[Bertrand3000]

Hello,

With Christmas getting close, and birthday following, it's a good excuse to give up to my LBA and buy new lenses with less guilt and less frowns at me than outside those holy date!

My current set-up is a K-S2 with the following lenses :
- Pentax SMC DA 10-17 Fish-Eye
- Sigma 10-20 F3.5
- Pentax DA-L 18-50 F4-5.6
- Pentax DA 35 F2.4
- Pentax DA 50 F1.8
- Pentax DFA 50 F2.8 Macro
- Pentax HD DA 55-300 F4.5-6.3 PLM
- Tamron AF 70-300 F4-5.6
- Tamron AF 18-250 F3.5-6.3


So I have the opportunity to buy two lenses, with a budget of around 700 €, preferentially new. But.. what should I buy?

I am almost decided for one : the Sigma 17-50 F2.8, since I lack a fast and silent normal zoom. That will divide budget by half.

What should I buy as a second lens, compared to my current list?

I have thought of HD DA 16-85 but it's too costly, and I need a fast, silent normal zoom. I have thought of DA 18-135, but will that be good enough compared to my existing Tamron 18-250? I have thought of the Samyang 14mm, but I'm not sure I would use it much outside astro, and since I have bad sight, manual focusing may not be my thing for other uses. Your thoughts?

[Michail_P]

As to what to buy, I really cannot help. You have a nice collection. If you have almost decided to go for the 17-50 2.8, which is considered pretty good, I would think that selling the 18-50 could raise the budget for the second one. If selling is even an option.

[Kevin B123]

Why the Samyang 14mm with what you have, is it the speed for astro-photography? If so then you only need infinity, set the lens to that and you are good. Manual focus on the 14mm is easy, the dof is huge and the throw is wide ans smooth.

The sigma has a good reputation, so your three lens kit will be 14, 17-50 & 70-300. I can't see anything wrong with that. The DA 15mm should be considered is astro-photography if not the aim, or use the 17-50 f2. 8 for astro.

[Cerebum]

Limiteds my favourite is the 35mm f2.8 macro but you have the f2.4 so how about a fabulous 21mm and a 70mm. With your budget you could actually get a 21, a 40mm & a 70mm. THREE fantastic lenses, THREE

[officiousbystander]

Limiteds

That was my first thought. No limiteds. You haven't even started if you have no limiteds. Maybe the DA70 would be a good fit in the above list. It's an excellent portrait lens.

[Cerebum]

That was my first thought. No limiteds. You haven't even started if you have no limiteds. Maybe the DA70 would be a good fit in the above list. It's an excellent portrait lens.

Yeah. The op is set for zooms but only has 35 & 50mm primes. I thought about the 15 but the 21 is more usable and is half the price

[Des]

I have thought of DA 18-135, but will that be good enough compared to my existing Tamron 18-250?

I had the Tamron for 6 years and have had the 18-135 for 5 years. The 18-135 is way better. TBH I would pick it over the Sigma 17-50 unless you really need f2.8 more that the versatility of the 18-135. The 18-135 is not perfect, but it has true Pentax qualities, including very good colours and microcontrast.

For a step up you should also consider the DA 20-40 Ltd. As others have said, getting at least one Limited would take your kit to another level.

[Serkevan]

Like some people mentioned, maybe the 20-40 Ltd will be a good alternative (but more expensive).

On another note, I would sell the 70-300 since it basically duplicates the PLM for no benefit.

[K2 to K50]

How about selling the Tamron 70-300, and going for a Camera upgrade - KP?

Or are you hanging out for the K3 III?

[robgski]

You could purchase a DA 21mm and a DA 70mm. Get rid of the 18-50mm and get the 18-135mm.

Consider buying used copies of each here on PF. I've only had good results from buying here.

[aslyfox]

Hello,

With Christmas getting close, and birthday following, it's a good excuse to give up to my LBA . . . astro, and since I have bad sight, manual focusing may not be my thing for other uses. Your thoughts?

I for one would like more detail from the OP

we only have " astro "

what are the Photographic ' targets ", and knowing that, it would be easier to recommend a lens or two

myself, I would not be adverse to look at " experienced " lenses but from what I can tell, the forums' marketplace in the US is much bigger than the EU

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

Limiteds are good choices, but " habit forming " it's hard to stop at one

_________________________

perhaps this might be of help regarding eyesight issues:

PENTAX Magnifier Eyecup O-ME53

Description:
This eye-cup magnifies the viewfinder image 1.18 times. When mounted on a K-7, the viewfinder magnification becomes 1.03x instead of the 0.92x without the magnifier.

Fits the *ist D and all K series DSLRs.

Read more at: PENTAX Magnifier Eyecup O-ME53 reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

[jcsnyc]

I like the idea of another prime. I have a 77mm 1.8 and it is fantastic. It would give you something with a little more reach than you have with your other primes and something with shallower DOF for some family (or whatever) portraits. It would also supplement that zoom you are considering.

[bluestringer]

You have a nice collection already, don't know what you need, maybe a longer focal length macro (100mm).

[ChristianRock]

It's hard to tell because we don't really know what lenses you use the most, which ones you don't use at all (there's always at least one of those...) and what is your main use when you're taking pictures...

I see some redundancy already, and the Sigma 17-50 combined with the 55-300 PLM lens would make at least 3 of your lenses obsolete (the 18-250, 70-300 and 18-50), and selling those would more than pay off for the 17-50, so your budget could be used to buy at least 2 Limiteds primes as mentioned before...

[Wasp]

Me thinks you need an 85mm f/1.4. Bokeh monster for the win.