What's your favorite walkaround lens?

skierd · 05-30-2015, 06:39 PM

I've gotten a hall-pass to go crazy with a little LBA from the wife, so long as most/all of them are gone or paid for by the end of summer.

My current kit is a K-30 paired with a rarely used 18-135WR, an oft-used DA40 limited, and a just-getting-to-know-it Super Takumar 55mm f1.8. I also have a Pentax ZX-7 when the film mood strikes, as it often does. Hopefully by next weekend I'll have a DA* 50-135, FA35mm f/2.0, DA 21mm limited, and a DA 70mm limited here ready to play with.

By the end of summer, I hope to be down to a solid 2-3 lens kit, not counting the Takumar which is likely to gain a few m42 friends. I'm pretty sure I can replace the long end of the 18-135 with the DA* 50-135 comfortably, then fill in the shorter focal lengths with a prime or two.

Ah... but which prime? I'll have three in that range soon between the 21, 40, and FA35. I keep thinking maybe I should just replace all three with the DA 35mm Macro limited? How is it as a general purpose walkaround lens compared to those three? I might miss the extra stop of the FA, or the weight of the 40 which can be used on my film body too...

Anyway while mulling these and other less important issues over this morning, I thought I'd ask the forums. You're going on a walk in the woods, so to speak. Or in town, etc. And you're not chasing birds or shooting sports. What's your go-to walk-around lens? Maybe I can get some clarity from the choices of others, or at least create a fun discussion out of it.

As a note, full frame compatibility is nice but not necessary. I might just keep the DA40mm for the ZX-7 regardless of whatever else I do.

alamo5000 · 05-30-2015, 06:49 PM

Between the 31mm and the 43mm... those are by far my most used lenses. With about 70% 31mm. I also have a F28 f2.8 that is also a fantastic walk around lens.

I say it all depends on what you are trying to shoot and what kind of pictures you want to take. I have a thread up now about me thinking about re-entering the zoom world (another thread on the forum) where I kind of pontificate pros and cons and if I should or shouldn't get a zoom to walk around with.

In ways it would be great but in others I don't know if it would help me up my game any.

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-30-2015, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by skierd

Ah... but which prime? I'll have three in that range soon between the 21, 40, and FA35. I keep thinking maybe I should just replace all three with the DA 35mm Macro limited? How is it as a general purpose walkaround lens compared to those three? I might miss the extra stop of the FA, or the weight of the 40 which can be used on my film body too...

Anyway while mulling these and other less important issues over this morning, I thought I'd ask the forums. You're going on a walk in the woods, so to speak. Or in town, etc. And you're not chasing birds or shooting sports. What's your go-to walk-around lens? Maybe I can get some clarity from the choices of others, or at least create a fun discussion out of it.

Even if you don't clarify you situation, you're right, these discussions are fun. Well, my walks in the woods are with a DA*300, but I'm looking for birds and wildlife. I used to have a D FA 100 Macro WR that was nice for walks in the woods. I did not use it enough and sold it to help fund the 300. So I think a macro would be nice. In town is a totally different animal. I have primes in 15, 28, 35, and 50 and 10-24 and 18-135 zooms. The 18-135 is the most useful, but the 15 and 28 are more fun. I find the 35 and 50 too long to often. I kind of feel the 21 or 24 lengths would be ideal. I sometimes decide I'm going to shoot architecture, or people, or try more creative things, and choose the lens for the purpose or for the time of day and the light you'll get. Of course then your plans don't always work out.

**robgski** · 05-30-2015, 07:37 PM

As was stated above, for a walk in the woods, I'd want something telephoto, or a zoom. I've used the 40mm XS while walking around a city, and it's my favorite lens for street or spur of the moment shots. I'm looking for a 21mm at the right price for the same purpose, to take in more of the scene, even if I am close to the action.

Driline · 05-30-2015, 07:45 PM

My most used walk around lenses are the FA 31, FA 100 and the F*300. All have exceptional IQ and are a joy to use. If I could just choose one , it would be the FA 31 though.

hcc · 05-30-2015, 08:12 PM

Best walkaround prime: FA31mm F1.8 for landscape - In a crowded city (eg Paris, London), I would use my DA15mm Ltd.

Best walkaround zoom: DA18-135mm because it is WR (over my other fav DA18-250mm)

**pepperberry farm** · 05-30-2015, 08:37 PM

my current favorite is my Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3DC

I love the range and the flexibility of it.... but it's not nearly as crisp as my DA 50mm....

**tduell** · 05-30-2015, 08:50 PM

I use my Sigma 18-200 a lot, it is good for most outdoor situations.
I also have a Sigma 24-70 f2.8, which is a really nice lens that I use whenever I don't need the reach of the 18-200, or shooting indoors.
I probably prefer the 24-70.

DeadJohn · 05-31-2015, 12:43 AM

The DA* 16-50 is my most versatile walk around lens. If I expect to be walking more indoors or other tight spaces then the Tamron 10-24.

But my favorite walk around "lens" is the Ricoh GR. Perfect for street photography. It's so compact that I bring it everywhere. Images are very sharp. The user interface is fantastic.

You mentioned macro lenses. They tend to focus slowly.

noelpolar · 05-31-2015, 01:40 AM

Mmmm interesting dilemma.......most days I do what you are suggesting....(I'm retired....shoot every day mostly).... personally..... I want my gear to be special, intimate and functional.... so I shoot pentax primes 95% of the time. I don't need to get every shot.....I doubt I'm leaving anything behind that matters......but I need to enjoy the experience. Mostly the 31, 77 and F*300 4.5 does this for me (I have a 15, 21, 43 as well as some others such as K50 1,2 etc).

**HeavyCorPhotography** · 05-31-2015, 02:45 AM

I'm still pretty new with my K-50, and have taken 99% of my shots with the 18-55 DA L, with great success... but I just picked up an SMC Pentax 30mm F/2.8 and a Rikenon 50mm F/2. So I don't know who's going to get the brunt of the work yet, but I'll try and get back to you after I have a little time with them both.

kh1234567890 · 05-31-2015, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by skierd

What's your go-to walk-around lens?

At the moment it is the DA16-45, if only it were smaller/lighter : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpentaxda1645mmf4edal
Otherwise, the DA21/DA70 pair : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da21 and Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da70

And the old kit DA18-55WR when it is raining/about to rain : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda1855mmf3556alwr

Stagnant · 05-31-2015, 04:35 AM

My main walk-around lens is Sigma 18-35 1.8. The next most used one is DA * 16-50 2.8.

**roberrl** · 05-31-2015, 04:45 AM

Just to add my 2 pennyworth, my walk around lens is a Sigma 10-20. Bought 4 years ago on the recommendation of a Nikon user it has rarely been off my camera. It's saved my bacon many times at the wide end where I haven't had the space to use foot zoom to get sufficient distance from my subject.

normhead · 05-31-2015, 05:55 AM

If you're that happy with the 40, why are you even looking? Getting a macro lens can really slow down your AF, but on a walk in the woods macro at least for me is a pre-requisite, although for me, the pseudo macro on my 18-135 is enough.. You don't use the 18-135 so , a zoom is probably a bad choice. That leaves acquiring quality. Your two logical choices are the 31 ltd or 43 ltd. to replace your 40, depending on if you want a bit longer or a bit shorter.

The concept of doing a walk without my 18-135, and supporting cast, at least the 70 macro and 21 ltd is kind of messing me up here. Your woods must be different than my woods.

05-30-2015, 06:39 PM	#1
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472	What's your favorite walkaround lens? I've gotten a hall-pass to go crazy with a little LBA from the wife, so long as most/all of them are gone or paid for by the end of summer. My current kit is a K-30 paired with a rarely used 18-135WR, an oft-used DA40 limited, and a just-getting-to-know-it Super Takumar 55mm f1.8. I also have a Pentax ZX-7 when the film mood strikes, as it often does. Hopefully by next weekend I'll have a DA* 50-135, FA35mm f/2.0, DA 21mm limited, and a DA 70mm limited here ready to play with. By the end of summer, I hope to be down to a solid 2-3 lens kit, not counting the Takumar which is likely to gain a few m42 friends. I'm pretty sure I can replace the long end of the 18-135 with the DA* 50-135 comfortably, then fill in the shorter focal lengths with a prime or two. Ah... but which prime? I'll have three in that range soon between the 21, 40, and FA35. I keep thinking maybe I should just replace all three with the DA 35mm Macro limited? How is it as a general purpose walkaround lens compared to those three? I might miss the extra stop of the FA, or the weight of the 40 which can be used on my film body too... Anyway while mulling these and other less important issues over this morning, I thought I'd ask the forums. You're going on a walk in the woods, so to speak. Or in town, etc. And you're not chasing birds or shooting sports. What's your go-to walk-around lens? Maybe I can get some clarity from the choices of others, or at least create a fun discussion out of it. As a note, full frame compatibility is nice but not necessary. I might just keep the DA40mm for the ZX-7 regardless of whatever else I do.

05-30-2015, 08:12 PM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Best walkaround prime: FA31mm F1.8 for landscape - In a crowded city (eg Paris, London), I would use my DA15mm Ltd. Best walkaround zoom: DA18-135mm because it is WR (over my other fav DA18-250mm) Last edited by hcc; 05-30-2015 at 09:01 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What's your favorite K-mount Legacy lens & why?	Docrwm	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	64	12-31-2016 07:30 AM
What's your favorite man-smell?	Dewman	General Talk	23	11-26-2014 05:14 PM
What's your favorite lens?	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	10-23-2011 08:26 AM
What's your favorite lens?	dancinonwater	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	24	11-15-2010 10:08 AM
What's your favorite JUNK lens?	JJJPhoto	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	02-20-2007 10:47 AM

05-30-2015, 06:49 PM	#2
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Between the 31mm and the 43mm... those are by far my most used lenses. With about 70% 31mm. I also have a F28 f2.8 that is also a fantastic walk around lens. I say it all depends on what you are trying to shoot and what kind of pictures you want to take. I have a thread up now about me thinking about re-entering the zoom world (another thread on the forum) where I kind of pontificate pros and cons and if I should or shouldn't get a zoom to walk around with. In ways it would be great but in others I don't know if it would help me up my game any.

05-30-2015, 07:11 PM	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by skierd Ah... but which prime? I'll have three in that range soon between the 21, 40, and FA35. I keep thinking maybe I should just replace all three with the DA 35mm Macro limited? How is it as a general purpose walkaround lens compared to those three? I might miss the extra stop of the FA, or the weight of the 40 which can be used on my film body too... Anyway while mulling these and other less important issues over this morning, I thought I'd ask the forums. You're going on a walk in the woods, so to speak. Or in town, etc. And you're not chasing birds or shooting sports. What's your go-to walk-around lens? Maybe I can get some clarity from the choices of others, or at least create a fun discussion out of it. Even if you don't clarify you situation, you're right, these discussions are fun. Well, my walks in the woods are with a DA*300, but I'm looking for birds and wildlife. I used to have a D FA 100 Macro WR that was nice for walks in the woods. I did not use it enough and sold it to help fund the 300. So I think a macro would be nice. In town is a totally different animal. I have primes in 15, 28, 35, and 50 and 10-24 and 18-135 zooms. The 18-135 is the most useful, but the 15 and 28 are more fun. I find the 35 and 50 too long to often. I kind of feel the 21 or 24 lengths would be ideal. I sometimes decide I'm going to shoot architecture, or people, or try more creative things, and choose the lens for the purpose or for the time of day and the light you'll get. Of course then your plans don't always work out.

05-30-2015, 07:37 PM	#4
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,799	As was stated above, for a walk in the woods, I'd want something telephoto, or a zoom. I've used the 40mm XS while walking around a city, and it's my favorite lens for street or spur of the moment shots. I'm looking for a 21mm at the right price for the same purpose, to take in more of the scene, even if I am close to the action.

05-30-2015, 07:45 PM	#5
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	My most used walk around lenses are the FA 31, FA 100 and the F*300. All have exceptional IQ and are a joy to use. If I could just choose one , it would be the FA 31 though.

05-30-2015, 08:37 PM	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,678	my current favorite is my Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3DC I love the range and the flexibility of it.... but it's not nearly as crisp as my DA 50mm....

05-30-2015, 08:50 PM	#8
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,514	I use my Sigma 18-200 a lot, it is good for most outdoor situations. I also have a Sigma 24-70 f2.8, which is a really nice lens that I use whenever I don't need the reach of the 18-200, or shooting indoors. I probably prefer the 24-70.

05-31-2015, 12:43 AM	#9
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	The DA* 16-50 is my most versatile walk around lens. If I expect to be walking more indoors or other tight spaces then the Tamron 10-24. But my favorite walk around "lens" is the Ricoh GR. Perfect for street photography. It's so compact that I bring it everywhere. Images are very sharp. The user interface is fantastic. You mentioned macro lenses. They tend to focus slowly.

05-31-2015, 01:40 AM	#10
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Mmmm interesting dilemma.......most days I do what you are suggesting....(I'm retired....shoot every day mostly).... personally..... I want my gear to be special, intimate and functional.... so I shoot pentax primes 95% of the time. I don't need to get every shot.....I doubt I'm leaving anything behind that matters......but I need to enjoy the experience. Mostly the 31, 77 and F*300 4.5 does this for me (I have a 15, 21, 43 as well as some others such as K50 1,2 etc).

05-31-2015, 02:45 AM	#11
HeavyCorPhotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	I'm still pretty new with my K-50, and have taken 99% of my shots with the 18-55 DA L, with great success... but I just picked up an SMC Pentax 30mm F/2.8 and a Rikenon 50mm F/2. So I don't know who's going to get the brunt of the work yet, but I'll try and get back to you after I have a little time with them both.

05-31-2015, 03:02 AM	#12
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by skierd What's your go-to walk-around lens? At the moment it is the DA16-45, if only it were smaller/lighter : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpentaxda1645mmf4edal Otherwise, the DA21/DA70 pair : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da21 and Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with da70 And the old kit DA18-55WR when it is raining/about to rain : Flickriver: kh1234567890's photos tagged with smcpda1855mmf3556alwr

05-31-2015, 04:35 AM	#13
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	My main walk-around lens is Sigma 18-35 1.8. The next most used one is DA * 16-50 2.8.

05-31-2015, 04:45 AM	#14
roberrl Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	Just to add my 2 pennyworth, my walk around lens is a Sigma 10-20. Bought 4 years ago on the recommendation of a Nikon user it has rarely been off my camera. It's saved my bacon many times at the wide end where I haven't had the space to use foot zoom to get sufficient distance from my subject.

05-31-2015, 05:55 AM	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	If you're that happy with the 40, why are you even looking? Getting a macro lens can really slow down your AF, but on a walk in the woods macro at least for me is a pre-requisite, although for me, the pseudo macro on my 18-135 is enough.. You don't use the 18-135 so , a zoom is probably a bad choice. That leaves acquiring quality. Your two logical choices are the 31 ltd or 43 ltd. to replace your 40, depending on if you want a bit longer or a bit shorter. The concept of doing a walk without my 18-135, and supporting cast, at least the 70 macro and 21 ltd is kind of messing me up here. Your woods must be different than my woods.