Last fall I purchased a K-S2 and for the most part I really like the camera. My biggest complaint is the collapsible kit lens is pretty poor IMO. I recently purchased the Pentax 50 mm prime, and was instantly so much happier with the results. Do you have any suggestions for zoom lens with decent IQ that won’t break the bank? My primary use for the camera is taking pictures of our family outings/travel cam. Thanks.
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K-S2 Kit Lens Upgrade Suggestions?
- Thread starter beber
- Start date
Gary Martin
Veteran Member
For the kind of role you described, I think the DA18-135 would be a good choice, and is very reasonably priced.
Tom52
Leading Member
I really like the 18-135 WR. You can pick it up a new copy from Amazon for 297. It's over 400 dollars at B&H right now.
The da16-85 and the 18-135 are both a step up from your kit lens
If you don't want need the extra 2mm width (which is a lot @ the wide end) then the 18-135 being older offers better value for money
But ultimately the 16-85 is a better lens though both are mid level zooms.
others to consider depending on your needs
Sigma 17-50 f2.8 = A fine lens producing pro level imaging
Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 'C' = mid level zoom can be tuned via the Sigma Dock
Sigma 18-250 F3.5-f6.3 'C' = low/mid level Super Zoom tuneable slightly better than 18-55 kit
Sigma 18-200 f3.5-f6.3 'C' = low level Super Zoom .... Cheap no better than kit bit longer
Sigma 18-300 f3.5-f6.3 'C' = mid level super zoom very nice lens (for s super zoom)
in order of IQ
1 Sigma 17-50 f2.8
2 Pentax 16-85
3 Sigma 17-70
4 Pentax 18-135
5 Sigma 18-300
6 Sigma 18-250 - Pentax 10-50 wr
7 Sigma 18-200 - Pentax 18-55 Mkii (wr et al)
If you don't want need the extra 2mm width (which is a lot @ the wide end) then the 18-135 being older offers better value for money
But ultimately the 16-85 is a better lens though both are mid level zooms.
others to consider depending on your needs
Sigma 17-50 f2.8 = A fine lens producing pro level imaging
Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 'C' = mid level zoom can be tuned via the Sigma Dock
Sigma 18-250 F3.5-f6.3 'C' = low/mid level Super Zoom tuneable slightly better than 18-55 kit
Sigma 18-200 f3.5-f6.3 'C' = low level Super Zoom .... Cheap no better than kit bit longer
Sigma 18-300 f3.5-f6.3 'C' = mid level super zoom very nice lens (for s super zoom)
in order of IQ
1 Sigma 17-50 f2.8
2 Pentax 16-85
3 Sigma 17-70
4 Pentax 18-135
5 Sigma 18-300
6 Sigma 18-250 - Pentax 10-50 wr
7 Sigma 18-200 - Pentax 18-55 Mkii (wr et al)
Used Tamron 17-50 f2.8 goes for around $200 right now while used Sigma 17-50 for little more but still less than $300.
Both are very good lenses and are better than any zoom that pentax offers currently in the range (ok, maybe except the 20-40 ltd).
If you want a WR lens then pentax 16-85 is also very good but is relatively expensive and is practically as slow as the kit lens.
Both are very good lenses and are better than any zoom that pentax offers currently in the range (ok, maybe except the 20-40 ltd).
If you want a WR lens then pentax 16-85 is also very good but is relatively expensive and is practically as slow as the kit lens.
Thanks for the suggestions thus far everyone. Just so everyone knows the KS-2 comes with the HD DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC lens, not the typical DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 WR lens. It is my understanding that the 18-55 is actually better than what comes with the KS-2.
Based on the comments here and some of my own research here are the lens I’m considering:
Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8: ~$200 for the grey market version
Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6: ~$280 on amazon
Sigma 17-70MM f2.8-4 Contemporary: ~$260 used on ebay
Any thoughts?
Based on the comments here and some of my own research here are the lens I’m considering:
Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8: ~$200 for the grey market version
Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6: ~$280 on amazon
Sigma 17-70MM f2.8-4 Contemporary: ~$260 used on ebay
Any thoughts?
sportyaccordy
Veteran Member
Sigma 17-50 2.8
Britney Elvis
Veteran Member
For family shots my go to is the Tamron 28-75 2.8 zoom... nice portrait length and ok at 28mm (I am not a wide shooter ever.
photoramone
Active member
18-135mm is also considered by many as a swell/sharp lens. Around $300.. smackers, and that ain't bad.
18-250 thats a heck of a range. Just googled this lens and it got some pretty nice reviews.
Petroglyph
Veteran Member
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I don't know what 'break the bank' means, or what your type of photography is but as for zooms under 500 for K(AF) mount (In cost order low to high):
1. Sigma 70-300 DG - 149$
2. Tamron 70-300 - 165$
3. Phoenix 28-210 - 169$
4. Tamron 18-200 - 189$
5. Pentax 50-200 - 197$
6. Sigma 70-300 APO - 199$
7. Pentax 55-300 - 269$
8. Sigma 18-250 - 349$
9. Tamron 18-300 - 349$
10. Pentax 17-70 - 400$
11. Sigma 17-70 - 400$
12. Pentax 18-270 - 414$
13. Sigma 17-50 - 419$
14. Pentax 18-135 - 450$
15. Pentax 16-85 - 479$
16. Tamron 28-75 - 500$
Bang for your buck Pentax 55-300 looks decent in this list. But you might not want telephoto.
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