[Primes4ever]

I would suggest getting the FA31mm and start saving from scratch for your next purchase.

I second the motion Ron. My only regret when I got the FA31 was that I waited as long as I did. It is my finest lens and I have a lot of very good ones.

[Sandy Hancock]

Think about what you can't do with your DA18-55. Low light and macro jump out.
FA50/1.4 would take care of the first one, and the DFA100WR will sort out the other, and give you a useful telephoto as well.
I agree with the other comments about PP skills, tripods and filters.

[spectamaniac]

And beware of buying someone's reject, as earlier versions had quality problems.

Thank you for the warning!

[spectamaniac]

I would suggest getting the FA31mm and start saving from scratch for your next purchase.

Man...this is very tempting...!

[abacus07]

DA15 - DA35f2.4 - DA50f1.8 - M100f4Macro

This gives you one great limited lens, 2 excellent budget lenses (one is fast) and a manual macro lens.

[frogoutofwater]

DA15 - DA35f2.4 - DA50f1.8 - M100f4Macro

This gives you one great limited lens, 2 excellent budget lenses (one is fast) and a manual macro lens.

As an alternative to the Pentax 100mm macro, you could also consider the less expensive Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro (about $500).

[ChopperCharles]

Oooh, $1000. Well, I'll go through my fav lenses and toss in a pic that is a good representation of the lens.

Pentax F50mm f1.7. Goes for under $250, (I paid $200 for mine) and has absolutely beautiful color rendition, sharpness, and it's a lovely lens to use. I get more keepers from this lens than from any other.



DA55-300. You can get one used for $210 or so. This is absolutely essential for some things. Like the zoo, for instance. I love this lens, it is nice and sharp and renders well. It's also very good for portraits.



Promaster AF 100mm f3.5 Macro. (Or Pentax FA 100mm f3.5) Make sure you get the matched macro adapter with it. This lens is remarkably sharp, even when you're not shooting macro. I've shot stage performances with it, f3.5 lets in a reasonable amount of light for that kind of reach. I've also used it for street photography. Really shines, and is 1:1 with the matched macro adapter. You can snag one for $150 if you wait and watch eBay. The Promaster version generally goes for less than the Pentax branded, but they're identical.



Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. You need to test these in an actual store, or be prepared to send bad copies back and wait for replacements. This lens in particular suffers from front focus issues, but if you get a good one, it's absolutely amazing. Very, very sharp. But heavy. Still, it's a very, very useful range to have. Goes for $400ish new.



Phoenix 28-210mm. It's $130 for a superzoom. It's not at all fast. It's made of plastic and it feels cheap. It has some purple fringing. But it's very inexpensive, quite sharp, and has stunning, saturated and vibrant colors with excellent contrast. I paid $45 for mine, which I considered absolutely amazing, but $130 is still a good price -- IF you need a superzoom. There are better lenses out there, but if you need a slow superzoom, this is what I'd recommend.



Charles.

[Root]

I'd go with a used DA 15mm f/4 and DA 70mm f/2.4 and use my feet to get the shots that I want.


I'd also trade in the 18-55mm and pick up a M or A series 50mm 1.7 to fill the focal gap between the DA's and get a chance to experience shooting with some fast glass.

[spectamaniac]

I'd go with a used DA 15mm f/4 and DA 70mm f/2.4 and use my feet to get the shots that I want.


I'd also trade in the 18-55mm and pick up a M or A series 50mm 1.7 to fill the focal gap between the DA's and get a chance to experience shooting with some fast glass.

I like the way you think

[fevbusch]

Your 18-55 wr is not as bad of a lens as some people may want you to believe. I have a k30, 18-55 dal, da 50mm 1.8, and 55-300 dal. The only 3 lenses I will ever need that give me: wide angle, low light/ bokeh, and reach- all with good enough sharpness most people should ever need. The new HD 55-300 WR looks very tempting and would be great for portraits at the 85-135 range but still give you the reach for wildlife.

I have the K30. My lenses I have finally boiled down to are: DA55-300 (great lens), DA 35mm 2.4 (great lens), I also have the Da16-45 which you can pick up used. (fo wide angle needs). I am definitely getting the DA50 1.8 new lens (under $200.00). I have heard it has great bokeh . And for the great price won't break the bank. Freddy

P.S. i'm thrilled with my k30 and the DA55-300 and DA35mm 2.4. between those two they handle 90% of my needs. I wouldn't NOT buy the DA50mm 1.8 because my instincts tell me I'm gonna love it. The above 4 lenses
shouldl cost you less then 900.$ Freddy

[ChristianRock]

1000 dollars would be quite a treat for me I haven't spent that much on my entire kit. All I have, I paid around 800 dollars for. So I could get a whole lot of stuff for 800 dollars

But based on your initial post, I would say DA 12-24 (around 800 new) and DA 50mm 1.8 (around 180 new). That would satisfy everything you laid out in your requirements. The 12-24 has been described as "a lens that has a circular polarizer built in", that is how rich the colors are. It's totally out of my budget, but not out of yours And the 50mm is a great portrait and low light lens. Yes there's faster and later on you can get yourself a DA* 55/1.4, but you won't outgrow the DA 50 anytime soon. The optical design has been around since the 70s and is a winner. I love my M 50 1.7 (same optical design, just different coatings and blades - which are both even better on the newer DA).

Of course if you buy used, you'll have money left to buy something like a 55-300 and a DA 35 2.4, which is my "I could live with this lens alone" kinda lens.

Check out this honest DA 12-24 review: http://www.northcoastphotographer.net/blog/files/b244fc158f2cd43e66e693341ad4dd34-2.html