Lens change

I would stick with the 2 lenses you have.

The wider the zooming ratio, the more problematic the lens gets.

i personally think, the 18-55mm is under rated, just because it is a kit-lens.

I think it is a very good lens, optically and mechanically.

I do not recomend the Tamron 28-200mm lens, I have one and I don't think it's so great.

Regards, Horst

My initial reaction Sancho is that apart from the 'advantage' of not having to change lens, I'm not sure whether there is much more to gain from moving to one of these 'superzoom' type lenses. Personally a lot of the fun of a DSLR is the creative boost given when swapping lenses and using lenses dedicted to specific tasks.

So, apart from the 50mm, your choices would not be for me ... but if you feel the single long zoom is important for you, then the Pentax is surely worth the extra both for the longer reach and the weather resistance. Please let us know what you think, and report back!

I agree with Horst on the kit lens ... Check out my latest photos thread featuring the 18-55 WR! ... link

Hi sancho. I've had my k500 just under a yr now and I thought the same as you. I decided to keep my lenses the 18-55 is a cracking lense I also have a 55-300 that just stays on the camera most of the time. Best thing you can do is go on a digitalphotographycourse I did and got off auto in one day never been on it since. There is a guy in Leicestershire called digitalphotographycourses. Co . Uk he has people from all over the country go to him.

I don't think the 18-270 has WR?

I'm looking to trade in the same 2 lenses as well. I'm currently planning to replace with the Pentax 18-135 WR. I'm going to do this, because the 18-135s I've used have been much sharper than the other 2 and the Autofocus being silent is a big draw too.
I do a lot of kayaking with my camera, and whilst usually the 18-55 range is all I'd need for this, I ocassionally like to take some close ups but I definitely don't want to be changing lenses next to a waterfall whilst it's raining. The 18-135 fits the bill perfectly for me in this respect.

I'll lose the longer telephoto range, but I don't use it all too often anyway and can always buy a Pentax M 200mm F4 fairly cheaply.

So the advantages of that lens USM autofocus, no lens swapping, WR, sharper.

As for learning photography I wouldn't necessarily jump straight in with the M setting. Start with the Av setting and just experiment with different apertures to see what effects you get, then move on and try Tv and M maybe.
Instead of getting the 50mm F1.8 have you considered buying a really cheap 50mm prime off ebay (I got a Pentax M 50mm F2 for about £7) and just playing with it. It's a difficult thing to get right, but I enjoy using that lens far more than any of the auto lenses. Even though I get fewer shots I'm happy with, the ones I am happy with make it worthwhile.
If you go down the Manual route then look up Catch in Focus, you'll thank me later

The Pentacon screw thread lens can be used, but you'll need a Pentax Adapter K to attach it to your DSLR. It might be better to wait for an SMC Pentax-M 50mm which will attach directly, although still needing manual focus and stop down metering to work.

Any K fit lens with an "A" on the aperture ring will be much more convenient, being fully compatible with the cameras.

and I will add that Pentacon lenses were never very highly rated in the first instance.