[LSUDAN]

I just got back from Vacation with the family and borrowed my BIL's 28-80mm (Promaster) lens since my wife didn't feel like changing the lenses all the time. I have a Pentax K-r with the 18-55mm and 50-300mm kit lenses. My wife seemed to be more pleased with shooting with only one lens since majority of her shots are of the kids and some of the local scenery. I was looking at getting the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 to go with the kit lenses. I have seen some good reviews but wanted to make sure there wasn't any other lenses I should consider. I am trying to stay under $500.

Thanks.

Daniel

[hcc]

The DA18-250mm (and its sibbling Tamron 18-250mm) is the perfect all-around lens. When retracted, the lens is about the same size as the 50-300mm lens.

The DA18-250mm/Tammy18-250mm is a very well liked lens by many Pentaxians incl. pros. Like every zoom, it does not have the IQ of a prime lens, but the 18-250mm is regarded as one of the best across all brands incl. Canikons. The focal lenght range is huge and cover most situations.

Manufactured by Tamron and rebadged by Pentax, the lens can be foudn quite easily in excellent condition at the PF market place, Keh.com and Adorama.com (Used) for about $350-450. (I bought mine from Keh.)

I have one on my K-7 and it is by far my most versatile lens.

Hope that the comment will help.

[newarts]

If the 28-80 was a good range the 25-75 will also be a good range. As you will hear from many postings to follow the tammy 28-75 is a superb lens capable of a lot of enlargement even wide open. It is especially good for low light shots because it is fast & great wide open.

However if you will not be printing large or shooting in dim venues and/or will be using electronic displays you'll likely be delighted with the 18-250 mentioned by hcc. With a pocket-able $67 Raynox 150 added for macros it will shoot about the entire subject size & distance range that can be hand-held with today's technology.

[twitch]

Your wife may be happier with a DA 17-70 or the DA 18-135.

[jimr-pdx]

Take your 55-300 and remove everything above and including the focus ring - that's the size of my 18-200 Sigma DC. In my Sony days I really liked the Tamron 18-250 but let it go when I picked up the 18-200. My informal tests showed similar IQ and real life showed zero zoom creep even when 'unlocked' - good enough for me then, and still now. I don't miss the 50mm enough to justify the extra bulk.

Mine is on the FS forum strictly for financial reasons, I dislike letting this go as it meets my needs admirably when swapping lenses is not a good option. Oh well, they pop up now and then, in 8 months I'll grab another!

[psychdoc]

majority of her shots are of the kids and some of the local scenery

I would vote for the tarmon 28-75. Kids are going to be spending time indoors and in low light also and once they start moving around in those situations, the f2.8 aperture will help.

[LSUDAN]

Thanks for all the replies. I meant to add that I have access to some older manual lenses from my Dad's Pentax film camera from the '80s. They are full manual. They are SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7-50mm, SMC Pentax-M 1:2.8-28mm and Pentax Pro Multi-Coated Auto Tele Converter For Pentax-K 2x.

[RioRico]

Thanks for all the replies. I meant to add that I have access to some older manual lenses from my Dad's Pentax film camera from the '80s. They are full manual. They are SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7-50mm, SMC Pentax-M 1:2.8-28mm and Pentax Pro Multi-Coated Auto Tele Converter For Pentax-K 2x.

Those are all decent glass.

Meanwhile, I'll vote for the Tamron/DA 18-250. It's just the most versatile single lens.

[Spotmatic]

Your wife may be happier with a DA 17-70 or the DA 18-135.

I had and sold the 17-70. The 18-135, for me, is a keeper. Being in bayou country
you may find the WR useful.

[bymy141]

The new Sigma 18-250mm HSM OS lens gets some reasonable good results either.

Bert