[gaweidert]

Welcome aboard!!!!

I believe in the saying that two is one and one is none. I own a K5, K5-IIs and a K3. If you only have the 20-80 lens you are lacking versatility.

Scenario 1: I would get a K3. B&H has them at $695, the Pentax 17-70 lens for $349 and the Pentax 55-300 for $266. Total = $1,310. I would also bring a few extra memory cards, an extra battery and, of course the charger. This would cover you inside and out. The extra pixels on the K3 allow you to get pretty heavy crops with still good image quality. An alternative to the 17-70 would be the Pentax 12-24 but it is $250 more. I own one and it is a great lens.

Scenario 2: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 Digital Camera. About $800. Has a lens with a 35mm equivalent of 24-200mm. Saves images as RAW or jpeg. Is weather resistant.

Scenario 3: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V Digital Camera. About $450. Only shoots jpeg. Lens 35mm equivalent is 24-1200 mm. Built in GPS. Panoramic mode. My wife has a version of this camera and really likes it. Not weather resistant.

[UncleVanya]

The other people on this thread make a good point. 28mm cropped is not wide. If your main objective is wildlife the wider isn't needed. If your interested in expansive vistas you might want to consider wider.

A good idea would be to search Flickr for pictures from Alaskan cruises and see what lenses seem to give the images you want across all brands. Then look for the correct equivalent based on the sensor size.

The DA 18-55 WR would complement the 55-300 nicely. However a 17-70 or 16-45 or 16-50 or 16-85 might be a nicer option. But budgets may not permit this.

---------- Post added 04-20-16 at 07:53 AM ----------

Welcome aboard!!!!

I believe in the saying that two is one and one is none. I own a K5, K5-IIs and a K3. If you only have the 20-80 lens you are lacking versatility.

Scenario 1: I would get a K3. B&H has them at $695, the Pentax 17-70 lens for $349 and the Pentax 55-300 for $266. Total = $1,310. I would also bring a few extra memory cards, an extra battery and, of course the charger. This would cover you inside and out. The extra pixels on the K3 allow you to get pretty heavy crops with still good image quality. An alternative to the 17-70 would be the Pentax 12-24 but it is $250 more. I own one and it is a great lens.

Scenario 2: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 Digital Camera. About $800. Has a lens with a 35mm equivalent of 24-200mm. Saves images as RAW or jpeg. Is weather resistant.

Scenario 3: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V Digital Camera. About $450. Only shoots jpeg. Lens 35mm equivalent is 24-1200 mm. Built in GPS. Panoramic mode. My wife has a version of this camera and really likes it. Not weather resistant.

Pentax DA 17-70 is on sale at Adorama for ~ $279. But it is unclear that budget will permit a large purchase.

I recently took a Panasonic LX7 to Europe and got some great shots. The 21-105 range (24-90 at 4/3 ratio, wider in 16/9, longer in 1/1) was useful in the cities, long walks and pick pockets don't bode well for DSLRs but on a cruise I would likely pair it with the DSLR.

The key is what does the person want to accomplish and is anything overlooked.

I also highly recommend extra batteries and a spare charger. I rotated SD cards and tried uploading to Flickr. I would recommend at least rotating cards and a laptop backup of them.

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, if you need anyone to carry the bags... I am available.

Enjoy your trip and please do post some images on the forum when you get back.

[Aaron28]

Nice pictures. I particularly like the Bumble Bee

thank you Jim appreciate ya taking the time to check out a few things!
I would like to add that multiple shots at a long focal length an be stitched to create a wide angle shot/pano.......Microsoft ICE makes this very simple especially for someone like me with limited editing/PP skills!

[C_Jones]

I had the Sigma 18-300 for Pentax very shortly. I returned it because I had decided to get the Pentax 16-85. It takes very nice pictures. Part of the lens barrel moves when AF is used. The AF is quiet, HSM (hypersonic motor), and it is a stylish looking lens. If you want the wide to medium telephoto range and do not mind the barrel movement it may be a possible option for you. The lens is listed as "in stock" at B and H presently. The web address is listed below for the product listing:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1082148-REG/sigma_18_300mm_f_3_5_6_3_dc_macro.html

[jimhudspeth]

I just purchased a Pentax HD DA 55-300mm F/4.0-5.8 ED WR from a person on this forum.

My wife has a collection of Pentax film cameras & lenses from her days doing wedding photography. This collection includes auto and manually focused lenses for full frame 35mm K mounts and a 645 medium format camera.

That collection was the primary reason I got my first Pentax (K10D). The full frame K mounts all fit, and I could get an adapter for the 645 lenses (which I have not done).

My oldest granddaughter is presently using the K10D with a 50mm Autofocus lens from the collection.

I don't really need any more lenses right now.

Thanks to everyone.

[UncleVanya]

I just purchased a Pentax HD DA 55-300mm F/4.0-5.8 ED WR from a person on this forum.

My wife has a collection of Pentax film cameras & lenses from her days doing wedding photography. This collection includes auto and manually focused lenses for full frame 35mm K mounts and a 645 medium format camera.

That collection was the primary reason I got my first Pentax (K10D). The full frame K mounts all fit, and I could get an adapter for the 645 lenses (which I have not done).

My oldest granddaughter is presently using the K10D with a 50mm Autofocus lens from the collection.

I don't really need any more lenses right now.

Thanks to everyone.

That sounds lovely. Enjoy the trip and please post pics when you get back.