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alysha1981 · 07-03-2013, 05:02 AM

I'm travelling to the USA next month. I just bought a K-5. I already have the DA 12-24 lens which is great for landscapes or unique shots. I'd now like to replace my rubbish Sigma 18-50mm lens that I got with my K100D. I expect it will be on the camera most of the time while I am travelling. I don't expect I'll need a bigger zoom than that.

Any suggestions about the best quality I can get, preferably for under US$400 (as far under as possible as it is going to bite into my travelling money

)

Thanks

Powerstroke 7.3 · 07-03-2013, 05:08 AM

I have the 18-135wr and find I use it most of the time. Great lens and is very versatile.

Na Horuk · 07-03-2013, 05:38 AM

Hmm it depends on your photography style, the space you have in your luggage, and your destination. If you want just one lens, then the DA 18-135mm is a great choice (and its WR!). If you have space to carry a couple lenses, you can bring with you some primes, to get the best IQ. When I travel, I like to take my DA 40mm XS and M 50mm f1.7. That way, I have two sharp lenses, one has fast AF, the other has good low light capabilities. Sometimes I take my DA 35mm f2.4 instead of the 40mm XS, as its a little wider. And I usually like to have the DA L 50-200mm with me, so I can get closeups of fine details on wildlife or cultural monuments that you can't get close to. But this depends on the destination.
The UWA lens is a great idea if you are visiting a place with narrow spaces, like tight cities. But its good to have a longer lens with you as well, so a DA 18-135mm or a DA 50-200mm WR to complement your awesome DA 12-24mm. Or a used nifty fifty, so you get a fast, sharp, reliable lens. The M series go for as little as $50. The A series have more automation and cost a little more. F, FA, and DA also have AF, but can cost a little more. Still in your budget, though.

**jrpower10** · 07-03-2013, 06:13 AM

If you want something to directly replace your 18-50 Sigma, look at the Tamron 17-50. It's a little more than $400 new, but is the highest-rated zoom in that range for Pentax.
If you want something to complement the 12-24, consider the DA 55-300. It's $366 ant B&H. I have this same set up for travel and works well. I like having the reach of the 55-300, and the 12-24 is great for wide angle stuff. A fast 50 for low light and you're set.
You could also try to pick up a second-hand DA 18-250. That was the first lens I ever bought, still own it, and still use it if I only want to carry one lens. Like all zooms with this range, it's a compromise, but I've captured a lot of great images with it.

dboeren · 07-03-2013, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by Powerstroke 7.3

I have the 18-135wr and find I use it most of the time. Great lens and is very versatile.

This is my vote as well. Anytime I only want one lens, this is the one that does it all.

aleonx3 · 07-03-2013, 07:27 AM

The DA 18-135 gets my vote as well; as it has the most useful focal-length range, sharp wide-open, color rendition plus WR.

ikershaw · 07-03-2013, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

The DA 18-135 gets my vote as well; as it has the most useful focal-length range, sharp wide-open, color rendition plus WR.

18-135 for me too. I took it travelling in India and worked wonders. The weakest part of my kit was really the bit between the viewfinder and shutter release!

sumx4182 · 07-03-2013, 08:18 AM

I'm looking at the Sigma 18-250 macro HSM. Just can't quit pull the trigger yet. For $399 it's getting decent reviews and has more reach than the Pentax 18-135. Although I probably don't need 250mm, I also don't need the WR of the Pentax. I'd be happy with an 18-135 non-WR to make it cheaper but the Sigma seems to be the best walk-around long reach lens for the money, better than previous versions of the same focal lengths or any of the old 18-200s.

Primes4ever · 07-03-2013, 08:38 AM

Another vote for the 18-135. Decent quality and I take it and 3 or 4 Limiteds for a great travel combination. Personally the larger ratio zooms lack the IQ especially at the long end.

carrrlangas · 07-03-2013, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by alysha1981

I don't expect I'll need a bigger zoom than that.

I´d skip the DA18-135 and go for the DA*16-50. If you want to complement the DA12-24 perhaps the Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 but then you would have to switch lenses for wide angle...

alysha1981 · 07-03-2013, 03:52 PM

Thanks for all your opinions. I'm going to go with the majority and buy the 18-135 lens. Thanks for your help

Driline · 07-03-2013, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by alysha1981

Thanks for all your opinions. I'm going to go with the majority and buy the 18-135 lens. Thanks for your help

Don't pay more than $400.

07-03-2013, 05:02 AM	#1
alysha1981 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6	Best travel lens? I'm travelling to the USA next month. I just bought a K-5. I already have the DA 12-24 lens which is great for landscapes or unique shots. I'd now like to replace my rubbish Sigma 18-50mm lens that I got with my K100D. I expect it will be on the camera most of the time while I am travelling. I don't expect I'll need a bigger zoom than that. Any suggestions about the best quality I can get, preferably for under US$400 (as far under as possible as it is going to bite into my travelling money ) Thanks

07-03-2013, 07:27 AM	#6
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	The DA 18-135 gets my vote as well; as it has the most useful focal-length range, sharp wide-open, color rendition plus WR. Last edited by aleonx3; 07-03-2013 at 07:39 AM.

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07-03-2013, 05:08 AM	#2
Powerstroke 7.3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Crestview Fl Photos: Albums Posts: 100	I have the 18-135wr and find I use it most of the time. Great lens and is very versatile.

07-03-2013, 05:38 AM	#3
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Hmm it depends on your photography style, the space you have in your luggage, and your destination. If you want just one lens, then the DA 18-135mm is a great choice (and its WR!). If you have space to carry a couple lenses, you can bring with you some primes, to get the best IQ. When I travel, I like to take my DA 40mm XS and M 50mm f1.7. That way, I have two sharp lenses, one has fast AF, the other has good low light capabilities. Sometimes I take my DA 35mm f2.4 instead of the 40mm XS, as its a little wider. And I usually like to have the DA L 50-200mm with me, so I can get closeups of fine details on wildlife or cultural monuments that you can't get close to. But this depends on the destination. The UWA lens is a great idea if you are visiting a place with narrow spaces, like tight cities. But its good to have a longer lens with you as well, so a DA 18-135mm or a DA 50-200mm WR to complement your awesome DA 12-24mm. Or a used nifty fifty, so you get a fast, sharp, reliable lens. The M series go for as little as $50. The A series have more automation and cost a little more. F, FA, and DA also have AF, but can cost a little more. Still in your budget, though.

07-03-2013, 06:13 AM	#4
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	If you want something to directly replace your 18-50 Sigma, look at the Tamron 17-50. It's a little more than $400 new, but is the highest-rated zoom in that range for Pentax. If you want something to complement the 12-24, consider the DA 55-300. It's $366 ant B&H. I have this same set up for travel and works well. I like having the reach of the 55-300, and the 12-24 is great for wide angle stuff. A fast 50 for low light and you're set. You could also try to pick up a second-hand DA 18-250. That was the first lens I ever bought, still own it, and still use it if I only want to carry one lens. Like all zooms with this range, it's a compromise, but I've captured a lot of great images with it.

07-03-2013, 06:38 AM	#5
dboeren Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Marietta, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 148	Originally posted by Powerstroke 7.3 I have the 18-135wr and find I use it most of the time. Great lens and is very versatile. This is my vote as well. Anytime I only want one lens, this is the one that does it all.

07-03-2013, 07:46 AM	#7
ikershaw Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 43	Originally posted by aleonx3 The DA 18-135 gets my vote as well; as it has the most useful focal-length range, sharp wide-open, color rendition plus WR. 18-135 for me too. I took it travelling in India and worked wonders. The weakest part of my kit was really the bit between the viewfinder and shutter release!

07-03-2013, 08:18 AM	#8
sumx4182 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 181	I'm looking at the Sigma 18-250 macro HSM. Just can't quit pull the trigger yet. For $399 it's getting decent reviews and has more reach than the Pentax 18-135. Although I probably don't need 250mm, I also don't need the WR of the Pentax. I'd be happy with an 18-135 non-WR to make it cheaper but the Sigma seems to be the best walk-around long reach lens for the money, better than previous versions of the same focal lengths or any of the old 18-200s.

07-03-2013, 08:38 AM	#9
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	Another vote for the 18-135. Decent quality and I take it and 3 or 4 Limiteds for a great travel combination. Personally the larger ratio zooms lack the IQ especially at the long end.

07-03-2013, 03:00 PM	#10
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Originally posted by alysha1981 I don't expect I'll need a bigger zoom than that. I´d skip the DA18-135 and go for the DA*16-50. If you want to complement the DA12-24 perhaps the Tamron 28-75 / 2.8 but then you would have to switch lenses for wide angle...

07-03-2013, 03:52 PM	#11
alysha1981 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks for all your opinions. I'm going to go with the majority and buy the 18-135 lens. Thanks for your help

07-03-2013, 05:51 PM	#12
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,705	Originally posted by alysha1981 Thanks for all your opinions. I'm going to go with the majority and buy the 18-135 lens. Thanks for your help Don't pay more than $400.

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