[sumitkar1971]

Having Gone through a sleuth of lenses to come up with my perfect 3 lens APSC kit, I think I'm finally there - The 31mm f/1.8 FA Limited, The DA *55 f/1.4 and The DA*50-135 f/2.8. I just don't see wide enough to justify anything wide angle. I know that there are a ton of these threads but I thought I'd share my three lens kit. What about yours?

[VoiceOfReason]

If I had to narrow it completely down to just three lenses with my K1 it would be the 24-70, 70-200, and 150-450. With the K3 then my 16-50, 60-250, and 150-450.

[kiwi_jono]

Well with my K-5, I often go out with a light weight kit of just DA15, FA35 f2 and DA70. Pretty broad focal range and in reality the DA70 seems to be on the K-5 the most.

If travelling a bit heavier I take my Samyang 85 f1.4 instead of the DA70 and Sigma 10-20 f3.5 instead of DA15. But my FA35 seems to always be in there somewhere, as I find it a useful "general" focal length on APS-C and fast enough in low light.

[ChristianRock]

My fun kit - K10D with Tokina 19-35 (so underrated), Rikenon P 50 1.4 (pretty much lives on the camera) and SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm f4.

Family/wife kit - K-S1 with Pentax DA 16-45mm f4, DA 35mm 2.4 and Pentax-F 50 1.7. Everything else is for playing around.

[c.a.m]

K-3 II here.

My usual travel kit: DA15 Ltd; DA 35 Ltd; and DA* 50-135.

On vacation with spouse: DA 18-135; DA 35 Ltd; F 50/1.7

Manual focus photo outings: K30/2.8; K50/1.2; M 100/2.8

Nature hike: DA* 300; DA 35 Ltd; K30/2.8

- Craig

[Imp]

Kit: Tamron 17-50 2.8, HD 55-300
If people oriented trip, + M 50 1.7
If birding oriented trip, + 400 5.6 Tokina AF

Walkaround/street, A 28mm 2.8 at f/8, hyperfocal in AV mode so focusing is not a concern

Wish kit: 21/31/55, 21/A28/40, or some such combination of primes < 50, + 50-135 or 70-200 tamron or... I GIVE UP I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT TOO MANY CHOICES GAAAAH!!!

[monochrome]

FA31 | FA 43 | FA77

Excellent technical work. Lacks imagination. 88++ *



* Only comment, in red felt tip, on my Senior Literature Seminar Blue Book in 1973. = an unroundable B+, which I deemed cruel.

[pres589]

K5-II and my normal kit is a 15Ltd and an 18-135. I would like to add an F28 2.8 or Super-Wide II AF but my skill level makes it hard to rationalize buying another lens.

[Scintilla]

Just me, hiking or random: CZ Distagon 28/2.8, CZ Planar 50/1.7, FA 77 Ltd
(may swap the 77 for the DA 18-55 WR, or the HD DA 55-300 WR if animals are expected)

Going to see the family: DA 21 Ltd, FA 43 Ltd, FA 77 Ltd

Florida in summer: DA 18-55 WR, Rokinon 35/1.4, HD DA 55-300 WR

[clackers]

APS-C events: Sigma 10-20, Sigma 17-50, DA*50-135
APS-C primes: DA15, DA21, DA70
FF events: FA20-35, Tamron 28-75, Tamron 70-200
FF primes: Samyang 24mm, DA*55, FA77

[Bhuey55]

Depends...some days are Tak days, some are K days
K10D Super Takumar 55 1.8
Takumar 200 3.5 preset
Tele-Takumar 400 5.6

K10D K30 2.8
K135 2.5
K200 4

[quh86]

On my old K5:

the 21 ltd ! my all purpose walkaround lens. its perfect for me really

the DA* 16-50/2.8 im still not sure whether i like this lens enough to keep it or not, got it for a steal basically, but its heavy and the IQ is not always there when i want it (mostly due to focusing errors, but i suspect a slight decentering on the left side)

the M50/1.7 its MF, however its my sharpest lens. i love it!

the K85/1.8 for portraits its just invaluable! i just wish i had the funds for the 77mm ltd. but the K85 just has that special rendering.

lastly my FA 35-80mm its just a plastic fantastic lens, but the colors it delivers are just so good.

Sorry for breaking the rules a little bit here, but this will also be the kit im taking to a friends wedding for some casual snaps, hope i got everything coverd

[pakinjapan]

either DA15 + F28 for night time walk around
or F28 + DFA100wr for day time walk and when I know I will go up to some place very high (observatory as an example)

[manstanox]

On my K3 II:


prime kit is DA 21mm ltd, DA 35mm macro Ltd, and DA 70mm Ltd
zoom kit is Sigma 10-20, Sigma 17-50 f2.8, and Px HD55-300mm


On my K-01 (fun camera!)


DA21 Ltd, DA 40mm XS and F 35-70mm


But I like to give all my lenses an outing and it is easy to get confused about which is good for what!

[GlennG]

I GIVE UP I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT TOO MANY CHOICES GAAAAH!!!

This might actually sum it up best for me. Problem is what is the photographic scenario that the 3 lens kit is for? For me, the kit has to travel light, provide some focal length flexibility quickly, get a decent portrait, and provide good IQ. Don't need ultra wide angle, ultra telephoto, or macro. With that in mind, here are some kits:


What I have, take 1: 16-50, and 50-135 (only two, not three lenses). Pro's: Good IQ, good focal length range, good portrait. Con's: a little heavy
What I have, take 2: DA 17-70, 40 lim, 55-300. Pro's: Good IQ where it matters, a bit lighter than the first kit, good portrait with 40 limited. Con's: Small IQ drop off for long zoom
What I wish I had: 15, 20-40, 70 limiteds (I have NONE of these! - go figure). Pro's: Very good IQ for all 3, can handle almost every focal length and aperture shooting situation I currently do. Con's: The most lens changes of the three lens kit options.

Using a K5 Classic, currently. Reluctant to change to the wish kit due to not knowing what the K5 will be upgraded to. The K-1? If so, the wish kit does not make sense. But upgrading to K-1 and commensurate lenses will be taking a step away from light and portable. "Perfect" at this point would probably actually be the K70 plus wish lens kit above.