Help on choosing the right lens for my Pentax camera?

scarletshamir · 07-03-2017, 05:10 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm super new to this.. I hope someone can help me out. I have had my Pentax K-S2 for a couple years now and I really love it but I'm just using the kit lens (18-50mm) that it came with - it also came with another lens that was 50-200 but I don't really use it because it's super noisy - I think I'm ready to upgrade to something more high end. A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one. I mostly take alternative photos - fashion and such - I also really like taking pictures of landscapes. I'm just looking for something that'll help me with the quality of my photos. Price doesn't matter as of right now - I just don't want to make a bad decision on what to buy.. Thank you in advance!

Scarlet

**jatrax** · 07-03-2017, 05:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by scarletshamir

A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax

Take a look at the lens database at the top of the page. Here: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

So are you looking to replace the kit lens? Or add something longer or wider or.....?

The replacement for the kit lens would be the DA*16-50 f/2.8 if you want top of the line. Or the DA 16-85 if you want a great lens at a more affordable price that is somewhat slower. My wife really loves her DA 18-135 though I find it a tiny bit softer than the 16-85 which I prefer for APS-C. There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses. So to those that say there are no options we now have 5 lenses that cover the 'kit lens' focal range plus the 18-55 and 18-50 kit lenses for a total of 7. Just for that range. And not counting primes.

SpecialK · 07-03-2017, 05:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by scarletshamir

Hi everyone,
I'm super new to this.. I hope someone can help me out. I have had my Pentax K-S2 for a couple years now and I really love it but I'm just using the kit lens (18-50mm) that it came with - it also came with another lens that was 50-200 but I don't really use it because it's super noisy - I think I'm ready to upgrade to something more high end. A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one. I mostly take alternative photos - fashion and such - I also really like taking pictures of landscapes. I'm just looking for something that'll help me with the quality of my photos. Price doesn't matter as of right now - I just don't want to make a bad decision on what to buy.. Thank you in advance!

Scarlet

There are more lenses than you can carry, and likely buy.

I always recommend the 12-24, which is very wide. Used should be about $450. Not sure what 50-200 you have, but a Tamron brand 70-200 is very nice telephoto. It is a bit heavy because it is a constant f2.8. It is about $600 used. Both are screw-drive and will make some amount of noise. I got over that. The silent SDM lenses had some issues (silent dead motor) only early versions which may be better now.

**pepperberry farm** · 07-03-2017, 05:56 PM - **1 Like**

I've been exactly where you are - and here was my journey... 2 1/2 years and 119 pages later:

prime, prime, everywhere a prime... - PentaxForums.com

tl;dr

there isn't really a wrong choice, just different lenses for different needs/wants...

pakinjapan · 07-03-2017, 06:12 PM - **1 Like**

if you go with Prime, the DA limited series are there, and you can never go wrong with anyone of them. If you like landscape, start with DA21 then 15 and so on.

**boriscleto** · 07-03-2017, 06:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jatrax

There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses.

The 16-45 was the first DA lens, it is screwdrive. The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all. That is a problem because it is one of the more unreliable SDM lenses...

C_Jones · 07-03-2017, 06:46 PM - **1 Like**

I use the 16-85 on my K-3II. It has a very stable DC (direct current) AF system which is very quiet and is quick. I used to have the Pentax 18-55 AL II and it was very satisfying, but I upgraded to the 16-85 for the noticeably wider 16 end and the zoom at the 85 long end. The images the 16-85 renders are excellent.

Last edited by C_Jones; 07-03-2017 at 07:03 PM.

**twilhelm** · 07-03-2017, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by boriscleto

The 16-45 was the first DA lens, it is screwdrive. The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all. That is a problem because it is one of the more unreliable SDM lenses...

I've heard a lot of people complain about the 17-70 SDM, but I've had mine for years and never had an issue. I've used it for weddings, portraits and almost every other event I happen to be at. If I'm getting paid it's on a body with me.

**jatrax** · 07-03-2017, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all.

Yep, my error. Not sure what I was thinking when I typed cause I knew that.

felixenfeu · 07-03-2017, 07:02 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by scarletshamir

A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one.

Whoever is spreading this information is highly uninformed. The crazy choice of lenses (both old and new) is what made me choose pentax against whatever other brand is out there ( This plus cheap WR

) . It's just crazy how many lenses there is, to the point I get lost.

officiousbystander · 07-04-2017, 02:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pakinjapan

if you go with Prime, the DA limited series are there, and you can never go wrong with anyone of them. If you like landscape, start with DA21 then 15 and so on.

Or if you like fashion the DA40 (cheapest of the ltd primes) or DA70 could also be a good start.

idontstairs · 07-04-2017, 03:09 AM - **1 Like**

I had the same problem a few years ago and bought the 20-40mm limited when it went on sale for Black Friday. That lens was glued on my k3 for about 3 years. Then I found a used 50-135mm f2.8 for just over $400 and that thing is now glued on the k3 and the 20-40 is on my new KP.

I use a 15mm limited for wide angle and close up shots of vehicles and objects and the 50mm f1.8 for low light night shots and portraits.

Kozlok · 07-04-2017, 03:21 AM - **1 Like**

For do-it-all zoom lenses the Pentax 18-135 is a big step up. The Pentax 16-85 even better image quality, but more expensive and less telephoto range, but more wide-angle range. Another excellent choice is the Sigma 17-70C (contemporary series), just make sure to get the one for Pentax. The Sigma 17-70C and 18-135 will be available used for much less money.

The Sigma is also available in a V1 version with noisy screwdrive focusing , and in a nicer V2 version with silent SDM focusing.

A much bigger step up is to buy a collection of prime lenses, but my guess is that's not where you want to go? If you want to try a prime, for you the 50/1.8 or 34/2.4 would be good, but again they use the noisy screwdrive focusing you indicated you don't like.

scarletshamir · 07-04-2017, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Take a look at the lens database at the top of the page. Here: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

So are you looking to replace the kit lens? Or add something longer or wider or.....?

The replacement for the kit lens would be the DA*16-50 f/2.8 if you want top of the line. Or the DA 16-85 if you want a great lens at a more affordable price that is somewhat slower. My wife really loves her DA 18-135 though I find it a tiny bit softer than the 16-85 which I prefer for APS-C. There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses. So to those that say there are no options we now have 5 lenses that cover the 'kit lens' focal range plus the 18-55 and 18-50 kit lenses for a total of 7. Just for that range. And not counting primes.

I want to replace it! With something noticeably better.

MaineNative · 07-04-2017, 01:10 PM

My vote for a good overall lens is the DA 16-85. It has great image quality and is light enough to use as a travel lens, but it won't be as good as an f2.8 in low light but fine if you use an off-camera flash. The 16-85 is sharper than the 18-135 in my opinion... I owned both (and the 18-55). The 16-85 has a quiet focus DC motor. I also have the DA 21mm and like it for landscapes. The DA 10-17 is a fun fisheye lens that can do wide landscapes or *really* distorted close-ups.

07-03-2017, 05:10 PM	#1
scarletshamir New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 4	Help on choosing the right lens for my Pentax camera? Hi everyone, I'm super new to this.. I hope someone can help me out. I have had my Pentax K-S2 for a couple years now and I really love it but I'm just using the kit lens (18-50mm) that it came with - it also came with another lens that was 50-200 but I don't really use it because it's super noisy - I think I'm ready to upgrade to something more high end. A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one. I mostly take alternative photos - fashion and such - I also really like taking pictures of landscapes. I'm just looking for something that'll help me with the quality of my photos. Price doesn't matter as of right now - I just don't want to make a bad decision on what to buy.. Thank you in advance! Scarlet

07-03-2017, 05:36 PM - 1 Like	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by scarletshamir Hi everyone, I'm super new to this.. I hope someone can help me out. I have had my Pentax K-S2 for a couple years now and I really love it but I'm just using the kit lens (18-50mm) that it came with - it also came with another lens that was 50-200 but I don't really use it because it's super noisy - I think I'm ready to upgrade to something more high end. A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one. I mostly take alternative photos - fashion and such - I also really like taking pictures of landscapes. I'm just looking for something that'll help me with the quality of my photos. Price doesn't matter as of right now - I just don't want to make a bad decision on what to buy.. Thank you in advance! Scarlet There are more lenses than you can carry, and likely buy. I always recommend the 12-24, which is very wide. Used should be about $450. Not sure what 50-200 you have, but a Tamron brand 70-200 is very nice telephoto. It is a bit heavy because it is a constant f2.8. It is about $600 used. Both are screw-drive and will make some amount of noise. I got over that. The silent SDM lenses had some issues (silent dead motor) only early versions which may be better now. Last edited by SpecialK; 07-04-2017 at 02:08 PM.

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07-03-2017, 05:26 PM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by scarletshamir A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax Take a look at the lens database at the top of the page. Here: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database So are you looking to replace the kit lens? Or add something longer or wider or.....? The replacement for the kit lens would be the DA*16-50 f/2.8 if you want top of the line. Or the DA 16-85 if you want a great lens at a more affordable price that is somewhat slower. My wife really loves her DA 18-135 though I find it a tiny bit softer than the 16-85 which I prefer for APS-C. There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses. So to those that say there are no options we now have 5 lenses that cover the 'kit lens' focal range plus the 18-55 and 18-50 kit lenses for a total of 7. Just for that range. And not counting primes.

07-03-2017, 05:56 PM - 1 Like	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	I've been exactly where you are - and here was my journey... 2 1/2 years and 119 pages later: prime, prime, everywhere a prime... - PentaxForums.com tl;dr there isn't really a wrong choice, just different lenses for different needs/wants...

07-03-2017, 06:12 PM - 1 Like	#5
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	if you go with Prime, the DA limited series are there, and you can never go wrong with anyone of them. If you like landscape, start with DA21 then 15 and so on.

07-03-2017, 06:25 PM - 1 Like	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by jatrax There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses. The 16-45 was the first DA lens, it is screwdrive. The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all. That is a problem because it is one of the more unreliable SDM lenses...

07-03-2017, 06:46 PM - 1 Like	#7
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	I use the 16-85 on my K-3II. It has a very stable DC (direct current) AF system which is very quiet and is quick. I used to have the Pentax 18-55 AL II and it was very satisfying, but I upgraded to the 16-85 for the noticeably wider 16 end and the zoom at the 85 long end. The images the 16-85 renders are excellent. Last edited by C_Jones; 07-03-2017 at 07:03 PM.

07-03-2017, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#8
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Originally posted by boriscleto The 16-45 was the first DA lens, it is screwdrive. The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all. That is a problem because it is one of the more unreliable SDM lenses... I've heard a lot of people complain about the 17-70 SDM, but I've had mine for years and never had an issue. I've used it for weddings, portraits and almost every other event I happen to be at. If I'm getting paid it's on a body with me.

07-03-2017, 07:02 PM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by boriscleto The 17-70 was the first KAF3 lens. It doesn't have a screwdrive at all. Yep, my error. Not sure what I was thinking when I typed cause I knew that.

07-03-2017, 07:02 PM - 2 Likes	#10
felixenfeu New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 23	Originally posted by scarletshamir A lot of people have been telling me there aren't very many lens options for Pentax but I would really like to just keep my camera and not have to buy a new one. Whoever is spreading this information is highly uninformed. The crazy choice of lenses (both old and new) is what made me choose pentax against whatever other brand is out there ( This plus cheap WR ) . It's just crazy how many lenses there is, to the point I get lost.

07-04-2017, 02:29 AM - 1 Like	#11
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 912	Originally posted by pakinjapan if you go with Prime, the DA limited series are there, and you can never go wrong with anyone of them. If you like landscape, start with DA21 then 15 and so on. Or if you like fashion the DA40 (cheapest of the ltd primes) or DA70 could also be a good start.

07-04-2017, 03:09 AM - 1 Like	#12
idontstairs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Jeffersontown Kentucky Posts: 142	I had the same problem a few years ago and bought the 20-40mm limited when it went on sale for Black Friday. That lens was glued on my k3 for about 3 years. Then I found a used 50-135mm f2.8 for just over $400 and that thing is now glued on the k3 and the 20-40 is on my new KP. I use a 15mm limited for wide angle and close up shots of vehicles and objects and the 50mm f1.8 for low light night shots and portraits.

07-04-2017, 03:21 AM - 1 Like	#13
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	For do-it-all zoom lenses the Pentax 18-135 is a big step up. The Pentax 16-85 even better image quality, but more expensive and less telephoto range, but more wide-angle range. Another excellent choice is the Sigma 17-70C (contemporary series), just make sure to get the one for Pentax. The Sigma 17-70C and 18-135 will be available used for much less money. The Sigma is also available in a V1 version with noisy screwdrive focusing , and in a nicer V2 version with silent SDM focusing. A much bigger step up is to buy a collection of prime lenses, but my guess is that's not where you want to go? If you want to try a prime, for you the 50/1.8 or 34/2.4 would be good, but again they use the noisy screwdrive focusing you indicated you don't like.

07-04-2017, 12:49 PM	#14
scarletshamir New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax Take a look at the lens database at the top of the page. Here: Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database So are you looking to replace the kit lens? Or add something longer or wider or.....? The replacement for the kit lens would be the DA*16-50 f/2.8 if you want top of the line. Or the DA 16-85 if you want a great lens at a more affordable price that is somewhat slower. My wife really loves her DA 18-135 though I find it a tiny bit softer than the 16-85 which I prefer for APS-C. There is also the older DA 16-45, or the DA 17-70 but both are screwdrive and largely replaced by newer lenses. So to those that say there are no options we now have 5 lenses that cover the 'kit lens' focal range plus the 18-55 and 18-50 kit lenses for a total of 7. Just for that range. And not counting primes. I want to replace it! With something noticeably better.

07-04-2017, 01:10 PM	#15
MaineNative Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 280	My vote for a good overall lens is the DA 16-85. It has great image quality and is light enough to use as a travel lens, but it won't be as good as an f2.8 in low light but fine if you use an off-camera flash. The 16-85 is sharper than the 18-135 in my opinion... I owned both (and the 18-55). The 16-85 has a quiet focus DC motor. I also have the DA 21mm and like it for landscapes. The DA 10-17 is a fun fisheye lens that can do wide landscapes or really distorted close-ups.