[UncleVanya]

That's rather restricted. If $ were no object I'd suggest something fast and wide to normal. In my own gear I would think the 31 1.8 or 16-50 f2.8 or the 20-40 2.8-4.

What's your tolerance for iso noise?

[Na Horuk]

I am saving for a K3, but it looks that wisdom will prevail, so it would be better to invest in good glass than another body

I think so, too. Bodies come and go, every few years there is a new update with better sensor. But a good lens remains useful on all of them. The jump from K-5IIs to K-3 is not so significant, I'd wait for the next generation. KP already seems to be an improvement over the K-3 in some ways and Pentax will probably release another APSC flagship, which will be a bigger step up from the K-5

the K-5IIs has good ISO properties and takes sharp photos. Its a good choice for indoors photos

[TER-OR]

Well, if we're spending Jeff's money....

I vote DA21mm. Great lens indoors, and tiny.

The 50mm is likely your best choice, but it will be tight.

[btnapa]

Maybe buy (or rent) a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.

I second the Tamron. I used to own it and it was great on my K3. If I had to pick a fixed focal, I would get the DA21mm.

[Jeff Lopez]

Thanks a lot, guys! Im looking forward to that right now.. it should be at least a 15 to 35, around that ballpark, 2.8..And Ill stay with the K5 for now..I was tempted by the K3 video (h.264), but that could wait a little longer..
You know, PF has a lot of flower and still examples, but hardly any events . We have to pickup that area, its where the critics are!

[pres589]

Four lenses that I would consider;
Tamron 17-50, as mentioned.
DA35 f2.4, for speed, price, and sharpness.
Sy 14mm
Sy 12mm

DA21 seems too slow, DA50 seems too narrow, Sigma 18-35 costs too much, FA31 not cheap either and too narrow, Sigma 30 too narrow and too soft wide open, FA43 costs too much and too narrow. Those are the reasons I suggest what I suggest.

EDIT: Before anyone notes that I suggested a 35mm prime when I said a 30 is too narrow, it's the price and the usefulness of that lens that I think earns it a pass.

[Kozlok]

As much as you are spending going to Comicon, I would buy a used Sigma 30/1.4 (the EX/DG), and calibrate it carefully for front/back focus. Sell it when you get home. It really is quite nice for this kind of thing, even if it is terrible at landscapes.

[kape06111]

I would go with the 21 mm or 31 and would not take anything longer than the ltd 35 f2.8.

[Na Horuk]

Interesting so many are mentioning the DA 21mm. Its a great lens, amazing contrasts and colours. But for indoors? It has rather slow aperture. Sometimes you just need more speed than f3 can offer. And the 21mm has a bit of distortion, so you can't really use it for "face and shoulders" portraits (I assume the event in question will have some of that) unless you are okay with using the distortion correction profiles

[BigDave]

I would go with the 80 1.8. You will probably be going to panels and want to take some shots of the talent on them. The 50 will not get you "close enough" and the 70-200 (my second choice) will be a bit slow unless yo pump up the ISO, which you can with the K3ii and still get some good images I think. THe 85 will also be lighter and easier to deal with in the crowds.

Have fun, who are YOU going dressed as, Jimmy Olsen or PEter Parker would be good choices!

[Trickortreat]

DA 35mm f2.4 would probably be the most versatile lens there is.
Small, light, great IQ straight from max aperture.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. It's sharp with very pleasing rendering, and the wide end is wide enough to get a small group of people without backing up too far, and the 75mm lets you get great portraits and headshots, or get candid pics without invading somebody's space. Seems like it would be perfect for an event where the main thing you would be photographing is people, and the constant f/2.8 will be bright enough for shooting indoors.

Mine unfortunately gave up the ghost a while back, but I used the heck out of that lens in my early DSLR days.

The Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 would also be a good choice if you're willing to trade a bit of speed at the long end for a wider wide-end.

Or if portraits are the main thing, and you're going to be at a distance for much of the time, such as shooting at a stage, then the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 would also let you get some great shots, and it's much smaller/lighter than the 70-200 lenses, with a much more useful wide end.

[pres589]

What's an 80 1.8?

[Jeff Lopez]

Its a fight between the 50 1.8 and a 17-50 2.8 then..
I might try to smuggle in the 80, per Dave advice..
Im pretty sure those characters will be present, so how about that Frank photog guy from the Dead Rising game? 😃

[pres589]

I'm trying to find an 80mm prime lens and nothing is coming up. What do you have?

EDIT: CZ Jena Pancolar came in an 80mm f1.8 formula. Seems like a pretty cool lens. Not what I'd use for the event asked about though.