Kit Lens Replacement

Reddog · 12-29-2009, 12:14 AM

I have a K20D with the 18-55 kit lens. I really like the camera but was thinking about upgrading the lens. What would be a good replacement for this lens for general purpose picture taking?

Diffusion · 12-29-2009, 12:33 AM

If you use an image processing software that tells you what focal lengths you use most, you probably get a good idea.
Depending on your shooting style (or the values you found as a statistic):

1. More towards portrait and tele, no landscape: Tamron 28-75/2.8 (or Sigma 24-70/2.8)
2. You like the general zoom range of the 18-55: Get the Pentax* 16-50/2.8 or Tamron 17-50/2.8

These lenses should all outperform the kit lens. 28-75 is considered an "odd" range on APS-C, but I think it can have its advantages, too.

Some people may suggest the Pentax or Tamron 18-250, but if you want to "upgrade", I do not think that it is the right lens for you.

D.

**Ash** · 12-29-2009, 12:36 AM

Welcome to the forum reddog.
'General purpose' is a little vague - it's better to stipulate the focal length range you're after.
If just to replace that of the kit lens, then there is a range of good upgrades:

Pentax DA 16-45
Tamron 17-50
Pentax DA* 16-50
Pentax DA 17-70
Sigma 17-70 (NB. variable maximum aperture)

...and there are others but these are reasonably reputable and available.

All the best in your search.

WerTicus · 12-29-2009, 01:23 AM

DA* 16-50mm is the logical 'replacement'

Id suggest you keep the kit lens and look at adding more focal lengths... like a DA70mm or something longer.

Reddog · 12-29-2009, 01:52 AM

awesome - thanks for the suggestions

Kaimarx · 12-29-2009, 07:19 AM

how about the da 55 - 300? Between these 2 lenses you will have a better idea of the focal lengths you prefer and can make a more informed decision as to the which primes/ zoom range you could spend more money on.

By all accounts the 55 - 300 is a great lens, and can be sold on for not much less than you spent when you decide to make the move to specialty ranges...

**interested_observer** · 12-29-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

was thinking about upgrading the lens. What would be a good replacement for this lens for general purpose picture taking?

I would answer in a slightly different way -

Is there a specific reason for wanting the upgrade?
Is the kit lens limiting you in any way?
Do you find yourself wanting to go to longer or wider focal lengths?
Do you need better image quality?
Do you need better low light capability?
Do you want a smaller sized lens?

GerryL · 12-29-2009, 08:55 AM

The usual two that are recommended without muddling it with other lenses are the Pentax DA 16-45 and the Sigma 17-70.
These are also good as a walkaround lens since it covers a wide range to a good tele.

reeftool · 12-29-2009, 10:15 AM

You should base your decision on what you need. If you find you are shooting a lot in low light then a faster lens would be in order. If you need more reach then a longer zoom. Lots of wide angle then maybe a wide like the 12-24. If you are shooting mostly landscapes outdoors for example, then the 16-50 probably won't be much of an upgrade. For myself, I'm looking at a 17-70, probably the Sigma as I find the kit lens not long enough for a walk around for my uses. Your needs may be entirely different.

Oggy · 12-29-2009, 03:29 PM

Hi Reddog - welcome to the forum.

Just to ask a question - what does your 18-55 not do that you need it to. If you can answer that, it will be easier to suggest an alternative.

Itai · 12-29-2009, 07:43 PM

Dispose of the kit-lens as quickly as possible. It really limits what you get with the K-7. You can make it into a fancy coffee-cup if you don't sell it

The DA* 16-50mm F2.8 is the best replacement and includes weather-sealing and a bright
aperture.

You can get the DA 17-70mm F4 instead which has great optical quality without the weather-sealing and one stop less of aperture compared to the 16-50mm. It does get you a slightly longer range.

- Itai
Digital Camera Buying Guide, Photography Articles and Reviews | NeoCamera.com

Clicker · 12-30-2009, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by WerTicus

DA* 16-50mm is the logical 'replacement'

Id suggest you keep the kit lens and look at adding more focal lengths... like a DA70mm or something longer.

yes it is.

Jasvox · 01-01-2010, 10:29 AM

This question comes up to almost every shooter after learning their camera and lens. You can ask a hundred different people and probably get a different opinions on what and why they chose what they chose.

Me, I put my kit lens on the shelf after a couple of months and opted for the Tamron 17-50/2.8. This lens I felt was very well priced and the reviews and examples I was seeing were fantastic. I bought this lens and use it as my number 1 zoom.

Good luck with your choice!

Jason

Clicker · 01-01-2010, 04:07 PM

16-50/SDM/2.8, i kept the kit 18-55 it's my rob me i don't care lens

12-29-2009, 12:14 AM	#1
Reddog Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BC- Canada Posts: 2	Kit Lens Replacement I have a K20D with the 18-55 kit lens. I really like the camera but was thinking about upgrading the lens. What would be a good replacement for this lens for general purpose picture taking?

12-29-2009, 07:30 AM	#7
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Quote: was thinking about upgrading the lens. What would be a good replacement for this lens for general purpose picture taking? I would answer in a slightly different way - Is there a specific reason for wanting the upgrade? Is the kit lens limiting you in any way? Do you find yourself wanting to go to longer or wider focal lengths? Do you need better image quality? Do you need better low light capability? Do you want a smaller sized lens?

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12-29-2009, 12:33 AM	#2
Diffusion Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 74	If you use an image processing software that tells you what focal lengths you use most, you probably get a good idea. Depending on your shooting style (or the values you found as a statistic): 1. More towards portrait and tele, no landscape: Tamron 28-75/2.8 (or Sigma 24-70/2.8) 2. You like the general zoom range of the 18-55: Get the Pentax* 16-50/2.8 or Tamron 17-50/2.8 These lenses should all outperform the kit lens. 28-75 is considered an "odd" range on APS-C, but I think it can have its advantages, too. Some people may suggest the Pentax or Tamron 18-250, but if you want to "upgrade", I do not think that it is the right lens for you. D.

12-29-2009, 12:36 AM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Welcome to the forum reddog. 'General purpose' is a little vague - it's better to stipulate the focal length range you're after. If just to replace that of the kit lens, then there is a range of good upgrades: Pentax DA 16-45 Tamron 17-50 Pentax DA* 16-50 Pentax DA 17-70 Sigma 17-70 (NB. variable maximum aperture) ...and there are others but these are reasonably reputable and available. All the best in your search.

12-29-2009, 01:23 AM	#4
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	DA* 16-50mm is the logical 'replacement' Id suggest you keep the kit lens and look at adding more focal lengths... like a DA70mm or something longer.

12-29-2009, 01:52 AM	#5
Reddog Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BC- Canada Posts: 2 Original Poster	awesome - thanks for the suggestions

12-29-2009, 07:19 AM	#6
Kaimarx Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland Photos: Gallery Posts: 452	how about the da 55 - 300? Between these 2 lenses you will have a better idea of the focal lengths you prefer and can make a more informed decision as to the which primes/ zoom range you could spend more money on. By all accounts the 55 - 300 is a great lens, and can be sold on for not much less than you spent when you decide to make the move to specialty ranges...

12-29-2009, 08:55 AM	#8
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	The usual two that are recommended without muddling it with other lenses are the Pentax DA 16-45 and the Sigma 17-70. These are also good as a walkaround lens since it covers a wide range to a good tele.

12-29-2009, 10:15 AM	#9
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	You should base your decision on what you need. If you find you are shooting a lot in low light then a faster lens would be in order. If you need more reach then a longer zoom. Lots of wide angle then maybe a wide like the 12-24. If you are shooting mostly landscapes outdoors for example, then the 16-50 probably won't be much of an upgrade. For myself, I'm looking at a 17-70, probably the Sigma as I find the kit lens not long enough for a walk around for my uses. Your needs may be entirely different.

12-29-2009, 03:29 PM	#10
Oggy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 235	Hi Reddog - welcome to the forum. Just to ask a question - what does your 18-55 not do that you need it to. If you can answer that, it will be easier to suggest an alternative.

12-29-2009, 07:43 PM	#11
Itai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 209	Dispose of the kit-lens as quickly as possible. It really limits what you get with the K-7. You can make it into a fancy coffee-cup if you don't sell it The DA* 16-50mm F2.8 is the best replacement and includes weather-sealing and a bright aperture. You can get the DA 17-70mm F4 instead which has great optical quality without the weather-sealing and one stop less of aperture compared to the 16-50mm. It does get you a slightly longer range. - Itai Digital Camera Buying Guide, Photography Articles and Reviews \| NeoCamera.com

12-30-2009, 11:01 PM	#12
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Originally posted by WerTicus DA* 16-50mm is the logical 'replacement' Id suggest you keep the kit lens and look at adding more focal lengths... like a DA70mm or something longer. yes it is.

01-01-2010, 10:29 AM	#13
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	This question comes up to almost every shooter after learning their camera and lens. You can ask a hundred different people and probably get a different opinions on what and why they chose what they chose. Me, I put my kit lens on the shelf after a couple of months and opted for the Tamron 17-50/2.8. This lens I felt was very well priced and the reviews and examples I was seeing were fantastic. I bought this lens and use it as my number 1 zoom. Good luck with your choice! Jason

01-01-2010, 04:07 PM	#14
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	16-50/SDM/2.8, i kept the kit 18-55 it's my rob me i don't care lens