[kshapero]

Looking for a zoom lens (must be WR) to mate with a K5iiS. Opinions please? Oh yes I want the lens to optimize the Image IQ on the K5iis.

[i83N]

SMC Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[LB1103]

+1 for DA*16-50mmf/2.8. Check the Marketplace on here for some offerings as the price for new can be expensive.

[mike.hiran]

There are a lot of options that will do that camera proud, but it kind of depends on what you plan on using the lens for. If this will be one of your first lenses, you may want to go for a zoom for convenience. In this case, the 16-50 or 50-135 by Pentax would be good fast 2.8 choices and they have excellent weather sealing. The 60-250 f4 would also be a good choice if you want a bit more reach, but this lens is a bit on the heavier size - pro glass usually is though.

If you want a good portrait lens, the DA* 55 1.4 would be an excellent choice.
If you want to do macros, the DFA 100 2.8 WR macro is superb.
There's a couple more DA* lenses that have great weather seals (the 200 & 300) but they are for pretty specific needs.

To get an idea of what kind of abuse the DA* lenses can take, check out this video by one of our forum members:

You Tube

You Tube

Personally, that's more than what I'd purposely expose my gear to, but I do feel more confident that some samples out in the world have endured this torture test!

Good luck in your choice!

[fs999]

+1 for 55 and 50-135

The DA 40mm XS is so small and so sharp ! It is now my every day lens...

[Mikesul]

Be sure that the lens is worthy of the K-5iis or you may not see the quality you expect. Try the DA* lenses or the limiteds if you can afford them.

[Sandy Hancock]

If you're after a zoom, you can't go past the DA*50-135 for blistering image quality to do justice to the K-5 IIs.

[kshapero]

Would the Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 WR be suitable for the K5iis? On paper is seems to a good fit for me?

[stens]

I have the 18-135 paired with my K-5. I started with the kit 18-55, but sold that when I stepped up to the 18-135. The 18-135 is a decent walkabout lens, weather sealed, and a step up from the shorter lens in sharpness. It's relatively slow (as one would expect) and does get pretty soft, especially towards the 18mm end wide open. I do need the weather sealing for snow, rain, and some trekking type dust situations.

I've been collecting primes now, and saving up to get a better set of zooms. My advice is to get the best, fastest lens you can afford. If you can manage a DA*16-50 or 50-135, they would be a better match for the K5iiS. You'll lose money on the selling of the used lens, barring another assist from Pentax with a price boost on the new ones. Best to spend the money up front and get what you really want...if you can afford to do that. A used DA* wouldn't be as big a leap as a new one.

EDIT: re-reading this, I think I'm giving the impression I don't like the 18-135. I do like it, and I've gotten great shots with it, especially at f5.6 and greater at the 18 mm end and f8 or more at the telephoto end. It's very useful to have one lens mounted with all that range and weather sealed besides. It takes 2 lenses in the DA* line to replace this, but they do get you constant f2.8 apertures.

See this thread for a lot of shots with the 18-35. Stormtech posted the link in a different thread:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-18-1...at-can-do.html

[lawsonstone]

For a "starter" lens and beyond, I would easily recommend the DA 18-135mm. It's the sweet spot of focal lengths for most general-purpose shooting. The lens is weather sealed, light and IQ is, I think, very good, especially for a lens in this price range. I would not even think of recommending the DA 18-55 to someone who could spring for the DA 18-135mm.

I also was a fan, and still enjoy, the old DA 18-250mm zoom. It had its quirks, but I got a lot of good pictures with it.

Again, thinking starter and beyond, I like the DA 55-300mm. You can get it, and the DA 18-135, for about what you'd pay for one of the DA* zooms.

[reeftool]

If i was just beginning, I would choose the 18-135 to start with and go from there. It has a good and usable range, better IQ than the old 18-55 kit and is weather sealed.

[stormtech]

Be sure that the lens is worthy of the K-5iis or you may not see the quality you expect. Try the DA* lenses or the limiteds if you can afford them.

Very true - listen to what is said here!