat, in the car or motel room most of the time.

[liukaitc]

To Colbyt, Umm. If on trip, I think no time to even exchange lens. You goona miss lot of momentary scene. But if one is only interested in building and static scene, then just take your time to change lens. no rush..

[kevins]

Thanks for all the info guys i think i will look at the da 15 or 21 for a wider lens and leave the 18-55 at home and just use the three lenses to try to enjoy trying taking some great pictures of america and canada
Thanks to everyone for the help Kev