[Mike.P®]

I have the DA 20-40mm, DA 18-135mm, DA* 16-50mm, DA 16-85mm and DA 17-70mm.

Personally I take the DA 17-70mm f/4 95% of the time, I think it's just a great lens and I prefer the constant aperture.

I also think I have too many walkaround lenses.

[aslyfox]

. . . I also think I have too many walkaround lenses.

heresy

heresy I say

[stevebrot]

I have been incredibly pleased with the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 "C". I bought it as walk-around for my K-3 and it is head and shoulders above the 18-55 kit lens. Several of my photos taken with the Sigma 17-70 have been explored on Flickr including the one below...



...and this one...




...and this one...





Steve

[Casion]

I am using Sigma 17-70 C because it has an extra stop over 17-70 F4 on the short end and almost an extra stop over the 16-85 at the long end. Image quality does not have any significant flaws - chromabs, contrast, resolution are fine even at open aperture.

[aslyfox]

Do your research, make your choice re: budget and lens, decided new vs. " experienced "

good hunting

________________________

Analysis of certain lenses mentioned in this thread

" Alternatives
We consider the Pentax DA 18-135mm and Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 "Contemporary" to be the 16-85mm's key competitors, as both of these lenses are current, fall in the high-end consumer category, and offer comparable performance. Refer to our in-depth reviews of each lens for more details (linked above).

Lens

Pros
Cons


Pentax 16-85mm

F3.5-5.6
-Widest field of view
-Sharp edges
-Weather-sealed

-Expensive

Pentax 18-135mm

F3.5-5.6
-Longest reach
-Affordable
-Weather-sealed

-Not as sharp

Sigma 17-70mm

F2.8-4 "C"
-Fastest aperture
-Best macros
-Sharp edges
-Fantastic value

-Not weather-sealed

Quick comparison of alternative lenses


See also our 16-85mm first impressions for additional commentary on these specific alternatives. There are of course other choices, such as the Pentax 17-70mm F4 and legacy Sigma variants, but discussion of these is beyond the scope of this review. See our Pentax vs Sigma 17-70mm comparative review for more information on the older 17-70mm lenses. "


Read more at: HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 Review - Conclusion | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[beachgardener]

I have ordered an 18-135 via ebay au, this will temporarily take place of my 17-50, not had the 18-135 before, might as well give it a try.

Just wanted to kick in again and say thanks for all the input and information! I have found that the level of expertise and experience on this forum is amazing and will be signing up for full membership. In any case, I am now looking for a good used DA 18-135mm, because of all the positive reviews and that I like the extra range it gives over most the others zooms mentioned. In any case, jumping ship from my Canon Rebel to the Pentax K3 has proved to be a good choice and big step up as well! Good luck and good shooting to all.

[Jonathan Mac]

I have the DA 20-40mm, DA 18-135mm, DA* 16-50mm, DA 16-85mm and DA 17-70mm.

Personally I take the DA 17-70mm f/4 95% of the time, I think it's just a great lens and I prefer the constant aperture.

I also think I have too many walkaround lenses.

Better get walking!!

[Mundj]

My first DSLR was a K-7 with both the 18-55 & 50-200 kit lens. I was disappointed with my images and proceeded to purchase more expensive lens to try and improve my images. I have discovered that practice and improving your technique to be the most significant factor to improving your images. The Pentax kit lens are an exceptional value. Try working with the lens you have before buying new ones. You might try using the TAV setting and setting your shutter speed at 1/100 or faster and your Apereture at f/16 and see if this will improve your results. Also remove any protective filters on the lens.

Good luck, on your journey

[Wasp]

I can't really comment on the Pentax lineup of walk around zooms. I have only used the 28-80mm film era kit lens besides the digital 18-55mm one, but I can recommend it. They are cheap as chips, if you are on a budget.

On my Samsung NX1, my walk around lens of choice is the 16-50mm f/2-2.8. It is big and heavy, but the sharpness and low light abilities are just wonderful. As for the weight, one must be willing to suffer for one's art.


The Pentax equivalent would be the DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM (what a mouthful). Pricey, but I think the abilities such a lens brings to table are worth it.

[aslyfox]

Just wanted to kick in again and say thanks for all the input and information! I have found that the level of expertise and experience on this forum is amazing and will be signing up for full membership. In any case, I am now looking for a good used DA 18-135mm, because of all the positive reviews and that I like the extra range it gives over most the others zooms mentioned. In any case, jumping ship from my Canon Rebel to the Pentax K3 has proved to be a good choice and big step up as well! Good luck and good shooting to all.

probably a little late for this month

but join asap and post, at least, the minimum number of posts required and enter the raffle contest for the K 1 or K 1 II being offered in August:

Pentax K-1 Triple Giveaway: Summer 2018 - Giveaways and Events | PentaxForums.com

[Wasp]

A used 18-135mm just came up for sale:

Pentax K-01 DLSR, DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens, AF 360 FGZ Flas - PentaxForums.com

[reh321]

Just wanted to kick in again and say thanks for all the input and information! I have found that the level of expertise and experience on this forum is amazing and will be signing up for full membership. In any case, I am now looking for a good used DA 18-135mm, because of all the positive reviews and that I like the extra range it gives over most the others zooms mentioned. In any case, jumping ship from my Canon Rebel to the Pentax K3 has proved to be a good choice and big step up as well! Good luck and good shooting to all.

I switched from a Canon Rebel to a K-30. I find the 18-135 to have the same characteristics {such as lack of noise} that had made me go Canon EF/USM initially.

[Kephas]

I have the DA 20-40mm, DA 18-135mm, DA* 16-50mm, DA 16-85mm and DA 17-70mm.

Personally I take the DA 17-70mm f/4 95% of the time, I think it's just a great lens and I prefer the constant aperture.

I also think I have too many walkaround lenses.

I have the DA 18-135, which I like for situations, when I don't want to take more than one lens with me, I also recommend the Sigma 17-70 as well as the 17-50. I once owned the Pentax DA 17-70, without any problems concerning the focusing engine. I liked this lens a lot as well, but it was stolen some years ago together with my K30. (As far as I know it is the only Pentax lens, which is not completely weather-sealed, but has nevertheless a sealing at the K-mount.)

You will be happy with the 18-135!

[Aberrator]

No love for DA 20-40? Definitely meets "High quality" criteria, has a nice rendering and it's very lightweight. You can always just walk closer to your subject – it's a walk around zoom after all, right?
Oh, and it's nicest looking zoom lens ever made.