Bought my first ever camera the pentax k-5 and i love it. Few questions about lenses

**Des** · 06-02-2021, 10:13 PM - **1 Like**

Welcome to PF from an Australian of Irish descent.

Originally posted by deco009

what lenses would be good to purchase next. I am looking for something weather-sealed preferably because Ill be spending time down beside the cliffs of Moher for the summer

Beautiful place to photograph.

What you get will be governed by your budget and your preferred focal length.

I agree with @Kozlok - on a tight budget, the DA 18-135 is hard to beat amongst WR lenses. See this thread for examples: DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com

If your budget would run to a DA 16-85 or a DA 20-40 Limited, each of those is a great option as others have mentioned. The reliability problems with the DA*16-50 f2.8 (which is also WR, like all DA star lenses) that have been mentioned (which make it more affordable second hand) are about its autofocus motor - but if that fails it can easily be converted to screw-drive autofocus.

If you want something wider, the only WR option would be the DA*11-18 f2.8. Wonderful lens by all accounts, but very expensive.

But while WR is handy, with a bit of care and common sense you could get by with a non-WR zoom, like the DA 12-24 f4 or the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 or f4-5.6. They will be much cheaper. The DA 15mm f4 Limited is excellent too, although not WR.

I endorse what Tom (@Ramseybuckeye) said about tripods too. If you haven't already, get a quality one - it will transform your landscape photography. Carbon fibre ones are lighter weight, but good quality alloy ones are cheap on the second hand market.

Last edited by Des; 06-03-2021 at 02:46 PM.

**Photos-by-Chas** · 06-03-2021, 02:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by deco009

Hey guys

I have always thought photography was great, but with my friend group and confidence, I always decided not to buy anything. My friends aren't bad but they would make fun of.

I finally told my girlfriend of two years that I want to do photography and instead of being made fun of (I know she would never do that) I was fully supported.

There was something about Pentax that just drew me in so I bought the k-5 used for like 130 euro with the Pentax SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL for another 20 euro

so for 150 euro, I wasn't expecting much but when I uploaded the photos to my computer I was hooked.

I will attach a few photos I took that I like the look of but with my terrible beginner editing.

Instead of my life story, my question is what lenses would be good to purchase next. I am looking for something weather-sealed preferably because Ill be spending time down beside the cliffs of Moher for the summer ( i live in Ireland)

any recommendations would be appreciated.. Oh I also won the SMC PENTAX-M 50mm f/2 and the SMC PENTAX-M 75-150mm f/4 for 40 euro.

Anway thanks for reading and having tools for us new peoples.

Welcome to the forum, Deco009. Apparently you have made a couple good decisions, photography and with a Pentax.

Your initial post shows a good eye, in my opinion. I like the photos, well done.

About your lenses, only you can make the decision. You've received plenty of advice and suggestions, so good luck with whatever you get. I will add that the 18 - 135 weather resistant lens is a quite capable lens for many types of photos. I have one that came with my K70 kit. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

archaeodude · 06-16-2021, 12:52 AM

Welcome to the forums—they're a great place to learn and find support for your photographic journey!

Gray · 06-16-2021, 01:05 AM

Welcome deco009, you have a good eye for composition.

The K-5 is a very good camera. The DA 18-135 is weather resistent, silent and focuses well on the K-5, and can be bought second hand for a good price.

**redsneakers** · 06-16-2021, 09:36 PM

Nice photos and welcome to the community. I recently brought my first digital Pentax (the KP) and I luckily had enough in reserves to afford the DA* 55mm f1.4. I am a former b&w film photographer always felt it was worth it to save for a fast lenses.

SpecialK · 06-16-2021, 10:42 PM

There are also "camera condoms" to make the combo water resistant.

reedik · 06-19-2021, 03:16 AM

Welcome to the forum!

**willdmo** · 06-21-2021, 11:49 AM

Welcome here and I can assure you too that the K-5 is a very nice tool and also very capable experimenting platform for vintage glass

sasastro · 06-21-2021, 12:26 PM

Welcome, I see many others have recommended the DA18-135mm it's my go to daily lens on my K5-iis

uhfiwdsf · 06-21-2021, 08:40 PM

Welcome to the forum! Great shots!

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06-02-2021, 10:13 PM - 1 Like	#16
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,421	Welcome to PF from an Australian of Irish descent. Originally posted by deco009 what lenses would be good to purchase next. I am looking for something weather-sealed preferably because Ill be spending time down beside the cliffs of Moher for the summer Beautiful place to photograph. What you get will be governed by your budget and your preferred focal length. I agree with @Kozlok - on a tight budget, the DA 18-135 is hard to beat amongst WR lenses. See this thread for examples: DA 18-135 WR, Show us what it can do - PentaxForums.com If your budget would run to a DA 16-85 or a DA 20-40 Limited, each of those is a great option as others have mentioned. The reliability problems with the DA16-50 f2.8 (which is also WR, like all DA star lenses) that have been mentioned (which make it more affordable second hand) are about its autofocus motor - but if that fails it can easily be converted to screw-drive autofocus. If you want something wider, the only WR option would be the DA11-18 f2.8. Wonderful lens by all accounts, but very expensive. But while WR is handy, with a bit of care and common sense you could get by with a non-WR zoom, like the DA 12-24 f4 or the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 or f4-5.6. They will be much cheaper. The DA 15mm f4 Limited is excellent too, although not WR. I endorse what Tom (@Ramseybuckeye) said about tripods too. If you haven't already, get a quality one - it will transform your landscape photography. Carbon fibre ones are lighter weight, but good quality alloy ones are cheap on the second hand market. Last edited by Des; 06-03-2021 at 02:46 PM.

06-03-2021, 02:25 PM - 1 Like	#17
Photos-by-Chas Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northwest Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,318	Originally posted by deco009 Hey guys I have always thought photography was great, but with my friend group and confidence, I always decided not to buy anything. My friends aren't bad but they would make fun of. I finally told my girlfriend of two years that I want to do photography and instead of being made fun of (I know she would never do that) I was fully supported. There was something about Pentax that just drew me in so I bought the k-5 used for like 130 euro with the Pentax SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL for another 20 euro so for 150 euro, I wasn't expecting much but when I uploaded the photos to my computer I was hooked. I will attach a few photos I took that I like the look of but with my terrible beginner editing. Instead of my life story, my question is what lenses would be good to purchase next. I am looking for something weather-sealed preferably because Ill be spending time down beside the cliffs of Moher for the summer ( i live in Ireland) any recommendations would be appreciated.. Oh I also won the SMC PENTAX-M 50mm f/2 and the SMC PENTAX-M 75-150mm f/4 for 40 euro. Anway thanks for reading and having tools for us new peoples. Welcome to the forum, Deco009. Apparently you have made a couple good decisions, photography and with a Pentax. Your initial post shows a good eye, in my opinion. I like the photos, well done. About your lenses, only you can make the decision. You've received plenty of advice and suggestions, so good luck with whatever you get. I will add that the 18 - 135 weather resistant lens is a quite capable lens for many types of photos. I have one that came with my K70 kit. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

06-16-2021, 12:52 AM	#18
archaeodude Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Fens Posts: 524	Welcome to the forums—they're a great place to learn and find support for your photographic journey!

06-16-2021, 01:05 AM	#19
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Welcome deco009, you have a good eye for composition. The K-5 is a very good camera. The DA 18-135 is weather resistent, silent and focuses well on the K-5, and can be bought second hand for a good price.

06-16-2021, 09:36 PM	#20
redsneakers Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 39	Nice photos and welcome to the community. I recently brought my first digital Pentax (the KP) and I luckily had enough in reserves to afford the DA* 55mm f1.4. I am a former b&w film photographer always felt it was worth it to save for a fast lenses.

06-16-2021, 10:42 PM	#21
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	There are also "camera condoms" to make the combo water resistant.

06-19-2021, 03:16 AM	#22
reedik Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 80	Welcome to the forum!

06-21-2021, 11:49 AM	#23
willdmo Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Stuttgart Posts: 389	Welcome here and I can assure you too that the K-5 is a very nice tool and also very capable experimenting platform for vintage glass

06-21-2021, 12:26 PM	#24
sasastro Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Suffolk, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 849	Welcome, I see many others have recommended the DA18-135mm it's my go to daily lens on my K5-iis

06-21-2021, 08:40 PM	#25
uhfiwdsf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 124	Welcome to the forum! Great shots!

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