Primes or zooms

I am at the start of building my lens collection but I am undecided which way to go.

I currently have a k5 with the kit 18-55mm WR and a selection of takumar lenses.

My previous setup I had a canon 5d classic with 17-40mm f/4 L, 50mm f/1.8, 70-200mm f/4 L that worked quite well.

I have been getting on OK with my collection of various takumar lenses but I really want autofocus.

My current path of thinking is either;

Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 and 50-135mm f/2.8
Or
15mm, 21mm, 35mm, 70mm Pentax limited lenses.

All advice and suggestions greatly appreciated.

It depends how much you value portability and compactness of your outfit. If you are not too worried about this I would go the zoom route, the DA* lenses are superb, I have recently acquired a 50-135 and it is beautiful, the equal of any of my primes and better than most.

Regards
David

I am lucky to have a good mix, and I will go to where I am going with and appropriate mix. Sometimes all zoom, sometimes all prime. Sometimes a mix.

It depends on your budget as all are good.
However, there is one default choice in your list. The DA*50-135. Whatever you do, get that lens. It is mighty.
Then, you have a choice.
Get the DA*16-50. But also get the plastic fantastic DA50 as well for shallow DOF creative stuff.
Or, get the Prime quads - 15mm, 21mm, 35mm (either Ltd or F2.4) and DA50

Only you know the answer to the question, that is half the fun or getting lenses, and Most Pentax lenses are fantastic. Which ever route you take you can save up and slowly get the others. That is what I did.

I'd get the zooms, 16-50 and 50-135, first and then as and when build up a prime collection.

Or even depending on what you normally shoot at, get a zoom, and a prime...

e.g. the 16-50 and a 70mm

Or the 21mm and a 50-135...

or get the Sigma 18-35mm, which according to reviews out-performs most primes in that range of focal lengths.....with that and DA* 50-135mm you'd be missing 35-50mm, but it would cover most applications.

Based on your Canon kit I would go Pentax DA 17-7mm f4 and DA* 60-250mm f4. Throw in a cheap 50mm 1.8 if you need one (never use mine) and you are set. I have all the Ltd primes but never use them, the combo I suggested is my usual carry kit (although I do also carry a 35mm macro) and it's just about perfect.

Depends on the subjects you want to shoot... But in these modern times. I'd go the zoom route. More convenient in the long run...

I'd back the recommendation for the DA* 50-135 - an impressive lens. The DA*60-250 also has many fans, but be certain you are comfortable carrying its bulk and weight.

The DA* 15-50 has plenty of fans and is a logical accompaniment to the 50-135. Also worth considering is the DA 17-70 (or perhaps Sigma equivalent): the Pentax is a good lens and the 20mm 'overlap' is in practice useful rather than redundant.

Zooms these days are often excellent but they are quite obtrusive in certain situations. An FA 31 or DA 35mm would be a good starting point for a prime lens - the former expensive, even second-hand, but quite superb - and you could add other primes as time goes by.

Plenty of good advice above - but they are EXPENSIVE.

Depending on whether it is right for you as a starter, look at the DA*16-50 ... and then if you can afford it the DA*50-135 too.

As an interim measure and to give you a little extra reach the DA50-200 from Currys at £99 is worth grabbing. If you then get a DA* covering that range you will probably be able to sell it for close to cost.

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras/accessories/lenses/pentax-ed-wr-50-200-mm-f...

I had a similar dilemma when starting up with pentax, but in contrast to others here went down the prime route - specifically collecting the DA Ltds. For me this worked because the main reason I went with Pentax is the possibility of a really compact DSLR setup, which I truly value. The DA Ltds are beautifully made and great to use, and I can take 3/4 of them out with me in a very small bag. I don't mind the faff of changing between them as most of my photography is landscape based, and I also like the thought processes involved in using primes. Slows me down a bit, which is good

But I do have the 18-135 as a general purpose lens, and using this makes me fully appreciate the convenience and possibilities of zooms. And some of the images I've seen from the 50-135 have been stunning.

Quality in both of your paths... really depends on your personal preferences and the type of photography you mostly do !

Ive got a 16-50 da and it is an absolute gem. Only downside is that it struggles a bit to focus in dim lit conditions. The fa 35mm is a prime gem too. Then the zoom depends on you. Have you got the cash to spend and what are you photographic needs?

Dave,
Like you I am in the process of re-building my camera collection after almost 20 years without an (D)SLR
And id have to agree with most of the above comments.
Keep a sharp eye out on the classifieds, or post requests for specific items, you never know what or when things will turn up.
Also E-bay can be good, but be careful and VERY selective.
I've managed to find a 16-50 DA*, 50-135 DA* from e-bay, and a 300 DA* from on here, so im getting back quite nicely now thank you.....

Andy

Thanks for all the advice I also have another option of
15mm limited
20-40mm limited
70mm limited
And or 50-135mm

What do you think?

The 50-135mm is a great lens.
The 16-50mm can reasonably be replaced with the Tamron 17-50mm if budget is a concern and lens sealing isn't.
I've had and enjoyed both the 15 and 70mm but ultimately a high quality zoom is more convenient.