[gmoney0725]

I just upgraded to the K5 from the K100D. My current lens lineup is:

18-55mm kit lens (came with K100D)
DA 50-200mm
FA 50 1.4

It goes without saying that I am most pleased with the FA 50. The IQ is incredible and the lens is fast. I'm planning on selling the K100D (with the kit lens). The only "problem" i have with the FA 50 is that i often-times am too close to the subject to capture the full image. So I was consider if I should get another good prime lens (maybe the DA 35 or 40) or get a good walk-around zoom lens (like the Sigma 24-70 or Tamron 28-75).

My primary focus with the new lens would be shooting while going on hikes / family & kids / etc. I'm a novice and don't have that extensive of a budget (probably $250 max for a used lens).

Would appreciate any insight. Thanks

[ivanvernon]

I just upgraded to the K5 from the K100D. My current lens lineup is:

18-55mm kit lens (came with K100D)
DA 50-200mm
FA 50 1.4

It goes without saying that I am most pleased with the FA 50. The IQ is incredible and the lens is fast. I'm planning on selling the K100D (with the kit lens). The only "problem" i have with the FA 50 is that i often-times am too close to the subject to capture the full image. So I was consider if I should get another good prime lens (maybe the DA 35 or 40) or get a good walk-around zoom lens (like the Sigma 24-70 or Tamron 28-75).

My primary focus with the new lens would be shooting while going on hikes / family & kids / etc. I'm a novice and don't have that extensive of a budget (probably $250 max for a used lens).

Would appreciate any insight. Thanks

I have had great experience with the Sigma 30 mm f 1.4, which is a great low-light walk-around lens and also a good bargain.

[rbefly]

Hello gmoney0725, Welcome to the Forum!
My suggestion for a general-purpose prime would be the DA 35mm f/2.4AL, aka the 'Plastic Fantastic'. There is a long thread with examples of use by this lens and some of the images are truly spectacular.
35mm on a cropped format is near to the 50mm focal length on film or full frame cameras. It is wide enough to shoot families, fast-moving kids and full-length portraits (for tighter shots, your 50mm is better). I've done scenic, street/candid and general walk-arounds with my DA 35 and am impressed with the resolution, I.Q. and overall sharpness. A generic 49mm lens hood helps the contrast quite a bit.
Good Luck!
Ron

[gmoney0725]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I will take a look at both of those. - George

[johnyates]

My suggestion for a general-purpose prime would be the DA 35mm f/2.4AL, aka the 'Plastic Fantastic'. There is a long thread with examples of use by this lens and some of the images are truly spectacular.

I'll second that advice--sounds exactly what you need.

Another option would be a 28mm lens--it's a very good focal length as well. You can sometimes find the FA or F 28mm used on the marketplace. If you're OK with manual focus, a M or A 28mm would also be suitable at a much more modest cost.

[gmoney0725]

I really don't have any experience with manual lenses (other than turning off AF when messing around) - with my wife wanting a basic "point and shoot" I don't think the manual lens route would work for this purpose. Seems like everyone is in agreement in getting a prime rather than a zoom. Right?

[minolta2pentax]

I am a big fan of manual primes. I have a horusbennu 50mm 1.7f & both rokinon 85mm 1.4f & 35mm 1.4f that i use for walk around and candid shots. Each depending on my mood. When at a function or event my goto for lens is my 35mm. I do miss or goof on some shots, but that is my challenge to me to learn to shoot better.

Vincent

[minolta2pentax]

Oops, looks like i totally missed the part about point n shoot. In that case the pentax 35mm is very affordable

[Adam]

I just upgraded to the K5 from the K100D. My current lens lineup is:

18-55mm kit lens (came with K100D)
DA 50-200mm
FA 50 1.4

It goes without saying that I am most pleased with the FA 50. The IQ is incredible and the lens is fast. I'm planning on selling the K100D (with the kit lens). The only "problem" i have with the FA 50 is that i often-times am too close to the subject to capture the full image. So I was consider if I should get another good prime lens (maybe the DA 35 or 40) or get a good walk-around zoom lens (like the Sigma 24-70 or Tamron 28-75).

My primary focus with the new lens would be shooting while going on hikes / family & kids / etc. I'm a novice and don't have that extensive of a budget (probably $250 max for a used lens).

Would appreciate any insight. Thanks

The 35mm macro, 35mm 2.4, sigma 35/1.4, and the sigma 30 /1.4 (discontinued) are all great choices.

[Na Horuk]

Depends on whether you prefer flexibility or IQ, and what you do with your lenses. When I travel, I like to have a zoom and some primes. I always have at least one prime for low light photography. The good thing with Pentax lenses is that they are compact, small, so you can take quite a few of them with you.

the DA 40mm XS is a great lens, the limited even more comfortable. Fast AF, sharp, low distortion, great colors. But 40mm might be close to 50mm, so 35mm might make more sense. If I had your kit right now, I would be looking at the Samyang 16mm first (or Pentax uwa, but those are more expensive), or Pentax DA 35mm.

[carrrlangas]

+1 on DA40XS. (@Na Horuk, bit me to it this time)

[chickenandavocado]

anything between 28 and 35mm for a 'walkaround prime'

personally 40mm is too long for me... now using 31mm and loving it

[Odinz]

I usually use the FA31 unless size is an issue then its the K30/2.8, or if I think I might need macro the DA35 Limited.

[sterretje]

Prime versus zoom is always a personal preference. I do prefer primes but there are times that I need the flexibility of a zoom.

I'm planning on selling the K100D (with the kit lens).

If you sell the kit lens (with the K100D), you'll initially end up with a kit that starts at 50mm. If you fill that gap with a prime in the 28-40mm range, you'll loose all your wide angle options. Can you and your wife live with that?
If you fill the gap with one of the zooms that you've mentioned, you'll sacrifice the wider end and gain at the longer end. Can you and your wife live with that?

If the answer is no, I would rather keep the kit lens or opt for another standard zoom like a 17-50 or 17-70. Possibly a Tamron 17-50 will fit the budget, maybe a second hand Pentax 17-70; I don't know prices.

If you keep the kit lens or if you don't mind sacrificing (part of) the wide angle range, you have all your options still open. For the prime route my choice would be something between 28 and 35mm (personally I find slightly wider preferable and would not get a 40mm). DA35/2.4 comes to mind (it fits the budget, even new) or maybe a Sigma 30/1.4 (second hand, I assume).

Food for thoughts, good luck in the decision.

PS
Not sure where the reference to 'wife' comes from; I might have confused two threads with regards to that.

[Na Horuk]

Oh yeah, if you really want point and shoot flexibility, the Tamron 17-50mm might be a great choice.