[jamiek5]

Hello everyone!
I took my first dslr for Christmas but i' ve never had a pentax camera before.
The camera is a pentax k5(it looks great) but i don't have lens to use it.
So, i want ask you advice for a good lens. Which are better?

1) Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR + Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.4 AL
2) Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 Contemporary (looks better than 17-70 pentax)
3) Pentax SMC DA 17-70mm f/4.0 AL (IF) SDM
4) Pentax SMC DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL
5) Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR

Or if you know other good lens for a k5 all advice are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

[FrankC]

Since you seem to know which focal lengths you need and are concerned about the image/build quality of specific lenses, then I'd go to photozone.de and check out their reviews.

[seventysixersfan]

"better" is really subjective here, because we would need to know what are your priorities?

(1) do you need a weather-resistant lens to match your K-5's WR body? If so, the DA 18-55 WR or DA 18-135 would be near the top of your list.
(2) do you need larger apertures for low light shooting? If so, then Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4, Pentax 16-45, and DA 35 f/2.4 could rise to the top.
(3) do you need quiet focusing motors? If so, then DA 18-135, DA 17-70, or Sigma 17-70 would be considerations.
(4) do you want lighter weight lenses? If so, then DA 18-55 WR, DA 35 f/2.4, and DA 16-45 are good bets.
(5) how much zoom range do you need? DA 18-135 would be at ideal if you require a walkaround zoom that extends that far. If not, then either Pentax 17-70 or Sigma 17-70 provide good zoom coverage with excellent image quality.
(6) do you want optimal image quality? If so, the DA 35 f/2.4, DA 16-45, and Sigma 17-70 would probably lead your list of lenses.

[jamiek5]

I' m looking for a lens with optimal image quality. I need a lens i may use in a lot of condition eg holidays, architecture portrait and picture in the dark as well. My budget is 500€

[jamiek5]

WR could be great but not sacrificing the quality, so it's not a key demand.

[seventysixersfan]

I' m looking for a lens with optimal image quality. I need a lens i may use in a lot of condition eg holidays, architecture portrait and picture in the dark as well. My budget is 500€

A combination of Sigma 17-70 and DA 35 f/2.5 might be good; not sure if you can get both for 500€ though. Nevertheless, these two lenses offer great image quality and are versatile for many shooting situations. The DA 16-45 is also an excellent choice and good value in the used market, and the extra wide 16mm end would be good for architecture too (although 45mm is a bit short for portrait).

[Root]

Beyond whatever you decide to do with the zooms, I also recommend picking up an old 50mm prime lens. Like a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 for example. While the 50mm is not my favorite focal length, it's a great, inexpensive way to enter the world of "fast" lenses.

[PPPPPP42]

I love shopping with other peoples money.

The only lens on that list that is right for you at this point is the 18-135WR it has the WR to fully take advantage of a major Pentax strength and a large enough range where you can learn what focal lengths you use most and then if you want you can buy faster shorter range zooms in those ranges.
It is also a cheap but good quality lens and though a tad slow the high ISO of the K5 more than makes up for it. It is a lens you will not quickly outgrow and probably even use later when you want to walk around with just the body with a single wide range WR lens on it.

Don't bother with primes or expensive stuff unless you already know those are the lengths you want for sure.

[D1N0]

I'd say the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 should also be put in the equation. For portraits you could also use some old mf glass.

[VoiceOfReason]

With the K5 you can still get away with the 18-135 in darker conditions, especially with a flash. My 18-135 WR is normally attached to my camera. If you want a workhorse of a lens that is sharp, silent, fast focusing, and weather resistant then that is the one for you.

check this out: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-1...at-can-do.html

[Kozlok]

As a new owner, first of all know that each of these lenses is a good starting place for someone. Since you don't know your shooting priorities yet, I recommend the 18-135. It's a great all around lens, and the WR is super useful - water rides at Disney Land, kids soccer game in the rain, standing in the surf at the beach, whatever. As long as you don't actually put your camera under water, it will work. Some brave souls even shoot under water for very brief times. The WR is amazing.

If you are 100% absolutely sure that you will never ever ever want to shoot in wet or dusty places, then the Sigma 17-70 is better optically than the 18-135, but with less range. I will still recommend the 18-135, because WR is almost always more useful than you think it will be, and the quality difference is really pretty small. The 17-70 is a great performer, though.

The various 17-50 or 18-55 lenses are fine, but I'd recommend starting with the two I listed.

[Kozlok]

I just looked in the marketplace, and there is a Sigma 17-70 going super cheap. Pick it up, find yourself a used 35/2.4. Done.

Sell it later at 0 loss if you change your mind