[Lhorn]

If you were just starting out with Pentax auto focus lens and wanted good IQ, reasonable price and jack of all trades ability from 2 lenses, what would they be? From reviews I’m getting the impression DA 18-135 and DA 55-300 PLM would be a popular choice. Any others? Doesn’t have to be Pentax branded lenses. Doesn’t have to be weather sealed but all things otherwise being equal, WR would be a bonus.

Thanks. And it seems like an obvious question so if it’s been covered already I’d be glad to read up on other threads

[carlb]

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

[BigMackCam]

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.

[pepperberry farm]

only zooms???

I'd rather have the DA*55/1.4 SDM and the D FA 100/2.8 Macro WR...

[siva.ss.kumar]

One prime and one zoom would be my choice

[hcc]

One prime and one zoom would be my choice

+1
One prime and one zoom.

My two first lenses were the DA18-250mm and a Voiglander Nokton 58mm f1.4. At the time, I bought my first Pentax SLR: a K-7. The former is a all-around AF zoom and the latter a prime MF lens. They are both great and complementary. No regret and I continue to use them on my K-3.


My 5 cents, hoping that it may help.

[HoutHans]

I'd go for the 16-85 and a prime of focal length that I'd like. My reasons this answer are as follows. I really like my 18-135 but I find myself at the wide end mostly. In fact, there are plenty of times when I wish for something wider, hence the 16 mm. Then, with regard to the prime, that is really a matter of taste. I'll often bring along my M*300/4 as a compact telelens, but I will also bring along my M100/4 macro, when there are mushrooms for example. Or my M50/1.4 when I envisage that I may need some shallow DOF.


Bottom line: It all depends on what you want. A zoom offers great versatility, but the question is really what focal length and range/IQ/Aperture trade-off you're willing to make. For primes, it all depends on what you prefer. If you don't have any specific preferences in this regard and prefer versatilty, BigMackCam's suggestion is excellent.

[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

[talgarik]

auto focus lens and wanted good IQ, reasonable price and jack of all trades ability from 2 lenses, what would they be? From reviews I’m getting the impression DA 18-135 and DA 55-300 PLM would be a popular choice.

the way I see it, zoom lenses are not the way to start, Pentax' rich catalogue of excellent prime lenses is one of the main reasons to choose the brand and the fact is that once you start shooting with prime lenses - and you realize the results you can get with them - there is no way back and one way or another a prime lens will become your ¨jack of all trades.¨


I would go with:
HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

[aslyfox]

only zooms???

I'd rather have the DA*55/1.4 SDM and the D FA 100/2.8 Macro WR...

I agree with those who nominate the D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

for those budget hindered folks, look at the F, FA or non WR D FA variants

excellent sharpness, short telephoto and 1:1 Macro

what's not to like ?

[pkboy]

I found someone who was getting rid of their pentax system and bought the D FA 100 2.8 Macro WR and the SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL from them for a great price and they're pretty much all I've been using the past week or so and I'm loving it.

[Serkevan]

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.

[someasiancameraguy]

There's many approaches in terms of what your IQ goals are. Here's a few setups:

Sigma 18-35 1.8 + 70mm Ltd
Pentax 16-85mm + 43mm Ltd
DA 20-40 Ltd + DA* 50-135

[UncleVanya]

There's many approaches in terms of what your IQ goals are.

DA 20-40 Ltd + DA* 50-135

This is one of my commonly carried kits with my k-3. Very good choice in many ways.

But I’d probably suggest the da 18-135 / 55-300 PLM* over it for this users criteria due to; speedy focus, coverage/range, and reduced lens swaps.

* assumes a body that supports this lens.

[Alnjpn]

Sigma 10-20 and 17-50 are my most used lenses. If I did it all again I would go for these two first.