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05-15-2014, 01:44 AM   #1
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Choosing lens for my girl friend

Hi all,

My gird friend just ordered a K50 white x light blue version, and it will take about 3 weeks to deliver. She has no experience with DSLR before, this will be her first. She really like the K50 because it is very light. I also want to get her a good versatile lens, and the kit lens its a bit limiting...

I have given thought to the 18-135, but the reviews of its IQ aren't really that good. I even seen some sample pic from the forum, where a user was shooting a girl ruby match. The CA was VERY noticeable even for thumbnail...

I also looked at DA 17-70mm, the reviews also weren't very good neither...

I have the DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA-HD 35mm f2.8 macro, DA 16-45 f/4 and the DA 50-200.

My DA* lenses are too heavy for her. 16-45 only takes wide angle, and exact opposite for 50-200, and I dont want her carry 2 lenses, she wants to travel light.

Any suggestion?


Last edited by leungclj; 05-19-2014 at 12:05 AM.
05-15-2014, 02:05 AM   #2
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I'd get the 18-135mm WR (the IQ is pretty good actually, definitely good enough for beginners), or, if you want to treat her to a better lens, get the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 C which is a great value.

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05-15-2014, 02:16 AM   #3
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id say go for the 18-135 as well.it matches the k-50 perfectly and was my choice of kit lens when i got my k-50. the focal range is perfect for someone starting out. the other option is to go for a superzoom like the 18-250 if shes going to stick with just one lens and isnt planning to get more serious with photography. however the 18-250 is not WR.
the 18-135 has good quality in my opinion. you might want to check out this thread :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-1...at-can-do.html
05-15-2014, 02:24 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by schnitzer79 Quote
the 18-135 has good quality in my opinion. you might want to check out this thread :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-1...at-can-do.html
This is the thread I looked at too, at the last page was where the ruby match was, and the CA was so noticeable even for thumbnail.

Just one thing i would like to know, how noisy is the auto focus. I love SDM, never failed me, its nice and quiet. I know the 18-135 is not SDM....

05-15-2014, 02:38 AM   #5
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its pretty quiet but not to the point where you dont know if it has focused or not. the sigma 17-70 is much quieter though if that is its main competitor. it all depends on what your girl will be shooting and if she needs the extra reach or not.
05-15-2014, 03:07 AM   #6
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Go for the DA18-135mm. It is petite, quiet, WR and excellent.

I bought the DA18-135mm for my wife's K-01 and she loves it. She never changes lens anymore and she is happy. And the focal length range is great.

The quality of the photo is excellent. Off course this is not the IQ of prime lense, but this is very comparable with other zoom lenses.

Hope that the comment may help.
05-15-2014, 03:11 AM   #7
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Not sure where you got poor reviews of the Pentax 17-70 - mine is brilliant!

That said, users of the 18-135 seem to like it despite it's CA.

05-15-2014, 03:46 AM   #8
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I agree. Get the 18-135. She'll be shooting jpegs anyway, so just turn on the lens correction features and it will fix some of not so good features.

The 18-135 is a pretty nice lens. Soft on the edges past 80mm, but otherwise quite good and a very nice lens for someone starting up. Down the road, she could always get a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 if she needs a faster/sharper lens, but i think she'll be satisfied with the 18-135 for awhile.
05-15-2014, 03:51 AM   #9
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Thanks all! I will get her the 18-135. Just walked around my local camera mall, found 3 second hand for no more than 300. Brand new for 500. Gonna bring my K3 to test those 2nd hand, and if all good, that's what i will be getting her~!

Thanks all!
05-15-2014, 04:08 AM   #10
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Oh... I would have recommended the sigma contemporary 17-70/2.8-4 over the Pentax da18-135/3.5-5.6.

It would have served her better due to faster aperture within the most commonly used range in focal length..
05-15-2014, 04:34 AM   #11
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When the K50 is mostly used for traveling, I would suggest the Sigma 18-250/3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM:
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
It's my most used lens for the last 1.5 year. It's not WR, but it has a great range, is surprisingly sharp and has a fast and silent AF. It almost doubles the tele-range compared to a 15-135. I use it for traveling, landscapes and sports. Sometimes I wish the lens was a bit faster, but you can't have it all The recent Pentax DSLR's do a very good job in compensating this, because you can easily use higher ISO values.
05-15-2014, 04:38 AM   #12
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I'd recommend the Tamron/Pentax 18-250 or 18-270, or the Sigma 18-250. They are really good for what they are, and the versatility is ideal for travel. Only one lens to carry, about 400g.

The extra reach over the 18-135 is a huge advantage for wildlife, close-ups and for candid shots of people. And for most people, most of the time, the IQ is fine.

Last edited by Des; 05-15-2014 at 02:59 PM.
05-15-2014, 05:15 AM   #13
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Good advice from Des,


My view is that photography is about love.


A beginner only gets one chance to fall in love with photography and this is her chance.


Too much gear + lots of lenses + lots of weight + no reach + lots of faffing to take a picture = misery


One lens + light weight + long reach = joy
05-15-2014, 05:34 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by leungclj Quote
I have given thought to the 18-135, but the reviews of its IQ aren't really that good.
It's good enough, better in most situations than, say, your 50-200.

QuoteOriginally posted by leungclj Quote
I also looked at DA 17-70mm, the reviews also weren't very good neither...
THAT lens is very good. However, the best product on that range is the Sigma 17-70. I'd go with that except if she needs WR.
05-15-2014, 06:41 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by leungclj Quote
Just one thing i would like to know, how noisy is the auto focus. I love SDM, never failed me, its nice and quiet. I know the 18-135 is not SDM....
I have the 18-135 (with DC motor), as well as the DA*55 (with SDM). They both make so little noise that I would call them both silent.
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