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12-11-2020, 07:32 AM   #16
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DA 35mm f/2.8 Limited as a standard prime with exceptional IQ and 1:1 macro capability.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 to cover the other focal lengths as the best fast standard zoom around.

That only leaves weather resistance missing, but you can add that with the WR kit lens and upgrade later if you like.

12-11-2020, 08:24 AM   #17
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OP has not stated potential subject matter, so not easy to give specific advice. However, on my birding / photography outings, I take the 18-135, 55-300, plus two Sigmas, the 105mm macro and the 10-20 W/A zoom. This is with K3. Don't do 'Street' or 'Urban' photography, so can't help there, sorry.
12-11-2020, 08:35 AM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alnjpn Quote
Sigma 10-20 and 17-50 are my most used lenses. If I did it all again I would go for these two first.
I just ordered the 10-20 and already have the 17-50. So I like your choices but I think it missed the mark of being a Jack of all trades kit w/o something longer than 50
12-11-2020, 08:41 AM - 1 Like   #19
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if some one wants a " Mutt and Jeff " combo

[ Mutt and jeff | Definition of Mutt and jeff at Dictionary.com ]



the DA 40XS

plus

the D FA 150-450mm

12-11-2020, 08:47 AM - 2 Likes   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by carlb Quote
It would be the DA 20-40 Limited and the DA 55 - 300 PLM for me. This will be the kit I take to Tassie next year along with a KP
I cannot argue with this, I have both and they are my most used lenses. They both are WR, fast to focus, and deliver good IQ. The PLM has such good IQ with such a zoom range. Both are small also.

QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
The DA16-85 plus DA55-300 PLM would make an excellent combo in terms of uninterrupted focal length range, image quality across that range, quiet AF and weather resistance.
Although I have never used one, I hear great things about the 16-85, and that it is better than the 18-135, so it must be pretty good. The 18-135 is no slouch, I have it but don’t use it that much anymore.

I shoot mostly nature, wildlife, and landscapes. What you shoot and what you want to shoo should have a great influence on the decision on what lenses you buy.
12-11-2020, 08:50 AM   #21
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If we focus on just starting out I could make the argument to get the kit WR lenses. After that decide if you need something, longer, wider or faster.

Most of my lenses are not WR so I still use the kit lenses when it think I will need them. I also will carry one of them as a different focal length option when I am going out for specific events. For example if I am going to something where I intend to use the tamron 70-200 f2.8 I might pack the kit 18-55. Or if I am going somewhere with the sigma 17-50 f2.8 I will take the 50-200 kit, I am not going to carry the tamron for a just in case moment
12-11-2020, 10:16 AM   #22
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The 18-135 & 55-300 combo is a very versatile kit. That is what I carry. You can go from mild wide to telephoto with only 2 lenses without taking up too much space or weight. For a 2 lens prime kit I would say a FA 28 f2.8 and a 100mm macro would be my choice. I have also found that a Canon 500d close up lens works well on the 55-300 for macro shots. (I have the screwdrive HD version)

12-11-2020, 10:39 AM   #23
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There's a lot of lenses I haven't tried, but of what I own, if I had to pare down to 2, I'd end up with the 55-300 PLM, and my Green 21/3.2.

The 55-300 offers great reach and focuses quick. Just a great place to start as a Telephoto lens. The 55 side is fine, too. It's not the same as a 50mm prime, but totally reasonable and the focus is lighting fast.


The 21 is just a joyous lens to shoot with. It's kind of a sweet-spot in terms of field-of-view, halfway between 28mm and 35mm equivalents, approximately the field of view of an instant camera. Wide, but not crazy wide. To get a Pentax and not get a Limited of some kind or another... like... why are you even buying a Pentax? I know there's all sorts of reasons why they're imperfect--slow apertures and curved fields and unsharp corners such. But this is a hobby for me, and a standard wide-to-short-tele zoom, at least to me, is probably never going to be anywhere near as much fun.
12-11-2020, 11:05 AM   #24
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Thanks so much for the input. I hadn’t considered primes to start because (1) they are less versatile and (2) I already have some MF primes to use until I feel the need for their AF equivalents.

The intended use is a little bit of everything, family portraits, landscape, vacation photos, wildlife, etc.

I agree with what someone said about wishing for something wider than 18mm but I expect to get a wider lens at some point.

My intention was to have a better beginner setup than I do with my Nikon D3100 kit lenses, 18-55 and 55-200. I know Pentax offers a very similar kit lens set but I find that for most things, you end up having to bring both lenses. I liked the 18-135 idea better because I think it could be a lens that you can take with you to most events and leave the longer lens at home. After the first two, my next wants would be a wider lens and maybe a 1.4x converter to do some mild wildlife, bird photography etc.

I am prone to GAS so I’m sure I’ll be adding other AF primes at some point. I think I have some interest in macro but have MF lenses and extension tubes to get by for now.

Thanks
12-11-2020, 11:17 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lhorn Quote
. . . I am prone to GAS so I’m sure I’ll be adding other AF primes at some point. I think I have some interest in macro but have MF lenses and extension tubes to get by for now.

Thanks
watch out for LBA too

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12-11-2020, 11:20 AM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
The DA16-85 plus DA55-300 PLM would make an excellent combo in terms of uninterrupted focal length range, image quality across that range, quiet AF and weather resistance.
I would go for that as well. Pretty universal approach, personally I have that range covered +/- and additionally I always carry LTD 43 + 77. They are pretty handy.
12-11-2020, 11:58 AM   #27
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What is the advantage of the DA 16-85 that overcomes the extra reach of the DA 18-135? Sharpness? Build quality? It’s only a tiny bit wider but a fair but less zoom. Thanks

---------- Post added 12-11-20 at 12:58 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by aslyfox Quote
watch out for LBA too

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Yes, I said GAS but was thinking LBA but forgot the acronym
12-11-2020, 12:02 PM   #28
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I spent 6 months travelling with only a K-5 and a DA 40mm XS, and it met my needs in almost all situations.
12-11-2020, 12:08 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
The DA16-85 plus DA55-300 PLM would make an excellent combo in terms of uninterrupted focal length range, image quality across that range, quiet AF and weather resistance.
I can't add more to that. Get the 16-85 as kit and find the 55-300 on sale.


Steve
12-11-2020, 12:32 PM - 1 Like   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by Lhorn Quote
What is the advantage of the DA 16-85 that overcomes the extra reach of the DA 18-135? Sharpness? Build quality? It’s only a tiny bit wider but a fair but less zoom. Thanks

---------- Post added 12-11-20 at 12:58 PM ----------



Yes, I said GAS but was thinking LBA but forgot the acronym
to touch on "tiny bit wider but a fair less zoom". I think it helps to think of the field a view rather than focal length?
On an apsc diagonal degrees fov
16mm = 84
18mm = 77
85mm = 19
135mm = 12
Lens Focal Length and Field of View | The K-Mount Page
So I think they are closer in impact than the focal length numbers suggest. In my observation a minor change in focal length at the short end is more impactful than at the long end. Someone else can explain this better or correct me
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