[jbrill]

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, perhaps the DA 20-40mm Limited would be a good choice.

Some of the longer zooms feel unbalanced on the K-01 to me.

While I don't own it, I would have suggested the 16-85 as well as it is approximately the same size and weight as the 18-250.

The following table lists the length and weight of some of the zooms mentioned earlier in decreasing order of size (note: errors are certainly possible).

Lens	L(mm)	W(g)
50-135	136	685
16-50	99	565
16-85	94	488
18-250	86	455
20-40	69	283

While the 16-85 and 18-250 are all roughly the same size, the 20-40 is smaller and lighter.

The FA 43mm Ltd would be nice on the K-01 as well.

[ChristianRock]

If she wants a lens as nice as the 77mm but the 77mm is too long...

...of course she needs an FA 31 to be her K-01's companion. Then she needs to learn to swap it for the 77mm when she wants the "magic lens" (I say this because my wife refuses to learn to swap lenses - and now that her work cell phone takes good enough pictures for social media, she doesn't want to use a DSLR anymore anyway).

[FotoGekko]

Why would you stick a superzoom on a lovely K-01?

Cheers, Gerard

[ivanvernon]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice, any of which might have worked quite well indeed under some different circumstance than those under which I am living.

One thing I now realize. When you are helping a new photographer get started, do not start them with the lens rated as the best Pentax lens because after using it everything else will be a disappointment.

Also, I should have known better than to give a Tamron-origin consumer grade long zoom to someone who calls the 77mm her "magic lens." Actually, I thought some of her photos at the short end of the 18-250 were not too bad, but she says all the photos using the zoom are just missing something.

I thought maybe I would give her the plastic fantastic 35mm AND the equally good DA 50mm f 1.8, but she turned them down and took the FA 31mm, which she says looks more solid and works for her when the 77 is too long.

I guess I will be posting more in the medium format threads. Also, perhaps it is worth watching Keh and Robert for ugly copies of the 31 and 77.

---------- Post added 11-04-19 at 11:37 AM ----------

If she wants a lens as nice as the 77mm but the 77mm is too long...

...of course she needs an FA 31 to be her K-01's companion. Then she needs to learn to swap it for the 77mm when she wants the "magic lens" (I say this because my wife refuses to learn to swap lenses - and now that her work cell phone takes good enough pictures for social media, she doesn't want to use a DSLR anymore anyway).

This is exactly what happened.

---------- Post added 11-04-19 at 11:39 AM ----------

Personally I don't think those zooms (or any similar ones) will be as good as the 77mm.

I think you are on to something that is very real!

---------- Post added 11-04-19 at 11:41 AM ----------

Be smart

get another 77mm

you may be dealing with her perception of the qualities of the lens

and when you deal with that

you aren't going to win a battle

quit while you are ahead

either trade her lenses, the 77mm for the zoom or get another 77mm for yourself and give her the one she liked

Yep, I may be watching used lens sites to see if anything shows up for low price.

[sergysergy]

as others suggested there are other shorter limited lenses that may work: 31 limited, 35 limited macro, 20-40 limited, 40 limited
Even some cheap F FAs (50 1.4, 50 1.7) might work too. I feel any of these will be better than the zooms!

[aslyfox]

. . . Also, perhaps it is worth watching Keh and Robert for ugly copies of the 31 and 77. . . . Yep, I may be watching used lens sites to see if anything shows up for low price.

good luck

I recently found an " experienced " SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited at Adorama at a price I liked

but be prepared to move fast.

the lens had just been listed that AM before the office was opened

when I am looking for experienced gear I check KEH, Adorama, B H and Amazon plus, of course, the market place
one other thought

consider renting some lenses to see if there might be another lens she would like

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com

LensRental is running a discount on equipment rented by Nov 15

[aslyfox]

as others suggested there are other shorter limited lenses that may work: 31 limited, 35 limited macro, 20-40 limited, 40 limited
Even some cheap F FAs (50 1.4, 50 1.7) might work too. I feel any of these will be better than the zooms!

don't forget the " best lens in its class [ of one ] " -

the SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS

it was developed specifically for the K -01

---

Last edited by aslyfox; 11-04-2019 at 12:06 PM.

[ChristianRock]

I'm sure you can use the FA Limited she's not using at the moment, she can only fit one lens on her camera at a time

Nice problem to have, by the way, even if you "have to" end up using medium format more (oh the humanity). One day I'll be able to have some FA Limiteds in the house...

[veato]

If it's a zoom that's needed then I concur with the 16-85 suggestions

[ivanvernon]

I'm sure you can use the FA Limited she's not using at the moment, she can only fit one lens on her camera at a time

Nice problem to have, by the way, even if you "have to" end up using medium format more (oh the humanity). One day I'll be able to have some FA Limiteds in the house...

You are absolutely right in principle. In practice, however, it is awkward for me to leave my photo center room upstairs, go downstairs to my wife's crafting center, seek out her camera bag, and shuffle around for a lens, which she then says she was just getting ready to use.

[microlight]

Mrs ivanvernon sounds like quite the discerning photographer!

[timb64]

The 16-85 would be a good choice,whether it’s for a wife or a husband

[35mmfilmfan]

The 16-85 would be a good choice,whether it’s for a wife or a husband

Sounds like the worst holiday club of all time

[bwgv001]

Support Ricoh/Pentax, yourself and your wife, get another copy of a good lens that she likes (and you like), that covers a range that you have not yet coveed well.

[beachgardener]

yes the 31 and 43 would compliment the 77, that is how I hope to go as I have the 77 at present, it is lonely without the other two but the 50-135 is very good too.