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Good question!

I think primary lens with better IQ (+ faster in low light as bonus)



Yeah budget is an issue I have like 1000$ max

So maybe what about
Pentax 15mm HD + Pentax 50mm 1.8?

Good choices. 15mm is an incredible lens but too close to 16-45. I also have the 16-45 and bought the Sigma 10-20 f4.5-5.6. The Sigma gives me the ultimate in wide angle coverage. It is plenty sharp once you stop it down to f8 or a little smaller. It is also perfectly usable wide open. As a matter of fact I used the Sigma for a paid product shoot last week and it delivered with flying colors.

The 50mm f1.8 could be had on the forum for a song and it is a very sharp lens. Sigma and the 50mm combo will cost you a little over $500 leaving you enough to buy something else too.

The three lens combo (18-135, 50 and the 10-20) will allow you to do just about any type of shot unless you have a situation that you need something longer. Your short to medium side will be covered leaving you a void on the long side. Fill the void if you get a call for it. But for most situations you won't be lacking.

The other lens you might want to consider is a macro. I have the F50 f2.8. It is an old lens but easily the sharpest lens I have. I also have the 645 A120 f4 macro lens which becomes a 180 on my K3 and it is very sharp too.

[Madaboutpix]

Yeah budget is an issue I have like 1000$ max So maybe what about Pentax 15mm HD + Pentax 50mm 1.8?

Yes, by all means, agree with Heie that would make a great combination. The DA15 F4 is a great landscape lens, but I bet you'll soon learn to love it for much more than that: travel, family occasions, architecture, street, photojournalism ... you name it. I happen to own the smc version, and I take in anywhere I might need a wider angle. Be aware that it's not a particularly fast lens, though.

I have no personal experience with the DA50 F1.8, but from what I read I take that it should be a capable performer as a budget portrait lens. If you wanted an even better one, you could go for the DA70 F2.4, but that would get you past $1000 new for both lenses.

IQ-wise all of the above should shine on your K-3!

[calsan]

I would recommend:
1. sturdy tripod legs and ball head
2. 15 limited
3. either a 35 or 50mm prime- probably I would rather have 35 myself, but I like to get in closer.

[formercanuck]

Well... my opinions are just that (take them with a grain of salt).
Since your primary goal here is kids / party / landscape, you'll want something decently wide.
With kids / party in mind, faster is better here (especially for indoors).

$1000 can get you a lot of lens
something on the zoom end - this should cover kids/party and to an extent landscape
Pentax DA 16-50 f/2.8 or Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

OR bag of primes
DA 15mm + DA 35 mm f/2.4 + DA 50 f/1.8

Personally... I'd almost go for the bag of primes as a change from shooting zoom.

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Last edited by formercanuck; 10-09-2014 at 05:23 PM.

[GeneV]

If you want a serious step up in IQ, pick up a FA 31 limited. I use it for landscapes (not wide angle on APS-C but I prefer this focal length for landscapes) and also portraits. Fast max aperture and sharp. It'll kill your entire budget, but mine is on my camera 80% of the time.

The FA31 and the FA77 Ltds are my two absolute favorites for the K3. One or the other FA Ltds or the DA*16-50 is on the K3 just about all the time. Otherwise, the K5II gets the zooms, and does a nice job with them.

[kref]

I could buy Pentax 16-50 2.8 for 500$, but i read review, here on pentax forums where Sigma 17-50 won and it has almost same price.

And i think IQ of 35 and 50 primes are better than this zooms, isnt it?

Its so damn hard to choose whats best :]
I really like example photos of Pentax 15mm and I tried yesterday shot with my 18-135 with 35 and 50mm focal length and i think 35 is more usable

FA31 is way too expensive in my country ;] out of budget

[normhead]

More light entering the lens means faster shutter speed and more decisive AF

The DA 35 2.4 and DA 50 1.8 are pretty much no brainers on a budget.

I would also add a 15 ltd.. if I could.
New Pentax HD Da 15mm F 4 Ed Al Limited Lens Silver | eBay

You can get all three of them, at least from this vender for under $1000.

[kref]

So after reading all you messages I have 1 favorite and it is 15mm

But for me I think there is one more versatile lens and it is 35mm limited HD macro, but it has F/2.8 isnt it to high for inside room fast (child) shoting?

Or is better for me right now buy 15mm + 35 2.4 + tripod and then 100mm macro?

[Conqueror]

DA* 55mm should possibly be considered...

WR, fast @ f1.4, good for portraits, sharp, nice bokeh

[Homo_erectus]

DA* 55mm should possibly be considered...

WR, fast @ f1.4, good for portraits, sharp, nice bokeh

Yeah, the DA* 55mm is pretty fantastic. Not the speediest focusing but an awesome lens overall.

If you wanted to go for the price / performance sweet spot it's probably the DA 35mm and DA 50mm since you can get both of them from pentax right now for like 300 dollars including shipping. Get them both and a good flash and learn to use it.

Be aware that even an F/1.4 lens will not let you shoot moving targets in low light at high shutter speeds and low ISO. A flash is the answer to low light shooting.

[kp0c]

The da 35mm and da50mm plastic fantastic might not be limited lenses, but please, just purchase them already! They are both FAST at focussing (faster than the 35mm macro would be for instance) and are very sharp. They are small, lightweight, they even look good and are a ton of fun to use. They are my most used lenses, and are the only lenses I will bring when going at a friend's place.
I have a constant 2.8 zoom and I still prefer the DA 35mm 2.4 because it's lighter, smaller and faster at focussing. It's really a no brainer in my mind. I paid close to 200$ for mine (bought it the week it came out) and I would do it again, at that same price in a heartbeat.

My point being that those lenses should be must have. Even if you own the DA*55mm and every limited (DA and FA), there will still be time when a 150$ lens will be more appropriate.

[AtitG]

Da50 1.8 + flash AF540fgz version 1 + lightroom + sirui carbon fiber tripod.

[jwc77]

I'd go DA 21 limited (great all around lens in a small package) and the DA 70 limited (cover your portrait needs and great at capturing kids from a distance where they forget you're there). Great 2 lens kit.

[kref]

Choosing best lens for me - madness

I was determined to buy Pentax 15 limited + Da 35

Now i start to think it will be cool to have macro lens so I think about Da 35 and buying 15 limited few months later ;]

Cant get from circle

[jwc77]

A used Tamron 90mm macro is a great macro plus also does a great job with portraits...and you would probably have enough left in your budget for the 15.