What lens for a trip to see Santa in Lapland?

[Fluffywuffy]

My trusty Pentax K3 and 18-135 lens are normally perfect for what I need. Most of my photography is done on holiday visiting bucket list places where I try and capture the moment rather than win awards for the absolute quality of my images.

This December I fear my set up will be found lacking, We’re off to see Santa with the kids and I expect to be taking photos of them in a gloomy grotto. I don’t expect it to be very spacious so I anticipate standing away from the main action, zooming in an out as required. For this I reckon my best bet is an f2.8 zoom. The question is, which one?

My first thought was a 16-50 as I’m not going to be too far away. However I then started to wonder if the wide end might be a little redundant and I could find myself wishing I had something a little longer. Because almost all my photography is outdoors I really am stumped. Can anyone share some good advice? I am reluctantly open to idea that my K3 might not be up to the job.

 

[Fluffywuffy]

I should add. I have a very small window of opportunity to buy a nearly new 5d mk4 and 70-200 f2.8 L mk2 and 24-105 f4 mk2 for an excellent price. That would be a very significant purchase for me though.

 

[ChelseaPhotographer]

My trusty Pentax K3 and 18-135 lens are normally perfect for what I need. Most of my photography is done on holiday visiting bucket list places where I try and capture the moment rather than win awards for the absolute quality of my images.
This December I fear my set up will be found lacking, We’re off to see Santa with the kids and I expect to be taking photos of them in a gloomy grotto. I don’t expect it to be very spacious so I anticipate standing away from the main action, zooming in an out as required. For this I reckon my best bet is an f2.8 zoom. The question is, which one?

My first thought was a 16-50 as I’m not going to be too far away. However I then started to wonder if the wide end might be a little redundant and I could find myself wishing I had something a little longer. Because almost all my photography is outdoors I really am stumped. Can anyone share some good advice? I am reluctantly open to idea that my K3 might not be up to the job.

The 5DIV is a great camera, but do you really need it? Would it not be better/cheaper to invest in two Pentax lenses? The 16-50 and 50-135? Both are * and f/2.8.

I prefer full-frame so I know what I would choose, but staying with Pentax might make more sense for you.

 

[ZilverHaylide]

7.62 x 39mm (AK-47).

"FATMAN" movie

 

[Fluffywuffy]

Being honest my photography skills are not good enough to notice the difference between full frame and crop sensor. I understand the basics and have a reasonable eye for composition but have no interest in pixel peeping or spending hours on the computer adjusting the photos. I bought my K3 because it’s robust, weather sealed and a nice size. I know I could do better but I’m not sure I need better.

Those two lenses are obviously on my radar. However, I am not anticipating the kids being with Santa for a long time so I don’t want to have to change lens. I need to get the optimum focal length from one lens.

The high ISO performance of the latest cameras is probably causing the biggest problem. The speed of the glass becomes less important if the camera is capable of cranking up the ISO without sacrificing too much image quality. I just don’t know what to do.