Looking for versatile everyday lens...

Fleck03 · 08-30-2017, 02:07 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my current glass with a better everyday lens for my K3. I have a 50mm 1.4, 18-55mm kit lens, and 70-200mm kit lens in my stable. I'm also living in Paris for the next three years, so I'll need it for everything from kids' photos in Paris to scenery photos to street photography... want it to be my main everyday lens! What do you recommend? Thanks!

Adam · 08-30-2017, 02:11 PM - **1 Like**

The DA 16-85mm would be my recommendation. Sharp, versatile, weather sealed, fast-focusing, and reliable!

HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

**jatrax** · 08-30-2017, 02:20 PM

Agree with Adam. Just get the 16-85. Unless you want to go with the much larger and heavier DA*16-50 the 16-85 is as good as it gets. The other alternative is the Da 18-135 which is a nice lens but not IMHO as good as the 16-85.

**clickclick** · 08-30-2017, 02:36 PM

DA 16-85 - great lens

timb64 · 08-30-2017, 02:51 PM

+4 16-85

The 18-135 is a fine lens,but the 16-85 is just....better!

**pres589** · 08-30-2017, 02:57 PM

Tamron 17-50 or the 18-135 for me but the 16-85 seems excellent as mentioned.

disconnekt · 08-30-2017, 03:01 PM

Either the 16-85mm or 18-135mm will be a good walk-alround lens for you, unless you need faster lens (e.g. a constant apeture lens like a 17-50mm f2.8).

**jpzk** · 08-30-2017, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Fleck03

I'm looking to upgrade my current glass with a better everyday lens for my K3. I have a 50mm 1.4, 18-55mm kit lens, and 70-200mm kit lens in my stable. I'm also living in Paris for the next three years, so I'll need it for everything from kids' photos in Paris to scenery photos to street photography... want it to be my main everyday lens! What do you recommend? Thanks!

Welcome aboard the best forum !

**Pentax Syntax** · 08-30-2017, 04:30 PM

16-85 DA hands down. It almost never leaves my K-3. Great for travel and takes a beating. Have taken it whale watching twice and it was drenched! Still works as if nothing had happened :-).

**robgski** · 08-30-2017, 05:22 PM

I love the 18-135 WR as a walk around lens, even in the rain or snow. I'd get a 16=85 WR if I had some spare money. I often use a 40mm XS, it's a versatile and fairly fast prime that gives great results, costs little, especially used, and is always in my camera bag as a back up. It's so compact it's like having a point and shoot camera.

**WPRESTO** · 08-30-2017, 07:29 PM

Here's another vote for the 16-85mm. I had an 18-135mm but prefer the extra WA to the extra tele, and IQ with the 16-85 is excellent.

**sibyrnes** · 08-30-2017, 07:42 PM

The 18-135(with my DA 15 in in my pocket) is a perfect "everyday" lens for me!

gm4life · 08-30-2017, 08:50 PM

16-85 is my first choice then the 18-135 closely behind it...

I just recommended a K70 w/18-135 for a friend who wanted to do it all. He has ordered it and I have the 16-85 for my K3II so both excellent choices.

normhead · 08-31-2017, 07:25 AM

For me it's the 18-135.... I've had it 5 years now and it's never been replaced although I've tried many different combination. When in urban environments (for me Toronto) I often take the Sigma 8-16 as well.

Images from yesterday
DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - Page 137 - PentaxForums.com

Images from 5 years ago.
DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com

It's been durable, and on the camera in every "I'm only taking one lens" situation.
In my current library (this year plus 5 star images from previous years, nearly 10% of my images are taken with this lens.

ScooterMaxi Jim · 08-31-2017, 08:32 AM

Although I don't own one, I agree overall with the sentiment regarding the 16-85 given the high quality of the images it produces. It doesn't work well for me due to the size and relatively slow aperture. I have the Sigma 17-50 (even a bit larger) and find it performs well in pretty much every situation - especially so toward wide open. Brooke is right about the Tamron 28-75 (having shot it extensively on Canon both FF and crop), but it isn't a single lens solution on a crop camera; it also isn't as strong wide open as the Sigma (but is excellent already by f/4).

08-30-2017, 02:07 PM	#1
Fleck03 New Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 6	Looking for versatile everyday lens... I'm looking to upgrade my current glass with a better everyday lens for my K3. I have a 50mm 1.4, 18-55mm kit lens, and 70-200mm kit lens in my stable. I'm also living in Paris for the next three years, so I'll need it for everything from kids' photos in Paris to scenery photos to street photography... want it to be my main everyday lens! What do you recommend? Thanks!

08-30-2017, 02:11 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The DA 16-85mm would be my recommendation. Sharp, versatile, weather sealed, fast-focusing, and reliable! HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-30-2017, 02:51 PM	#5
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	+4 16-85 The 18-135 is a fine lens,but the 16-85 is just....better! Last edited by timb64; 08-30-2017 at 10:38 PM.

08-31-2017, 07:25 AM	#14
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	For me it's the 18-135.... I've had it 5 years now and it's never been replaced although I've tried many different combination. When in urban environments (for me Toronto) I often take the Sigma 8-16 as well. Images from yesterday DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - Page 137 - PentaxForums.com Images from 5 years ago. DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com It's been durable, and on the camera in every "I'm only taking one lens" situation. In my current library (this year plus 5 star images from previous years, nearly 10% of my images are taken with this lens. Last edited by normhead; 08-31-2017 at 07:35 AM.

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08-30-2017, 02:20 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Agree with Adam. Just get the 16-85. Unless you want to go with the much larger and heavier DA*16-50 the 16-85 is as good as it gets. The other alternative is the Da 18-135 which is a nice lens but not IMHO as good as the 16-85.

08-30-2017, 02:36 PM	#4
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	DA 16-85 - great lens

08-30-2017, 02:57 PM	#6
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Tamron 17-50 or the 18-135 for me but the 16-85 seems excellent as mentioned.

08-30-2017, 03:01 PM	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Either the 16-85mm or 18-135mm will be a good walk-alround lens for you, unless you need faster lens (e.g. a constant apeture lens like a 17-50mm f2.8).

08-30-2017, 03:11 PM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Fleck03 I'm looking to upgrade my current glass with a better everyday lens for my K3. I have a 50mm 1.4, 18-55mm kit lens, and 70-200mm kit lens in my stable. I'm also living in Paris for the next three years, so I'll need it for everything from kids' photos in Paris to scenery photos to street photography... want it to be my main everyday lens! What do you recommend? Thanks! Welcome aboard the best forum !

08-30-2017, 04:30 PM	#9
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	16-85 DA hands down. It almost never leaves my K-3. Great for travel and takes a beating. Have taken it whale watching twice and it was drenched! Still works as if nothing had happened :-).

08-30-2017, 05:22 PM	#10
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,799	I love the 18-135 WR as a walk around lens, even in the rain or snow. I'd get a 16=85 WR if I had some spare money. I often use a 40mm XS, it's a versatile and fairly fast prime that gives great results, costs little, especially used, and is always in my camera bag as a back up. It's so compact it's like having a point and shoot camera.

08-30-2017, 07:29 PM	#11
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,108	Here's another vote for the 16-85mm. I had an 18-135mm but prefer the extra WA to the extra tele, and IQ with the 16-85 is excellent.

08-30-2017, 07:42 PM	#12
sibyrnes Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 447	The 18-135(with my DA 15 in in my pocket) is a perfect "everyday" lens for me!

08-30-2017, 08:50 PM	#13
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	16-85 is my first choice then the 18-135 closely behind it... I just recommended a K70 w/18-135 for a friend who wanted to do it all. He has ordered it and I have the 16-85 for my K3II so both excellent choices.

08-31-2017, 08:32 AM	#15
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Although I don't own one, I agree overall with the sentiment regarding the 16-85 given the high quality of the images it produces. It doesn't work well for me due to the size and relatively slow aperture. I have the Sigma 17-50 (even a bit larger) and find it performs well in pretty much every situation - especially so toward wide open. Brooke is right about the Tamron 28-75 (having shot it extensively on Canon both FF and crop), but it isn't a single lens solution on a crop camera; it also isn't as strong wide open as the Sigma (but is excellent already by f/4).