[Don Martin]

Hi there,

as the title says, I am still looking for an (almost) perfect lens setup for my beloved K5iis ant the recently added 2nd Body K50.

I use the cameras for 2 reasons:

Work: I own a location agency, so I need to take a lot of location pictures, mostly interior architecture, also landscapes, roads, nature etc.
Private: I love to travel, mostly backpacking, so I need a light WR and flexible lens setup between 16mm - 50mm, plus a cheap telefoto lens.

I have tried many setups and all failed in the end. The only lens I kept and will never let go is my beloved Pentax DA 12-14mm. My last setup was:

Pentax DA12-24mm, Pentax DA 18-135mm, Sigma 30mm 1,4 Art, Pentax F50mm 1,7.
After my last private trip I felt dissapointed with the DA 18-135mm. Because in this setup it's the worst lens and I used it most of the time. So I sold
everything besides the DA 12-24mm in kind of a rush. I also bought a new, Sigma 17.50mm 2,8 just to play arounf with it, since it was a bargain and
brand new. I really like it, great lens, very sharp, much flexibility but a little heavy and no WR.

At the moment I am thinking about 2 new setup ideas, which would work for both, work an travel. (When I travel the K50 stays in the office and my employes
are using it with the DA 12-24mm.)

1. Pentax DA 12-24mm + Pentax DA* 16-50mm + Pentax FA 43mm + Telezoom
This would give me a sharp wide angle, a sharp, flexible, well built Normal 2,8 Zoom, 1 small fun lens to play with. I still have an Pentax M 50 1,7 laying around
which I could use for some portraits a well if I need a closer range. It will cover the range from 12mm - 200mm completely which is all I need.

2. Pentax DA 12-24mm + Pentax DA 20-40mm Limited + Pentax DA 15mm + Pentax DA 50mm 1,8 + telezoom
This would give me more primes, plus a very lightweight travel kit, with the DA 15mm, The DA 20-40mm and the DA50mm. I would have to buy an extra DA15mm
in this setup because I would need something below 20mm while traveling and 1 wideangle needs to stay at work.

Of course this setup is more expensive, but somehow I am driven to that DA 20-40mm Limited, which I have never used, but it looks damn sexy and seems a perfect
lense for travel, landscape and some street work.

So please give me your thoughts about these ideas.

Cheers

Don

[UncleVanya]

I'm not sure about your choices in number 1. The 16-50 is heavy and the FA 43 isn't WR.
Number 2 the DA 15 and DA 50 are not WR.

Which Telezoom also?

If you went with the 20-40 you could pair that with the 50-135 for modest telephoto and add the 1.4x TC which pairs well with it. Then you have almost all except the DA 15 which you could add.

Alternately a 60-250 covers the Telezoom and the modest tele. Add the DA 15 and DA 50 if you feel the gap between 40-60 is a big deal or need the speed.

Just some thoughts. I own the F 50 1.7 and the DA* zooms mentioned (50-135 and 60-250) as well as the 1.4x HD TC.

[lytrytyr]

2. Pentax DA 12-24mm + Pentax DA 20-40mm Limited + Pentax DA 15mm + Pentax DA 50mm 1,8 + telezoom
This would give me more primes, plus a very lightweight travel kit, with the DA 15mm, The DA 20-40mm and the DA50mm. I would have to buy an extra DA15mm
in this setup because I would need something below 20mm while traveling and 1 wideangle needs to stay at work.

Of course this setup is more expensive, but somehow I am driven to that DA 20-40mm Limited, which I have never used, but it looks damn sexy and seems a perfect
lense for travel, landscape and some street work.

Your expectations for the DA 20-40 match my experience with it over the last year.

I don't have the DA 12-24, do have the DA 15,
but am now finding the 08 wide zoom on the Q7 to be excellent for wide angle coverage.
Coupled with the K2Q adapter, that would give you a compact tele option as well.

[mattb123]

I have the DA* 16-50 and 60-250. They are kind of big and heavy compared to the other lenses you mention but IQ is great and WR gives peace of mind. I use my 16-50 quite a lot when it's not too much to carry. Not sure I'd take it backpacking. The 18-135 is better suited to that kind of thing based on weight and size.
I'll often take the 16-50, DA15, and DA70 with the intention of using the 16-50 most of the time unless I need longer or wider (or better flare resistance).

I also considered the 20-40 but never got one. Seems like it might be a great small sealed zoom for taking backpacking or other self-powered adventures.

[Parallax]

The nervending search for a new lens setup, help please!

I'm not sure if you meant never ending or nerve ending, but I guess either one works.

[Don Martin]

I'm not sure about your choices in number 1. The 16-50 is heavy and the FA 43 isn't WR.
Number 2 the DA 15 and DA 50 are not WR.

Which Telezoom also?

If you went with the 20-40 you could pair that with the 50-135 for modest telephoto and add the 1.4x TC which pairs well with it. Then you have almost all except the DA 15 which you could add.

Alternately a 60-250 covers the Telezoom and the modest tele. Add the DA 15 and DA 50 if you feel the gap between 40-60 is a big deal or need the speed.

Just some thoughts. I own the F 50 1.7 and the DA* zooms mentioned (50-135 and 60-250) as well as the 1.4x HD TC.

It's a bit tricky, I basically need 2 Scouting Kits with Wide Angles for the K5iis and the K50. So I thought I'll get a DA 15mm which is the best
focal lenghts for shooting interiors, plus it would make a very lightweight travel lens.

The 16-50 is heavy, that's true but WR. The 43mm is not WR which is no problem, because I only need 1 WR normal lens.
My 18-135mm used to do this job good but I was never 100% satisfied with the sharpness.

---------- Post added 02-27-2015 at 11:04 AM ----------

I'm not sure if you meant never ending or nerve ending, but I guess either one works.

Hihi, yes both works....

---------- Post added 02-27-2015 at 11:09 AM ----------

I have the DA* 16-50 and 60-250. They are kind of big and heavy compared to the other lenses you mention but IQ is great and WR gives peace of mind. I use my 16-50 quite a lot when it's not too much to carry. Not sure I'd take it backpacking. The 18-135 is better suited to that kind of thing based on weight and size.
I'll often take the 16-50, DA15, and DA70 with the intention of using the 16-50 most of the time unless I need longer or wider (or better flare resistance).

I also considered the 20-40 but never got one. Seems like it might be a great small sealed zoom for taking backpacking or other self-powered adventures.

I really liked the 18-135 but the IQ is not so great compared to other lenses. Maybe the 20-40 Limited would be to perfect replacement. I tend to shoot mostly
between 21mm to 50mm for about 90% of my private pictures. It also adds well to the Da 12-24 from the range....
Then I would just need another compact lens which covers everything above 40mm. What about the Tamron 28-75mm 28 that should also work for portraits
and I could use my m50mm 1,7 for more artistic work?

[Conqueror]

DA 15 or 21mm
+
DA 35 or DA 35 limited or FA 31 or 20-40mm HD
+
DFA 100mm WR

May not meet your current criteria exactly.. but would make for a pretty small [three lens] setup with high IQ

[Don Martin]

I'm not sure about your choices in number 1. The 16-50 is heavy and the FA 43 isn't WR.
Number 2 the DA 15 and DA 50 are not WR.

Which Telezoom also?

If you went with the 20-40 you could pair that with the 50-135 for modest telephoto and add the 1.4x TC which pairs well with it. Then you have almost all except the DA 15 which you could add.

Alternately a 60-250 covers the Telezoom and the modest tele. Add the DA 15 and DA 50 if you feel the gap between 40-60 is a big deal or need the speed.

Just some thoughts. I own the F 50 1.7 and the DA* zooms mentioned (50-135 and 60-250) as well as the 1.4x HD TC.

Thats a good idea, but the 50-135 is just too big and heavy for me. I never felt missing reach behind 70mm. Only if you are shooting animals in free nature.
However I got a great shot of an leopoard with my 18-135, but I was lucky because it came pretty close....
So I thought of the cheap DA-L 50-200 or the better DA 55-300 for telephoto.

---------- Post added 02-27-2015 at 11:29 AM ----------

DA 15 or 21mm
+
DA 35 or DA 35 limited or FA 31 or 20-40mm HD
+
DFA 100mm WR

May not meet your current criteria exactly.. but would make for a pretty small [three lens] setup with high IQ

Nice idea, but the DFA 100mm is too big and heavy for me.
But DA 15 + DA 20-40 + DA 70 could work well....
Too many options....

[sterretje]

• DA16-85 plus DA55-300 ?? Both WR. Just not as wide as the DA15Ltd, but I assume it's not that relevant, else you would have opted for something wider.
• Samyang (or whatever) 14/2.8 or 16/2 (both manual focus) plus FA31Ltd plus DA55-300 ?? Not WR except for the telezoom.
• Sigma 10-20 plus FA31Ltd plus DA55-300 ?? Not WR except for the telezoom.

[Dice]

Thats a good idea, but the 50-135 is just too big and heavy for me. I never felt missing reach behind 70mm. Only if you are shooting animals in free nature.
However I got a great shot of an leopoard with my 18-135, but I was lucky because it came pretty close....
So I thought of the cheap DA-L 50-200 or the better DA 55-300 for telephoto.

---------- Post added 02-27-2015 at 11:29 AM ----------



Nice idea, but the DFA 100mm is too big and heavy for me.
But DA 15 + DA 20-40 + DA 70 could work well....
Too many options....

Was going to suggest the 15 20-40 and 70. The 70 would give you a short tele and a very nice portrait lens. I also used it some for landscape photographs and it does very well. This is a compact travel kit with some WR and versatility.

[Don Martin]

Was going to suggest the 15 20-40 and 70. The 70 would give you a short tele and a very nice portrait lens. I also used it some for landscape photographs and it does very well. This is a compact travel kit with some WR and versatility.

Harr, so good, that really sorts my thoughts here. I think this setup would be almost ideal.
It is a very nice and compact travel setup, also I love the build quality of the limited lenses.

Also I would have 2 complete work sets then, 1 k5iis + 12-24, 1 k50 + da15 and it would give
me time to send my beloved da 12-24 to service to get it properly fixed. It has been in use for 7 years now
and the heavy use left some sign. The tube is a little loose and the zoom cranks a little. Still perfectly sharp
the monster of a lens.

Plus I have a couple of 55mm filters from an old canon set laying around which could use some usage.

So I guess I start hunting for a nice used DA 20-40, add the DA 15, sell the Sigma 17-50 and add the DA 70 at last.

Sounds like a good plan or am I missing something here?

[mattb123]

Sounds like a good setup to me. I have the wide and long end of that kit and surely wouldn't mind having a 20-40 in the middle!

[normhead]

Harr, so good, that really sorts my thoughts here. I think this setup would be almost ideal.
It is a very nice and compact travel setup, also I love the build quality of the limited lenses.

Also I would have 2 complete work sets then, 1 k5iis + 12-24, 1 k50 + da15 and it would give
me time to send my beloved da 12-24 to service to get it properly fixed. It has been in use for 7 years now
and the heavy use left some sign. The tube is a little loose and the zoom cranks a little. Still perfectly sharp
the monster of a lens.

Plus I have a couple of 55mm filters from an old canon set laying around which could use some usage.

So I guess I start hunting for a nice used DA 20-40, add the DA 15, sell the Sigma 17-50 and add the DA 70 at last.

Sounds like a good plan or am I missing something here?

Looks good to me, for your criteria. Another few things you might want to add, an 50 1.8, and 1.4 TC, and maybe a Tamron 90 macro. at some point. Those lenses help keep things light and the TC will help you get the most out of ou 50 and you 90. The 50 and TC pretty much would make your 70 redundant.

[Arjay Bee]

SMC F 35-70 Macro for the middle - small, light, cheap

[UncleVanya]

Add the 1.4 HD TC to that setup and you have a nice additional flexibility to play with.

As for the 50-200, if you disliked the 18-135, don't. The 55-300 and 18-135 are about equal, the 50-200 is a step down by most accounts. That does not mean it can't pinch hit or even be a star if you work at it - but if you found the 18-135 to be a let down I don't think the 50-200 will be your cup of tea.

There really is not a telezoom that matches the lenses you want to use in IQ smaller than the 50-135. The 60-250 is a big lens, by comparison the 50-135 is pretty petite but the telerange is limited.

What about an older FA 135 and the TC mentioned above?

It's tough - too many compromises to make eh?