K5 bought, and now I need a lenst to go with it!

VoiceOfReason · 01-06-2012, 09:52 PM

I bought a K5 this morning, and while it is not in my hands yet (will be next week though) I want to get a good lens to go with it. So, 18-135wr or 18-55wr + 18-200wr? The lenses I have for my Kx are not weather sealed, and while I like my pair of Sigmas and want 3 more Sigma lenses it would suck to get them wet. I want something that will be great for my hiking and outdoor stuff, and something that will not get dust in it like on my last trip!

I'm open to suggestions.

GvilleRick · 01-06-2012, 09:57 PM

Personally, I love the 18-135. Out has become my walk around lens. It is really quiet and I've had no problems with it. I picked it up a few months ago when my Sigma 18-50 broke.

VoiceOfReason · 01-06-2012, 10:15 PM

The Sigma 18-50 OS HSM 2.8-4.5 is normally attached to my Kx. I also sometimes put the Sigma 28-300 on it too, but the 18-50 is one I really like.

BoredomFestival · 01-06-2012, 11:30 PM

I've been pretty curious about the 18-135mm lens, but none of the Pentax lens-rental places seem to have it.

I don't think I've seen a single one come up for sale in the Marketplace on this board, either... so either people are really happy with theirs, or not very many people have one :-)

masloff · 01-07-2012, 12:08 AM

Take a closer look at Limited series.

Bob from Aus · 01-07-2012, 01:48 AM

I avoid using wide angle to normal focal length zooms and stick to my Ltds. However i took my sigma 17-70 away - it was the first time it had been on the K5. (I thought I was driving six hours and away for the day on a 40 degree day- turned out to be two full days once we got moving) I was stunned how good the results were. Maybe wait and see what your sigmas do on the K5?

VoiceOfReason · 01-07-2012, 08:59 AM

I need weather sealing for some of the stuff I plan on doing. For instance, there is this one place I go to where you can get behind a water fall, but you might get nailed with some spray. That's why I've never taken any pictures from behind it even though they would look cool.

Bob from Aus · 01-07-2012, 01:43 PM

I have the 18-55 WR that I call my expendable lens and use it in risky situations. Generally these situations does not require a good lens. I also have a cheap underwater camera that cost less than than any of the Ltds.

Docrwm · 01-07-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by BoredomFestival

I've been pretty curious about the 18-135mm lens, but none of the Pentax lens-rental places seem to have it.

I don't think I've seen a single one come up for sale in the Marketplace on this board, either... so either people are really happy with theirs, or not very many people have one :-)

Lots of folks have them.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 01-07-2012, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by VoiceOfReason

I bought a K5 this morning, and while it is not in my hands yet (will be next week though) I want to get a good lens to go with it. So, 18-135wr or 18-55wr + 18-200wr? The lenses I have for my Kx are not weather sealed, and while I like my pair of Sigmas and want 3 more Sigma lenses it would suck to get them wet. I want something that will be great for my hiking and outdoor stuff, and something that will not get dust in it like on my last trip!

I'm open to suggestions.

There isn't really that much choice in the WR area if you want standard zooms. You can get a cheap and mediocre lens like the 18-55 or you can get an expensive and not quite top of the pack lens like the 16-50. A bit better situation exists for longer zooms: you have here a choice between the cheap and mediocre 50-200 or the very expensive and very good but also large and heavy 60-250 - or maybe the shorter, still expensive, but still very good 50-135. The 18-135 combines the mediocrity of the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses into yet another mediocre offering. Given the scarcity of these options, a decision should be suggested by your budget, focal length requirements, and willingness to hike with heavier gear.

jimr-pdx · 01-07-2012, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by VoiceOfReason

The Sigma 18-50 OS HSM 2.8-4.5 is normally attached to my Kx. I also sometimes put the Sigma 28-300 on it too, but the 18-50 is one I really like.

I do wish Sigma would charge $30 more and seal it up - that is a nice lens, and with internal zoom it would seem like little extra effort to add a few gaskets. Probably more than that is involved

I don't design 'em just use 'em.

VoiceOfReason · 01-09-2012, 06:12 AM

I don't mind heavy. I would love if the budget would allow the 16-50, 50-135, and the 60-250, but right now it doesn't. I could probably swing only one of the first two, but that's it.

01-06-2012, 09:52 PM	#1
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	K5 bought, and now I need a lenst to go with it! I bought a K5 this morning, and while it is not in my hands yet (will be next week though) I want to get a good lens to go with it. So, 18-135wr or 18-55wr + 18-200wr? The lenses I have for my Kx are not weather sealed, and while I like my pair of Sigmas and want 3 more Sigma lenses it would suck to get them wet. I want something that will be great for my hiking and outdoor stuff, and something that will not get dust in it like on my last trip! I'm open to suggestions.

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01-06-2012, 09:57 PM	#2
GvilleRick Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,690	Personally, I love the 18-135. Out has become my walk around lens. It is really quiet and I've had no problems with it. I picked it up a few months ago when my Sigma 18-50 broke.

01-06-2012, 10:15 PM	#3
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124 Original Poster	The Sigma 18-50 OS HSM 2.8-4.5 is normally attached to my Kx. I also sometimes put the Sigma 28-300 on it too, but the 18-50 is one I really like.

01-06-2012, 11:30 PM	#4
BoredomFestival Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oakland, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 30	I've been pretty curious about the 18-135mm lens, but none of the Pentax lens-rental places seem to have it. I don't think I've seen a single one come up for sale in the Marketplace on this board, either... so either people are really happy with theirs, or not very many people have one :-)

01-07-2012, 12:08 AM	#5
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59	Take a closer look at Limited series.

01-07-2012, 01:48 AM	#6
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	I avoid using wide angle to normal focal length zooms and stick to my Ltds. However i took my sigma 17-70 away - it was the first time it had been on the K5. (I thought I was driving six hours and away for the day on a 40 degree day- turned out to be two full days once we got moving) I was stunned how good the results were. Maybe wait and see what your sigmas do on the K5?

01-07-2012, 08:59 AM	#7
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124 Original Poster	I need weather sealing for some of the stuff I plan on doing. For instance, there is this one place I go to where you can get behind a water fall, but you might get nailed with some spray. That's why I've never taken any pictures from behind it even though they would look cool.

01-07-2012, 01:43 PM	#8
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	I have the 18-55 WR that I call my expendable lens and use it in risky situations. Generally these situations does not require a good lens. I also have a cheap underwater camera that cost less than than any of the Ltds.

01-07-2012, 01:48 PM	#9
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by BoredomFestival I've been pretty curious about the 18-135mm lens, but none of the Pentax lens-rental places seem to have it. I don't think I've seen a single one come up for sale in the Marketplace on this board, either... so either people are really happy with theirs, or not very many people have one :-) Lots of folks have them.

01-07-2012, 05:05 PM	#10
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by VoiceOfReason I bought a K5 this morning, and while it is not in my hands yet (will be next week though) I want to get a good lens to go with it. So, 18-135wr or 18-55wr + 18-200wr? The lenses I have for my Kx are not weather sealed, and while I like my pair of Sigmas and want 3 more Sigma lenses it would suck to get them wet. I want something that will be great for my hiking and outdoor stuff, and something that will not get dust in it like on my last trip! I'm open to suggestions. There isn't really that much choice in the WR area if you want standard zooms. You can get a cheap and mediocre lens like the 18-55 or you can get an expensive and not quite top of the pack lens like the 16-50. A bit better situation exists for longer zooms: you have here a choice between the cheap and mediocre 50-200 or the very expensive and very good but also large and heavy 60-250 - or maybe the shorter, still expensive, but still very good 50-135. The 18-135 combines the mediocrity of the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses into yet another mediocre offering. Given the scarcity of these options, a decision should be suggested by your budget, focal length requirements, and willingness to hike with heavier gear.

01-07-2012, 05:41 PM	#11
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Originally posted by VoiceOfReason The Sigma 18-50 OS HSM 2.8-4.5 is normally attached to my Kx. I also sometimes put the Sigma 28-300 on it too, but the 18-50 is one I really like. I do wish Sigma would charge $30 more and seal it up - that is a nice lens, and with internal zoom it would seem like little extra effort to add a few gaskets. Probably more than that is involved I don't design 'em just use 'em.

01-09-2012, 06:12 AM	#12
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124 Original Poster	I don't mind heavy. I would love if the budget would allow the 16-50, 50-135, and the 60-250, but right now it doesn't. I could probably swing only one of the first two, but that's it.