Looking for lens advice for my K-5

rob4001 · 04-26-2019, 09:58 AM

My k5 I bought years ago is collecting dust. I thought about selling it but maybe new lens would give it new life. I still new to photography. These days I just take snaps on my iphone! My budget is limited. Used lens manual focus I don't mind ( i never liked the auto focus on the k-5) Just some advice on decent lens probably used or even vintage. I live near a beach so landscape sunset shots are usually what I do. Current lens is a kit 50-200 lens. Which did well for recent blood moon.

Thanks in advance for any advice

CarlJF · 04-26-2019, 10:01 AM - **1 Like**

DA 50 1.8 or DA35 2.4. Cheap and will let you see what’s possible to achieve with a DSLR...

czhao1009 · 04-26-2019, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by rob4001

landscape sunset shots

DA15? Although not sure if it's outside of your budget or not.

DA35 is also a solid and very cost-effective choice, which I currently use with my K-5. Although I'm not sure if it's wide enough for your landscape photography needs.

Wasp · 04-26-2019, 10:38 AM

For manual focus magic, look for an M 50mm f/1.7. The wider aperture, compared to your zoom, is useful for bokeh and low light. The A 50mm f/1.7 is almost the same, with the benefit that it will play nice with auto exposure on the K5. Unfortunately, they have a habit of developing problems with the aperture ring. Not too difficult to fix but bear it in mind when shopping.

Another good one to look out for is the M 28mm f/2.8. The equivalent A has no issues that I am aware of, but may be a little harder to get hold of. The 28mm on crop frame is not very wide but still a useful way of broadening your horizons (!) if you only have a 50-200mm at the moment.

steve_k · 04-26-2019, 10:54 AM

I would say go wider. The 35 2.4 is nice but it is not as versatile as a zoom. The 16-85 would be nice but it is a bit pricey at around $400 used. You can get a 18-135 for around $200 used. The 18-135 would be your best bet IMHO.

normhead · 04-26-2019, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by CarlJF

DA 50 1.8 or DA35 2.4. Cheap and will let you see what’s possible to achieve with a DSLR...

I'm not sure you can decide you don't like the K-5 autofocus using a 50-200. One of these two will give you a better feel. My wife's favourite lenses on her K-5 are the Tamron 90 macro and DFA 28-105. When she needs wide angle she uses the Sigma 8-16.

I can't imagine going without auto-focus. That would seriously slow down my work flow.
I'd at least think about an 18-55 for that camera and a used 55-300 to replace the 50-200.
You can probably pick up a used 18-55 for $50.

I have a few manual focus lenses. I never use them. Way too much grief. Maybe your problem with the AF is in that it needs calibration with whatever you find unimpressive.

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-26-2019, 12:16 PM

I would recommend the da 35 or 50, or an Manual focus A28, also a cheap screw on hood. That should do ok for landscapes, probably the 50 or longer would be best for sunsets.

**JensE** · 04-26-2019, 12:33 PM

For beach use, I would suggest a weather resistant lens like the 18-135mm suggested earlier. Very good optically, affordable and AF is OK on the K-5.

Wasp · 04-26-2019, 01:05 PM - **1 Like**

The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm.

**BigMackCam** · 04-26-2019, 04:45 PM

I'd recommend the DA35 f/2.4. With the K-5, it'll give you a very similar field of view to a classic 50mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera. It's about as versatile as you could wish for day-to-day photography, optically very good, and cheap. I can say with experience that it works brilliantly on the K-5. There's a reason why 50mm lenses on a 35mm camera were so popular, and that's because they suit many, many situations. The DA35 f/2.4 will give you the same experience on your K-5.

**aslyfox** · 04-26-2019, 05:01 PM

to stretch your budget, I would recommend you keep an eye on what can be found on the forum's market place " buy/sell"

you can sort it by country if you wish:

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

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

________________________

this chart will show how various Pentax lenses would work with your K 5

The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart

K 5 would only have problems with the DA 55-300mm ED PLM WR RE and D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW

kypfer · 04-27-2019, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm.

A second vote for an 18-55mm or thereabouts ... if the OP doesn't like the autofocus just switch it off on the camera, the in-focus indication on the K-5 is very good

Alternatively, an 18-200mm or thereabouts could replace the 50-200mm and save having to swap lenses ... I use a Tamron 18-200mm on my K-5 almost exclusively as a walkabout combination.

Whichever choice, try to get the lens-hood with it ... even more important with a wide angle lens than with a telephoto!

**RICHARD L.** · 04-27-2019, 04:09 AM

Check eBay for mint condition used Pentax zooms. I used a DA 16-45 mm f/4 with great success for many years with my K5. Newer lenses like the DA 18-135 mm can also be purchased used for a very affordable price (around 225 $).

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-27-2019, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm.

+1

At least it gets the OP using the wide end without too much cash, you can pick up used kit lenses for about $60 CAD. Probably $50 USD

kypfer · 04-27-2019, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

+1

At least it gets the OP using the wide end without too much cash, you can pick up used kit lenses for about $60 CAD. Probably $50 USD

My DA 18-55mm cost £3 (pounds sterling, about $4 US) locally, coincidently the same as my DA 50-200mm ... shop around, some days you get lucky

04-26-2019, 09:58 AM	#1
rob4001 New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 10	Looking for lens advice for my K-5 My k5 I bought years ago is collecting dust. I thought about selling it but maybe new lens would give it new life. I still new to photography. These days I just take snaps on my iphone! My budget is limited. Used lens manual focus I don't mind ( i never liked the auto focus on the k-5) Just some advice on decent lens probably used or even vintage. I live near a beach so landscape sunset shots are usually what I do. Current lens is a kit 50-200 lens. Which did well for recent blood moon. Thanks in advance for any advice

04-26-2019, 10:55 AM	#6
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by CarlJF DA 50 1.8 or DA35 2.4. Cheap and will let you see what’s possible to achieve with a DSLR... I'm not sure you can decide you don't like the K-5 autofocus using a 50-200. One of these two will give you a better feel. My wife's favourite lenses on her K-5 are the Tamron 90 macro and DFA 28-105. When she needs wide angle she uses the Sigma 8-16. I can't imagine going without auto-focus. That would seriously slow down my work flow. I'd at least think about an 18-55 for that camera and a used 55-300 to replace the 50-200. You can probably pick up a used 18-55 for $50. I have a few manual focus lenses. I never use them. Way too much grief. Maybe your problem with the AF is in that it needs calibration with whatever you find unimpressive. Last edited by normhead; 04-27-2019 at 08:44 AM.

04-26-2019, 05:01 PM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	to stretch your budget, I would recommend you keep an eye on what can be found on the forum's market place " buy/sell" you can sort it by country if you wish: The Pentax Marketplace \| Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses (UK) - PentaxForums.com The Pentax Marketplace \| Buy & Sell Pentax Cameras and Lenses (EU) - PentaxForums.com ________________________ this chart will show how various Pentax lenses would work with your K 5 The Pentax Camera Lens Compatibility Chart K 5 would only have problems with the DA 55-300mm ED PLM WR RE and D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW Last edited by aslyfox; 04-27-2019 at 04:44 AM.

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04-26-2019, 10:01 AM - 1 Like	#2
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	DA 50 1.8 or DA35 2.4. Cheap and will let you see what’s possible to achieve with a DSLR...

04-26-2019, 10:27 AM	#3
czhao1009 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 101	Originally posted by rob4001 landscape sunset shots DA15? Although not sure if it's outside of your budget or not. DA35 is also a solid and very cost-effective choice, which I currently use with my K-5. Although I'm not sure if it's wide enough for your landscape photography needs.

04-26-2019, 10:38 AM	#4
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,660	For manual focus magic, look for an M 50mm f/1.7. The wider aperture, compared to your zoom, is useful for bokeh and low light. The A 50mm f/1.7 is almost the same, with the benefit that it will play nice with auto exposure on the K5. Unfortunately, they have a habit of developing problems with the aperture ring. Not too difficult to fix but bear it in mind when shopping. Another good one to look out for is the M 28mm f/2.8. The equivalent A has no issues that I am aware of, but may be a little harder to get hold of. The 28mm on crop frame is not very wide but still a useful way of broadening your horizons (!) if you only have a 50-200mm at the moment.

04-26-2019, 10:54 AM	#5
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	I would say go wider. The 35 2.4 is nice but it is not as versatile as a zoom. The 16-85 would be nice but it is a bit pricey at around $400 used. You can get a 18-135 for around $200 used. The 18-135 would be your best bet IMHO.

04-26-2019, 12:16 PM	#7
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	I would recommend the da 35 or 50, or an Manual focus A28, also a cheap screw on hood. That should do ok for landscapes, probably the 50 or longer would be best for sunsets.

04-26-2019, 12:33 PM	#8
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,969	For beach use, I would suggest a weather resistant lens like the 18-135mm suggested earlier. Very good optically, affordable and AF is OK on the K-5.

04-26-2019, 01:05 PM - 1 Like	#9
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,660	The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm.

04-26-2019, 04:45 PM	#10
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	I'd recommend the DA35 f/2.4. With the K-5, it'll give you a very similar field of view to a classic 50mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera. It's about as versatile as you could wish for day-to-day photography, optically very good, and cheap. I can say with experience that it works brilliantly on the K-5. There's a reason why 50mm lenses on a 35mm camera were so popular, and that's because they suit many, many situations. The DA35 f/2.4 will give you the same experience on your K-5.

04-27-2019, 12:36 AM	#12
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,592	Originally posted by Wasp The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm. A second vote for an 18-55mm or thereabouts ... if the OP doesn't like the autofocus just switch it off on the camera, the in-focus indication on the K-5 is very good Alternatively, an 18-200mm or thereabouts could replace the 50-200mm and save having to swap lenses ... I use a Tamron 18-200mm on my K-5 almost exclusively as a walkabout combination. Whichever choice, try to get the lens-hood with it ... even more important with a wide angle lens than with a telephoto!

04-27-2019, 04:09 AM	#13
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,575	Check eBay for mint condition used Pentax zooms. I used a DA 16-45 mm f/4 with great success for many years with my K5. Newer lenses like the DA 18-135 mm can also be purchased used for a very affordable price (around 225 $).

04-27-2019, 06:28 AM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Originally posted by Wasp The obvious answer that has not been mentioned yet, is to get a DA 18-55mm lens - assuming that you do not have one already. It should be cheap and is a useful addition to a 50-200mm. +1 At least it gets the OP using the wide end without too much cash, you can pick up used kit lenses for about $60 CAD. Probably $50 USD

04-27-2019, 03:40 PM	#15
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,592	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge +1 At least it gets the OP using the wide end without too much cash, you can pick up used kit lenses for about $60 CAD. Probably $50 USD My DA 18-55mm cost £3 (pounds sterling, about $4 US) locally, coincidently the same as my DA 50-200mm ... shop around, some days you get lucky