This one could run for a while

I mainly use zooms for 2 reasons

1. For my main interest, landscapes, I mostly shoot at small apertures and the IQ difference between a zoom and prime becomes much less significant

2. I just find I prefer the flexibility of a zoom, primes are too limiting most of the time, some say this makes you consider composition more but I don't agree I just find it limits me more.

I've had and sold the 50mm FA1.4 and 40mm F2.8 as I didn't really use them - I've now bought the DA35mm F2.4 which will mainly be used for indoor/lowlight, maybe the odd pano.

Simon

I wouldn't bother paying the premium for the fastest card as Steve mentions the Class 6 cards are fast enough for the K20D & probably the K5 too.

Simon

All the reviews I read, which was quite a few, recommended the 18-250 over other similiar options.

I was pretty much in the same position with my lens line-up before buying the 18-250, as I have the DA12-24, DA17-70 & DA55-300.

After giving things some serious thought since buying the 18-250 I don't see it as replacing any of the other lenses, despite my initial thoughts of selling the DA17-70. I'll be using it just for travel, together with the 12-24, so a 2 lens solution instead of 3.

The 18-250 isn't too expensive used so I'm reasonably happy to leave it untouched most of the time and just take it along when convenience is that little bit more important that IQ. I always find it difficult deciding on lens choice and this seems the best option for my own needs, even though I'll obviously have a fair bit of overlap. I can't see me parting with the Pentax lenses as there's definitely something that little bit special about the colour/contrast they produce.

oh, I see what you mean - but what's wrong with that, surely that's the reason for buying the lens in the first place, if you find you're happy with the results and don't see the need to change lenses then it's best of both worlds!!

To be honest it depends how "fussy" you are regarding IQ - I've just bought a used Tamron 18-250 and initial impressions are very positive, I think it will be an excellent travel lens.

Having said that I don't intend to use it for my landscape shots as I'm quite keen on maximum sharpness and the best colour/contrast I can achieve straight form the camera without PP - for this I use a Pentax 12-24mm or my DA 17-70 which I think are both better in this respect, although the Tamron runs the 17-70 very close for sharpness within the same focal range.

Unless you intend to go on any wildlife trips (Llyn Peninsula is best for this) you're probably not going to need the reach of the 18-250 much (I can't remember the last time I used a telephoto around North Wales) as you probably know North Wales is mostly about the scenery and beaches (don't miss Llanddwyn beach/Island on Anglesey.

Just my thoughts on things!!

Simon

I've given this some thought myself - a few threads I've read suggest that the DA 18-135 may not be as sharp as the 18-250, which having just bought the Tamron version looks pretty close to the DA 17-70 so my guess is that it's not quite so sharp, there's a few comments around that mention corner softness.

Colour/contrast look similar on both the 17-70 & 18-135, I can't imagine the difference been significant as the 17-70 is excellent in this regard. The main downside to the 18-135 seems to be CA, which from my experience is very well controlled on the 17-70.

Personally I see the choice of 18-135 over 17-70 been more about range/technology (DC/WR) than image quality - on a similar line to the old 18-250 vs 17-70 debate of old.

Simon

I'm not faulting the IQ of the DA17-70, infact I've posted comments before on how happy I am with the results from it - it's just I'm not one for keeping something if I'm not really going to use it.

I guess it probably does, the thing is though that it's likely now to be used only rarely and I'd rather release some funds for a K5, replacing it with a decent but cheaper alternative seems to make sense - at the moment at least

I guess the separation issue is something that can occur at anytime, even if it appears fine now?

I'd only take the chance if it was very cheap or I might rethink & spend a bit more on a used Tamron 17-50 F2.8 if one comes along, or perhaps an F/FA 28mm - I'm really just looking to bridge the gap between 24mm & 35mm but by not spending too much with the K5 purchase looming - although the sale of my DA17-70 is looking ever more likely.