Originally posted by reivax Any suggestions on a lens that can zoom to 300 mm (I hope I wrote that correctly.)
Yup, you wrote correctly! The DA55-300 f/4-5.8 is popular, highly regarded, and not too expensive. Many people buy the Kr with a two-lens kit of the DA18-55 and the DA55-300. I personally don't like that combination; I shoot a lot in the 30-70mm range, and swapping lenses at 55mm is a pain, so I prefer my DA18-250 (no longer in production, alas). But many here like that two-lens kit. It is the simplest way to cover that focal range.
My story: I've shot for many decades, but got my first dSLR (and first Pentax) just 3 years ago, supplementing an advanced but aging P&S. I asked myself, "What do I want to do that I can't do with what I have?" and the answers were ultra-wide and -long and -fast. So my first kit was the K20D, AF360 flash, DA10-17 fisheye zoom, DA18-250 walkaround superzoom, and FA50/1.4 for speed. 200+ lenses later, those are still my basic kit.
Stay tuned, and I'll regurgitate my rant on lenses: Coverage vs Character. For now, just practice practice practice. Shooting digital is free. See what your lens(es) and camera will and won't do. Oh yeah, accessories: You can never have enough batteries nor SD cards. Lens hood, battery charger, lens pen, mini-tripod, these are the basics. No 'protective' lens filters unless you're shooting in mucky environments. And read everything on this forum. Have fun!
Last edited by RioRico; 06-25-2011 at 01:54 PM.