[Alizarine]

Hello, I'd just like to ask our more experienced users here in Pentax forums which lenses they believe are best for pro use... especially in the zoom category. Use will be for event coverages such as press conferences, concerts, and corporate events. I'm currently a writer for a PR company and I'm pretty sure they're going to have me do some shooting (saves money for the company also, I guess) during our events.

I'm pretty sure about the FA 31,44,and 85 as well as the DA 77. So... for the zooms, which would you recommend?

[boriscleto]

You will be told anything with a * in it's name.

[Ex Finn.]

DA 12-24 is very good for wide angle.

[JinDesu]

The 70-200s from sigma and tamron and the fa 80-200 are pretty much pro zoom lenses, especially the Tamron version.

[ossi]

What focal length are you after?
10-20: either Pentax 12-24 or the sigma 10-20 ex xc
16/17-50: either tamron 17-50 or the new18-50 sigma f2.8 is hsm.
70-200: either the new sigma 70-200 f2.8 os hsm, tamron 70-200 f2.8 or the pentax50-135

There are a lot of very good 3rd party lenses, just take the time to make sure that the copy you buy has no focus issues.

[Wheatfield]

For zooms, the 16-50 and 50-135 would be the Pentax choices for shorter zooms, the 60-250 for a longer one. I don't consider 3rd party zooms, since there is no reason to shoot Pentax camera bodies unless you are going to use Pentax lenses. Nikon and Canon make better cameras, so if you are going to shoot 3rd party glass, you would be better off with a different camera brand.

[crewl1]

Heh heh. Is it too early to microwave some popcorn?

[Clinton]

Use will be for event coverages such as press conferences, concerts, and corporate events. I'm currently a writer for a PR company and I'm pretty sure they're going to have me do some shooting (saves money for the company also, I guess) during our events.

It depends a little on what lighting you're planning to see, how physically big these events are going to be, and how 'close' you want to get to the subjects.

The DA* 16-50/2.8 is good for the wide to medium tele range.

The DA* 50-135/2.8 and the FA* 80-200/2.8 are good for the tele range, you just have to decide if you want the additional range of the FA*, the size of the lens isn't too conspicuous, the weather sealing isn't necessary, and if the hunt for a used one is too much work.

The DA* 60-250/4 might be an option as well, if you don't need the additional light gathering and subject isolation of F2.8.

If I was going to shoot a miscellaneous event, and had no idea what I was up against, my bag would have the DA* 16-50, FA* 80-200, DA* 55/1.4, FA* 85/1.4, FA 31/1.8 Ltd, and maybe the A* 135/1.8. For flavor, I might take the Sigma 4.5mm fisheye, or the Sigma 8-16mm, depending on what I knew about the event.

If I needed to stay light, I'd take 3: DA* 16-50, FA* 80-200, FA 31/1.8 Ltd

If I needed to stay super light and inconspicuous, DA* 16-50, and DA* 50-135.

[Adam]

If you're looking for third-party choices:
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Pentax 589109 B&H (sports)
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] AF016P-700 B&H (general purpose)
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens For Pentax Digital SLR 320109 (portraits)

The Pentax "Limited" lenses also deliver exceptional IQ but their primary focus is a compact construction, so you won't see any F1.4's.

"Star" * lenses are Pentax's pro line, and while their current star lineup isn't as complete as previous ones have been, there are tons of great lenses you can get used. Here is a listing of all of them:
D/FA* Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[DigiMack]

For zooms, the 16-50 and 50-135 would be the Pentax choices for shorter zooms, the 60-250 for a longer one. I don't consider 3rd party zooms, since there is no reason to shoot Pentax camera bodies unless you are going to use Pentax lenses. Nikon and Canon make better cameras, so if you are going to shoot 3rd party glass, you would be better off with a different camera brand.

Well yes, this is mostly true. However, unless your fortunate enough to have "old glass", Pentax leaves some gaps which third party lenses must fill, like the Sigma 70-200.
Next to Pentax bringing out something new, I sure do wish Sigma would release their 120-300mm f/2.8 in a Pentax mount!

[Alizarine]

It depends a little on what lighting you're planning to see, how physically big these events are going to be, and how 'close' you want to get to the subjects.

For zooms, the 16-50 and 50-135 would be the Pentax choices for shorter zooms, the 60-250 for a longer one.

"Star" * lenses are Pentax's pro line, and while their current star lineup isn't as complete as previous ones have been, there are tons of great lenses you can get used. Here is a listing of all of them: D/FA* Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The events I'll cover will range from small auditoriums to about the size of a small hangar, but nothing much outdoor or anywhere near sporting. I was initially thinking of the DA 17-70 for the range but I guess it won't make the cut for possible broadsheet and light magazine output... The DA* 16-50 and the DA* 50-135 / FA*80-200 do represent much of the range I need. Guess I'll read more on these two, though there may be good (and less expensive) counterparts from Sigma or Tamron (like the 17-50, very interesting).

Prolly also be on the lookout for an FA* 28-70 (best choice in range, though this one would be very difficult to get, I believe). Thanks again!

[RobA_Oz]

The events I'll cover will range from small auditoriums to about the size of a small hangar, but nothing much outdoor or anywhere near sporting. I was initially thinking of the DA 17-70 for the range but I guess it won't make the cut for possible broadsheet and light magazine output... The DA* 16-50 and the DA* 50-135 / FA*80-200 do represent much of the range I need. Guess I'll read more on these two, though there may be good (and less expensive) counterparts from Sigma or Tamron (like the 17-50, very interesting).

Prolly also be on the lookout for an FA* 28-70 (best choice in range, though this one would be very difficult to get, I believe). Thanks again!

I covered the local Dancesport championships a few weeks ago, in a place somewhat smaller than a small hangar (a biggish dance floor, actually one part of a sports arena, with tiered seating on one side), and found the FA*80-200 almost perfect from around the floor perimeter. The FA*24 was good for close shooting, and the FA77 for near-at-hand details, but the 80-200 really shone over all.

[excanonfd]

For zooms, the 16-50 and 50-135 would be the Pentax choices for shorter zooms, the 60-250 for a longer one. I don't consider 3rd party zooms, since there is no reason to shoot Pentax camera bodies unless you are going to use Pentax lenses. Nikon and Canon make better cameras, so if you are going to shoot 3rd party glass, you would be better off with a different camera brand.

Nah, I shoot with a Pentax body because it lets me shoot with so many different brand of lenses (from all ages) - truly a brand agnostic shooter's choice for a camera.