Lens advice

Being new and fairly inexperienced I am looking for some advice as to my next lens purchase.
I currently use a K10D with standard 18-55 kit lens along with a 75-300 zoom.

I am looking for a better quality short zoom to replace the kit lens. Initially I was considering the Sigma 17-70, but having read several reviews on this and other forums, the Pentax 50-135 appeals. I am aware that the price of the Pentax is double that of the Sigma and is set to rise again.

Is the Pentax worth the extra, I was always taught, "buy the best glass you can afford".

I photograph a wide variety of subjects and am looking for a good quality general purpose lens.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Steve is definitely worth the money, and i have to agree with you, buy always the best glass you can afford. I suggest you take the decision quite fast cause the price is already double in most of the shop.
Regards
Claudio

I hope this isn't too obvious a statement, but you need to consider what you plan to photograph to decide which lens to buy first. (Don't kid yourself, you will buy them both in the end).

I've been saying this for years.

A camera is only as good as the glass in front of it!....and of course the person pressing the button!.......The 50/135 will fill a nice gap,and will compliment your 18/55 "Kit lens",which I believe is much underated,but as Jaco says the price has gone through the roof.........I was lucky ,after a great deal of searching to find one yesterday at the old price....good luck whatever you decide....................Ken

Those are radically different ranges of focal lengths. 17-70mm is wide angle to moderate telephoto. 50-135mm is moderate telephoto to medium telephoto.

You need to decide what sort of focal lengths you want before deciding on a particular lens.

Agreed and many don't see the DA*50-135 as a general purpose lens, it's not wide enough on the long end. A 17-70 would be a far better range for that.

It really depends on your need if the DA*50-135 is good enough. I hardly shoot landscapes so it's good enough for my shooting style but it isn't for everyone.

The kitlens is also a stunning lens and perfect for landscapes were you stop it down to f/8 and use it on the wide end. Most other lenses wouldn't be better then the kit lens at that range... so once again it depends on your shooting style if a upgrade is worth it.