If you had to choose one lens

lextextrapper · 03-24-2015, 02:54 PM

Sounds like I need to sell another deer rifle to add to the lens fund. LOL

**jrpower10** · 03-24-2015, 02:59 PM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by civiletti

It depends on your photography. The lenses I used most in Yellowstone were the tamron 17-50/2.8 and the sigma 8-16.

Very true (nice shot BTW)

Here's a couple to get some perspective. First was with the DA 300mm + HD1.4 teleconverter and still cropped a lot (just to give you an idea). Second was the DA12-24 at 24mm (cropped a little for a pano look). Ultrawide isn't always necessary there as you have lots of room. Third and fourth are same spot with the DA 50-135, at 50 and at 135. All depends on what you like.

Joojoo2010 · 03-24-2015, 03:35 PM

One lens only then it would be zoom lens. Good 16/17/18-50 zoom or maybe that new 16-85wr

FantasticMrFox · 03-24-2015, 03:41 PM

He already has the 18-55 and 50-200 kit - as I understood it it's not about taking only one lens with him, but adding one lens to the existing kit.

maxxxx · 03-24-2015, 03:59 PM

If I had to pick one I would take either Pentax 12-24 or 55-300. Both are for different purposes but really for their respective use.

**ramseybuckeye** · 03-24-2015, 04:13 PM - **1 Like**

I went to Yellowstone five years ago, at the time I had a DA55-300 and a DA18-55 and a couple of manual focus lenses that I did not use much. The 55-300 did most of the work. I like to shoot wildlife, and Yellowstone is one of the best places on the planet for wildlife. A longer lens would have been better. I would have loved to had the DA*300 that I have now, if nothing else because of the extra speed useful early and late each day. And this is a place that you will want to be out from before sunrise to after sunset. There are also some fantastic geological wonders there. Don't limit yourself, have at least a good long lens and good wide lens. A few I would recommend, some have already been recommended:
DA* 60-250 plus optional HD 1.4x TC I don't have either but I've seen the results
DA* 300 plus optional HD 1.4x TC I can personally recommend the 300
DA12-24 I don't have but look very good
Tamron 10-24 Cheaper ultrazoom, very good as long as you're not looking into the sun
DA 15 Limited I just got this recently, excellent results, it would really be fun at Yellowstone, but a little less versatile than a zoom
Sigma 50-500, I have rented it once, it would be very useful at Yellowstone, a little on the slow side early or late. Renting was a very good experience to use a lens you need, and way to try a lens before buying too.
DA55-300WR Good long zoom, it has a slow focus that you can overcome by learning to quick shift first then auto focus. I got some very good shots with this when I was there with a K20D, with the K-30's low light ability you would do much better.
DA18-135WR good for everything but wildlife
Make sure you have at least one weatherized lens, or at least get a cheap rainsleeve.

Since the title of the thread is "If you had to choose one lens", it would depend a lot on what you're most interested in shooting, and what you may use the most after the trip. Of course your budget may or may not handle some of the expensive lenses I've thrown out there. I would say buy the best lens you can afford. If it is a wide angle, rent a longer lens, if you buy a long lens, rent a wide one.

Also don't forget extra batteries and the charger, and an extra SD card or two. Have fun, when are you going?

lextextrapper · 03-24-2015, 04:29 PM

I will be there from June 6th through June 11th. My problem is that I really want both a good wide angle lens and a good long zoom or telephoto lens (for wildlife) and can't afford to buy both right now. Maybe I could sell my DA 55-200 WR, but not sure what I could get for it. Like my grandfather always said...I have a t-bone appetite and a hamburger helper budget.

---------- Post added 03-24-15 at 06:32 PM ----------

Originally posted by jrpower10

Very true (nice shot BTW)

Here's a couple to get some perspective. First was with the DA 300mm + HD1.4 teleconverter and still cropped a lot (just to give you an idea). Second was the DA12-24 at 24mm (cropped a little for a pano look). Ultrawide isn't always necessary there as you have lots of room. Third and fourth are same spot with the DA 50-135, at 50 and at 135. All depends on what you like.

I like all of them, but I really like the second one with the wide angle view. Did you use and type of filter with it?

FantasticMrFox · 03-24-2015, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by lextextrapper

I will be there from June 6th through June 11th. My problem is that I really want both a good wide angle lens and a good long zoom or telephoto lens (for wildlife) and can't afford to buy both right now. Maybe I could sell my DA 55-200 WR ...

In this case the best you can get is probably the Samyang 14 f/2.8 I mentioned + the HD DA 55-300 WR. Neither of these is premium, but both are affordable, optically good lenses and should deliver high image quality. The Samyang doesn't take filters, but you can partially get around it via exposure blending or HDR.

SpecialK · 03-24-2015, 04:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SpecialK

The 12-24 if you want to take pictures of geysers and geologic features. Something else for wildlife. Most of the geysers have wooden paths, and you can only back up so far.

10-17 FE at 17mm. This is about like 13mm on the 12-24.

21mm.

15mm.

I missed most of the wildlife...
500mm.

10-17 at 10mm.

jon404 · 03-24-2015, 05:44 PM

I'd take the Pentax 16-45mm along with your 55-300mm. It is a constant f/4. A good sharp lens. Actually, you could also get by with a Pentax 28mm FA f/2.8. Lighter, has autofocus, sharp, and with all those megapixels on your camera, easy to crop a snapshot quite a bit, and still have a good sharp print. Gives a 'normal' 42mm-equiv picture. But me, I'd take the 16-45mm... because you get that wide-angle 24mm-equiv that I feel would be so valuable for your landscapes.

normhead · 03-24-2015, 05:59 PM

To take with the Da 18-55 and 55-200? I'd want my A-400. Or go with the 18-135 and leave everything else home.

Or the 10-17 fisheye. So many possibilities.

**sergysergy** · 03-24-2015, 06:49 PM

18-135 is a great option. When I go on trips I pair it with a 1.4x if I need the extra reach and normally it behaves provided you have enough light

Kozlok · 03-24-2015, 07:37 PM

You already have the 18-200mm range covered. Getting the 55-300 would up your telephoto capability by a fair amount, but the Sigma 10-20 would up your wide angle capabilities by a whole bunch.

For the money you have and the lenses you already have, I'd go for the 10-20, unless wildlife is your primary concern, then get the 55-300.

Just for the record, my UWA is the 10-17, but I love the fisheye effect. Ymmv

noelpolar · 03-24-2015, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by lextextrapper

I am taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park later this year. I have the K-30 with both the 18-55mm WR lens and the 50-200mm WR lens. If you were going to buy one lens to take on this trip, which lens would you buy to take with you to Yellowstone and why?

The F*300 4.5……will compliment your other lenses, is the smallest AF 300mm Pentax lens, and will become your friend for life…...

**lmd91343** · 03-24-2015, 08:17 PM

Don't forget the UV filters! If there is any place you need UV filters, it is Yellowstone near the geysers. The mist and spray, including what you can't feel will leave mineral deposits that are invisible to your eye. You will need to constantly clean your unprotected lenses. Also it is at a very high elevation, with more UV.

I have been to Yellowstone several times. You will see large fauna, both close and distant. A medium to long focal zoom lens will be needed for that. You will need a relatively wide lens near the thermal features. I don't know what FLs you like for landscapes. Wide, normal, and long lenses, that's all you need, every thing.

03-24-2015, 02:59 PM - 6 Likes	#17
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	Originally posted by civiletti It depends on your photography. The lenses I used most in Yellowstone were the tamron 17-50/2.8 and the sigma 8-16. Very true (nice shot BTW) Here's a couple to get some perspective. First was with the DA 300mm + HD1.4 teleconverter and still cropped a lot (just to give you an idea). Second was the DA12-24 at 24mm (cropped a little for a pano look). Ultrawide isn't always necessary there as you have lots of room. Third and fourth are same spot with the DA 50-135, at 50 and at 135. All depends on what you like. Attached Images

03-24-2015, 04:13 PM - 1 Like	#21
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	I went to Yellowstone five years ago, at the time I had a DA55-300 and a DA18-55 and a couple of manual focus lenses that I did not use much. The 55-300 did most of the work. I like to shoot wildlife, and Yellowstone is one of the best places on the planet for wildlife. A longer lens would have been better. I would have loved to had the DA300 that I have now, if nothing else because of the extra speed useful early and late each day. And this is a place that you will want to be out from before sunrise to after sunset. There are also some fantastic geological wonders there. Don't limit yourself, have at least a good long lens and good wide lens. A few I would recommend, some have already been recommended: DA 60-250 plus optional HD 1.4x TC I don't have either but I've seen the results DA* 300 plus optional HD 1.4x TC I can personally recommend the 300 DA12-24 I don't have but look very good Tamron 10-24 Cheaper ultrazoom, very good as long as you're not looking into the sun DA 15 Limited I just got this recently, excellent results, it would really be fun at Yellowstone, but a little less versatile than a zoom Sigma 50-500, I have rented it once, it would be very useful at Yellowstone, a little on the slow side early or late. Renting was a very good experience to use a lens you need, and way to try a lens before buying too. DA55-300WR Good long zoom, it has a slow focus that you can overcome by learning to quick shift first then auto focus. I got some very good shots with this when I was there with a K20D, with the K-30's low light ability you would do much better. DA18-135WR good for everything but wildlife Make sure you have at least one weatherized lens, or at least get a cheap rainsleeve. Since the title of the thread is "If you had to choose one lens", it would depend a lot on what you're most interested in shooting, and what you may use the most after the trip. Of course your budget may or may not handle some of the expensive lenses I've thrown out there. I would say buy the best lens you can afford. If it is a wide angle, rent a longer lens, if you buy a long lens, rent a wide one. Also don't forget extra batteries and the charger, and an extra SD card or two. Have fun, when are you going? Last edited by ramseybuckeye; 03-24-2015 at 04:23 PM.

03-24-2015, 04:51 PM - 1 Like	#24
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by SpecialK The 12-24 if you want to take pictures of geysers and geologic features. Something else for wildlife. Most of the geysers have wooden paths, and you can only back up so far. 10-17 FE at 17mm. This is about like 13mm on the 12-24. 21mm. 21mm. 15mm. 15mm. I missed most of the wildlife... 500mm. 10-17 at 10mm. 10-17 at 10mm.

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03-24-2015, 02:54 PM	#16
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	Sounds like I need to sell another deer rifle to add to the lens fund. LOL

03-24-2015, 03:35 PM	#18
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	One lens only then it would be zoom lens. Good 16/17/18-50 zoom or maybe that new 16-85wr

03-24-2015, 03:41 PM	#19
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	He already has the 18-55 and 50-200 kit - as I understood it it's not about taking only one lens with him, but adding one lens to the existing kit.

03-24-2015, 03:59 PM	#20
maxxxx Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 385	If I had to pick one I would take either Pentax 12-24 or 55-300. Both are for different purposes but really for their respective use.

03-24-2015, 04:29 PM	#22
lextextrapper Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 31 Original Poster	I will be there from June 6th through June 11th. My problem is that I really want both a good wide angle lens and a good long zoom or telephoto lens (for wildlife) and can't afford to buy both right now. Maybe I could sell my DA 55-200 WR, but not sure what I could get for it. Like my grandfather always said...I have a t-bone appetite and a hamburger helper budget. ---------- Post added 03-24-15 at 06:32 PM ---------- Originally posted by jrpower10 Very true (nice shot BTW) Here's a couple to get some perspective. First was with the DA 300mm + HD1.4 teleconverter and still cropped a lot (just to give you an idea). Second was the DA12-24 at 24mm (cropped a little for a pano look). Ultrawide isn't always necessary there as you have lots of room. Third and fourth are same spot with the DA 50-135, at 50 and at 135. All depends on what you like. I like all of them, but I really like the second one with the wide angle view. Did you use and type of filter with it?

03-24-2015, 04:46 PM	#23
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by lextextrapper I will be there from June 6th through June 11th. My problem is that I really want both a good wide angle lens and a good long zoom or telephoto lens (for wildlife) and can't afford to buy both right now. Maybe I could sell my DA 55-200 WR ... In this case the best you can get is probably the Samyang 14 f/2.8 I mentioned + the HD DA 55-300 WR. Neither of these is premium, but both are affordable, optically good lenses and should deliver high image quality. The Samyang doesn't take filters, but you can partially get around it via exposure blending or HDR.

03-24-2015, 05:44 PM	#25
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	I'd take the Pentax 16-45mm along with your 55-300mm. It is a constant f/4. A good sharp lens. Actually, you could also get by with a Pentax 28mm FA f/2.8. Lighter, has autofocus, sharp, and with all those megapixels on your camera, easy to crop a snapshot quite a bit, and still have a good sharp print. Gives a 'normal' 42mm-equiv picture. But me, I'd take the 16-45mm... because you get that wide-angle 24mm-equiv that I feel would be so valuable for your landscapes.

03-24-2015, 05:59 PM	#26
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	To take with the Da 18-55 and 55-200? I'd want my A-400. Or go with the 18-135 and leave everything else home. Or the 10-17 fisheye. So many possibilities.

03-24-2015, 06:49 PM	#27
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	18-135 is a great option. When I go on trips I pair it with a 1.4x if I need the extra reach and normally it behaves provided you have enough light

03-24-2015, 07:37 PM	#28
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	You already have the 18-200mm range covered. Getting the 55-300 would up your telephoto capability by a fair amount, but the Sigma 10-20 would up your wide angle capabilities by a whole bunch. For the money you have and the lenses you already have, I'd go for the 10-20, unless wildlife is your primary concern, then get the 55-300. Just for the record, my UWA is the 10-17, but I love the fisheye effect. Ymmv

03-24-2015, 07:40 PM	#29
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by lextextrapper I am taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park later this year. I have the K-30 with both the 18-55mm WR lens and the 50-200mm WR lens. If you were going to buy one lens to take on this trip, which lens would you buy to take with you to Yellowstone and why? The F*300 4.5……will compliment your other lenses, is the smallest AF 300mm Pentax lens, and will become your friend for life…...

03-24-2015, 08:17 PM	#30
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Don't forget the UV filters! If there is any place you need UV filters, it is Yellowstone near the geysers. The mist and spray, including what you can't feel will leave mineral deposits that are invisible to your eye. You will need to constantly clean your unprotected lenses. Also it is at a very high elevation, with more UV. I have been to Yellowstone several times. You will see large fauna, both close and distant. A medium to long focal zoom lens will be needed for that. You will need a relatively wide lens near the thermal features. I don't know what FLs you like for landscapes. Wide, normal, and long lenses, that's all you need, every thing.