[doggydude]

Looking for advice on the first lens I should invest in.

Looking for something like a 18 - 55mm or the like - small-end zoomer, but still quality glass.

I think my K10 will be body only, so it's obvious the Mastercard will need to spring for something up front on this puppy.

I'd prefer a Pentax lens, but it's quality of images I'm after, so the usual suspects can apply as well.

Thanks guys.

Duane

[dogb]

Very impressed by my Pentax 16-45mm DA. Worth a look IMHO.

[slip]

Looking for advice on the first lens I should invest in.

Looking for something like a 18 - 55mm or the like - small-end zoomer, but still quality glass.

I think my K10 will be body only, so it's obvious the Mastercard will need to spring for something up front on this puppy.

I'd prefer a Pentax lens, but it's quality of images I'm after, so the usual suspects can apply as well.

Thanks guys.

Duane

please let us know what you intend on mostly using it for.

I think when my k10 comes in I am going to go with a sigma 17-70mm.
seems like the perfect focal length for a walk around glass until I can afford a macro and a prime.
I would have gone for the pentax 16-45mm, but it is a bit to short for me, even though it is $79 canadian dollars less then the sigma.
I really need the 17mm end as well, because I love landscapes, with is my first love, but I need to expand into my wife's territory..... casual portriats, which the 70mm will be highly handy.

If I had a wish list, and the money of course, besides the 17-70 I would also either have the tamron 90mm macro and a shorter prime pentax lens.

good luck, I am sure there will be many opinions

randy

[doggydude]

Oops!

I'll be doing:

casual landscape shots, some close-in, though not macro work, and portraits of pets and maybe some people

My fear is that I get a decent lens. I know many kit lenses are less than optimal, which is why I spec'd the 18-70 glass on the D80 when I went to the shop - that lens has a solid rep for clear, clean shots.

At some point I'll go for a longer zoomer and a dedicated macro, too - I just want a solid walk-around, starter lens for now.

[WRB]

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 ($350) is nice but perhaps not the length you are looking for, I also like the 12-24 f/4 ($619). 16-45 f/4 ($309) may be the best glass for the length and price based on others reviews, Sigma 17-70 ($369) these I do not own.

[rfortson]

For the price, get the kit lens. I think it takes nice pictures, though it's not that fast. As kit lenses go, it's one of the better ones and you're paying less than $100 premium for it. It's easily worth that.

Just my $0.02 worth. YMMV.

[sharpshoota]

FA 50mm 1.4 If you can get one.

[dogb]

For the price, get the kit lens. I think it takes nice pictures, though it's not that fast. As kit lenses go, it's one of the better ones and you're paying less than $100 premium for it. It's easily worth that.

Just my $0.02 worth. YMMV.

Agree with this. You'll never spend a better $100 for a lens.

[-=JoN=-]

yep..the kit lens has performed really well...
well worth the price I think..

[elums]

I would take a look at the kit lens 18-55, or the 16-45.

[sharpshoota]

If you can wait the 16-50 2.8 coming out in March looks very interesting. I believe that one will be weather proofed as well.

[roscot]

When do you plan to purchase the K10, and what is your budget? I am personally waiting with baited breath for the new DA* 16-50 f2.8. If you've got the budget for it, get the kit lens for now, and pop for the DA* next spring when it is released. If not, the DA 16-50 f4.0, or the new Sigma 16-50 DC Macro is getting good comments, as well as the 17-70. QC seems spotty on some of the Sigma lenses though.

[sharpshoota]

anyone know what the price ogf the DA 16-50 2.8 will be?

[Bronek]

I already have FA 31/1.8 Ltd waiting for my new K10D (two more weeks .... errr). It's not idle; I keep using it with my "old" DS.

[shutter]

FA 50mm 1.4 If you can get one.

I can't agree with this statement enough!

I finally located one (although it's a 1.7) on ebay for a decent price with a "buy it now" option and I jumped with both feet. It's one of the older Pentax SMC-A 50 mm lenses with manual focus and an "A" setting on the aperture.

It seems everybody and their grandmothers are looking for these types of Pentax lenses (Autofocus and/or manual types), so if you find one, grab it!
I also have the kit lens that came with the ist DL dSLR and a Sigma f4 100-300mm zoom, but I'd give them both up long before my 50mm lens.

When the sun goes down or you're indoors and limited to no flash, you're going to be wishing for that faster than f4 lens. (I certainly was) And for the range of zoom you're seeking, you can just use your feet.

Happy hunting.