Zoom Lens suggestion for Travel

**AntonioS** · 12-18-2018, 11:28 AM

Hello !

I have two camera bodies, K5-II and K3-II four primes and two zoom lenses.

The two zoom lenses, the annoyung but awesome Sigma 18-35 1.8 "Art" and the kit lens, the 18-55 AL WR.

Honestly I'm not heappy with neither one. The 18-35 is a focus lottery and the 18-55 is not really a good option when wide open.

I'm between two g.p. zoom lenses, the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 "C" and the Pentax 16-85 3.5-5.6 ED HD DA or something else more sharp and open, but not too expensive.

The use will be for travel and moderate macro would be desirable feature.

Any suggestions ? I'm completely lost between the options...

Thanks !

**FozzFoster** · 12-18-2018, 11:37 AM

I would also consider the Pentax 18-135mm for travel. It's okay wide open, has a great zoom range, silent AF, and is weather resistant.
It's my favourite for travel.

timb64 · 12-18-2018, 11:38 AM

I've been really happy with my 16-85 on my K5ii.

See what it can do here:

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

https://www.flickr.com/gp/14468090@N00/0G8yVi

**SSGGeezer** · 12-18-2018, 11:41 AM

A DA8 50-135 either converted or with working SDM is a good budget lens with amazing IQ, then throw in a DA 21 for up close and you are a happy camper!

**kiwi_jono** · 12-18-2018, 11:42 AM

A lot depends on how small you want to go too. You also have the DA 20-40 Ltd which is pretty small, WR and similar focal range to the Sigma. For a cheaper option there is the DA 18-135 too, which performs pretty well - especially in the 18-70mm range and relatively compact.
That said the DA 16-85 should be a safe bet IQ wise (although not super compact).

**TER-OR** · 12-18-2018, 11:56 AM

Yeah, I like the 18-135 when traveling. I'll usually also take my DA21mm because I love that little thing, and the DA40 because why not?
The 18-135 is versatile and has proven pretty rugged.

**AntonioS** · 12-18-2018, 11:57 AM - **1 Like**

Hi !

@FozzFoster: Thanks for the tip. I'll try to find some sample images and check.

@timb64: I like the idea, thanks !

@kiwi: This 16-85 looks great.

@SSG : I have the DA15 , Not sure if I understood what you said, sorry

I don't need a super macro, for this I have some pretty decent manual focus lenses.
But I like to shoot in low light

**aslyfox** · 12-18-2018, 11:59 AM

what is your intended " targets " and the distance involved

what is your budget

I have the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 and like it a lot

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

if you might be interested in " experienced " equipment I have had good luck buying from forum members via the forum's market place

The Pentax Marketplace | Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses - PentaxForums.com

you might have some additional expense though unless you find items for sale there in your area

**AntonioS** · 12-18-2018, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

what is your intended " targets " and the distance involved

what is your budget

I have the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 and like it a lot

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

if you might be interested in " experienced " equipment I have had good luck buying from forum members via the forum's market place

The Pentax Marketplace | Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses - PentaxForums.com

you might have some additional expense though unless you find items for sale there in your area

Something like USD 500-600 maximum
Landscapes, Street and sometime plants

Unfortunately It's complicated for me to buy from abroad. My intention is to buy on my next trip to France (I know, it's more expensive than the US, but here in Brazil is a steal)

I'm an experienced photographer, my problem is specific to the "new" Pentax lenses

**reh321** · 12-18-2018, 12:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FozzFoster

I would also consider the Pentax 18-135mm for travel. It's okay wide open, has a great zoom range, silent AF, and is weather resistant.
It's my favourite for travel.

I agree. The lens is WR but light, and I really like it's quiet in-lens AF motor {almost have to see focus changing to know it is working}

Regular price is $477, but it is $300 at B&H - I don't know how it is priced in Brazil.

**AntonioS** · 12-18-2018, 01:10 PM

@reh321: Prices here are twice the US

---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 01:15 PM ----------

@timb64: Great images !

timb64 · 12-18-2018, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by AntonioS

@reh321: Prices here are twice the US

---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 01:15 PM ----------

@timb64: Great images !

Thank you

**AntonioS** · 12-18-2018, 01:28 PM

Thank you folks, I'll take a look at the lenses you told me.

**pres589** · 12-18-2018, 01:38 PM - **1 Like**

My two lens kit for travel: 18-135 and 15 Ltd. F 50 1.7 or FA 50 1.4, etc etc would be a great addition.

EDIT: OR, the DA 50 1.8, which I also own, but forget about sometimes. It's very good for the price it commands and weights approximately negative zero ounces.

mikesbike · 12-18-2018, 01:45 PM - **1 Like**

Either the DA 16-85mm or the 18-135mm are very good for travel, and for general use. I have the DA 18-135mm and I think very well of it. Very versatile with its large zoom range, very compact, its AF is one of the fastest and most accurate among all lenses for Pentax. Its central-area sharpness is one of the best. It is good for closeups and for portrait, bokeh is exceptionally good. Very well built. There are plenty of sample images in a thread in this section. It may be possible to get a new one for the price of the 16-85mm used.

12-18-2018, 11:28 AM	#1
AntonioS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Rio de Janeiro Photos: Albums Posts: 99	Zoom Lens suggestion for Travel Hello ! I have two camera bodies, K5-II and K3-II four primes and two zoom lenses. The two zoom lenses, the annoyung but awesome Sigma 18-35 1.8 "Art" and the kit lens, the 18-55 AL WR. Honestly I'm not heappy with neither one. The 18-35 is a focus lottery and the 18-55 is not really a good option when wide open. I'm between two g.p. zoom lenses, the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 "C" and the Pentax 16-85 3.5-5.6 ED HD DA or something else more sharp and open, but not too expensive. The use will be for travel and moderate macro would be desirable feature. Any suggestions ? I'm completely lost between the options... Thanks !

12-18-2018, 11:38 AM	#3
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Here, there and everywhere. Photos: Gallery Posts: 7,112	I've been really happy with my 16-85 on my K5ii. See what it can do here: DA 16-85 WR,show us what it can do. - PentaxForums.com https://www.flickr.com/gp/14468090@N00/0G8yVi Last edited by timb64; 12-18-2018 at 12:59 PM.

12-18-2018, 01:38 PM - 1 Like	#14
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Baltimore, MD Photos: Albums Posts: 2,618	My two lens kit for travel: 18-135 and 15 Ltd. F 50 1.7 or FA 50 1.4, etc etc would be a great addition. EDIT: OR, the DA 50 1.8, which I also own, but forget about sometimes. It's very good for the price it commands and weights approximately negative zero ounces. Last edited by pres589; 12-18-2018 at 02:18 PM.

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12-18-2018, 11:37 AM	#2
FozzFoster Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 4,433	I would also consider the Pentax 18-135mm for travel. It's okay wide open, has a great zoom range, silent AF, and is weather resistant. It's my favourite for travel.

12-18-2018, 11:41 AM	#4
SSGGeezer Journeyman Cat Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maine, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	A DA8 50-135 either converted or with working SDM is a good budget lens with amazing IQ, then throw in a DA 21 for up close and you are a happy camper!

12-18-2018, 11:42 AM	#5
kiwi_jono Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,951	A lot depends on how small you want to go too. You also have the DA 20-40 Ltd which is pretty small, WR and similar focal range to the Sigma. For a cheaper option there is the DA 18-135 too, which performs pretty well - especially in the 18-70mm range and relatively compact. That said the DA 16-85 should be a safe bet IQ wise (although not super compact).

12-18-2018, 11:56 AM	#6
TER-OR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,517	Yeah, I like the 18-135 when traveling. I'll usually also take my DA21mm because I love that little thing, and the DA40 because why not? The 18-135 is versatile and has proven pretty rugged.

12-18-2018, 11:57 AM - 1 Like	#7
AntonioS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Rio de Janeiro Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Hi ! @FozzFoster: Thanks for the tip. I'll try to find some sample images and check. @timb64: I like the idea, thanks ! @kiwi: This 16-85 looks great. @SSG : I have the DA15 , Not sure if I understood what you said, sorry I don't need a super macro, for this I have some pretty decent manual focus lenses. But I like to shoot in low light

12-18-2018, 11:59 AM	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 16,481	what is your intended " targets " and the distance involved what is your budget I have the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 and like it a lot HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews if you might be interested in " experienced " equipment I have had good luck buying from forum members via the forum's market place The Pentax Marketplace \| Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses - PentaxForums.com you might have some additional expense though unless you find items for sale there in your area

12-18-2018, 12:10 PM	#9
AntonioS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Rio de Janeiro Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by aslyfox what is your intended " targets " and the distance involved what is your budget I have the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 and like it a lot HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews if you might be interested in " experienced " equipment I have had good luck buying from forum members via the forum's market place The Pentax Marketplace \| Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses - PentaxForums.com you might have some additional expense though unless you find items for sale there in your area Something like USD 500-600 maximum Landscapes, Street and sometime plants Unfortunately It's complicated for me to buy from abroad. My intention is to buy on my next trip to France (I know, it's more expensive than the US, but here in Brazil is a steal) I'm an experienced photographer, my problem is specific to the "new" Pentax lenses

12-18-2018, 12:36 PM - 1 Like	#10
reh321 retired sw engineer Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 16,190	Originally posted by FozzFoster I would also consider the Pentax 18-135mm for travel. It's okay wide open, has a great zoom range, silent AF, and is weather resistant. It's my favourite for travel. I agree. The lens is WR but light, and I really like it's quiet in-lens AF motor {almost have to see focus changing to know it is working} Regular price is $477, but it is $300 at B&H - I don't know how it is priced in Brazil.

12-18-2018, 01:10 PM	#11
AntonioS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Rio de Janeiro Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	@reh321: Prices here are twice the US ---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 01:15 PM ---------- @timb64: Great images !

12-18-2018, 01:21 PM	#12
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Here, there and everywhere. Photos: Gallery Posts: 7,112	Originally posted by AntonioS @reh321: Prices here are twice the US ---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 01:15 PM ---------- @timb64: Great images ! Thank you

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12-18-2018, 01:28 PM	#13
AntonioS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Rio de Janeiro Photos: Albums Posts: 99 Original Poster	Thank you folks, I'll take a look at the lenses you told me.

12-18-2018, 01:45 PM - 1 Like	#15
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 2,105	Either the DA 16-85mm or the 18-135mm are very good for travel, and for general use. I have the DA 18-135mm and I think very well of it. Very versatile with its large zoom range, very compact, its AF is one of the fastest and most accurate among all lenses for Pentax. Its central-area sharpness is one of the best. It is good for closeups and for portrait, bokeh is exceptionally good. Very well built. There are plenty of sample images in a thread in this section. It may be possible to get a new one for the price of the 16-85mm used.