Hi folks,

So I joined the K3 club (wahooo!)

But that means selling my K7. I have an interested buyer. I think it's a great camera for someone looking to change from P&S to the SLR world.

Only problem is I was planning to sell the K7 body only.

He's interested in the kit 18-55 lens I bought with my K100 years ago. For sellability, it's easier for him if I sell the lens too. Just means I may need a new lens.

I do own a 50mm 1.7 which I love to use, but I found myself using the 18-55 inside for family gatherings more often.
I guess I preferred the ability to zoom out without needing to ask everyone to move.

I've looked at the 18-55 WR, 16-45 and 17-70.

Not sure what to do.

Not expecting anyone to tell me exactly what to do, but wondering:

Do most folks have a 50 mm and an 18-55 (or similar) zoom lens?

For outside stuff, I have a Sigma 70-300 and a 14mm wide.

Just looking for feedback - thanks

Cheers,
Keebler

[jatrax]

Take a look at the DA 18-135. More focal length, better image quality, WR and fast silent AF. That plus a fast 50mm and your 70-300 makes a great all around kit.

[SpecialK]

Sigma 17-70. Done :-)

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/251380-sigma-17-70mm-449-a.html

[blackcloudbrew]

My suggestion. Let the kit lens go with the K7. If you just want to replace it, get the WR version used for peanuts. The 16-45 lens is one that many speak highly of for the value of the lens. I don't know it though. Personally, I've left my kit lenses long ago and really prefer the DA*16-50 but...that's a heck of a lot more money. The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a very good option as an upgrade to your kit lens. The DA 18-135 may also be an option for you.

I owned the DA 17-70 for a number of years and really like it but at f4 I found it to be a better outside lens than inside lens.

To me the basic deal is that you are upgrading your body and I suspect that it's time to move up from your kit lens. Sell it with the K7 and move on.

[tomwil]

So I joined the K3 club. But that means selling my K7. He's interested in the kit 18-55 lens I bought with my K100 years ago. For sellability, it's easier for him if I sell the lens too. Just means I may need a new lens.

The 18-55mm lens that came with your K100D was probably the original AL version. The later ALII and WR versions are better optically, and would be a better match for your new K-3.

I've seen the WR version go for as low as $60 currently, and the ALII even less. Sure beats paying $400 for a lens.

[cbope]

If you're just looking for a casual "convenience" lens and don't want to spend much, get the DA 18-55 WR. It's cheap and for a kit lens is actually decent. The DA 18-135 is not bad either, but not really an "inside" lens... the 18-55 is more than long enough for inside shots and the 18-135 is going to be considerably more expensive. You can probably find the 18-55 used for cheap.

I used my DA 18-55 WR for a few years and was generally happy with the results. Outdoors when the light gets dull, the rendering can get a bit muddy, but with good light it produces fine results.

[jimr-pdx]

It's hard to make a call right now, with a ~17-85mm loitering on the K-mount roadmap. The focal length and final specs (wr, dc, f/) are not finalized nor has a mockup been shown.
If you find a deal on the 18-135 it's probably worth it, that's what I did - otherwise the 18-55WR is a fine lens. If weather isn't an issue the Sigma 17-70 has great specs and the original model served me well!

[Capture Lights]

another vote on the da 18-135 wr. if you need something faster yet without wr, then 17-50 tamron/sigma.

[kiwi_jono]

+1 in looking at DA 18-135. Its pretty versatile, compact and great centre sharpness (borders leave a bit be desired though- especially at telephoto end).
I have the original Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 and its pretty good but I think the DA 18-135 is bit better (when testing my copies side by side anyway). The latter 17-70 may have improved though.

Depends on your budget and intended use really - there are quite a few options these days. If budget is constrained and WR appeals (so you can shoot in bad weather, beaches etc) then the DA 18-55 WR is an option (although optically the 18-135 is somewhat better I have found).

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!
I'm looking at the 18-135 or I may just go with the 18-55 WR. I figure if the older 18-55 did the trick for many photos, I can get away with a cheaper version and use the 50mm as needed.

[Adam]

Hi folks,

So I joined the K3 club (wahooo!)

But that means selling my K7. I have an interested buyer. I think it's a great camera for someone looking to change from P&S to the SLR world.

Only problem is I was planning to sell the K7 body only.

He's interested in the kit 18-55 lens I bought with my K100 years ago. For sellability, it's easier for him if I sell the lens too. Just means I may need a new lens.

I do own a 50mm 1.7 which I love to use, but I found myself using the 18-55 inside for family gatherings more often.
I guess I preferred the ability to zoom out without needing to ask everyone to move.

I've looked at the 18-55 WR, 16-45 and 17-70.

Not sure what to do.

Not expecting anyone to tell me exactly what to do, but wondering:

Do most folks have a 50 mm and an 18-55 (or similar) zoom lens?

For outside stuff, I have a Sigma 70-300 and a 14mm wide.

Just looking for feedback - thanks

Cheers,
Keebler

I would recommend the 18-135mm too. Silent/faster AF plus more reach doesn't hurt

Thanks again everyone! I ended up switching kits to buy the lens + body.
Now proud owner of the 18-135.
Love the silent fast focus.
Also love the 18 for inside and can definitely see myself taking advantage of the 135 in inclement weather.
Haven't used it much yet, but will in the coming week.

Seems to be pretty good bang for the buck (given the kit is on sale now)

Thanks again!

btw, an 'aw shucks' moment - I sold my K7 + the 18-55 lens to a first time DSLR user. He seemed excited about jumping into this world.
I raved about this forum....told him folks are always available to help out and given that we're Pentax users and not the multitude of Nikon/Canon/other users, there seems to be that extra little umph of care when people are helping out.

[formercanuck]

The 18-135mm is a decent lens. I used this (lensrentals.com carries it) on a vacation as a rental to 'try before I buy'. Its a step up from the kit, silent, WR and extra range.
I personally would like to try the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8/4 as a 'faster' lens, however, probably about 80% of my shots are outdoors where its bright and I use the extra range.
Also, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 would be another to try. Hard part is finding somewhere that actually carries lenses in SoCal for Pentax.

[reeftool]

You could always just get another 18-55 kit lens if you liked it. My biggest gripe with the 18-55 kit lens is the less versatility it has compared to a zoom with a longer reach like an 18-135 or 17-70.
I just bought the new Sigma 17-70 Contemporary. It's a nice lens so far and I have no real complaints. I recently used it to shoot my daughters wedding with good results and a lot of vacation shots on a trip where it was my walk around, again with good results although I did notice more distortion in my shots along the Myrtle Beach waterfront which showed up in the high rise hotels leaning. It was easily correctable in PP.

[abacus07]

I think it's always nice to have a WR zoom to go with a WR camera even if you don't use it very much. Same is true of an old manual fast fifty. The problem is deciding just how many other lenses that you 'need'.