When I first started in DSLRs I started with the kit lenses included with my Kx camera, they were DALs 18-55, and 50-200. ya they were great, they did the job, but then I was yearning for more and I wanted weather resistant cameras and lenses, so I purchased the K5 and the DA18-135, I was actually blown away, this combination performed flawlessly and it was rugged and weather sealed, it handled everything I ever threw at it. I used that combination for 90% of my shots for 5~6 years until I could afford more expensive lenses, during that time I managed to figure out my main focal lengths that I used most, zooms allow that, they help you determine what works for you.
I still to this day have the K5/18-135 combo, my wife uses it extensively with her learning photography, occasionally she asks to use my 100mmWR lens for macro, that of which she is leaning towards.
I have moved up to the K3 (have two of them now) and the K1, I have faster lenses, due to the fact that I spent the last ten years saving up for them and learning on the K5/lens combo mentioned above. I have had the HD DA 55-300, and lost it in a home burglary, bought the PLM version with insurance money. I have found that both lenses are nice, but with one huge difference....Noise and focus speed. if you like to listen to a loud whirring noise while the lens racks in and out searching to lock in focus.....then the HD one is for you, if you want super quiet and fast focusing....then get the PLM, take this as serious advice...
I mostly recommend you get your hands on a DA 18-135, and a 55-300 PLM first, then you can experiment and find your most used focal lengths for when it comes to determining what size prime lenses to buy, plus once you DO get those primes, you will STILL use the two lenses mentioned above because THEY ARE THAT GOOD. I also recommend that you get Pentax lenses that have weather sealing, this is one of my biggest reasons why I have shot Pentax all this time...
I still use the 18-135 occasionally on my K01, but that is my walk around set up for downtown walks here in Vegas. for my pro shooting I mainly use my DA*s 16-50 f2.8, and 50-135 f2.8, I have one on each of my K3 bodies. I also like my ultra wide Sigma (yes I have a Sigma lens) 8-16mmwhich I just love using, my other two lenses I love using mainly on my K1 is my DFAs 150-450, and 100 f2.8 macro WR. currently saving up for a DFA15-30 f2.8.
I found a way to save up without breaking my bank, I allot myself $50 a week for "photo gear" fund, with lots of patience and time I find it isnt that hard to come up with funding for my hobbie, an old timer taught me that trick a while back, I'm not a rich man but $50 bux a week I never missed. I'm about a month or two away now towards my 15-30mm lens goal...
I have also figured out a way to get my hands on lots of great lenses, I comb the local pawn shops here in Vegas, nobody ever goes in those stores looking for Pentax gear, thats how I find some good used gear, it is rare that I buy something brand new, the only thing I ever bought new over the last ten years was my K5 back in 2011, all the rest of my bodies and lenses are used, one time I had an issue but it got sent back and refunded by the seller, however I never had any issues otherwise, either from the marketplace here or pawnshops locally, even got my K1 off of OfferUp and the seller was local, I met with him in person and did the deal.
Last edited by BirdDude007; 04-25-2020 at 05:47 PM.
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