Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
12-23-2013, 08:11 PM   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 65
replacement for kit lens

Hi all,

Want to replace my k-30 kit lense,

what you guys think of the following three lense? base on your experience?

16-50DA* f2.8 (edited)

16-45DA f4

17-70DA f4

thank you!


Last edited by mtkang; 12-23-2013 at 08:29 PM.
12-23-2013, 08:18 PM   #2
Veteran Member
AussieTrev's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,590
I think the first one you mention would be the DA* 16-50 f2.8. If so that is the pick of the lenses, it is faster and you will use that speed. It is my go to walk around, so much I bought my wife one and she gets reasonable macro use of it as well.
12-23-2013, 08:31 PM   #3
Forum Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 65
Original Poster
yes i have edited it.

basically i would like to replace the zoom with better quality glass and also better bokeh, i realise the F4 gives good bokeh too..

I wonder is 16-50DA* too heavy compare to the other two.


QuoteOriginally posted by AussieTrev Quote
I think the first one you mention would be the DA* 16-50 f2.8. If so that is the pick of the lenses, it is faster and you will use that speed. It is my go to walk around, so much I bought my wife one and she gets reasonable macro use of it as well.
12-23-2013, 08:34 PM   #4
Pentaxian
SpecialK's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So California
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 16,479
I have no Pentax SDM lenses. However, 17-70 is a good range if you only take one lens with you.

12-23-2013, 08:48 PM   #5
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
DA*16-50 is a very good lens, and certainly IMHO the best in your group. But it is heavy and expensive. You might also look at the Tamron and Sigma equivalents they will be less money though I think the weight is about the same

DA 16-45 gets good marks but for me 16-45 f/4 or 17-70 f/4 there is no contest. I'll take the 17-70 for the greater range for a walk around lens.

The DA*16-50 is my work lens and gets the most use. But for general walk around I often use the FA 28-70 f/4 or the FA 28-105 and I am still waiting for Ricoh to release the 16-85ish they have on the road map. For work you use what you need to get the job done but for casual use I prefer a lighter lens with more range.

Last edited by jatrax; 12-23-2013 at 08:49 PM. Reason: spelling
12-23-2013, 08:58 PM   #6
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 674
Do you have any other lenses besides the kit lens? And are you using processing software (like Lightroom) that enables you to look at the data for photos you've taken? The reason I ask is because when I make decisions about which lens to buy next, I spend some time looking at photographs I've taken and try to get a sense of the focal length range I shoot in most often - both to get a sense of what I like and what might be missing in my lens range. I also reflect on situations where I felt like I had a great photo opportunity in front of me but not the right lens in hand (e.g., didn't have a lens with appropriate focal length or max aperture, for example).

That experience is one of the things that led me to conclude, when I acquired a Pentax system, to get the 18-135 kit lens with my K-3 as well as the WR 55-300 for starters. (I knew from experience that a lot of my images are shot in the 70-120 focal length range, but I also like the flexibility of being able to shoot fairly wide angle, too. I previously had an 18-55mm and a 55-210 lens for my Sony NEX and I felt I was in situations where I wanted to switch back and forth between shooting at around 20-28mm and 70-100mm. So I knew that a walk-around lens with a wider zoom range was important.)

So, image quality is very important, but it's also important to consider what you like to photograph and in what kind of situations. How important is a wider zoom range to you? Will you carry a couple of lenses when you go out (so you can cover a range with different lenses)? Do you need a faster lens for shooting in low light? And is that speed worth the trade-off in terms of lens weight, shorter zoom range? Only you can decide which of these features is most important.
12-23-2013, 09:23 PM   #7
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Nevada, USA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,348
This is outside your list but I would recommend looking at some of the used FA lenses, like the 28-105mm f/3.2. It's not as wide as any of the ones on your list but it offers more telephoto range. Colors come out great and they are sharp lenses as well!

12-23-2013, 09:33 PM   #8
Veteran Member
Julie's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Illinois
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,069
Are you only interested in one of those three Pentax lenses or are you open to any more suggestions? (can't really give me voice since I haven't owned any of them)

The Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 are good contenders for a lens in your range.
12-23-2013, 10:16 PM   #9
Pentaxian
Kozlok's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,145
If you want a zoom, the 18-135 is a bit better than the kit lens, better range, and WR. It's my travel lens.

If you want something optically better with less range than the 18-135 but still more range than the kit, the Sigma 17-70 is the one to get. (also focuses really closely for pseudo macro)

If you can live with even less range (and higher price/heavier), any of the 17-50 / f2.8 lenses (Sigma or Tamron) or the Pentax 16-50/2.8 would be the best choice. (Pentax if you want WR, the others if that isn't important to you). There's a full comparison of the 3 in the lens reviews.

What specific thing do you want to accomplish that the kit lens can't do?
12-23-2013, 10:17 PM   #10
Inactive Account




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New Orleans
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,053
There is a significant price jump from going from 16-45 (225-275 used) to the 17-70 (400-450 used and 600 new) and a huge price jump going to the 16-50 (750-850 used and 1300 new).

IQ wise and focal length for focal length and f/stop for f/stop neither lens bests the 16-45 although the DA* does give you another stop. The 17-70 leaves something to be desired at the telephoto end.

If your budget permits, go for the 16-50 if it doesn't I would choose the 16-45 (I did before and would again). I am saving my money towards a hopefully eventually to be released DA* 16-50 mark 2 or DFA* 24-70.
12-23-2013, 10:36 PM   #11
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 113
I'd recommend Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX. Both cheaper and better than 16-50. Only drawback is the lack of WR.
Sure it does not have quick fix but it does not seem to hunt so it's generally not needed.
12-23-2013, 10:41 PM   #12
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Canada_Rockies's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,385
I am a fan of the DA* 16-50/2.8. It is expensive. It is heavy. It is a great lens, particularly indoors where the extra stop at the long end is very helpful.
12-23-2013, 11:28 PM   #13
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SoCal
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 518
I guess the question I'd have is similar to frogoutofwater.

Why are you looking to replace the kit lens?
a) WR ?
b) Focal length ?
c) Quality glass ?
d) Faster lens ?

Another question... where are you going to use the lens?
1. Portrait
2. Low light/indoors
3. Travel Lens
4. Landscape
5.

I've heard good reviews of the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 C. Personally, I'd be between the Pentax 18-135 and Sigma 17-70, however being in SoCal, there's nowhere to try them out. It seems funny to go to Maui to get a lens that they don't stock in Los Angeles.
12-24-2013, 12:22 AM   #14
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
Go to Maui to get a lens? What`s wrong with that idea?:-)
12-24-2013, 06:41 AM   #15
Forum Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 65
Original Poster
i heard about da* 18-50 f2.8 some copies have problem in SDM motor?

i tried 18-50 and 17-70 in a second hand shop today.. 17-70 is like half price of 18-50..

f4 lense like 17-70 and 16-45 gives a good bokeh?
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
f4, k-mount, kit, lense, pentax lens, replacement for kit, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
300mm replacement for kit lens....... janstew Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 4 07-13-2010 12:29 AM
Replacement for 18-55mm II kit lens catalina Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11 04-25-2010 03:58 PM
Best replacement kit lens for K-X Eagle_Friends Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 3 02-21-2010 10:58 AM
Looking for a kit lens replacement. NaClH2O Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 19 06-11-2009 12:18 PM
Replacement Lens Hood for 18-55mm Kit Lens? atnbirdie Pentax DSLR Discussion 7 07-20-2008 03:19 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:41 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top