Best Wide to Zoom Lens for Pentax K10d

Hi I have currently got a SMC Pentax-F 1:4 - 5.6, 35mm to 80mm Lens & I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a similar lens that may provide better quality pictures. Ideally not looking for a large lens. Many Thanks

The SMC Pentax-DA 17-70mm f4 is my immediate suggestion.

Bjørn

For a one lens solution, i would recommend the DA 18-135.

You have to remember that one size does not fit all.
What you shoot determines which lens you need.
You wallet determines if you fit that lens.
Personally, I found that the FA 35-70 filled most of my needs from walkabout (when I still could) to portraits, and gave me a win in a club competition. There are others in the bag, but that one gets used more than all the rest.

Geoff

Buy an 18-55 kit lens. Will give you a more wider option. Cheap as chips and better quality than your present offering.

The lens I love is the F35-70mm f3.5-4.5. it takes superb pictures and is extremely inexpensive on Ebay. Sometimes down to $30.- That would be about
20 Quid or so. It is reasonably light and small and takes 49mm filters and you can use it on your FF when it arrives.

Regards, Horst

Agree on the 35-70 to be one of the best bargains around. It depends on whether you really look for wide to tele, as the 35-70 would be normal to tele….

I agree

And if possible get the WR version. Not just for the WR but because its better finished with a nicer zoom action. And the optics are surprisingly decent. Or at least until you try a DA 16-45, that was definitely better wide open.

I would add my recommendation for the da smc 18-55 wr. A great value and quality choice, with a build, including metal mount, that is superior to typical kit lenses offered by many brands. Image quality is very good, and on the current cameras at least, you get automatic distortion and ca corrections for your camera jpegs.

The only limiting factor to consider really is the maximum apertures available. I've never found this an issue at the wide end, but f5.6 can be difficult in some situations at the longer end. But to get a constant f2.8 on a lens is going to cost a lot more.

You really can't go wrong with one of the kit lenses. Used at (mainly) moderate apertures, I have found that the one I have works very well on the K10. It's a combination I love using.

I do have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 which I keep on my K5, but it's a lot more expensive than a Pentax standard lens.

I too would agree with everyone who's suggested the DA SMC 18-55 kit lens. Both versions I have are very good, the WR version definitely has the edge with tighter build quality and just has a nicer feel to it.