[ZombieArmy]

Not if you need a constant, fast f/2.8 aperture. With the 16-85, it's more than a full stop slower by 35mm. The 20-40 is f/2.8 at the narrow end, but a stop slower at the long end. For folks who don't need the light gathering capability and subject separation from 16 - 50mm, though, there are certainly other options...

I think you mean light gathering capability, subject separation AND weather resistance. No reason to pay the premium when the sigma/tamron 17-50 match or beat it, something the updated model needs to address.

[BigMackCam]

I think you mean light gathering capability, subject separation AND weather resistance. No reason to pay the premium when the sigma/tamron 17-50 match or beat it, something the updated model needs to address.

Well, the DA16-85 and 20-40 you mentioned are both WR... the DA*16-50 is AW-rated, so technically better weather resistance, but all three are fine in light rain and dust. They don't have the f/2.8 constant aperture, of course.

The Sigma and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 models certainly beat the old DA*16-50 optically, but the Pentax lens is still very capable - and in any weather. Having said that, the replacement model - if and when it arrives - should be considerably better optically, and the AF motor won't be such a concern...

[macman24054]

Love my DA* lenses! I'm also very pleased with the results from my Tamron 90mm macro, 17-50 f2.8, 28-75 f2.8 and the 10-24. Especially the 28-75.

[Jonathan Mac]

A strange poll. I voted DA because for digital I only use APS-C, though I have all of the DA Limited primes I don't use any of the * lenses because of poor optics, SDM problems or both.

[house]

I don't want any zoom lenses.

Voted dfa primes because the fa primes (a few of which I own) aren't quite good enough. The dfa* primes however are to fast and to large for my requirements.

Compact (relatively) dfa primes are what I would consider buying new from pentax. The dfa21Ltd is very interesting, if performance suits my use case I'll get it.

A, not huge, dfa prime in the 75-120mm range would also be very interesring to me.

[macman24054]

he * lenses because of poor optics, SDM problems or both

The SDM is a problem but they are optically very highly regarded.

[ChristianRock]

DA for me... for my use (photo walks/family/travel) the K-1 and DFA lens array, would be too big. Not to mention I can't afford it anyway

[Ash]

I'm not qualified to make a choice

I have all the DFA primes (plus the DA* 200 and 300), all the DFA zooms, all the FA Limiteds (plus the FA*24 and FA*85), and the full DA "family" (the 16-50 spot is currently empty until the new variant materialises).

You want me to choose my favourite child? I love them all.

My only third party lens which I really care about is the Sigma 35/1.4 Art. That said, I would happily part with it when Pentax releases a competitor.

Sandy, you're actually DIS-qualified from making a choice!

I knew there'd be someone who'd struggle in this way, but you're missing the D-FA* 85, which is living up to its hype at the moment.
I'll be hanging out for the D-FA 21 when it comes out. That sounds like an excellent successor to the FA 20.

[bdery]

I would have liked an option for DFA zooms plus Fa primes.

And still, I'm using 1 DFA zoom (28-105) and one modified DA zoom (guess which...) so I'm cheating a bit.

[normhead]

I tend to see things a little differently.

Base kit.
18-135 or 21 ld APS-c, 28-105 FF

APS-c or FF lenses to extend my range in various circumstances.
Base telephoto DA 55-300 PLM. (used on both APS-c and FF.)
Macro- DFA 100
Low light DA* 55 1.4

Lenses I'll bring along for a specific shoot if I I think they might prove useful.
Sigma 24 macro ( for it's small size and weight and focal length.) DA*200, DA* 60-250, Tamron 300 2.8 (usually with the 1.4 or 1.7x or Tamron 2x TC), Rokinon 14 2.8,

I prefer 2 of the first 6
None of the next 4
None of the next 5
And 2 of the next six.

In all, of the lenses listed I prefer 4 of the 21.

I'm abstaining.

My base kit...
DA 18-135 or DFA 28-105
DA 55-300 PLM
DFA 100 macro
DA* 55 1.4

Only one of those is mentioned in the poll. So I guess based on actual usage, I would pick #1. But my adoption rate for those lenses is 1 of the 6, that would be completely misleading.

A suspect there is a distinct divide between the more sedentary shooters and those who carry their kit in their cars, then carry a short distance and set up, and those of us who's standard shoot involves carrying our kit for miles with possible weather events. For some of us, photography is an out door activity.

[othar]

I'll admitt I have non of the mentioned lenses, but my vote goes to the FA prime department in hopes I someday find the funds necessary for 1 or 2 of those lenses.
The new D-FA primes, while beeing great IQ-wise, are too big for my needs, same goes for the mentioned D-FA zooms.
Some of the DA primes might be interesting so they come in second for me.

[pres589]

APS-C I'd like to take my DA 15 Ltd, DA 18-135, and F 50 1.7. Doesn't match any of your options.

Film I'm currently dreaming about the following kit; Pentax M 28 f2.0, Voigtlander 40mm f2.0, and one of the various 90mm f2.5 Macro's (I have a Tamron but thinking about a Spiratone as an upgrade).

Let me know when you figure out how that works into your poll.

[Peka]

As an APS-C user, I have voted for the DA family.
I hope Pentax will continue to develop, or update, compact and light lenses.

[northcoastgreg]

I have all zoom kits and all prime kits for both APS-C and FF, but in practice mix in match, with primes doing wide angle to normal and zooms at the extremes of wide angle and longer telephoto. My usual kit for the KP is DA 15, DA 21, DA 35 and DA 55-300 PLM. My favorite kit for FF is DFA 15-30, FA 31, FA 43 (or FA 50 Macro) and FA 80-320.

[house]

My usual kit for the KP is DA 15, DA 21, DA 35 and DA 55-300 PLM.

Despite the fl difference I find having both the 15 and 21 with me a bit annoying. I become hesitant which one to use.

The 21 is my one lens choice for apsc. Sadly its under used due to competition from the GR.