I'm willing to spend ~$300-400 on some photo equipment and have had a question in the back of my mind for quite some time.
Here's my current equipment layout:
DA15/4. I use this thing extensively with landscapes and creative shots. Love it but sometimes it's a little too wide for what I'm aiming for. Cropping sort of works but I'd rather have another focal length to play with.
DA18-55. The first version of the kit lens. Sees extremely rare use nowadays. When I did use it, I normally used it at the ends of the focal range (18 and 55) and around 24/28mm. I just don't use it because of the lower resolution and bland colors it produces.
F50/1.7. Also use this extensively when doing people shots and some landscapes. A little to narrow at times. Always find myself wishing I had something good in between the 15 and 50.
DA55-300. Hasn't seen much use lately but I very much love this lens when I do use it. Colors and rendering are just incredible, sharpness is very good and the bokeh is to die for in some situations. I need to take it on a trip soon.
K20D and K-01. The K-01 has been seeing 100% use since I bought it. I miss the viewfinder and everything but the sensor is just so much better in terms of noise and dynamic range.
I don't shoot in low-light situations (night time, indoor, concerts) very often but wide aperture would be nice.
So my question is (if you haven't guessed from the title) what should I do to replace my kit lens and fill the void between the 15 and 50mm? The 18-135 is in consideration because it seems pretty good overall, has WR, and it's convenient with the range. However it doesn't seem to deal with flare very well -- but I think I will be using the 15mm in shots where there will be extensive lighting toward the lens. In other situations it seems pretty good. I have looked at the 16-45, 17-70, and sigma's 17-50, but I figure if I am getting a zoom lens then I may as well get something with WR to pair with my K20D. The 16-50 is out of the question due to its price.
On the other hand, I could go for a set of primes. For this money, I'm not looking at the Limited series. I'd love a 31 or 40mm Ltd but they are simply out of my price range for now. I've been looking at some F/FA series 28's and 35's and they seem pretty good. For the price range I have I think I could get two decent primes (with AF) -- or at least one with AF and one manual, which I wouldn't mind using with my K-01's focus peaking.
Third option -- just thought of it... I could replace my kit lens with the new 18-55, which is weather sealed and seems to be pretty decent? Is the 18-135 that much better? This option would save me money down the road and possibly allow the purchase of an FA31 or DA* 16-50 (only if pentax update it...
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Thoughts? I'd love to hear some comparisons of the 18-135 and some primes.