Best Travel/ Landscape lens for Pentax K-3

Ronaldtromso · 07-05-2017, 07:10 AM

Hi,

I am looking for the perfect Travel/ landscape lens for the K-3 and hope to get some feedback on which lens would be good.
I currently use a 18-135mm which I want to upgrade to get some better image quality, especially in the corners.
It can be both a prime or a zoomlens.

Thank you advance

**sibyrnes** · 07-05-2017, 07:19 AM - **1 Like**

The obvious answer(to me) would be the DA 15. It is a wonderful landscape lens!

timb64 · 07-05-2017, 07:42 AM - **1 Like**

I went through this process some time back and settled on the 16-85,couldn't be happier.

DA 16-85 WR,show us what it can do. - PentaxForums.com

DeadJohn · 07-05-2017, 07:46 AM - **1 Like**

There is no "perfect" lens but lots of good ones. What focal lengths do you like to use? Is weather resistance necessary?

dave2k · 07-05-2017, 07:48 AM - **1 Like**

My favorite APS-C landscape lens is the Sigma 17-50. I've found the image quality to be excellent. The reviews for this lens are quite favorable too and it's pretty affordable. I used this lens extensively with my K-3.

mikeSF · 07-05-2017, 08:44 AM - **2 Likes**

not knowing your specific needs, I'd say I like to to bring DA15, DA21, and FA31 along for travel. All three are still smaller than the big DFA15-30 zoom and easier to stash in jacket pockets when on location. All three of these give superior image quality vs most zoom options. fwiw

**pepperberry farm** · 07-05-2017, 09:05 AM - **3 Likes**

hands down, for me it would have to be the DA 14mm f2.8 ED (IF)

an amazing lens, it is....

**savoche** · 07-05-2017, 09:42 AM - **1 Like**

I use the 18-135 as a travel lens simply because it's so versatile. The 16-85 would probably be better for me, being wider and having better image quality, but not sufficiently so to warrant a replacement.

In addition to a zoom I (as good as) always bring a few primes when travelling; the DA15 is tiny and a wonderful landscape lens. I usually bring something like the FA43 and DA70, too. The key here is small size (as well as great image quality). The 55-300 has also given me some landscape shots I'm very happy with. Not all landscapes call for wide angle lenses.

You live just a twenty-two hour drive away, so feel free to drop by if you want to try some of my lenses

Pixelhdr · 07-05-2017, 10:08 AM - **1 Like**

I have both Pentax 16-85 and Sigma 17-50. I have no reservation as far as IQ is concerned for either lens. The Sigma is extremely sharp in the center while the Pentax is more even across the frame. And the Sigma is f/2.8 which has some advantages in some situations. You can get the Sigma at a lower price than the Pentax. But Pentax is WR, wider 16 mm, and longer FL.

I also had 18-135 that was replaced by the 16-85, my copy is significantly better than 18-135.

Wheatfield · 07-05-2017, 10:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ronaldtromso

Hi,

I am looking for the perfect Travel/ landscape lens for the K-3 and hope to get some feedback on which lens would be good.
I currently use a 18-135mm which I want to upgrade to get some better image quality, especially in the corners.
It can be both a prime or a zoomlens.

Thank you advance

For a zoom, the 20-40 Limited would be my choice for a zoom (I wouldn't choose it though, I don't like zooms). Otherwise the 31LTD or 35/2.8LTD. I don't think wides are the best choice for landscapes. If you want wider, you can always do a panoramic stitch.

**mattb123** · 07-05-2017, 10:22 AM - **1 Like**

I lost a 18-135 that I use skiing and cycling as well as travel. I liked the size, weight, and found IQ to be pretty good to very good depending on the shot.
When I lost that lens and needed a replacement, I considered a 16-85 and a 20-40 but wound up getting another 18-135.

The main reason is size and weight but also versatility due to the zoom range.
I take that when I'm not sure what to expect but want to travel light. I'll supplement with primes (DA15, FA77, A 300) for specific purposes too.

tbelf · 07-05-2017, 11:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by savoche

I usually bring something like the FA43 and DA70, too. The key here is small size (as well as great image quality).

+1 for this. I adore my FA 43 and the DA 70, while not my most used lens, brings a unique perspective to both landscape and street. If you want wider the k 28 3.5 is also great (especially for landscape where you can stop it down a bit).

Cambo · 07-05-2017, 12:10 PM - **1 Like**

It's in a league of it's own, really, as far as contrast, saturation, and sharpness. One of the top 2 Pentax lenses of all time.Amazing thing. You'd swear you have a polarizer on all the time.

If only it was weather proof.

Cheers,
Cameron

**boriscleto** · 07-05-2017, 12:13 PM - **3 Likes**

I have never in my life uttered the phrase "But this picture is so soft in the corners".

**savoche** · 07-05-2017, 12:21 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by boriscleto

I have never in my life uttered the phrase "But this picture is so soft in the corners".

You don't shoot enough brick walls

07-05-2017, 07:10 AM	#1
Ronaldtromso New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Tromso Photos: Albums Posts: 4	Best Travel/ Landscape lens for Pentax K-3 Hi, I am looking for the perfect Travel/ landscape lens for the K-3 and hope to get some feedback on which lens would be good. I currently use a 18-135mm which I want to upgrade to get some better image quality, especially in the corners. It can be both a prime or a zoomlens. Thank you advance

07-05-2017, 12:10 PM - 1 Like	#13
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	The 15 It's in a league of it's own, really, as far as contrast, saturation, and sharpness. One of the top 2 Pentax lenses of all time.Amazing thing. You'd swear you have a polarizer on all the time. If only it was weather proof. Cheers, Cameron

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07-05-2017, 07:19 AM - 1 Like	#2
sibyrnes Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 447	The obvious answer(to me) would be the DA 15. It is a wonderful landscape lens!

07-05-2017, 07:42 AM - 1 Like	#3
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	I went through this process some time back and settled on the 16-85,couldn't be happier. DA 16-85 WR,show us what it can do. - PentaxForums.com

07-05-2017, 07:46 AM - 1 Like	#4
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	There is no "perfect" lens but lots of good ones. What focal lengths do you like to use? Is weather resistance necessary?

07-05-2017, 07:48 AM - 1 Like	#5
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	My favorite APS-C landscape lens is the Sigma 17-50. I've found the image quality to be excellent. The reviews for this lens are quite favorable too and it's pretty affordable. I used this lens extensively with my K-3.

07-05-2017, 08:44 AM - 2 Likes	#6
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	not knowing your specific needs, I'd say I like to to bring DA15, DA21, and FA31 along for travel. All three are still smaller than the big DFA15-30 zoom and easier to stash in jacket pockets when on location. All three of these give superior image quality vs most zoom options. fwiw

07-05-2017, 09:05 AM - 3 Likes	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,678	hands down, for me it would have to be the DA 14mm f2.8 ED (IF) an amazing lens, it is....

07-05-2017, 09:42 AM - 1 Like	#8
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	I use the 18-135 as a travel lens simply because it's so versatile. The 16-85 would probably be better for me, being wider and having better image quality, but not sufficiently so to warrant a replacement. In addition to a zoom I (as good as) always bring a few primes when travelling; the DA15 is tiny and a wonderful landscape lens. I usually bring something like the FA43 and DA70, too. The key here is small size (as well as great image quality). The 55-300 has also given me some landscape shots I'm very happy with. Not all landscapes call for wide angle lenses. You live just a twenty-two hour drive away, so feel free to drop by if you want to try some of my lenses

07-05-2017, 10:08 AM - 1 Like	#9
Pixelhdr Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 90	I have both Pentax 16-85 and Sigma 17-50. I have no reservation as far as IQ is concerned for either lens. The Sigma is extremely sharp in the center while the Pentax is more even across the frame. And the Sigma is f/2.8 which has some advantages in some situations. You can get the Sigma at a lower price than the Pentax. But Pentax is WR, wider 16 mm, and longer FL. I also had 18-135 that was replaced by the 16-85, my copy is significantly better than 18-135.

07-05-2017, 10:18 AM - 1 Like	#10
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by Ronaldtromso Hi, I am looking for the perfect Travel/ landscape lens for the K-3 and hope to get some feedback on which lens would be good. I currently use a 18-135mm which I want to upgrade to get some better image quality, especially in the corners. It can be both a prime or a zoomlens. Thank you advance For a zoom, the 20-40 Limited would be my choice for a zoom (I wouldn't choose it though, I don't like zooms). Otherwise the 31LTD or 35/2.8LTD. I don't think wides are the best choice for landscapes. If you want wider, you can always do a panoramic stitch.

07-05-2017, 10:22 AM - 1 Like	#11
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	I lost a 18-135 that I use skiing and cycling as well as travel. I liked the size, weight, and found IQ to be pretty good to very good depending on the shot. When I lost that lens and needed a replacement, I considered a 16-85 and a 20-40 but wound up getting another 18-135. The main reason is size and weight but also versatility due to the zoom range. I take that when I'm not sure what to expect but want to travel light. I'll supplement with primes (DA15, FA77, A 300) for specific purposes too.

07-05-2017, 11:58 AM - 1 Like	#12
tbelf Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cambridge Posts: 93	Originally posted by savoche I usually bring something like the FA43 and DA70, too. The key here is small size (as well as great image quality). +1 for this. I adore my FA 43 and the DA 70, while not my most used lens, brings a unique perspective to both landscape and street. If you want wider the k 28 3.5 is also great (especially for landscape where you can stop it down a bit).

07-05-2017, 12:13 PM - 3 Likes	#14
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I have never in my life uttered the phrase "But this picture is so soft in the corners".

07-05-2017, 12:21 PM - 5 Likes	#15
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by boriscleto I have never in my life uttered the phrase "But this picture is so soft in the corners". You don't shoot enough brick walls