Newbie Lens Question

Hi

Though I have owned a Pentax MV since 1981 with 28mm AF, 50mm manual, 135mm manual and 200mm manual lens, I still consider myself as a complete beginner with regard to photography!

I have recently purchased a Pentax *ist DS DSLR without a lens. I have the following questions:

1. I want to buy a general purpose zoom lens in the sort 24mm - 100mm ish range (ie maybe 35mm - 80mm depending on what is best value). Or would I be better off buying two lenses such as Pentax 18mm - 55mm F3.5 4.5 and a Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC.

2. Should I keep any of the lens I have above or sell them on ebay?

3. Is F stop down to only 3.5 (not 2.8 or less) good enough for ,ost situations see below)

I will be using the camera for:

1. Food shots using only natural light and a reflector

2. Pictures of my new baby boy with and without flash

3. Some mountain landscapes

4. Small amount of portraiture.

5. Possibly internal room shots.

6. I will NOT be shooting sport, fast moving or distant objects

7. I prefer shooting in natural light.

Can anybody give me an idea of what lenses I should buy. There seems to be such a range of price eg

Sigma Lens 18-125mm f3.5-5.6 DC £179.00
Sigma Lens 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 DG Macro £180.00
Sigma Lens 28-135mm f3.8-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro £110.00
Pentax Lens DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 ED £175.00
NEW SIGMA 24-70mm AF ZOOM LENS, PENTAX 35mm and DIGITAL £69.00


Sorry for the long question and hope it makes sense!

Thanks

The Pentax 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses would cover almost any photography you could imagine. The quality would be excellent and the controls would all work in the same way. Also, the filter size would be the same for both lenses, useful as you would only need to buy one size.

Your older lenses will work, some with restrictions, and I would hang on to them and give them a try. Those you find you no longer need could perhaps find a new home on eBay...

Have fun!