Which kit lens? The 18-50mm or 18-55mm WR? Well, regardless, there aren't many zoom lenses, if any, that will match a really good prime in every respect. The DA 18-135mm is better that either kit lens, and especially when you know where the lens is at its best. I suggest you visit the Troubleshooting and Beginner Help section in the thread entitled "Which K-70 package?"on P.2 to view some sample work with this lens by Des, to see its extreme versatility and its possibilities for yourself. Now, keep in mind these images are results from an experienced photographer, which you will eventually become. Please do check this out!
The DA 18-135mm is, both physically and use-wise, especially suited to a compact body like your K-S2. I've been at it a very long time, since the all-manual only film days. Currently, I shoot with the KP, the K-S2, and the K-5 IIs, which is a flagship model. I have the DA 18-50mm kit lens that came with the K-S2, and for far longer I've had the DA 18-135mm, as well as premium zoom lenses like the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, and a whole slew of the finest prime lenses. The DA 18-135mm is still one of my go-to lenses, depending on my needs. I have no problem with its quality. It can do so many things and do them well, from portrait at around 70mm wide open at f/4.5, to closeups, to wide angle, to telephoto candid people shots. It is also great as a learner's tool, due to its great versatility. Its AF is also one of the fastest and most accurate. Build quality is very good. Amazingly compact for such zoom range. No matter what other fine lenses one has, there are times when this lens will be the one to turn to.
If you want to get as close as possible to prime lens characteristics, and do not mind having a reduced range zoom lens, the excellent DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 Limited is an exceptional high-quality zoom lens that is especially well-designed for a compact body like the K-S2. I bought mine about 3 years ago mainly for use on the K-S2 when I did not need the range of the DA 18-135mm and wanted even more compact carrying, along with fine quality. I got mine in silver anyway, and find it looks classy on my black K-S2, but when I got my silver KP it went together like it is part of this camera, with outstanding quality imaging.
However, besides such a fine versatile zoom lens like the DA 18-135mm, since you already have the 35mm and 50mm prime lenses, it is a good idea to get used to working with just primes and their respective focal lengths, the next prime I would recommend for you would be the DA 21mm Limited, a good focal length for versatile all-around use. That said, if in your practice you find yourself going towards needing more wide angle, add the DA 15mm Limited instead.
---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 04:30 PM ----------
Originally posted by kypfer This begs the question ... which "kit lens" was acquired with the camera? If it was one of the ubiquitous 18-50mm or thereabouts you might already have an idea as to whether the extra few degrees of wide-angle that a 16mm lens would provide would be of any use to you, or do you regularly want to get closer (or crop tighter) in which case the 135mm range might be a better option.
Don't let yourself be confused by the shallow depth-of-field provided by a prime at wide aperture giving an effect of better image quality than your zoom. Do some definitive tests on a brick wall or a wire fence at similar apertures and see what the real difference is ... you might be surprised!
Good luck
I agree. There are various reasons why aspects of good image quality shows in certain shots. Keep in mind a smaller aperture means a larger aperture number! Mid aperture numbers are usually where the best sharpness occurs.
You see, take your 50 mm lens, which probably has a wide-open aperture of f/1.8, so for it, a mid-aperture would include f/4. But your kit lens at 50mm f/5.6 is wide open. It cannot even provide f/4 at 50mm. Mid aperture for it would be f/ 8 or 9.5 or so. If you go too much, say by f/11 then quality begins to decline again. Therefore, your prime lenses have more aperture range before there is significant decline.
Last edited by mikesbike; 01-01-2019 at 04:55 PM.