What 2 lenses to replace kit lenses ?

dales · 06-04-2009, 02:18 PM

I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive.

Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections.

If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make.

Thanks

Robert S Donovan · 06-04-2009, 06:52 PM

My opinion is that the reason why you are not finding 100% favorable reviews of the 18-250 super zooms is because their design makes too many compromises. I know you said you were on a budget, but I would suggest a sharp copy of a DA* 16-50 f/2.8 and a DA* 50-135 f/2.8. Add a fast fifty and I think you would have a kit that would cover 99% of your needs while delivering unparalleled image quality. If you can't justify them both, start by adding the 50-135 to your kit lens. Buy anything less and you'll always be second guessing yourself

Alfisti · 06-04-2009, 07:08 PM

Do you need wider than 18mm and what's your budget in US$?

tybeck · 06-05-2009, 01:45 PM

I have the Pentax DA 12-24mm/4 and the DA 16-45mm/4, both are excellent lens with the 16-45mm being superb for the money. As for a longer range I've heard very good things about the Pentax DA 55-300mm (just got one and need to test it). For reference my regular "kit" is the 12-24mm, the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8, and a fast prime (usually 31mm Limited or 77mm Limited) or a telephoto depending on what I expect to shoot.

Cosmo · 06-05-2009, 03:08 PM

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-05-2009, 08:39 PM

My kit is not the least expensive, but I can handle a lot of situations with the DA* 16-50/2.8 and the DA* 50-135/2.8. In 35mm terms, I have all the focal lengths between 24mm and 200mm, without indulging in any attachments, with only two lenses. Both are reasonably fast at a constant f/2.8, which helps AF quite a bit, and makes my viewfinder brighter. Both are also weather resistant, which can be quite important when one lives in the mountains. Today was thunderstorms. Yesterday was warm enough for shorts and sandals. Tomorrow we might have snow, according to the forecast.

For macro work, I use the elderly, but very good, Pentax M 100/4 macro. At macro range, MF is an advantage on the K10, because I can use snap-in-focus. The K20 calls it catch-in-focus, and setting a DA* lens into MF will put it into the mode for catching an image when the subject moves into the focus point. The K10 does this (as do all the Pentax AF cameras, film and digital) with any MF lens, including my two M series lenses. It works quite well with the M 400/5.6 when chasing waterfowl on the water, as well.

Returning to the OP's original question, I chose when purchasing the K10 to get the DA* 16-50 and DA* 50-135 rather than kit or 16-45. While the kit lenses are really quite good, neither of them has a constant f/2.8 aperture, neither has weather resistance and neither has the SDM quiet focus motor. The 16-45 is also missing a quite large 5mm at the long end.

My MZ-S used the FA 24-90 as a normal range zoom lens, and the 16-50 comes closer at 24-75 field of view equivalent than the 16-45's 24-67 equivalent. I have also found myself looking for much wider perspectives, and got the 12-24 for that reason. Not everyone is in need of this. The 50-135 is very close to the A 70-210/4 fov and a stop faster. Suits me. Now I have a pair of two lens kits that cover the most useful focal ranges for everyday use, one for digital and one for film.

Geronimo · 06-05-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by dales

I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive.

Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections.

If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make.

Thanks

Seems to be a 'crossed-thread':

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/62425-what-2-l...it-lenses.html

Cheers,

dafiryde · 06-05-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by dales

I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive.

Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections.

If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make.

Thanks

being retired and watching a budget
i would recomend
1 - 18-250 this will give a wide zoom range, in daylight shooting, ( which is usually 75% of your shots )
2 - 50 /1.4 this will cover all low light shooting
dont get me wrong, but one has to remember
being retired = getting older. at this point we dont want to be carring around alot of weight, and changing lenses every 5 seconds.
a budget = these two lenses should run less than $700.00 us dollars

why i can recomed this , i gust gave up a 16-50 and a 50-135 for a 18-250 and a 50/1.4
i came to the conclusion, i won't be taking pics for any magazine, and these two lenses will give me the quality i will be satisfied with

Dave

06-04-2009, 02:18 PM	#1
dales Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, Wash. Posts: 26	What 2 lenses to replace kit lenses ? I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive. Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections. If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make. Thanks

06-05-2009, 08:39 PM	#6
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	My kit is not the least expensive, but I can handle a lot of situations with the DA* 16-50/2.8 and the DA* 50-135/2.8. In 35mm terms, I have all the focal lengths between 24mm and 200mm, without indulging in any attachments, with only two lenses. Both are reasonably fast at a constant f/2.8, which helps AF quite a bit, and makes my viewfinder brighter. Both are also weather resistant, which can be quite important when one lives in the mountains. Today was thunderstorms. Yesterday was warm enough for shorts and sandals. Tomorrow we might have snow, according to the forecast. For macro work, I use the elderly, but very good, Pentax M 100/4 macro. At macro range, MF is an advantage on the K10, because I can use snap-in-focus. The K20 calls it catch-in-focus, and setting a DA* lens into MF will put it into the mode for catching an image when the subject moves into the focus point. The K10 does this (as do all the Pentax AF cameras, film and digital) with any MF lens, including my two M series lenses. It works quite well with the M 400/5.6 when chasing waterfowl on the water, as well. Returning to the OP's original question, I chose when purchasing the K10 to get the DA* 16-50 and DA* 50-135 rather than kit or 16-45. While the kit lenses are really quite good, neither of them has a constant f/2.8 aperture, neither has weather resistance and neither has the SDM quiet focus motor. The 16-45 is also missing a quite large 5mm at the long end. My MZ-S used the FA 24-90 as a normal range zoom lens, and the 16-50 comes closer at 24-75 field of view equivalent than the 16-45's 24-67 equivalent. I have also found myself looking for much wider perspectives, and got the 12-24 for that reason. Not everyone is in need of this. The 50-135 is very close to the A 70-210/4 fov and a stop faster. Suits me. Now I have a pair of two lens kits that cover the most useful focal ranges for everyday use, one for digital and one for film. Last edited by Canada_Rockies; 06-05-2009 at 08:56 PM.

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06-04-2009, 06:52 PM	#2
Robert S Donovan Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anderson, SC Photos: Gallery Posts: 361	My opinion is that the reason why you are not finding 100% favorable reviews of the 18-250 super zooms is because their design makes too many compromises. I know you said you were on a budget, but I would suggest a sharp copy of a DA* 16-50 f/2.8 and a DA* 50-135 f/2.8. Add a fast fifty and I think you would have a kit that would cover 99% of your needs while delivering unparalleled image quality. If you can't justify them both, start by adding the 50-135 to your kit lens. Buy anything less and you'll always be second guessing yourself

06-04-2009, 07:08 PM	#3
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Do you need wider than 18mm and what's your budget in US$?

06-05-2009, 01:45 PM	#4
tybeck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 452	I have the Pentax DA 12-24mm/4 and the DA 16-45mm/4, both are excellent lens with the 16-45mm being superb for the money. As for a longer range I've heard very good things about the Pentax DA 55-300mm (just got one and need to test it). For reference my regular "kit" is the 12-24mm, the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8, and a fast prime (usually 31mm Limited or 77mm Limited) or a telephoto depending on what I expect to shoot.

06-05-2009, 03:08 PM	#5
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8

06-05-2009, 08:56 PM	#7
Geronimo Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moseley, Birmingham, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 42	Originally posted by dales I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive. Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections. If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make. Thanks Seems to be a 'crossed-thread': https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/62425-what-2-l...it-lenses.html Cheers,

06-05-2009, 09:10 PM	#8
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419	Originally posted by dales I am sure this has been asked many times over but I cannot find an answer in the 'Search' of the forum. I want to replace the 2 lenses that came w/my K10D. I think the Sigma 10-20mm will be my 1st choice but I would also like a zoom that would be in the range of 18-250mm. I have read many reviews and comments on the lenses in this range but it seems none have been 100% positive. Being retired, I have to consider cost also when making the selections. If this has been covered before, please direct me to the forum location. Otherwise, I would really appreciate your input on the choice to make. Thanks being retired and watching a budget i would recomend 1 - 18-250 this will give a wide zoom range, in daylight shooting, ( which is usually 75% of your shots ) 2 - 50 /1.4 this will cover all low light shooting dont get me wrong, but one has to remember being retired = getting older. at this point we dont want to be carring around alot of weight, and changing lenses every 5 seconds. a budget = these two lenses should run less than $700.00 us dollars why i can recomed this , i gust gave up a 16-50 and a 50-135 for a 18-250 and a 50/1.4 i came to the conclusion, i won't be taking pics for any magazine, and these two lenses will give me the quality i will be satisfied with Dave