[maxwolfie]

For the widest range of use, I would strongly recommend the 18-250mm, although the price you show seems high. I'm not going state it's the best lens in the world, because it isn't, but it's a very good lens with a very wide range.

For the 'bottom end', I would also recommend the 12-24mm. The fisheye (10-17mm) is a great lens too, but I would hesitate to recommend it as an 'only' wide lens

I think I'd rather have two or three lenses that are "good" than the 18-250... I've heard a few reports that it is a sub-par lens? Completely going off what I've read on forums here, I really don't know myself!

I am still very much swayed to go with the 18-55 II kit lens, or the 17-70 (depending on how the wallet feels at the time

[audiobomber]

There are any number of ways to go, as the responses indicate. I use the 16-45mm, 50mm 1.4 and 55-300mm as my main kit. This covers extra wide to long telephoto, with uncommon price/quality. I chose the 16-45mm by reading professional reviews and many personal experiences of owners. From most accounts, the IQ is better than the similarly priced Sigma 17-70mm. If the 16-45 was a Sigma or Tamron, it would be labelled a "macro", but then Pentax doesn't call every lens with close focus ability a macro. I also own an 18-55 and DA 18-250mm. Every time I put the 16-45 on the camera, I find myself saying to someone "I love this lens". I love the extra-wide FOV, low distortion at WA, useable f4, and especially the lovely IQ (colour, contrast, sharpness). Considering the recent price drops, the 16-45 is a superb value.

You say you like to shoot wide angle. 16 mm is as wide as a standard zoom gets, and the 16-45mm has an uncommonly strong wide end. Do look into it. Aside from reading, a great way to compare is to go to a store with your own memory card and shoot some photos with the lenses on your list. Handling the lens and seeing the IQ will answer a lot of questions for you.

[Fl_Gulfer]

My Tamron 17-50/2.8 will arrive today (it only took 10 days to get one) I'll let you know just how great it is.

[maxwolfie]

My Tamron 17-50/2.8 will arrive today (it only took 10 days to get one) I'll let you know just how great it is.

Any luck?