[Sumit Floyd Chaterji]

I wish to add a zoom in my bag to my two primes (35mm & 50 mm) and i have a few options but have zeroed on two of them but cant really decide which one to finally go for... they are both used but in fairly good conditions - and the price difference is not that much either...

Pentax DA 18-55mm AL II f3.5.- 5.6
or
Vivitar Series1 - 19-35mm f3.5.- 4-5

please help make up my mind !!

mucho gracias

[SpecialK]

Why this range, which covers your primes? I'd do the 18-55 for the focal length.

[schnitzer79]

Id go for the vivitar as i believe its the better lens of the two

[Sumit Floyd Chaterji]

Why this range, which covers your primes? I'd do the 18-55 for the focal length.

i want/need/wish to have a walk around lens for everyday to experiment with and use the primes for some dedicated work.

---------- Post added 30-06-14 at 12:23 ----------

Id go for the vivitar as i believe its the better lens of the two

yes my leaning was/is towards that one as well..... is there any difference qualitatively or performance and result wise between the Vivitar & Voigtländer 19-35mm - they have the same design and make.(.well one is all black and and the other black and silver) .. am asking you as i presume from your name you're german or austrian.

[carrrlangas]

I´d go for a used Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. It´s the lightest constant f/2.8 and can be bought used for a good price. The advantage of the DA18-55 is the WR version. But then, everyone will recommend you the DA18-135 because of silent / faster AF and better IQ. (I don´t have one)

[peterjcb]

I'm not familiar with the vivitar but I have the 18-55 that you referenced and although I rarely use it, it is a very decent lens especially for the current used prices.

[Na Horuk]

A lot of people here mostly use kit zooms because they are WR and convenient. Most people get it right away with their camera
The DA 18-135mm is well liked and WR. It offers quite a lot at a relatively low price
Someone mentioned the Tamron 17-50mm. This lens has better image quality and brighter aperture than the DA 18-55mm. But its not WR

[Sumit Floyd Chaterji]

A lot of people here mostly use kit zooms because they are WR and convenient. Most people get it right away with their camera
The DA 18-135mm is well liked and WR. It offers quite a lot at a relatively low price
Someone mentioned the Tamron 17-50mm. This lens has better image quality and brighter aperture than the DA 18-55mm. But its not WR

The reviews in the forum here ranks the 18-55 AL II higher and better than the WR version, that's why i got interested in it... true though that the price difference between used copies of the two is not much either.. but i was quite impressed by the vivitar/voigtländer 19-35 by its make and was thus hoping to have someone throw some light on the quality of these two glasses.

[Na Horuk]

The reviews in the forum here ranks the 18-55 AL II higher and better than the WR version, that's why i got interested in it...

Oh, keep in mind the reviews are an aggregate of subjective scores that take into account personal feelings and also cost of the lens. The DA, DA L and WR 18-55mm are optically identical (only the much older version I is different). The difference is in the build. The DA L is not WR and has no markings, comes without hood and has plastic mount. It should be the cheapest. The others have some more features (like lens hood, distance scales, quick shift, WR. There are also differences in filter sizes). These are optically all the same:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-18-55mm-F3.5-5.6-II-Ve...Zoom-Lens.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DAL-18-55mm-F3.5-5.6-Zoom-Lens.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-18-55mm-F3.5-5.6-WR-We...Zoom-Lens.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/smc-pentax-da-l-18-55mm-f3.5-5.6-al-wr.html

[OregonJim]

Id go for the vivitar as i believe its the better lens of the two

I have the Vivitar Series 1 19-35mm. It does have better IQ than any of the kit lens variations of the 18-55mm - better edge sharpness and better contrast, but not as dramatic a difference as, say, the 35/2.4 prime.

[schnitzer79]

I have the Vivitar Series 1 19-35mm. It does have better IQ than any of the kit lens variations of the 18-55mm - better edge sharpness and better contrast, but not as dramatic a difference as, say, the 35/2.4 prime.

out of those two i do believe its the better option. i dont know if the op is looking for a lens in that zoom range or in that price range. however there are much better options out there for a walkaround lens i.e. DA 18-135, Tamron (or sigma) 17-50 f2.8 if he wants low light capability etc etc
a used 17-50 can be found pretty cheap actually. another very cheap alternative is the pentax F 35-70, however you wont be able to go ultra wide.

one thing you must keep in mind is not to make a rushed decision and buy something that will not satisfy you just for the sake that its cheap. if you buy the 19-35mm (or 18-55) then you might find that you want another zoom with longer reach, and you're going to be constantly switching lenses...so that defeats the purpose of a walkaround..
best walkaround for me is the 18-135...full stop! if you have the money to buy it that is.

[robjmitchell]

The Sigma 17-70 is also a great choice for a walk around lens when you already have a couple of fast primes. A step up from the kit lens and the 70mm focal length is great for portraits. On overseas trips I can pretty much get away with just one lens if you are not trying to shoot wildlife.

[G and T]

The other zoom you may consider is the DA 16-45 f4 it is a step up in IQ from the 18-55 and is very cheap
at the moment due to it being discontinued and dealers here in Australia are running them out new for $235 AUD
($220 US)
Glenn

[Sumit Floyd Chaterji]

Hey thanks people for all the great input...

yes the 18-135 is definitely on my list and i will snap one up as and when a good offer and money at hand sync together ! , I wasn't very keen on any of the kit lenses somehow except the tele 55-300 but that can wait too... for now i have got myself a used but well maintained Tokina AF 20-35mm ( it came in original packing as well as a filter thrown in - pic attached ) which will hopefully stay with me till pentax comes out with a FF someday !
I'm also thinking of getting a adapter for M42 and try out some used M42 lenses which are cheap and could be traded back in

---------- Post added 01-07-14 at 07:40 ----------

out of those two i do believe its the better option. i dont know if the op is looking for a lens in that zoom range or in that price range. however there are much better options out there for a walkaround lens i.e. DA 18-135, Tamron (or sigma) 17-50 f2.8 if he wants low light capability etc etc
a used 17-50 can be found pretty cheap actually. another very cheap alternative is the pentax F 35-70, however you wont be able to go ultra wide.

one thing you must keep in mind is not to make a rushed decision and buy something that will not satisfy you just for the sake that its cheap. if you buy the 19-35mm (or 18-55) then you might find that you want another zoom with longer reach, and you're going to be constantly switching lenses...so that defeats the purpose of a walkaround..
best walkaround for me is the 18-135...full stop! if you have the money to buy it that is.

i am specifically looking for a wide zoom for landscapes etc without going bankrupt..as for the tight end i do have a pentax smc F80-200 which perhps would satisfy most of my needs.