Originally posted by normhead Like everyone else, I'm going to start you off with the DA 50 1.8. and A 35 2.4 4 indoor and low light, and the 18-135 for out door. If you want a zoom indoors, the Tamron 17-50 ƒ2.8 is the way to go. I'll take constant 2.8 over a floating minimum Aperture any day. The thing is, to get the constant 2.8, I wouldn't want to give up the 1.8 on the 50.
Another great option would be Tamron 17-50 2.8, And Tamron 90 macro ƒ2.8. It's not a zoom but the 90 is versatile outdoors and has enough resolution to allow significant cropping on a K-3. Those two lenses as far as I'm concerned are the best kit you can get in terms of pro quality IQ for a decent price and covering a range from 17mm to functionally 100mm.
Many here would second the vote for the Tamron zoom, I think. Despite an old school kind of preference for prime lenses, I very recently opted for the Tammy as well, after carefully considering my alternatives. I wanted particularly a focal length gap filler and a high IQ quality option when conditions might make me feel uneasy about lens changing. I couldn't argue with the two-lens IQ-oriented value proposition you propose, except to note that the 17-50mm's technical performance declines a bit on the longer end (this is typical; you can stop down a little), and it's kind of a long way, FL-wise, to 90mm.
I think the Tamron 60mm/f.2 macro lens has been made in Pentax mount, though I could be wrong since I can't recall seeing it mentioned here. It seems like a nice one, and really versatile. The 70mm Sigma macro is very well regarded, though it is heavy and typically draws a high-ish selling price used. The DA 70mm Limited might just show up somewhat at a grab-it-now price secondhand... in which case, you probably should; if you haven't settled on something else and don't feel macro is a priority. I just feel strongly personally about having something fairly fast and versatile in the 58-70mm range for APS-C.
If budgeting or cash flow dictates a stopgap, but broadly versatile solution for the telephoto range beyond the 17-50mm's reach, you certainly can't go wrong with the now very cheap, very manual focus Kiron/Vivitar 70-150/circa f.4 zooms that are abundant used -- how does, maybe, thirteen bucks sound? Yes, you'd have to get familiar with your green button, but still... Also, the little Pentax F 35-70mm AF zoom from the film era renders nicely, folks here say; though it, too, is not fast -- but it does go cheap! Rapid AF action with that one, BTW. Many other film era zooms can cover some longer focal lengths for you at relatively low cost, the latter advantage on account of their wide end FLs starting at 28 or 35mm in a mostly APS-C and smaller-sensor camera world. ...Just some ideas, then, from the alternative camp.
Oh, yes, and don't overlook the SMC Pentax 55mm/f.1.8 in MF: a great buy that complements the wide-mid zoom very nicely. It perform well at the wider apertures... and FL-wise, is about the same as the design target for the FA 77mm Limited!
Last edited by Kayaker-J; 07-04-2014 at 01:34 PM.