Originally posted by Peter Zack I've said many times here in the past that the best option is to get the best glass you can afford. I'd go with the 16-45 first if that range will suit your needs. then research the next addition to save for. There is simply no replacement or better way to improve your images than to get the best glass.
My other recommendation would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 Di fast, sharp and of all the lenses I've owned, it's one of the most used.
If money was no option or the potential to save for a mate to the above choices, I'd then recommend the DA*50-135mm.
To me, it's a choice of going longer or wider. The 40 is pretty close to a 'normal' lens
for the digital format. He needs to think about which way he wants to go.
buying a 16-45 accomplishes little unless he wants a wide angle
the cheapest Pentax brand zooms on ebay are 35-70 zooms,
but really, in longer zooms, I would think that the DA* 50-135 is a good choice if he has plenty of cash--- but the poor man's alternative is the Pentax DA 50-200. they hang around ebay for $190 new. Not the best lens ever made, but not the most expensive either.
and if he wants to go to the wide side---why not a truely wide angle zoom. No use putting a zoom on top of the prime that he already has.
I wouldn't see the DA 12-24 as a bad choice, or maybe even not a zoom at all by the DA 21mm fixed.
I don't see the point in buying a zoom that simply replaces the prime lens he has.