[josey5613]

Might purchase a k3 but not sure if I should buy the kit with the 18-135 lens or just buy the body and get a good starter all around lense that won't kill my wallet to bad. Any suggestions. Thanks.

[Adam]

I would recommend either the 18-135mm or the Sigma 17-70mm to start out with:
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

On top of that I'd be sure to grab an entry-level prime; i.e. either the DA 35mm F2.4 or DA 50mm F1.8.

[stevebrot]

I would recommend either the 18-135mm or the Sigma 17-70mm to start out with:
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

On top of that I'd be sure to grab an entry-level prime; i.e. either the DA 35mm F2.4 or DA 50mm F1.8.

My K-3 came with the DA 50/1.8 and I bought the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 (C) specifically to use on the K-3. I could not be happier.


Steve

[pathdoc]

In your shoes, I would take the 18-135 kit, and be set for quite some time. I agree with the recommendation for one of those cheap primes, both if I could manage, but the fifty first if not.

[amoringello]

My suggestion is also with the 18-135. It has decent quality and a great range for most any beginner's needs.
It is still the main lens I take on travel.
I honesty do not think you'd be disappointed with results from that lens.

[jatrax]

Get the 18-135 kit. Use it for awhile then add other lenses as you find you need them.

[wtlwdwgn]

Adam posted a deal today to get a K-3, 50mm f/1.8 lens, and a flash for a good price. I'd recommend just using that lens for awhile. It'll teach you more about composition and you'll learn to zoom with your feet. Just my $0.02.

[sumitkar1971]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 - Around $500 - Not sure you want to spend that much but it is a fantastic lens - Just not WR

[KDD]

Adam, Why ENTRY-LEVEL prime; i.e. either the DA 35mm F2.4 or DA 50mm F1.8??

[hcc]

+1 for the DA 18-135mm.

A great all around lens, easy to use, WR, quiet, decent output.

My wife who is not a photographer loves it for its convenience and easy to use.

My 5 cents...

[quant2325]

Pentax "kit" lenses are actually great for beginners because they are cheap and the center sharpness is generally very good. IMHO the Pentax kits lenses are as good or better than similar offerings from other manufacturers. What another $300-$700 will get you is a zoom that has better overall sharpness, better build quality and is faster. The lens you are looking at is not a cheap kit lens, and is of decent quality.

How do you get the most from a non-professional zoom lens? You have to know at what settings the lens will perform well. Unlike a more expensive lens that is great wide open and at most focal lengths, a typical zoom lens may have to be stopped down a little to get very good sharpness and won't be super sharp at all focal lengths. I'd look at the reviews here and also at Photozone to get an idea where your lens will perform best, and to determine what is the best lens you can get for the $ you are willing to spend. The 18-135mm isn't perfect, but will do the job for you. An 18-85mm or 17-50mm may be sharper, but the range of the 18-135mm makes things easier for a newer photographer or for someone who wants only one lens to shoot with.

You can save a lot of money by purchasing a used lens, but there are pitfalls if you get a bad copy. There are other threads you can find on the subject.

[VoiceOfReason]

That 18-135 spends more time on my K3 then the rest of my lenses, and you can see what I have in my profile.

[percy]

18-135 - Decent image quality and a very useful range. A good general purpose lens.

[i_trax]

Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 DC Macro non HSM - under $ 200 used, great value for money
Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Contemporary ,silent AF , a bit better IQ and much more expensive

[Waratah]

Might purchase a k3 but not sure if I should buy the kit with the 18-135 lens or just buy the body and get a good starter all around lense that won't kill my wallet to bad. Any suggestions. Thanks.

I'm a believer in aiming high, or low, not middle.

High means you're set for along time. Low means you up and running, learning, noting what works and what you need when you can afford to go high.

To me low is 18-55 kit lens, as others have said its decent quality stopped down, and with new dslrs performing well at ISO 3200 or more, f8 is entirely practical most of the time.

High would be a constant aperture zoom, something with constant f2.8. plus (build quality, IQ, WR)

That said I have one middle lens, (sigma 24-60 f2.8 on ebay for about 280) that has given satisfaction, its just I'm always looking for just a bit better focus, weather resistance etc .