[BigMackCam]

Given some of the responses, it might be worth addressing the matter of size and weight.

The DA Limited primes are, by design, compact and lightweight. The DA20-40, whilst bigger, is also fairly compact for a reasonably fast zoom, and comparatively lightweight.

The DA16-85 and Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 have been mentioned, and both are excellent choices optically - but they're both significantly larger and heavier than the DA20-40 (roughly twice the weight, give or take). The DA18-135, also mentioned, is shorter than the 16-85 and a bit lighter, but still way heavier than the 20-40, and roughly equivalent to a trio of DA Limited primes.

All of the lenses above could be decent choices depending on the OP's use cases, preferences and tolerances...

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Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-21-2020 at 12:51 PM.

[rodcy]

I have a 35, 50, 90 and a Sigma 10-20. But it' s all too much for holiday travel so I bought an DA 18-85. It's a bit heavy but the image quality is very good. I bought it second hand from SRS in the UK. Well worth it.

[BigMackCam]

Oh, I forgot to mention another prime lens option that's well worth considering... the FA35/2, in either the original SMC or revised HD versions. It's an amazingly sharp lens across the entire APS-C frame, especially from f/2.2 onwards. It's an excellent choice for your crop sensor digital, but also eminently usable on your ME Super if required (albeit the field of view will be different, of course). Used examples are generally quite keenly priced, but even a brand new HD FA35 can be found for less than DA Limited money if you watch for discounts. I got mine discounted from Amazon UK for a little under GBP £250, which is a steal for the optical quality it offers. Build quality isn't at the same level as the Limiteds, but it's solidly made nonetheless... really a very nice lens indeed.

[MaineNative]

The 16-85 is a great lens, but it’s about the same price as the 20-40 mm. It is also a little big and heavy for a walk-around lens. The 18-135 is a little smaller, a little lighter, a little cheaper and almost as good if you don’t need the wider field of view at 16 mm.

I love my 21 mm Ltd, but it is a little wide for general-purpose shooting. I take it along on all my trips with either my 16-85 or 18-135. I also use the 21 mm for panoramas... some people use a slightly longer lens got panos.

[officiousbystander]

My 21 lives on the KP. I'll swap between it and the 70. The 40mm is an odd focal length for APSC and while I love the size it tends to get neglected.

[Qwntm]

The 16-85 is a great lens, but it’s about the same price as the 20-40 mm. It is also a little big and heavy for a walk-around lens. The 18-135 is a little smaller, a little lighter, a little cheaper and almost as good if you don’t need the wider field of view at 16 mm.

I love my 21 mm Ltd, but it is a little wide for general-purpose shooting. I take it along on all my trips with either my 16-85 or 18-135. I also use the 21 mm for panoramas... some people use a slightly longer lens got panos.

It's too bad the 18-55 WR is basically optically as good as a Coke bottle, (might not even be that good...) The size and weight is about perfect for the range. Might just be the copy I have though. It's not good.

[ZombieArmy]

It's too bad the 18-55 WR is basically optically as good as a Coke bottle, (might not even be that good...) The size and weight is about perfect for the range. Might just be the copy I have though. It's not good.

I don't think that's accurate, I just think it's not very good wide open. It's a well corrected lens with good contrast and acceptable sharpness. I use mine for severe weather.

[Thagomizer]

It's too bad the 18-55 WR is basically optically as good as a Coke bottle, (might not even be that good...) The size and weight is about perfect for the range. Might just be the copy I have though. It's not good.

My first Pentax, the K-S2, came with the 18-50 RE, which saw a lot of use and gave decent results. I haven't used either much since I got the KP/16-85 combination, but I was happy with what It did. This is one of my favourites from one of my earliest forays with the K-S2:

[DWS1]

The 16-85 is really nice, a bit heavy though. For a lighter weight lens, the 18-55 is nice if you stay away from both ends of the zoom range (about 22-45 is best), and shoot in the middle half of the aperture range.

[Qwntm]

I don't think that's accurate, I just think it's not very good wide open. It's a well corrected lens with good contrast and acceptable sharpness. I use mine for severe weather.

Like I said it probably is just a bad copy that I've got. The sides of the image are not sharp at F8-11. I mean like really not sharp at all. Not good.

[caliscouser]

I think the best Xmas present you could give your KP are some of the Limited lenses. A match made in heaven.

Personally I favor the 15, 20-40 and 70 as a 3 lens kit. Mainly because I don't like changing lenses much around the normal focal ranges.

But since you are used to being a prime shooter I think the KP + 21, 40 and 70 pancakes is an awesome compact kit. I don't think any other manufacturer can match that combination, not even Fuji.
Need macro? substitute the 40 for the DA 35 2.8 Limited.
Need more speed? substitute the 40 for the FA 43 or FA 31 or FA 35.

[ZombieArmy]

Like I said it probably is just a bad copy that I've got. The sides of the image are not sharp at F8-11. I mean like really not sharp at all. Not good.

Yah I think it has to be unlucky variation. Both my copies of the 18-55 have always been pretty good at f11.

[pres589]

I've not owned one but I second the 18-50 RE producing nice images based on what I've seen shared here. Seems quite good by f8. Always seemed like a great match for a K-01 but the KP should produce quite good images with its better high-ISO image quality allowing for more shots taken stopped down.

A DA 15, DA 18-50 RE, and DA 70 would be an awesome trio with a KP.

[officiousbystander]

It's too bad the 18-55 WR is basically optically as good as a Coke bottle, (might not even be that good...)

I suspect you have a bad copy. My one is for beach holidays and expectations are low but all I really want is family snaps and weather sealing. Good results are still possible.

[mikesbike]

Personally I favor the 15, 20-40 and 70 as a 3 lens kit. Mainly because I don't like changing lenses much around the normal focal ranges.

This is one of my favorite combos for very compact carrying with wonderful imaging, and WR to boot. The compact with quality concept of the KP is a perfect match with this kit- a great choice. The DA 16-85 is fine lens, but is rather bulky and better suited for one of the bulkier bodies. The DA 18-135 is much more compact, but not nearly so as is the 20-40 LTD. I do also love the 20-40 LTD on my KP combined with the DA* 50-135mm f/2.8!