Originally posted by BigMackCam My recommendation for the DA16-85 and DA55-300 PLM wasn't based on personal preferences given my current level of experience and typical or favourite use cases. I took the OP's challenge very literally, with six stipulations guiding my choices - namely:
1) just starting out
2) Pentax auto focus lens
3) good IQ
4) reasonable price
5) jack of all trades ability
6) 2 lenses
My personal choices for a two lens kit to cover my own photographic pursuits these days would be different, but I didn't think that's what was asked
I agree with Mike here - for the
specific case of a "two lenses do everything" kit it feels like one
should be the 55-300 PLM (which is excellent) plus one wide-to-normal zoom*. The 16-85 happens to be probably the best option, although it could probably be substituted by one of the Sigma/Tamron 17-50/2.8 zooms which are also good options.
*Or one of the 15/21 Limiteds but that's, by definition, less flexible.