[Frogfish]

I have never had any complaints with the AF speed of my 50-135. It is like a bagful of primes, the optical quality is so good! And I wouldn't hesitate to shoot wide open with it either. The DA*16-50 and the DA*50-135 are a matched pair, together they look like the bees knees. Pentax glass rules.

It is however well known that it is the slowest AF focusing SDM lense Pentax make. Fantastic shots from it though. Now if you could put a HSM motor in it - it would be an absolute killer lense !

[selar]

Okay I've got to take my copy out to experience this slowness that you talk about. Have never given it much thought.

[sterretje]

For weddings, I will definitely advise to spent part of that $1200 on a good flash.

I will basically stay away from the discussion about the lenses to be used for weddings as I can't say that I have real experience. Just consider a fast prime in the 28 to 35mm range, mostly for situations where flash is not allowed. FA31Ltd, Sigma 30/1.4 and Sigma 28/1.8 come to mind (not sure if the latter is available for Pentax).

[twix23919]

good morning....the word "keen" on doing weddings would prob not be very accurate! I'm doing my first wedding in April...I'm fairly nervous about it, but that said, I met w/the bride to be and she likes my portrait style and was quite insistent that I'm the one for the job....I so much prefer doing portraiture. cuz she's so into "different," I think I will have fun with this one, but I still wanna be a prepared as possible. the wedding will be outside and she said most of the guests will prob be in jeans and t-shirts altho the wedding party will be dressed up. will I be taking on more weddings??? hmmmm.....I guess we'll see....it really wasn't in my plan!

[jolepp]

I suppose the Tamron 17-50 kind of thing (or the DA 16-50, also there is a similar Sigma) would be good for weddings in general as the wider end allows for groups as well. The Tamron 28-75 mentioned would be nicer for the portrait kind of thing towards the longer end (the 17-50 seems to be a modification of the 28-75 for APS-C, both are very fine pieces of kit ). A combination of the Tamron 17-50 and DA70 or maybe the Tamron 28-75 with a DA15 would seem like a very tempting proposal for what you have in mind .

[benchan21]

If you like the focal length of your 18-55, then I suggest you go for the DA* 16-50. If you prefer a slightly longer focal length for your portrait work, then go for the DA* 50-135.

Personally, I prefer a set of primes. But if you're only going to get 1 lens, then make it a DA* zoom.

[gnaztee]

A nice "cover-all" combo that for under $1200 that has decent speed as well as great image quality would be a pair from Tamron. Option A: 17-50/2.8 and 70-200/2.8...Option B: 28-75/2.8 and 70-200/2.8.

You could pick A or B based on how wide you generally shoot.

[vandamro]

Twitch & Gashog are on the right track. Personally, I think you need to plunge headlong into the world of primes. And you'll never go back. Nothing quite having an aperature smaller than F2.0!

The FA31 being a normal lens (on your Kx) will be something that you can use over and over again indoors, outdoors, landscapes and portraits. Its truly versatile. But it is the very vest of Pentax's lenses.

Now you might want to get a pair of lenses. And if you do that then the FA77 paired with something like that DA21, or the DA40 would be a really great combo. DA21 being if you want to more landscapes and the DA40 (like the FA31) want something in the normal range. I have to admit that since I got the DA40, I don't quite use the FA31 as much just because the DA40 is so small, cute, and convenient.

And lastly if you don't want to primes, and want a zoom, then there are many options in the 24-70mm or 28-75mm range at F2.8. People often talk about the tamron as above. But honestly, I like the Sigma 24-70mm range better. There is a huge difference between 24 and 28mm. 24mm is well within the wide angle range and gives you the ability to shoot landscapes and groups. In the meantime, there is little difference from 70 to 75mm. The great thing about this range is that for events, indoors, weddings, and just about most social occasions you have something from wide to short tele in a f2.8 all in one lens. It will become a go-to lens.

Good luck! And enjoy your new lens.

[selar]

I so much prefer doing portraiture. cuz she's so into "different," I think I will have fun with this one, but I still wanna be a prepared as possible. the wedding will be outside

In that case I'd suggest the DA* 50-135 and AF360 Pentax flash, should be do-able under $1200. A flash is very important for weddings, as mentioned previously in the thread. The 50-135 is a very versatile Portrait zoom, suggesting that over 16-50 as you say you enjoy portraiture. The 18-55 will be good enough outdoors for the group photos.

[rparmar]

For less money get a Metz flash. Simply better and cheaper.